Let's generate some discussion. Today is cut day, roster's gotta be trimmed to 53 by 4 PM. So far, notable cuts include Jonathan Bullard, Clifton Duck, Ian Bunting, and Marvin 'run backwards' Hall. Also a bunch of nobodies I've never heard of. Duck balled out, dude looks tiny compared to real NFL players though.....Bunting had a few stupid penalties when I gave PS games 3 and 4 a look. Bullard being cut isn't a surprise, because RRH and Nichols will be DLine depth. Will Pace keep someone else? Also, who being cut by someone else will catch Pace's eye? The Panthers are going to keep that kicker, Slye.
Bullard has never lived up to what Pace saw in his 3rd round pick (another good one, Pace), and he was particularly bad this preseason. Not surprising to see him go, but that leaves the DL at 5. That always makes me a little uneasy... I would've thought Duck would've gotten himself a spot on the practice squad. He's small and isn't physically outstanding, but he was in the right place a lot this preseason. Not surprised about Bunting. Had a couple standout catches from a yardage standpoint, but was a bad blocker, and brought nothing extra from a physical standpoint. Just a guy. Marvin Hall is a little surprising, given that he was so open numerous times during the preseason, clearly showing he had the speed to do it. He was going to need to win the ST battle, though, and this signals to me that Whyte and Patterson are probably our return men. Whyte showed he had the juice (Seminole Ridge HS alumni - first in the NFL; probably not the last time I mention it). LB cuts are going to be interesting. Vaughters was a similar case to Clifton Duck - just managed to make splash plays, whether through hustle or fortune. There are a lot of guys there who just didn't stand out. Lots more negative film than positive. I had them keeping 6 DL. They'll probably keep Sowell because of this weird arrangement to move him to TE, as an in-house deal. But he's been bad - for a guy coming from T, he's been a flat out bad blocker. I mean, bad. I very much lump he and Bunting in the same pile, and I don't see how one is cut and not the other. Except, of course, for this handshake deal to move positions and keep him on board... QB - 2 RB - 4 TE - 4 WR - 6 OL - 8 DL - 5 OLB - 4 ILB - 5 CB - 6 S - 5 ST - 3 That's only 52, I think... Numbers at LB and S help out on ST's coverage. I had 6 DL, so I added one to CB now instead. Wonder how this shakes out... Gotta figure they're sniffing the waiver wire.. They already cut Mizzell, right? There's no hope in him sticking around, right? Surely they're done with him. Someone please reassure me.
My biggest worry is swing tackle. It will be interesting to see who stays and who goes on the O line. I suspect that might be the area Pace looks at the scrap heap the most. Pineiro out kicked the competition. I just dont see how he isnt kicking next thursday night.
Coward and everyone else they trotted out there were garbage. Except for the interior OL who played LT for a few halves, Bars. The guy was undoubtedly the best of the bad, bad bunch. They might consider him swing T, if nothing else comes free on waivers.
Yeah and this kid TE Jesper Horsted is probably on the outside looking in I would rather keep him around than Sowell as he seems to be able to actually catch the football, but that appears to be a novelty with this team at that position. At least he gives you another dimension that Sowell doesn't the ability to catch contested throws let alone the uncontested throws, but his blocking is sucks. I'm done with Braunecker but somehow that shit will likely stick too. I'd at least like to see Horsted make the practice squad.
What's going on with this article that I read on the Wire about Pace holding 5 guys back on the injury list?
Believe Duck can still be added to PS provided someone doesn't put him on their 53 man. Marvin Hall was shifty, but ran backwards on a couple PR/KR. I'm fine with him getting cut. LeSean McCoy was cut. Probably wont be a bear, but I don't know how he isn't an upgrade to Mike Davis, and he's played in Andy Reid's/Nagy's system. Bengals release their 3rd round pick ILB from last year. Bears save 620k in cap space cutting Bullard Thomas Ives just got released, he had an okay game 4. Super athlete Stephen Denmark cut too. On a side note, Barfey visiting the Jets today. Also my concerns. Last year Coward looked competent in the preseason, this year I saw what Dline did. TJ Clemmings put on IR, no word on the ND linemen Heistand coached in Mustipher or Bars.
