Emma: Reconstructed Bears Offensive Line Believes It's Starting To Click

By Chris Emma--

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- The news blind-sided the Bears just a day after the NFL Draft concluded. One of their most beloved teammates, leaders and friends, Matt Slauson had been cut by the team.

Nobody saw it coming inside the Bears locker room or outside of Halas Hall. It was considered a great loss for teammates who had become close with Slauson. Members of the Bears offensive line were disappointed to see Slauson leave.

"It was rough, that was a tough one," Bears center Hroniss Grasu said. "It's an eye-opening experience my first offseason in the NFL -- one of my best friends so far in this league, a huge mentor for me."

The Bears offensive line has been taking the field for OTAs without Slauson, who signed with the Chargers not long after being let go. That's just one of many changes that met the unit this offseason.

Similar to Slauson's exit, the Bears cut tackle Jermon Bushrod this offseason. He was another key leader, though that was an expected move. Chicago then shifted Kyle Long back to his more comfortable position of right guard and signed Bobbie Massie to man right tackle. Slauson was let go after the team drafted guard Cody Whitehair out of Kansas State in the second round.

Additionally, the Bears signed guards Ted Larsen and Manny Ramirez, but Ramirez announced his retirement Thursday. Tackle Tayo Fabuluje was cut before getting to start his second NFL season, and the Bears then went out to sign veteran Nate Chandler to add depth at tackle.

The only two players in the same positions from 2015 on the Bears' offensive line are Grasu at center and Charles Leno at left tackle.

After many offseason moves, the Bears believe they're finding continuity on the offensive line, that the restored unit is beginning to click.

"The sky's the limit for this unit," Grasu said.

Optimism is warranted, because the Bears have a mix of veteran experience and rising young players, with some depth to fill voids.

Long is seeking his fourth Pro Bowl appearance in as many years, with a friend in Massie recruited to play alongside at tackle. The Bears rearranged the right side of the line after Long struggled at tackle and a revolving door spun at guard in 2015.

Both Leno and Grasu were inconsistent during their first seasons as full-time starters. Leno proved he's indeed better at left tackle instead of right, earning the Bears' trust in his abilities. Grasu's "redshirt" year was lost after Will Montgomery suffered a broken tibia, and Grasu struggled on the fly.

Now in his second season, Grasu has bulked up to 310 pounds and learned how to better read and react after the snap.

"If you don't know what you're doing, if you're thinking too much, it doesn't matter how strong or fast you are, that split second that you're thinking, you're going to get beat," Grasu said. "Not having that second to think anymore, to go and play fast, it's been making a difference in my play so far."

The Bears feel Leno can work at left tackle, are invested in the future of Grasu and see great potential in Long and Massie. Their greatest question mark comes at left guard, where Larsen and Whitehair will be caught in a position battle that could last deep into training camp.

In Larsen, the Bears brought in a seven-year veteran with 57 starts under his belt. Whitehair is a young, raw player who may not be ready to start just yet.

"Coming in here, you got to be a consistent player," Whitehair said. "You're trying to earn a job. If you're consistent and do things right, you got a better shot at that."

Added Massie of Whitehair: "He's going to be beat, he's going to mess up. That's part of getting into the NFL, being a rookie. You got to stay 10 toes down, stick to the plan."

Losing Slauson was a tough moment for the Bears offensive line. Bushrod wasn't expected to return, but Slauson was an expected starter. His absence created quite the void in the locker room.

The Bears offensive line moved on with their offseason and quickly began the search to find cohesiveness. There's a long way to go, but optimism is ever present as the unit's work continue.

"It's still going to take time," Massie said of the line. "We're not where we want to be right now."

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.