The battle between 2008 first-round draft pick Chris Williams and 2010 seventh-round draft pick J'Marcus Webb for the Chicago Bears' starting left tackle job was Around the League's No. 13 position battle to watch this summer.
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After three preseason games, we might have a winner.
Though no official announcement has been made by the team, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Webb appears to have sewn up the position with a solid performance in last night's preseason victory over the New York Giants.
Webb and the first-team offensive line did not allow a sack, continuing their improvement over the time the Bears visited the Giants in MetLife Stadium and Jay Cutler was sacked nine times in the first half.
"(No sacks) was definitely a good sign," Webb said. "You definitely want to move the ball up and down the field, work as a unit that feels good and strong, and then come out with the win ... I think we did a solid job, but just got to look at the film. Can't give you anymore than that right now."
With Chris Spencer securing the left guard spot, it's unclear where or if Williams will play if Webb is, in fact, the starting left tackle. Gabe Carimi, the Bears' 2011 first-round draft pick, is starting on the right side, which would make Williams an affordable ($1 million base salary) backup at three or four spots on the line entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Perhaps Williams could seek a trade to a team in need of a left tackle (Arizona Cardinals) or right tackle (New York Jets) if he's not in the Bears' plans going forward.
Follow Brian McIntyre on Twitter _@brianmcintyre_.
