Veteran O-Line Coach: 'Concerned' Over Kyle Long Missing Offseason Programs

(WSCR) Before he was even drafted, Bears first-round draft pick Kyle Long was already at a disadvantage.

The offensive lineman started just four games in his college career at Oregon. On top of his inexperience, Long will miss most of the Bears offseason workouts, due to an NFL rule that states any draft pick cannot take part in anything other than the rookie minicamp until after the school he attended has completed final exams.

Since Oregon uses the quarter system, Long won't be able to participate in OTAs until June 14. Long will miss 13 practices in total – 10 OTA sessions and three days of minicamp.

"I would be concerned about it," veteran offensive line coach Tony Wise told The McNeil and Spiegel Show. "Obviously, everybody wants him to come in the first day and start. The terminology from what Oregon did in not huddling and now what he's expected to do with a huddle and get up and run a protection, change a protection, whatever like that - I don't know if it's a concern, but it sure would be nice for him to be there."

Wise worked with Long before the Senior Bowl and will continue to work with the lineman until he can join the Bears. Even with his lack of experience, Wise is confident the Bears made a good decision in drafting Long.

"The Bears clearly looked at it and said, 'Now there are clearly other guys we could take,' but the old upside-comment and that kind of thing that Kyle has a great future ahead of him because of his athletic ability and because of the trials and tribulations he went through to get to where he went. ... As you know, from the draft, they timed (his) change of directions, all kinds of things like that. When you look at Kyle and put him through all that stuff, you say, 'Goodness gracious, we'd love to work for this guy.' I can definitely see why he ended up there."