Durkin: Despite Missing Preseason, Jordan Mills All Set For Sunday

By Dan Durkin-

(CBS) Having a fifth-round pick start 16 games as a rookie last season is progress for a Bears team that has struggled to develop its own talent. While he was far from perfect, right tackle Jordan Mills gave the Bears hope that their rebuilding plan has them trending in the right direction.

In 2013, the Bears completely overhauled the talent and coaching along the offensive line. Four new starters and two new coaches were brought in to fix an offensive line that allowed the second-most sacks in the league over the previous three seasons. Mills was part of the same draft class as Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long.

Come Sunday against the Bills, those two will be lining up next to each other for the first time since last January against the Packers, a game in which Mills suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal in his foot in pregame warmups.

Mills had surgery in January, but the soreness lingered throughout training camp. The Bears' training staff took a conservative approach and rested Mills in hopes that it will benefit him in the long run. Now, Mills faces a stiff challenge right out of the gate, matching up against Bills defensive end Mario Williams, who has caught Mills' attention on film.

"He's an athletic freak," Mills said. "He can do it all. He converts speed to power and he works his hands real well."

Replicating someone like Williams in practice is difficult to do, but Mills believes the time he spent battling then-teammate Julius Peppers last season will benefit him Sunday.

"You don't see too many 6-foot-7, 300-pound defensive ends who can move like him," Mills said. "Only other one I know of is Julius Peppers, and going against him in practice last year gave me a great look."

The Bears' pass protection was strong throughout the preseason, but they didn't face a group as talented as the Bills. Last season, Buffalo produced the second-most sacks in the league last season (57), with 41 being generated by its defensive line.

The hope is that Mills will make it through the game from both a conditioning and pain tolerance standpoint. Mills expects to be singled up on Williams much of the game, with an occasional chip here and there, but he's looking forward to the challenge of facing a perennial Pro Bowl player.

"I love it," Mills said. "That's what you want. You want to go against the best every Sunday."

Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @djdurkin.