Mike Tice confirmed what has been known in Chicago Bears training camp for a week, that J’Marcus Webb is the team’s starting left tackle.

Let’s just say Webb’s hold on the job is tenuous right now. Tice sent a clear message to Webb, who is in his third season as a starter and second at left tackle, that he expects more.

Webb had been in a competition with former first-round draft pick Chris Williams. Now, Williams projects to be the team’s swing tackle, a big fall for the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft. Williams started at left guard last season before a wrist injury derailed him.

“I thought one guy would separate himself and really just jump out there,” Tice said. “I don't think that has really happened. So, for me let's keep status quo and see where the games take us. I'm not in a rush to change for change's sake and we're hoping that a guy in his third year, Webb, will step up and mature as a football player and as a person and get better and show us that this means something to him.”

That sounds like a challenge right there. For Webb, it begins with the Bears’ preseason opener Thursday night at Soldier Field against the Denver Broncos.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune