Chicago Bears' Projected Final 53-Man Roster, Pre-Training-Camp Editio

Chicago Bears' Projected Final 53-Man Roster, Pre-Training-Camp Edition




The start of training camp is just around the corner for the Chicago Bears, and in the coming weeks, the team's final 53-man roster will start to take shape.

The team struggled last season and finished the year with a 5-11 record, but outside linebacker Jared Allen thinks Chicago has a chance to turn it around this season.

"Our attitudes weren't in position for us to be successful [last season]," Allen said, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today. "It's going to completely change. It's a 180, and that's really the focus?it's about going to work, having fun, going out on Sunday and whooping someone's butt."

The Bears fired general manager Phil Emery and head coach Marc Trestman at the end of last season, and new head coach John Fox appears to be a perfect fit in Chicago.

"He?s the perfect guy for our team, exactly what we need," said receiver Eddie Royal about Fox, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. "He?s firm when he needs to be, but he?s also laid-back at the same time."

In the coming weeks, Fox, his coaching staff and general manager Ryan Pace are going to have a lot of difficult decisions to make as they trim the roster from 90 players down to 53 players before the start of the regular season.

What could the 53-man roster look like at the end of the preseason? We explore that ahead.

Quarterbacks (2)



Jay Cutler
Jimmy Clausen

Jay Cutler signed a seven-year, $126.7 million deal at the end of the 2013 season, but he struggled to live up to his contract last season.

The veteran quarterback threw for 3,812 yards with 28 touchdowns to 18 interceptions, but he fumbled a total of 12 times and lost six of them. He was benched in Week 16 for Jimmy Clausen, but he returned to the field for the Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

He showed promise in Trestman's offense in 2013, but the offense as a whole fizzled out in 2014. He will be the starter at quarterback this season, but he will once again have to play in a new offensive system.

Offensive coordinator Adam Gase had a lot of success in Denver with Peyton Manning, but the jury is still out on whether or not he can maximize Cutler's potential this season.

Cutler has struggled with injuries during his tenure with the Bears, and if he does get hurt, the Bears feel comfortable with Clausen as their backup.

"I watched his one start, a lot of preseason snaps that he was involved in, and I?ve seen him grow as a quarterback," Fox said about Clausen, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. "So he?ll get that opportunity. Obviously, he was a guy that we felt good enough about re-signing, and I?m excited to watch his growth moving forward."

Clausen's Week 16 start last season was his first start since his rookie season in 2010. He completed 26 of his 48 passing attempts for 223 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but he suffered a concussion and was unable to play the next week.

The former Notre Dame star is a serviceable backup and has the ability to play within the system. He is not a risk-taker, and he also does not have the arm strength to push the football down the field.

Second-year man David Fales and undrafted rookie Shane Carden will battle it out to be the No. 3 quarterback in training camp, but it is unlikely the Bears keep three quarterbacks on the active roster this season because of needs at other positions.

Running Backs (4)




Matt Forte
Jeremy Langford (Rookie)
Jacquizz Rodgers
Ka'Deem Carey

Matt Forte has been Chicago's top running back for the last seven seasons, and that will not change in 2015.

He carried the football 266 times last season for 1,038 yards with six touchdowns, and he caught 102 passes for 808 yards with four touchdowns.

The Bears got away from running the football at times last season, but the veteran running back was lethal as a receiver out of the backfield. He broke the NFL single-season record for receptions by a running back last year and became the first running back since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2003 to record more than 100 catches in a season.

Forte will continue to be the top option in the running game in 2015, but the Bears plan on using a rotation at the position this season.

"We've always been believers in kind of a one-two punch and rolling guys through there whether it's the defensive line; a wave of those guys to stay fresh," Fox said, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com. "I've always had the approach the same thing with running backs."

The Bears drafted Michigan State's Jeremy Langford in the fourth round of this year's draft, and the young running back gives Chicago a speed threat at the position. He is an explosive running back who can quickly get to the edge and work his way up the field. He needs to improve in pass protection, but he should get his fair share of carries this season.

