Beekman's the man!

Bears players to volunteer at community events Tuesday

December 5, 2009

Each Tuesday during the football season, Chicago Bears players visit Chicago Public Schools to speak to, motivate and interact with students. The theme for player visits is character development, goal setting, commitment to excellence and the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle. The Bears School Outreach Program, which is in its 12th season, benefits more than 7,000 students annually.
 
Guard Josh Beekman will join 700 students at Hubert H. Humphrey Middle School in Bolingbrook on Tuesday for a rally kicking off “Fuel Up to Play 60,” a new program that empowers students to make changes at school that will help them “get active and play” for 60 minutes a day and “fuel up” with critical nutrient-rich foods that are often missing from their diets. 

“Fuel Up to Play 60” is provided by the Midwest Dairy Council and the Bears and is part of a national initiative to promote healthy eating and physical activity by the NFL and National Dairy Council. 

Although these cards will be available in person, online and at select Bears tailgating events, while supplies last, fans can also receive their autographed card by sending a self addressed and stamped envelope to Calvin Robinson, Esq., c/o Josh Beekman Fan Club, 15500 Roosevelt Boulevard, Suite 304, Clearwater, Florida 33760.

 
Calvin Robinson, Esq.

Direct: (850)CALL-CAL

Email: AgentCalvinRobison@Gmail.com

Website: www.AgentCalvinRobinson.com

By monstersofthemidwayillustrated

Josh Beekman by most accounts did nothing to lose his starting job last year. He was one of the top performers in the league at run blocking especially at the point of attack according to one source. He performed way better than expectations for a second year player. A lot of fans were ready to write him off after his rookie, year (sound familiar Chris Williams?) but he bounced back and was a very good guard. He anchored in and started all 16 games and helped Matt Forte to over 1,200 yards rushing in his rookie season, good for seventh best in the league.

Yet Beekman is saddled with the assumption that his time as a starter on the Chicago Bears’ offensive line is over. The 6-million-dollar man Frank Omiyale showed up and with his price tag in the first year of the contract being that figure, it’s likely Beekman will be riding the bench this year. Yet there is no logical reason why other than Omiyale’s contract number.

Beekman to this point has been solid in camp. He’s still running with the first team next to Kreutz and not showing why the Bears seemed to have so little faith in him in the first place. However there is this fact that may be overlooked by some in the media. Omiyale was signed to come in and play guard, and to replace Beekman. What’s been lost in all of that is Beekman is likely to take over for Olin Kreutz. Beekman running with the first team gives him the most chance to develop next to Kreutz. Learn from Kreutz develop his game to take over at the center position.

Beekman played center in college and easily could slide into that postion in the NFL. Often times potential centers start out as a guard, and then shift inside to be the chief engineer of the line. Beekman learning from a Pro-Bowl center in Kreutz is just as beneficiary as Chris Williams learning from Orlando Pace.

So while Beekman may eventually seem to be unfairly displaced from his starting guard spot. It’s important to remember that his experience as a guard will benefit him later when he lines up as Olin Kreutz’s likely replacement.