Bears 2nd-Rounder Cody Whitehair Willing To Play Anywhere On Offensive Line
(CBS) As the Bears continue to put a focus on getting younger and more athletic, second-round pick Cody Whitehair said he's willing to play anyone on the offensive line.
Whitehair's projected by most to be a guard, but he played that spot and tackle on both sides of the offensive line during his career at Kansas State. He also took some reps at center at the Senior Bowl and during workouts after the NFL Combine.
"Wherever they want me to play, I'll play," Whitehair said during an interview on the Mully and Hanley Show on Monday morning.
"Honestly, I feel like they all rank up there together. As far as what I feel most comfortable with, probably guard on either side of the line. That's probably my most comfortable position."
For now, Whitehair figures into the mix on the interior offensive line and most likely at guard. The Bears cut veteran guard Matt Slauson on Sunday, just two days after drafting Whitehair. The team also plans to move three-time Pro Bowler Kyle Long back to right guard after he spent 2015 at right tackle, to varying returns.
In 2015, Chicago used a third-round pick on center Hroniss Grasu, who struggled for long stretches as a rookie and will be under the microscope in his second professional season.
For his part, Whitehair's focused on giving the Bears coaching staff as many options as possible. He did 16 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the NFL Combine, a low number for offensive linemen and one he said he was "disappointed in" before adding, "I'm better than that, I'm stronger than that and I don't think that will be a problem for me."
"I've just been working on playing both left guard, center and right guard, just to keep my versatility up and ready to go so when the team calls and needs me to perform at either position, I can do it," Whitehair said. "Also, just staying in shape and lifting and getting ready for mini-camp.
"I'm really excited about this opportunity."
Listen to Whitehair's full interview below.