Veteran Jacquizz Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Bears this offseason, and the former Atlanta Falcon is an ideal third-down running back. He has good hands, can pick up yards between the tackles and is terrific in pass protection.

The Bears could enter the 2015 season with just three running backs on the roster, but it may be too difficult to leave 2014 fourth-round pick Ka'Deem Carey off the team.

Carey spent last season as Forte's primary backup, but he carried the football just 36 times for 158 yards. The former two-time All-American running back showed flashes of his potential during the preseason last year, but he was unable to solidify a role on offense.

He will need to show a willingness to play on special teams in order to stick on the roster, but because of his upside, he will be too difficult to cut later this offseason.

Wide Receivers (6)




Alshon Jeffery
Kevin White (Rookie)
Eddie Royal
Marquess Wilson
Joshua Bellamy
Marc Mariani (Returner)

Fourth-year man Alshon Jeffery is set to be the No. 1 wide receiver following Brandon Marshall's trade to the New York Jets, and the former South Carolina standout will be going for his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2015.

The Bears drafted West Virginia's Kevin White with the seventh overall pick in this year's draft to help fill Marshall's spot in the offense, and the young receiver has the ability to stretch the field with his speed.

?He?s a great player,? Jeffery said about White, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. ?He?s an explosive player. We can?t wait for the season. What he?s going to do on the field is going to be great.?

Royal signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Bears this offseason, and the veteran receiver is a perfect fit in Gase's offense out of the slot. Royal excelled in San Diego playing out of the slot, and he will give Cutler a reliable target in the middle of the field.

Marquess Wilson was expected to be Chicago's No. 3 wide receiver in 2014, but an injury in training camp derailed his season. He appeared in just seven games last year and recorded 17 catches for 140 yards with one touchdown. Nevertheless, Wilson has the size (6'4", 184 lbs) that Cutler covets in the passing game, and he could become a threat in the red zone this season.

The final two spots on the roster at the position will come down to players who can make an impact on special teams.

Joshua Bellamy appeared in four games last season for the Bears and was a contributor on special teams. He could be pushed by guys like Cameron Meredith, Rashad Lawrence and John Chiles in training camp, but he is one of the few receivers on the roster behind the top four with NFL experience.

Rounding out the position group is return man Marc Mariani. The former Pro Bowler signed with the Bears in November and played the final six games of the season. He returned 20 kickoffs for 510 yards and seven punts for 29 yards.

Mariani does not have blazing speed, but he possesses great vision and reads blocks well. He is not the same player he once was, but he is a solid contributor who rarely makes mistakes.

Tight Ends (3)




Martellus Bennett
Bear Pascoe
Zach Miller

Tight end Martellus Bennett notched career highs in catches (90), receiving yards (916) and touchdowns (six) last season, and the veteran tight end was named to his first Pro Bowl at the end of the year.

Bennett is an ideal target in the middle of the field for Cutler because of his size (6'6", 265 lbs) and speed, but he is also an above-average blocker. He held out of the team's voluntary minicamp and OTAs this offseason, but he returned for mandatory minicamp last month.

He did not participate in minicamp or OTAs in hopes of getting a contract extension, and he said there is a possibility he does not show up to training camp later this month.

"Yeah [I plan to be at camp]," Bennett said, according to Dickerson. "[But] there is always a possibility [I won't be at camp]. I take it one day at a time."

Assuming he joins the team in training camp, he will be Chicago's top option at tight end this season.

Outside of Bennett, the Bears have six other tight ends who will be vying for two spots on the roster.

Dante Rosario and Bear Pascoe are the two most experienced tight ends on the roster behind Bennett, and both are blocking tight ends. Rosario previously played for Fox in both Carolina and Denver.

