In order for any team to have success in today’s passer friendly era, one must have a good if not great offensive line. With today’s Defensive Tackles and Defensive Lineman being stronger, faster, and more athletic than players from the past having a good offensive line is a must. With that being said we continue with our All-Decade list and if you haven’t figured it out already we are going to be examining the top Offensive Lineman of the decade for the Bears. If you call your self a Chicago Bears fan then you must have realized how pathetic our O-Line was this season. With Orlando Pace past his prime and Frank Omiyale a disaster at the offensive tackle position the Bears greatly struggled to field a consistent offensive line. The debacle of the O-Line was a main reason the Bears struggled to a 7-9 record; if you can’t protect the QB and run the ball effectively your team isn’t going anywhere. With that being said the top Offensive Lineman of the Decade is:

FRANK OMIYALE…okay that was a joke. THE top offensive lineman of the decade truly is:

(Center) Olin Kreutz


The Chicago Bears drafted Kreutz in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft 64th overall. Over his nine year career, Kreutz has been selected to six Pro Bowls, and one of the team's most consistent offensive lineman. Kreutz has been a member of the Bears organization longer than any of his current teammates. Kreutz has anchored the Bears offensive line since being appointed the starter in 1999. Tough and durable, the Hawaii native has started a team-high 118 straight games dating back to 2002, when he missed one contest after undergoing an appendectomy. If only we had more lineman like Kreutz.

Although Kreutz was an easy decision for Lineman of the Decade other candidates were:

(Tackle) James “Big Cat” Williams (2000-02)

Big Cat played his entire 12-year NFL career with the Bears, emerging as a dominant right tackle after entering the league as a defensive lineman.

(Tackle) John Tait (2004-2008)

A versatile and durable performer, Tait started at right tackle in his first season with the Bears in 2004, moved to left tackle for three years, and then returned to right tackle in 2008. Tait blocked for 1,000-yard rushers in three of his four final seasons with the Bears

Perhaps the Bears best group of Offensive lineman during the 2000’s was the 2006 squad. Both Ruben Brown and Olien Kreutz were selected to the Pro Bowl with the latter earning his first All-Pro selection. That dominant line helped power the Bears to Superbowl 41. Hopefully the Bears with their young core of players are able to duplicate the success of that 2006 squad sooner rather than later.