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Do IT this week: Layering
Former Ohio State leader hopes to secure spot on Bears roster
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Aug 30, 2008
CLEVELAND: Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kirk Barton confesses that he always plans for the worst in his life, despite the fact he's young and recently engaged.
But like any late-round NFL Draft pick, the rookie from Ohio State is hoping not to get a knock on his door from his team's ''Turk,'' the person charged with reciting the immortal words: ''Coach wants to see you . . . and bring your playbook.''
After the Bears' preseason victory over the Browns on Thursday night, Barton sounded cautiously optimistic about his chances to land a spot on the Bears' regular-season roster today. Barton, a seventh-round draft choice, played with the second team for much of the game, and it was that unit that powered the Bears to a 16-10 win after the Browns led 10-0.
With the exception of a holding penalty that nullified a Bears touchdown, Barton looked solid.
''It felt good. We scored some points and we were able to pull out a win,'' he said.
Barton said that ''other than the penalty, I did pretty well. The penalty was the setback. That's the one I really wish I had back.''
Overall, Barton said, his training camp and preseason have gone well. He has seen some time with the first-team offense — something that could bode well.
He said the transition to the NFL has proven to be an adjustment. By the time he hit his senior year at OSU, he was known as a team leader. In the pros, he's just another rookie.
''Initially you don't get much respect. You have to work hard. Try to show you work hard and keep your mouth shut. Eventually they start to help you out,'' he said.
Apparently Barton has earned the respect of at least one of the Bears' linemen, John Tait, a 10-year veteran who plays the same position.
''He's doing well. He's a good player who wants to learn a lot,'' Tait said.
He said Barton's assessment of how veterans treat rookies is correct.
''You kind of want to see if he's going to have a good attitude and if he works hard,'' Tait said. ''And Kirk has all of those things. He's a good football player.''
Football players never want to see a teammate go down with an injury, but Barton's prospects for making the team improved when his roommate, guard Chester Adams, hurt his knee.
That ''business side'' of football is something Barton knows from talking to former OSU teammates now in the NFL.
Barton said he doesn't regret returning to OSU for his final season last year and understands why those who had draft prospects this year decided to return to school.
''Ohio State is a special place,'' he said. ''I think all of the guys that went back are going to be happy because the money isn't going anywhere for those guys.
''[James] Laurinaitis was going to be a millionaire whether he came out this year or last year. He's got three months left to be an Ohio State Buckeye. After that, he'll be where he would have been last year.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/sportsblitz/
CLEVELAND: Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kirk Barton confesses that he always plans for the worst in his life, despite the fact he's young and recently engaged.
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