Pascoe signed a one-year deal with the Bears this offseason, and he excelled as a run-blocker last year. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished the 2014 season with a plus-4.3 run-block grade. He is not much of a pass-catcher, but Pascoe should help Chicago's running game in 2015.

Barring any sort of injury, veteran Zach Miller should claim Chicago's third tight end spot on the roster.

He had an impressive preseason last summer but suffered a Lisfranc injury in the second preseason game and was lost for the year. He signed a one-year deal with the team this offseason, and he has a chance to develop into a threat in the red zone this offseason.

Offensive Line (9)




Jermon Bushrod
Matt Slauson
Will Montgomery
Kyle Long
Jordan Mills
Hroniss Grasu (Rookie)
Michael Ola
Vladimir Ducasse
Charles Leno

Chicago's offensive line was one of the team's strongest units in 2013, but the group took a step back last season. All five starters along the offensive line missed at least one game last year because of injury, and the unit will look to bounce back in 2015.

Left tackle Jermon Bushrod, left guard Matt Slauson and Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long are all guaranteed to be starters again in 2015, but Long may be sliding to the outside this season.

According to the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs, Long spent time at right tackle during the OTAs earlier this year. The Bears have not said whether or not Long will permanently move to tackle this season, but it is something to keep an eye on in training camp.

Outside of Bushrod, Slauson and Long, centers Will Montgomery and Hroniss Grasu are also locks to make the roster this season.

Montgomery signed with the Bears earlier this offseason after they released veteran Roberto Garza, and the former Denver Bronco is expected to be the starter at center this season.

The Bears selected Grasu in the third round of this year's draft, and while he is a better athlete than Montgomery, he needs to get stronger before he can be considered a starter in the middle of the offensive line. He has tremendous upside and could potentially push for the starting right guard spot this summer if Long is moved to the outside.

Jordan Mills was the starter at right tackle in 2013 and 2014, but he struggled in pass protection and may be better suited inside at guard. He is a strong, athletic lineman, and his experience makes him a valuable asset.

Vladimir Ducasse signed with the Bears this offseason, and he received reps with the first team at right guard last month, according to Dickerson. He is a prototypical right guard and gives the team another reserve lineman with experience.

Michael Ola came out of nowhere last offseason to make Chicago's 53-man roster, and the versatile lineman made a total of 12 starts. He made six starts at left guard, two at left tackle, three at right tackle and one at right guard last season. He could push for a starting job at either the right guard or right tackle position this offseason.

The Bears drafted Charles Leno in the seventh round of the 2014 draft, and he appeared in five games last season with one start. He saw time primarily at right tackle last season, but according to Biggs, he worked out at left tackle earlier this offseason.

"It was interesting to see Charles Leno, a seventh-round pick from Boise State last year, working at left tackle with the starting unit," Biggs wrote in June. "That is where Leno was the previous Wednesday when media also was allowed to view practice."

Leno is athletic enough to play on the outside at either tackle position, but he also has the strength to move inside to guard. He will face tough competition from 2014 undrafted free agent Ryan Groy and 2015 sixth-round pick Tayo Fabuluje, but Leno's versatility gives him the upper hand.

Defensive Line (6)





Jeremiah Ratliff
Jarvis Jenkins
Eddie Goldman (Rookie)
Will Sutton
Ego Ferguson
Cornelius Washington

Veteran defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff has been a pleasant surprise since joining the Bears in early November 2013. In five games in 2013 he registered nine tackles and 1.5 sacks, and he finished last season with 37 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 11 games.

He has the ability to play nose tackle and the 5-technique defensive end position in a 3-4, and he will play a key role on defense this season.

Chicago signed former Washington Redskins defensive end Jarvis Jenkins to a one-year deal this offseason, and the former Florida Gator appears to be a front-runner for one of the starting defensive end positions.

The Bears selected Eddie Goldman in the second round of this year's draft, and the young nose tackle will have every opportunity to claim the starting 0-technique spot in training camp this summer. He is strong and explosive, and he will be counted on this season to help stop the run.

