Bears Can Stand for Immediate End to Starting Center Battle
![Ryan Bates looks the part of a starting center so far after coming over from the Bills. Ryan Bates looks the part of a starting center so far after coming over from the Bills.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3349,h_1883,x_517,y_131/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/bear_digest/01j3jy5gy0bn2gsftszx.jpg)
It's not too soon to wonder if there should be an early resolution to the Bears center battle between Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates.
It's the team's only true starting battle.
"I told the guys (Monday), you make the team or you make your position in pads," coach Matt Eberflus said. "It's hard to evaluate guys when we're out here and not in pads."
Then the Friday start of padded work would have to be considered Shelton's last shot, or when he needs to make his move anyway.
There are good reasons for liking Bates better, even after only two practices apiece working with starters.
Backside Tag RPO
— Cover 1 (@Cover1) August 21, 2019
This play by Ryan Bates was phenomenal. Guard is executing a down block on the NT but he slips the block. Rather than continue onto the frontside LB, Bates recognizes it and picks up the immediate threat. pic.twitter.com/2XMxxNaO0k
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Unless there is a total reversal in how Bates looks once pads come on. Bates should be declared winner so the line continuity can develop. They need to get the same group together as soon as possible.
Regardless of how they've looked so far in their assignments, if all things are equal the winner has to be Bates because Shelton doesn't appear physically capable of handling the rigors of starting at NFL center for 17 games at his size.
While Bates isn't exactly heavy for the position at 6-4, 302, he's close enough to ideal weight for it. Shelton is 6-5, 285 pounds according to Bears roster sizes.
A 285-pound lineman might have worked in the 1980s and 1990s, but not now.
Sometimes the sizes change and aren't recorded correctly. For instance, Shelton was 299 on a couple of Rams rosters last year and in another past one at 300. But 285 is a new weight posted and unless they need to get trainers a new scale at Halas Hall, that must be presumed accurate. It's far too light even in an offense using a lot of wide zone blocking.
There's another good reason to give this to Bates. It always helps having a vocal leader at center.
#Bears LG Teven Jenkins says Ryan Bates has emerged as a vocal leader in the OL room.
— Cassie Carlson (@CassieCarlsonTV) July 22, 2024
When it comes to the center competition between Bates & Coleman Shelton: "Above my pay grade. I love both guys." @foxkickoff @fox32news
Guard Teven Jenkins was asked regardless of position, if there is a vocal line leader so far.
"It would probably be Ryan Bates being a vocal leader," Jenkins said. "He's more of our vocal guy like you're asking right now. So I’d say probably Ryan Bates."
When the pads come on, it's difficult to see how something is going to change barring a health issue.
The fallback for coaches always is they need to let things play out in camp but this is one position where it’s better to have a player in place and getting the ball to Caleb Williams to start plays on a regular basis for the sake of consistency.
So Ryan Bates got the first team reps yesterday and Coleman Shelton did today. Feels like a real competition at center.
— Harrison Graham (@HGrahamNFL) July 21, 2024
Also: Nate Davis has practiced both days. Big positive
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven