Sept. 08--After a morning practice Monday at Halas Hall, Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long found himself expressing the same sentiments he has been voicing since late July.
It matters not, Long repeated, where he'll line up as the season begins. He's simply hoping to remain a productive force up front for a Bears line that continues to shuffle.
"I'm just trying to be as dialed in as I can in the spots I'm possibly going to be in," Long said. "There's a lot of studying and a lot of technique that comes into it."
As Week 1 preparations began, Long insisted he had "no clue" whether he'd be starting at right tackle or right guard when the Packers come to Soldier Field on Sunday. And his coach, John Fox, remained similarly secretive when pressed for specifics on where Long will settle.
Quipped Fox: "I think he's going to be active for the game -- more than likely."
An educated guess points toward Long continuing his transition to right tackle. Jordan Mills, who started 29 games at that position the last two seasons, was cut Sunday. That cleared room for the Bears to claim guard Patrick Omameh off waivers.
And Omameh, who started 16 games at right guard for the Buccaneers last season, was on the practice field Monday and Fox admitted he's curious to see what the third-year veteran can add.
"He's a smart, tough guy that we think can help us really at multiple positions," Fox said.
But Omameh's transition -- to a new team, to a new line, to a new system -- will require time, meaning the Bears will almost certainly head into the season opener with Long at right tackle and Vladimir Ducasse by his side at right guard.
Long started 31 games at right guard the last two seasons and has been trying to simplify his move to tackle, saying last week that "I'm moving two feet (to the right)."
"Really," Long added after Monday's practice, "it's all football."
A position change may require Long's wheels to turn more as he processes a new set of responsibilities. Yet Fox made it clear Monday that he won't spend much time monitoring Long's comfort during this transition.
"He's probably a guy I'm least concerned about confidence with on our football team," Fox said. "He's a pretty good player and a pretty confident guy."
Left guard Matt Slauson also has few worries about Long's ability to handle all that's being thrown at him.
"Kyle's just such a freak," Slauson said. "He's one of the best, if not the best athlete on our line. So that helps. He can easily handle it physically. And I know he can handle it mentally too. We just have to make sure we're communicating well."
Slauson also expressed confidence in Ducasse, with whom he was teammates with the Jets for three seasons from 2010-12. Slauson lauds Ducasse's athleticism and said he believes the 27-year-old interior lineman has continued to increase his patience on the field.
"Vlad is incredibly fast and athletic and can make every block," Slauson said. "And now he understands offensive line instincts. When things start moving, where do you look? Based on the rules, which way do you go? He knows that now and can react."
Since training camp opened, Long, Slauson and the rest of the Bears linemen have vocalized their push to establish an identity as a ferocious and physical bunch. And Slauson realizes, even amid all the ongoing change, that Week 1 presents the ideal opportunity for the line to put its intensity on display.
"There are going to be times where we won't be sure who to block," he said. "And the thing that always gets you through is just being as physical as you can be. Our offensive line understands that."
dwiederer@tribpub.com