2014 draft picks Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson will both be used inside at nose tackle and outside at defensive end this season. Sutton is a prototypical 3-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense, but he will be asked to collapse the pocket from the nose tackle position on occasion this season.

Ferguson is a better fit at the nose tackle position in a 4-3, but he will also be asked to collapse the pocket this season. He is better against the run than Sutton is, and he should be one of the first linemen off the bench this season.

The final spot on the roster along the defensive line will be a battle between 2013 sixth-round pick Cornelius Washington and 2015 undrafted free agent Terry Williams.

Williams is a prototypical 0-technique nose tackle, but he is raw and would benefit from a stint on the practice squad. Washington has been a bit of a disappointment up to this point in his career, but he could find new life playing in Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense.

He played both defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker while at Georgia, but the Bears currently list him as a defensive lineman. He was an explosive athlete in college, but he has only had limited opportunities to prove himself at the NFL level.

While Williams fills a need on the inside at nose tackle, Washington's versatility should help him make the roster over the former East Carolina lineman.

Outside Linebackers (6)




Pernell McPhee
Jared Allen
Lamarr Houston
Willie Young
David Bass
Sam Acho

Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee was Chicago's biggest signing this offseason, and the young (26) pass-rusher is going to play a big role in the team's defense this season.

McPhee has the ability to line up on the outside as a linebacker or on the line of scrimmage as a defensive end, and he is athletic enough to drop back into coverage if needed.

"I?m usually a pass-rusher, and they brought me in to do other things, make the defense real difficult so you don?t know who?s coming," he said, according to Nate Atkins of ChicagoFootball.com. "It?s fun right now, but you know, when we put on the pads and Sunday?s coming and I?ve gotta go cover Randall Cobb on an out route, that?s where it?s going to get tough."

McPhee will be one of the starters on the outside, but the other starting outside linebacker position is still up for grabs.

Jared Allen signed a four-year deal with the Bears last offseason, but he struggled in his first year with the team. He missed one game last season with pneumonia and finished the year with 56 tackles and just 5.5 sacks.

He is playing outside linebacker for the first time in his career, but he is embracing the challenge of playing a new position.

"My body feels fresher because I?m not banging every single day and putting my hands on a 300-plus pounder and banging heads," Allen said, according to Jahns. "I like it because it is testing my football IQ. ? This is a totally different thought process for me, and it?s really forcing me to study. I?m having fun with it."

Allen is not the only former 4-3 defensive end making the transition to 3-4 outside linebacker this offseason. Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and David Bass are all moving to the outside this year.

Houston and Young are both coming off season-ending injuries in 2014, but so long as they are both healthy, they will make the final 53-man roster.

Houston previously played outside linebacker for part of a season with the Oakland Raiders, but he has been primarily a 4-3 defensive end in his career. He is a fluid athlete who moves well, and he will push for a starting job if healthy.

Young led the Bears with 10 sacks last season, but he tore his Achilles in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. If healthy, he will be used as a situational pass-rusher this season.

The Bears claimed Bass off waivers prior to the start of the 2013 season, and the former Missouri Western State star has appeared in 20 games over the last two seasons. He finished his rookie season with 23 tackles and one sack in 12 games, and last season he registered 10 tackles and three sacks in eight games.

Sam Acho signed a one-year deal this offseason, and the former Arizona Cardinal is one of the few outside linebackers on the roster with experience playing in a 3-4 defense. He recorded 13 sacks in four seasons with the Cardinals, and he gives Fangio another situational pass-rusher to use this season.

Inside Linebackers (4)



Mason Foster
Christian Jones
Jon Bostic
Shea McClellin

After years of running a 4-3 defense with one middle linebacker, Chicago will be using two inside linebackers this season in its 3-4 defense.

