Hey, all. I don't know about you, but I can't believe that we're already at preseason game one, tonight. It feels like an eternity that we had to wait for the season to start, and all of a sudden, we've got football again. Granted, it'll feel like another eternity until regular season week one, but... So, what're we looking for? I doubt there will be more than a series for the starters, if that. Some guys may see some action, most probably aren't expecting to put on pads. That's normal. But the offseason does require staggered cuts - which means that for some guys, tonight is the first and potentially only opportunity to get meaningful playing time, depending on their performance. So what spots are ripe with competition, and what spots are concerning for us come regular season? Let's get this out of the way now - if you can't contribute on special teams, you're out. Conversely, if you can flash on special teams, you may force yourself onto the roster (return man, etc). WR - Undoubtedly the position with the most bodies, and the most role players. Robinson, Gabriel, Miller, Patterson, and likely Wims are locks. But then you have a plethora of players who bring more specialized skills that will be fighting for a spot. This is a tricky position to be in, because competition for roster spots is going to include RB's and TE's that can provide playcalling flexibility. Riley Ridley has been injured, but is undoubtedly talented. That would make 6. When you factor in return men, how many WR's will the team carry? Emmanuel Hall, for example, has had some talk in camp there. I expect to see lots of passing, to give everyone looks. For those hoping to never see Taquan Mizzell in a Bears jersey again, he's competing at WR per the depth chart. So, odds aren't in his favor. TE - This is the position that might be the most concerning, coming into the season. Burton is a capable player, but injured. Shaheen hasn't really shown much more than a few catches, though he still has the physical potential in his favor. Unfortunately, he's also been injured, and hasn't carved a role for himself in the offense (though, I think Nagy has a lot in mind for him once he's reliable). Behind them, there's conversion candidate Bradley Sowell, and guys who have always hung onto a weak position like Ben Braunecker. There are a lot of bodies, here. Ideally, three of them are healthy and solid, and the rest can go. Unfortunately, I don't think there's anyone that will check both of those boxes simultaneously. Watch to see how Sowell is used, being converted from TE. Nagy views the TE position as having multiple distinct roles, so lumping them all in together really doesn't work. Sowell, for example, won't be asked the same things as Burton. So, what is asked of each of these guys, and how do they fit? This is a rough position, and it deserves a lot of scrutiny. CB - This position is thin in proven talent, but there are a couple guys behind the starters with talents to like. Obviously, the biggest story here is whether Buster Skrine can provide a suitable replacement to Callahan. But every other name at CB has a fighting shot for the roster at an incredibly important position, and has the talent to be worth it. Kevin Toliver, Duke Shelley, John Franklin, Stephen Denmark... Clifton Duck came into camp likely with the least shot at a spot, but has flashed in just about every practice so far, grabbing INT's against the backups. If this position can develop depth, it may be one of the bigger things this team has going for it. OT - My next candidate for "thinnest spot on the roster", someone will have to show they can reliably play OT. TJ Clemmings has been a pro player, but hasn't cut it elsewhere, owing in part to injury. Rashaad Coward is a conversion project who will get his chance to show he's more than just optimism. Would love for someone to really show up, here. The other spots worth watching: DL - How many does the team keep? Hicks, Goldman, Nichols, Roberston-Harris... those are your locks, I think. Bullard and Nick Williams will fight it out if they elect to keep 5. I think there's good case to keep all 6 of those names, and they'll get the chance to make that case. OLB - Isaiah Irving and Kylie Fitts have their chance to show up, and they'll have to. Aaron Lynch wasn't recruited by Fangio when he left, and had what was probably an incredibly over-achieving season last year. The two recent draft picks will get their chance to shine. ILB - This position is a similar story - Kwiatkowski can play the spot, but isn't exceptional. He's an adequate replacement, which provides some peace of mind. We've heard that Joel "Iggy" Iyiegbuniwe has flashed since being drafted, and he'll get a good chance to show it. Safety - Deon Bush isn't an exceptional player, but he can reliably step in to the spot, as we saw last year. But unless he's continued to improve, he's a sub-par replacement. Unfortunately, with familiar names like Houston-Carson and Sherrick McManis, it doesn't look like anyone is going to emerge here as more than an adequate fill-in at best, and a liability at worst. I'm interested to see what crossover there is at CB and Safety, on this roster. RB - Cohen, Montgomery, Davis. Everyone else has to compete with the aforementioned WR / TE positions. Kerrith Whyte (first NFL player from my old high school, interestingly) was drafted, but sits with Ryan Nall at a very cuttable point on the roster. I imagine these two will get the majority of RB reps, with Whyte getting looks in the return game as well. And, of course, we'll see who's kicking, and how well they do. I won't be able to watch tonight, but it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out, and who makes the most of their time. This is a team with a pretty cemented set of starters, but lots of worthwhile battles at positions that are either grossly over or understocked. Cheers, all.
I’m watching live but not much to say, Roquan came in untouched on a blitz for that sack, pretty standard stuff. Offenses first drive they were backed up and ran all three times, broke on up the middle on a good Daniels block. Next one Sowell blocked down, it sure that was the right play but there really wasn’t a lot of push up the middle either.
Thanks for the thread d-line. I just turned it on and saw a mediocre punt by our mediocre punter. One thing has always been consistent with the Bears: when we suck we play like shit in the preseason, when we're good we play like shit in the preseason.
Also our special teams coverage has been complete crap. How the fuck do you get called for holding on the kicking team on a punt? Never mind refs just made the call wrong.
He'll probably be available since they already have Gano. He's better than both Fry and Pinero. Also I don't want to see Montgomery the rest of the preseason.
Wasn't a lot to take away from that game. I do love seeing the defense lined up in the Big Nickel defense. It's trending around the NFL but I think the Bears have exactly the right personnel to make it successful.
Well, Nagy still has that visor problem so there's that. Thanks dline for taking the time to write the things to watch. I tried to upload the Roster Card that I got from camp with the multitude of players and their schools and how acquired but was just too big at 1.55 mb, and I didn't think to lower the scan settings until now.
Very cool stuff, Tuna. That's especially handy for camp / preseason viewing. I watched the highlights. Our backup LB's are slow or out of place - that's not good. Our safeties can tackle, but they'll have to.
