KNOW YOUR BEARS: OFFENSIVE TACKLES

PART 6: Leading into training camp, the Sun- Times takes a closer look at each position

70 70 BOBBY MASSIE

Sixth year 6- 4, 315, Mississippi Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2016. Age: 28. NFL experience: 69 games ( 61 starts) in five seasons. Background: A fourth- round draft pick ( 112th overall) by the Cardinals in 2012, Massie started 16 games at right tackle as a rookie but was beaten out by free agent Eric Winston in 2013 and played in just eight games. He regained his starting job in 2014 and 2015, when the Cardinals went 11- 5 and 13- 3 and reached the NFC Championship Game after the 2015 season. With first- round pick D. J. Humphries waiting in the wings, the Cardinals didn’t make a big effort to re- sign Massie, who signed a three- year, $ 18 million deal with the Bears that allowed Kyle Long to return to guard. The skinny: The Bears are hoping that Massie can pick up where he left off and solidify a recently shaky position. With career backups Tom Compton and Bradley Sowell behind him, a lot rides on Massie establishing himself as a rock- solid starter.

72 72 CHARLES LENO

Fourth year 6- 4, 315, Boise State Acquired: Seventh- round draft pick ( 246th overall) in 2014. Age: 25. NFL experience: 38 games ( 30 starts) in three seasons. Background: After serving an apprenticeship behind starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod in 2014 as a rookie ( he started one game, as a tackle- eligible against the Packers), Leno took over Bushrod’s starting position in Week 4 of 2015 and has started 29 consecutive games in the last two seasons. On a team that has had notable injury and depth issues, Leno has been on the field for the Bears’ last 1,899 offensive snaps during those 29 straight starts. The skinny: The Bears insist they are happy with Leno’s progress, which basically means they had bigger issues to address in the offseason, and they did. Leno’s motivation should be at a peak — he will be a free agent after this season, so a big year could be a bonanza. But until he proves he deserves that, left tackle will be a huge X- factor for the Bears.

76 76 TOM COMPTON

Sixth year 6- 5, 308, South Dakota Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2017. Age: 28. NFL experience: 44 games ( 11 starts) in five seasons. Background: A sixth- round draft pick ( 193rd overall) by the Redskins in 2012, Compton spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad and had 10 offensive snaps in his second season. He started nine games in 2014 and two in 2015 without any acclaim, making his biggest impact as a blocking tight end. He signed with the Falcons as a reserve swing tackle but played sparingly ( 69 offensive snaps) as the Falcons’ entire line started all 20 games. The skinny: Compton is a good athlete who has lined up as a fullback and extra tight end and should be a good fit for the Bears’ zone- blocking scheme. But like many unproven NFL backups, the “depth” that Compton provides remains to be seen. Still, he’s the leading candidate for backup swing tackle entering training camp.

79 79 BRADLEY SOWELL

Sixth year 6- 7, 316, Mississippi Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2017. Age: 28. NFL experience: 68 games ( 21 starts) in five seasons. Background: Signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Sowell made the practice squad before the Colts signed him to their active roster. He played 10 games as a rookie. He was cut in 2013 but signed by the Cardinals, starting the last 12 games in place of Levi Brown. He lost his starting position in 2014 and 2015 and was signed by the Seahawks in 2016. He started six games at left tackle before suffering an injury, and his replacement kept the job. Sowell started three games at right tackle when he returned but was benched in Week 15 and inactive for the final two games and postseason. The Bears signed Sowell as a free agent in May. The skinny: Almost by default, Sowell will be a candidate for the backup swing tackle position. He at least has starting experience on good teams — though not necessarily good offensive lines.

68 68 DIEUGOT JOSEPH

Rookie 6- 6, 293, Florida International Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Age: 23. NFL experience: None. Background: First name is pronounced “Jeh- GO.” He’s a two- star defensive end recruit from Orlando, Fla., who switched to the offensive line the spring before his redshirt freshman season. A three- year starter at left tackle — though only four starts as a junior because of an injury — he was honorable mention all- Conference USA last year, when the Panthers rushed for 200 yards or more five times. Played in the East- West Shrine Game. The skinny: With his long arms, big hands and “zone- blocking athleticism,” Joseph is an intriguing roll of the dice who likely is fighting for a chance to get a developmental year on the practice squad. He could surprise, with good teaching and opportunity.

78 78 WILLIAM POEHLS

Fourth year 6- 8, 334, Montana Acquired: Signed to the practice squad in 2016. Age: 25. NFL experience: None. Background: Signed by the Titans as an undrafted free agent, the massive Poehls spent two seasons on the practice squad. After he was cut again by the Titans in 2016, the Bills signed Poehls to their practice squad, but he was cut six weeks later. The Bears signed Poehls to their practice squad on Nov. 2, 2016, and then signed him to a futures contract in January. Notable: Poehls’ last name is pronounced “Pails.” He played guard at Montana and was a second- team all- conference pick in 2013. The skinny: At his size, he has good versatility, working at both guard and tackle on NFL teams. Already cut four times in the NFL, Poehls is the long shot of long shots and faces a steep climb just to get an opportunity to get an opportunity.