Mason Foster signed a one-year deal with the Bears this offseason, and the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer has the ability to play downhill against the run and can drop back against the pass. Foster was slowed by injuries last season, but he finished the year with 62 tackles and two pass deflections.

Christian Jones went undrafted last offseason, but he ended up starting five games for the Bears in 2014. He finished his rookie year with 69 tackles and two sacks. He is impressive against the run and has the ability to rush the quarterback from the inside. Jones needs to improve against the pass, but he is a front-runner for one of the starting inside linebacker jobs.

The Bears selected Shea McClellin in the first round of the 2012 draft, but he has been a disappointment up to this point in his career. He spent 2012 and 2013 as a defensive end before moving to strong-side linebacker last season. He appeared to be a good fit at outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but the Bears decided to move him to inside linebacker this offseason.

McClellin is athletic and moves well in space, but he needs to get stronger at the point of attack. Despite his flaws, the Bears appear to be high on him.

?I think he's a smart, young player,? Fox said, according to Dickerson. ?I think he's been moved around. I think he's been in some different systems. I think he's adapted pretty well. We'll get to see where that goes when we get to training camp.?

Jon Bostic was taken in the second round of the 2013 draft, and he has also been a disappointment up to this point in his career. He made nine starts in 2013 and finished with 57 tackles and two sacks. Last season he missed three games and finished with 84 tackles.

Because of the team's lack of overall depth at the inside linebacker position, Foster, Jones, McClellin and Bostic are all locks to make the roster.

Cornerbacks (6)



Tim Jennings
Kyle Fuller
Alan Ball
Tracy Porter
Bryce Callahan (Rookie)
Sherrick McManis

The Bears relied on the steady play of Charles Tillman at cornerback for many years, but the veteran defensive back signed with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. With Tillman out of the picture, second-year man Kyle Fuller is set to become the new face of the secondary in Chicago.

Fuller was thrust into a starting role last season after Tillman tore his triceps against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, and the former Virginia Tech star finished his rookie season with 64 tackles, three forced fumbles and four interceptions.

He struggled at times in former defensive coordinator Mel Tucker's scheme, but he should thrive playing more man coverage in Fangio's defense.

Tim Jennings went to back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2012 and 2013, but his play declined last season. He has the ability to play both on the outside and the inside, and he will once again have a prominent role on defense this season.

The Bears signed Alan Ball to a one-year deal this offseason, and he will be competing with Jennings for the starting cornerback job. In his career, Ball has totaled 216 tackles, 34 pass deflections and six interceptions. He started seven games last season in Jacksonville before suffering a biceps injury in late October.

Ball plays physical at the line of scrimmage and is a good fit in Fangio's defense.

Tracy Porter signed a one-year deal with the Bears earlier this offseason, and he will be in the running for the nickelback job this summer.

"He's smart," Fox said after Porter was signed, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune. "He knows how to cover. He has excellent ball skills. He has been with a couple of teams since I last had him, but I like what I've seen so far. We're hoping he helps us."

Porter played for Fox in Denver back in 2012, and he has registered 287 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 10 interceptions in his seven years in the league. He is an aggressive slot cornerback who could end up being a real find for the Bears this offseason.

Bryce Callahan went undrafted this offseason, but he quickly signed with the Bears following the draft. He is also a physical cornerback who is not afraid to press receivers at the line of scrimmage, and he could potentially compete for the nickelback job this summer.

Sherrick McManis has been a key part of Chicago's special teams unit over the course of the last three seasons, and he will resume that role in 2015. He could get pushed by undrafted free agent Jacoby Glenn in training camp, but McManis' experience should help him grab the final cornerback spot this summer.

Safeties (4)


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Antrel Rolle
Ryan Mundy
Brock Vereen
Adrian Amos (Rookie)

Antrel Rolle signed a three-year deal with the Bears this offseason and is expected to begin the season as the starter at free safety. He has good range and can cover the back half of the field as a single-high safety, but he also plays well up in the box against the run.