I don't hate Braunecker but the question is why do we need 4 TEs on the roster? As far as Sowell if we like his blocking so much why not just make him an o-lineman? Or maybe that one TD catch he had last year convinced Pace he's an NFL TE. I'm guessing there's no faith that Shaheen will stay healthy and/or productive. But surprised a better backup TE wasn't picked up this offseason.
Quarterbacks: Chase Daniel, Mitchell Trubisky Offensive Line: Rashaad Coward, James Daniels, Ted Larsen, Charles Leno Jr., Kyle Long, Cornelius Lucas, Bobby Massie, Cody Whitehair Running Backs: Tarik Cohen, Mike Davis, David Montgomery, Kerrith Whyte Jr. Tight Ends: Ben Braunecker, Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen, Bradley Sowell Wide Receivers: Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson, Riley Ridley, Allen Robinson II, Javon Wims Cornerbacks: Prince Amukamara, Kyle Fuller, Duke Shelley, Buster Skrine, Kevin Toliver Defensive Line: Abdullah Anderson, Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris, Nick Williams Linebackers: Leonard Floyd, Isaiah Irving, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Matt Kwiatkoski, Aaron Lynch, Khalil Mack, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Josh Woods Safeties: Deon Bush, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Eddie Jackson, Sherrick McManis Specialists: Pat O’Donnell, Eddy Pineiro, Patrick Scales The Bears have waived the following players: Daryle Banfield, Alex Bars, Matt Betts, Ian Bunting, Jonathan Bullard, Josh Caldwell, Jalen Dalton, Stephen Denmark, Tomy Doles, Clifton Duck, Kylie Fitts, John Franklin III, Tanner Gentry, Marvin Hall, Chuck Harris, Jonathan Harris, Jesper Horsted, Thomas Ives, Doyin Jibowu, Michael Joseph, Joe Lowery, Jordan McCray, Jonatahn Mincy, Taquan Mizzell Sr., Sam Mustipher, Ryan Nall, Ellis Richardson, Jameer Thurman, Marquez Tucker, James Vaughters, Joe Walker, Jordan Williams-Lambert, John Wirtel The Bears also cut quarterback Tyler Bray, and placed offensive lineman Blake Blackmar and tight end Dax Raymond on season-ending injured reserve.
Thank Christ they finally dumped Mizzell. Glad Wims made the team, although with Bellamy and "The Bust" being shitcanned maybe Wims challenge was less making the team and more seeing the football as we've discussed. Kylie Fitts didn't survive despite being drafted in the Pace Boner Zone/6th Round? He must've really stunk. That kid John Franklin III also got cut. For those who don't know, his was an interesing'ish story. He was on that football documentary series "Last Chance U" playing JuCo for East Miss Community College after being booted from Florida State. Wheels(and arm) like Lamar Jackson but an attitude like my arse the morning after an indian curry. Anyway he did enough to get an offer from some D1 college where I believe he was switched to WR(?). The Bears were playing him at CB this summer so I guess the road is indeed winding, but in this case not leading to the NFL. There's always Canada, kid. The Bears cut Tyler Bray after throwing for 334 and a 103QBR in PS4? Seriously, what the F is the point of these games?! Also means they're only carrying 2 QB's into the season. Speaking of depth, couple of worrying position groups there. CB looks thin. Not on the inside cos McManis can play there, in fact I half expect to see him starting by seasons end. But outside, hopefully Tolliver has learned how to run something other than his mouth cos he's the guy after Fuller and PA. Also lets hope Burton doesn't have another mental breakdown this season cos the TE position after him is a train wreck. There 10, repeat, TEN, LB's listed on this team. Carrying some ST aces in there I hope.
As it stands now there's a good chance Burton will miss Thursday's game. Apparently he's dealing with a "mild" groin strain suffered in the last week.
