For all the clichés in the cliché-rich game of American gridiron football, the old axiom that the game is won in the trenches is among the most well-known.
And it’s one of the most accepted.
Few teams have had long-term or even short-term success without solid lines on both sides of the ball. And there are more line-dominant clichés to cite.
Build a team from the inside out. The game starts up front.
All of these statements are ways of saying that offensive and defensive line play are important for success
in football.
And today, we’re focusing on the Chicago Bears offensive line.
While I am not as astute in line play as my colleagues Jeff Berkes or Lester A. Wiltfong Jr., I appreciate the line and always love a big nasty up front.
Picking an all-time favorite is difficult for me. I am someone who appreciates and loves the game’s history as much as I love its current players.
I appreciate the linemen I never saw play. Like Stan Jones, Jimbo Covert, Bulldog Turner and Jay Hilgenberg.
But I think for me, my favorite needs to be someone I watched play. It’s difficult for me there, too. I remember watching the steady play of Big Cat Williams. I loved Olin Kreutz, his demeanor and leadership on many an offense struggling to put up points.
My favorite, though, my number one, is Kyle Long.
And I am a little surprised to type that. Because I always thought my all-time favorite was Kreutz. But Long was a warrior. He fit into Chicago and embodied the Bears from day one.
He played out of position. He battled through injuries that ultimately cut his career short. Elevating the line play on the teams he was on with attitude, toughness and a fun-loving side that resonated with fans.
Long was always honest with the media. A straight shooter who said how he felt. It never seemed like he was sugarcoating his thoughts or PR-sensitizing them.
The only downside to Long’s career was that it wasn’t longer. He played on just one playoff team.
I have enjoyed Long’s transition to broadcaster. He brings much of what I loved about him as a player to his TV gig. He’s funny, engaging, tells good stories, makes good observations, doesn’t B.S. and still has a soft spot for the Chicago Bears.
Here’s to Kyle Long.
Who is your all-time favorite Bears OL? Let us know in the comments.