Ryan Mundy led the Bears in tackles last season with 103, and he finished the year with a career-high four interceptions. He is primarily a box safety, but he has enough speed and athleticism to make plays against the pass.

Rolle and Mundy played together in New York, and Mundy thinks the duo has good chemistry.

?Antrel and I have a history together,? Mundy said, according to Dickerson. ?We had a really good chemistry and connection in New York when we played for the Giants. I?m looking forward to bringing that to Chicago and making a lot of plays because we had a lot of success two years ago.?

Mundy is pegged to be the starter at strong safety this season, but second-year man Brock Vereen could push him in training camp.

The Bears selected Vereen in the fourth round of last year's draft, and he appeared in all 16 games last season and made four starts. Vereen finished his rookie season with 39 tackles, one pass deflection, one interception and one forced fumble.

Vereen is a rangy safety who plays well against the pass, but he needs to be more physical against the run. If he is unable to earn a starting job, he could be used in certain sub-packages this season.

The Bears could opt to keep five safeties this season and get rid of another cornerback, but what McManis can do on special teams is too valuable.

If Chicago decides to keep four safeties, the final spot will be a battle between 2015 fifth-round pick Adrian Amos and veteran Sherrod Martin.

Amos is also a rangy safety who plays well against the pass, but he needs to improve his tackling. He has good coverage skills and could push for the nickelback job if given the opportunity.

Chicago signed Martin earlier this offseason to a one-year deal, and the veteran defensive back has the ability to play both free safety and strong safety. Martin is not a good tackler, but he has good hands. In his five years in the league, he has hauled in eight interceptions.

Martin is an intriguing option, but since the Bears used a draft pick on Amos this year, he will make the roster over the five-year veteran.

Special Teams (3)





Robbie Gould (Kicker)
Pat O'Donnell (Punter)
Thomas Gafford (Long snapper)

There will not be any surprises this season regarding Chicago's special teams.

Robbie Gould made just nine of his 12 field-goal attempts last season, but he will once again be the kicker in 2015.

Pat O'Donnell struggled early in his rookie season in 2014, but he averaged 43.8 yards per punt. He finished the year with 20 punts inside the 20-yard line, and he looked far more comfortable near the end of the season.

Chicago signed long snapper Thomas Gafford to a one-year deal this offseason after he spent the previous seven seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bears also have undrafted free-agent long snapper Rick Lovato on the roster, but the spot appears to be Gafford's unless he struggles in training camp.

Projected 53-Man Roster





Quarterback Running Back Wide Receiver

Jay Cutler Matt Forte Alshon Jeffery
Jimmy Clausen Jeremy Langford Kevin White
Jacquizz Rodgers Eddie Royal
Ka'Deem Carey Marquess Wilson
Joshua Bellamy
Marc Mariani

Tight End Offensive Line

Martellus Bennett Jermon Bushrod
Bear Pascoe Matt Slauson
Zach Miller Will Montgomery
Kyle Long
Jordan Mills
Hroniss Grasu
Michael Ola
Vladimir Ducasse
Charles Leno

Defensive Line Outside Linebacker Inside Linebacker

Jeremiah Ratliff Pernell McPhee Mason Foster
Jarvis Jenkins Jared Allen Christian Jones
Eddie Goldman Lamarr Houston Shea McClellin
Will Sutton Willie Young Jon Bostic
Ego Ferguson David Bass
Cornelius Washington Sam Acho


Cornerback Safety Special Teams

Kyle Fuller Antrel Rolle Robbie Gould
Tim Jennings Ryan Mundy Pat O'Donnell
Alan Ball Brock Vereen Thomas Gafford
Tracy Porter Adrian Amos
Bryce Callahan
Sherrick McManis

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...final-53-man-roster-pre-training-camp-edition

 

And shame still projected to be on the roster....

If so, same old same old.

