In the fourth of nine position previews in advance of training camp, coach Harry Hiestand discusses the Bears offensive line:

What is the greatest challenge in incorporating two new starters on the offensive line?

The big thing is guys getting used to playing next to one another. They’re pretty solid knowing the system and the scheme, so it’s just a matter of getting used to playing next to somebody. Guys all communicate differently. Some are louder than others.

Veteran center Olin Kreutz, a six-time Pro Bowler, anchors the Bears offensive line.

How much will having veterans Olin Kreutz, John Tait and Roberto Garza help the transition?

It will help. They’ve played a lot of football. Olin’s a great communicator and does a tremendous job of helping guys make the adjustments that need to be made in terms of how to do it and when to do it. The experienced guys are critical in the development of the group.

What were your impressions of first-round pick Chris Williams in offseason workouts?

He did a good job. He’s a good worker. It’s obviously very important to him. He’s very determined to be a very good player. He’s off to a good start and he’s learning and he’s determined to be as good as he can be.

How much of an adjustment will the rookie left tackle face putting the pads on in training camp?

It’ll be a big adjustment. It’ll be full speed. He hasn’t seen the defense go more than two or three steps. It’s going to be a big adjustment, and that’ll be the true test for all of our guys. Right now that’s a transition. The mental part of it, he’s solid. His effort in the drills has been good, so we look forward to training camp.

What must Chris show in training camp and the preseason to earn the starting job?

The biggest thing is he’s got to give us the best chance to win. He’s got to show that he can block on the edge and show that he can run-block and pass-block at the highest level, and that challenge will be presented to him.

How would you assess how Terrence Metcalf performed at left guard in offseason workouts?

He had a real good offseason. He came in very determined. He saw the opportunity with Ruben [Brown] moving on and has worked very hard mentally and physically to be the best he can be in there, so we’ve been encouraged by that.

What’s the contingency plan at left guard? Would you consider moving John St. Clair from tackle or giving Josh Beekman a chance to win the job?

Guys all have an opportunity to play a couple positions. Right now John is working at tackle and we need him to be the best tackle he can be. Chris is competing to beat him out. We’ll see how that goes in training camp. John’s got experience at guard as do Terrence and Josh.

John Tait has played both tackle positions in his career with the Bears and Chiefs, but how much of an adjustment does he face in moving from left tackle to the right side this season?

He’s been in one spot for three years, so it’s definitely an adjustment. He’s a great worker. He’s got a great determination about him to get it right. He’s been working hard to do that. So it’s an adjustment, but he’s a professional and he’s going to do the best he can with it. It’s a process, but he’s doing a good job with it.

In general, what must the line do better this season than it did last year?

Like our team, we need to play better. I need to coach better. We need to go out and be consistent and we need to be physical. We need to protect our quarterback and knock people out of there in the running game, and that’s what we’re going to work to the best of our ability to do. Our expectations are to come out to training camp and establish a physical offensive line that can protect the quarterback, and that’s what we’re after.