Chicago Bears: 5 Ways To Fix the Offensive Line Right Now

For the past several years there has been one key struggle for the Chicago Bears: the offensive line. In the Bears' first preseason game, they showed that they have not completely solved the problem by giving up nine sacks to the Buffalo Bills.

The Bears have a franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler, but he cannot do much if he has no time to throw the ball.

In the latest preseason game against the New York Giants, the Bears offensive line looked much improved, but still showed areas of concern.

If the Bears want to make another run at an NFC North title, they have to fix the offensive line. Here are five moves that the Bears can make if they want to solve their offensive line problems:

Get Over the Loss of Olin Kreutz

After 12 great seasons with the Bears, center Olin Kreutz has finally cut ties with the Bears and moved on to the New Orleans Saints. The loss of the six-time Pro-Bowler has been a topic of great controversy, but if the Bears want to move forward this season they simply have to move on.

Many Bears players are still upset that the Bears and Kreutz could not come to an agreement to bring the longtime captain back to Chicago, but can the Bears really be blamed? Kreutz's market value was way lower than what the Bears were offering him ($4 million) and he found this out when he signed with the Saints for only $2 million.

At the end of the day, Kreutz isn't the player that he used to be. If Kreutz was still playing at a Pro Bowl level, the Bears would have made it a priority to re-sign him.

Since Kreutz is gone, the Bears need to move on and figure out what is working for them now on their offensive line.

Don't Let Frank Omiyale Come Anywhere Near the Field

While the Bears are still working out the kinks on the offensive line, there is one thing that is a clear, no-brainer: don't play Frank Omiyale.

Numerous times last year, Bears fans had to watch Omiyale get beat at left tackle and leave Jay Cutler blindsided. Left tackle is the most important position on the offensive line (next to center), simply for that reason: you are protecting the quarterback's blindside.

For most of his NFL career, Omiyale has sat on the sidelines on the inactive list. This is not simply a misunderstanding, but rather it has to be a clear reflection of his talent. Omiyale is not an NFL quality offensive linemen, and the Bears would be foolish to try him out there this season.

To put it clear as day: don't play Frank Omiyale. If he gets in for the Bears we may hear more "Frank Oh-My-God," than Frank Omiyale this season.

Find Out What You Want To Do with Lance Louis

One of the big question marks the Bears have right now is whether they are going to play Lance Louis at right guard. It is important that the Bears get a good look at Louis, but as the season opener creeps closer and closer, it is imperative that the Bears figure out exactly what they want to do with the offensive line.

Louis has had a solid camp, but the Bears are still not set on what they want to do with him. He is the type of player that you love to see on the offensive line: a brawler with size. He checks out at about 6'3'' and 320 pounds.

The better that Louis practices, the better the Bears offensive line will be, so you cannot fault the guy for putting in good time. This decision is simply on the coaching staff.

Mike Tice and the rest of the Bears staff need to decide if Louis will be part of the first-team offensive line. With a little over two and a half weeks left until the regular season opener, the Bears need to complete the offensive line and further develop some chemistry between the starters.

Play Chris Spencer

To pay a guy $3 million a year to sit on the bench is pretty foolish and unless the Bears insert newly acquired Chris Spencer into the starting lineup, they will be making that mistake.

After losing Olin Kreutz this offseason, the Bears went out and signed free-agent center Chris Spencer. Spencer is a veteran in this league who has started multiple seasons in the NFL and could bring the veteran leadership that this young, Bears offensive line needs.

During camp, Roberto Garza has been taking most of the reps with the first-team offensive line at the center position and doing a very good job. Even though he has been doing well and played center in college, Garza's true position is guard.

By shifting Garza back to guard and inserting Spencer at center, the Bears will have two solid veterans in the middle to protect Jay Cutler.

If the Bears received a lot of criticism for not giving Olin Kreutz the $500K more that he wanted this offseason, then they should expect plenty of torches and pitchforks if they let a $3 million man sit on the bench.

Play Gabe Carimi at Left Tackle

With the Bears first-round pick in April's NFL Draft, they selected a stud in Wisconsin alum, Gabe Carimi. Carimi is a huge offensive lineman with tremendous upside.

Throughout camp and the first two preseason games, Carimi has impressed coaches and players alike with his effort and skill at offensive tackle.

If the Bears really want to protect Jay Cutler's blindside, they will throw the rookie to the left tackle position.

Despite not playing too poorly, Carimi would be a definite upgrade for current left tackle J'Marcus Webb.

Webb is a great athlete with big size, but fundamentally he still has much to learn. Carimi would be a great insertion to that position and would give Cutler much more time to throw before getting hit.

It may be tough to throw a rookie into a left tackle position right away, but after watching the first two preseason games for the Bears, Carimi looks like the guy to do it.