 

This is a bleacherreport article, so it means a bunch of dick. There's revisionist history, factual errors, and bad opinions going on, as expected. That said, it does lead us to examine the overall roster, coming into the season...

Optimism, anyone? I'm hoping for a couple decent, competitive games, signs of a lot of growth, and everyone staying healthy. If I can get that and some good beer on gameday, I'm happy. As for projecting specific players, I think most of these are pretty easy to call and expected. When we get into real camps and I've got some more time, I might take a shot at who makes the bottom of the positional rosters. As Tuna says, if Shea is here... I sincerely hope it's just as a blocking dummy. Although he's probably bad at that, too...

 

I kind of looked askance at the fact that it came from the Bleacher Report but I thought it might hit a couple of good points anyway

 

It did. It's a good topic. And it's a good time of year for it. No worries

 

LB will be strong this year.

 

Chitown king - Welcome, man! Good to have you. I sure hope LB will be better than last year... Ugh! With McPhee you have to have hope for one of the spots, and hopefully better influence and talent within roles around the field will allow the LB position as a whole to thrive. But it's hard to have particular confidence in anyone else. The potential is there at ILB with Foster, Jones, and Bostic (I personally think we'll see Acho in both the OLB and ILB role), but that's really all it is at this point - hope. I've been writing Houston and Young off as being injured, but if they're able to play and make any contributions that would be a help, especially given versatility and (in Young's case) last year's talent.

 

I'm waiting for camp when I feel many of these guys listed won't make the team. I think unlike past years because of the new regime and Pace/Fox bringing in guys in their own image I think you'll see much more displacement....
...at least that's my hope.

 

Welcome in Chitown King!

I hope you enjoy this insane board ...

 

I really having doubts that Bostic will even make the team. I don't think he's shown enough on film to warrant a spot in the positive plays, but he has also shown to be out of position way too often on the negative ones. I'm looking for some of these young guys that are in control of their instincts to knock him back. I'll be watching for Tim Timu to be that guy.

 

bostic can ball. he needs to be disciplined in his game.

 

I hope so king, but you've got to say his ability to overpursue is off the charts. Maybe I'm a little harsh on him because I expected so much more out of him, but then again I hope playing for Tucktard didn't ruin the kid.
Athletically he's a beast, but damn so often he seemed out of position to make plays hitting the wrong gaps.
I should take a step back and reconsider and give him the benefit of the doubt and see what Fangio can do for him because I really didn't consider how much of his game could of been on Tucktard.

 

Bostic can hit.

But when you consistently over pursue.....run to the wrong gap.....or just plain can't figure out which way the football went....it doesn't matter how hard you hit.

Good athletic ability...zero football smarts.

 

I'm hoping keeping him inside in a 3-4 will limit that. My question then becomes whether or not he can keep off of blockers. If the DL can keep him clean up the middle, he'll be playing in a smaller space and should be more effective. I think that's where he should've been all along. This, especially without Fucker there, is his chance.

 

So much of their success will be dependent on that front three, because if they are getting beat at the point of attack it really doesn't matter what anyone else does, because it won't end well.
I'm hoping Fanigo (probably to a fault) can get the best out of these guys, and put them in position to make plays and hope that it was Tucktards scheme that had quite the opposite effect.

 

don't chase over. stay in your lane. keep ya head up. #discipline

 

I think that there is a distinct possibility of this being exactly the case. New coaching means a new team. I really believe this.

 

Technically speaking....he inherits more responsibility as an inside linebacker than he had as an outside LB in the 4-3.

There are a lot of plays where the entire flat on one side of the field becomes your responsibility because the rushing outside linebackers had sold out to get in the back field.

You move down hill less often....and Bostic's strength was supposed to be his ability to get down hill. Now he's moving side to side more and reading plays more.

I hope he takes a strong leap forward this season with better coaching behind him but I haven't seen anything from him, outside of his hitting, to suggest he's going to be anything good.

 

#hashtagsonadiscussionforumaredumb

 

#sayswho?