Kyle Long's Debut At Tackle Brings Mixed Results
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- For a full week, the Bears have known Kyle Long was making the move from right guard to right tackle.
Those around Halas Hall -- members of the media included -- could sense what Bears coach John Fox was doing. A two-time Pro Bowl guard, Long was sliding over to give this Chicago offensive line its best chance at success. But Fox didn't want to make a grand announcement.
Sunday's 31-23 loss to Green Bay brought the official beginning of Long's move to tackle.
"They've done a good job since letting me know it was going to be the decision in the past week or so," Long said of the move. "It's a lot different in the game."
Long's debut at tackle was a mixed bag of results. For the most part, he held strong against the pressure of Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews and more, but he was responsible for a blow-up on a fourth-and-goal that helped Green Bay win the game.
Overall, Long drew praise from his teammates.
"I thought he played well," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. "We'll look at the film. We'll look at that, but for having one week at right tackle, I thought he did excellent."
The Bears elected to play Long at right tackle, then started Vladimir Ducasse at right guard. In the preseason, Jordan Mills -- he of 29 starts at right tackle the past two seasons -- failed to secure his position and was later cut. Charles Leno didn't do any better in place of Mills, forcing Fox's hand by moving Long over.
The first assignment for Long was trying to keep Peppers in check and bringing stability to the offensive line. Chicago racked up 402 yards of offense while creating an overall balance.
For Long, the debut at right tackle was something to build upon, much like the entire offense.
"You get so comfortable at one position, and then you get moved," Long said. "But that's part of the deal -- football."
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