Predicting the 53-man roster

[Alaskan Grizzly]

6 minutes ago, adam said:

Jones was a high 3rd round pick. I don't recall seeing any projections of him earlier than the 4th, mainly a 4th to 5th round projection, so going early in the 3rd seemed like a reach. The age was always going to be a factor as well. It felt Shaheen-like at the time. If all he ends up is a kick returner, I doubt he gets a 2nd contract from the Bears.

FWIW, Hester was picked in the 2nd round and was technically a CB.  Things worked out for him as a returner.  

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, adam said:

Jones was a high 3rd round pick. I don't recall seeing any projections of him earlier than the 4th, mainly a 4th to 5th round projection, so going early in the 3rd seemed like a reach. The age was always going to be a factor as well. It felt Shaheen-like at the time. If all he ends up is a kick returner, I doubt he gets a 2nd contract from the Bears.

no I totally agree. Jones was very much a reach. Im saying Poles was in a predicament - one that he didnt create, and one that i would definitely blame him for if he finds himself there again of his own making.

But at the time he needed a WR with speed in order to evaluate Fields, and he didnt have the cap room to do it that way, so he had to reach and take a gamble on Jones.

I agree, that gamble was a poor one, and it didnt pay off. Jones will not get a second contract with us for sure.

Im just saying I understand why Poles had to do what he did, and it wasnt really his fault. beginning this offseason, he is responsible for his decisions entirely. So getting DJ Moore? A homerun. PJ Walker? Swing and a miss for Poles.

But VJ was a product of the situation we were in. And I agree, he is not good at all.

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

FWIW, Hester was picked in the 2nd round and was technically a CB.  Things worked out for him as a returner.  

and Tom Brady was a 6th rounder. But VJ is no Devin Hester!

Every once in a while someone comes along from late in the draft or UFA and plays his ass off, but they are the exception not the rule. You can pick guys all day from round 1 thru 7 and not find Devin Hester.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

I still have hopes Velus becomes our Deebo.  I hope Getsy can get him playing time and run a few plays for him on jet sweeps, bubble screens, or a deep ball.  The kid lacks that game confidence that only comes by doing it.  

[BearFan PHX]

I saw a clip of VJ from this years training camp where the coach was telling him that the ball will drift or spin (wasnt clear which) to the right if its a right footed kicker and to the left if its a left footed kicker, and VJ was having trouble remmebering that.

After being in the league a year as a returner, he cant remember right = right and left = left?

I think maybe he just isnt smart enough to learn an NFL route tree with any precision.

 

[AZ54]

12 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

I saw a clip of VJ from this years training camp where the coach was telling him that the ball will drift or spin (wasnt clear which) to the right if its a right footed kicker and to the left if its a left footed kicker, and VJ was having trouble remmebering that.

After being in the league a year as a returner, he cant remember right = right and left = left?

I think maybe he just isnt smart enough to learn an NFL route tree with any precision.

 

We don't need him to learn an entire NFL route tree, just be good on 3 or 4 routes.  Toss in the jet sweeps and WR screens and we'll get 4-7 plays out him per game.  

[BearFan PHX]

27 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

We don't need him to learn an entire NFL route tree, just be good on 3 or 4 routes.  Toss in the jet sweeps and WR screens and we'll get 4-7 plays out him per game.  

I completely agree, and Im sure that's what Poles was thinking too, but I think he might be pretty dumb, and runs the wrong routes etc.

I fully agree with you about the role youre thinking of for him, and his speed definitely supports that, but something isnt clicking with the guy. I mean look at how poor his judgement is on punts.

Youd think (I think too!) that it cant be THAT hard to feed him like three plays and get him in there for a few snaps, but maybe he just doesnt have that?

Anyway we'll see - when hes going the right direction, his speed is definitely there on the field.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

26 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

I completely agree, and Im sure that's what Poles was thinking too, but I think he might be pretty dumb, and runs the wrong routes etc.

I fully agree with you about the role youre thinking of for him, and his speed definitely supports that, but something isnt clicking with the guy. I mean look at how poor his judgement is on punts.

Youd think (I think too!) that it cant be THAT hard to feed him like three plays and get him in there for a few snaps, but maybe he just doesnt have that?

Anyway we'll see - when hes going the right direction, his speed is definitely there on the field.

If he doesn't have that understanding, they would cut him or will very soon.  Year 1 is a benefit, year 2 will be an easy decision if he just don't grasp his duties

[BearFan PHX]

1 hour ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

If he doesn't have that understanding, they would cut him or will very soon.  Year 1 is a benefit, year 2 will be an easy decision if he just don't grasp his duties

I think he is definitely on the bubble, and won't be on the team in 2024, if he isnt cut or traded sooner.

It's too bad too, because he really is fast.

I should add that I will be thrilled to be proven wrong.

[adam]

Poles does not seem to be afraid of cutting ties sooner than later. 

With Kick returns getting trivialized, Velus needs to be a contributor on offense, otherwise his roster spot is a wasted slot.

[Stinger226]

Nice work Adam. If he touches the ball  5 times a game and has one explosive play, all will be well.

[BearFan PHX]

55 minutes ago, adam said:

Poles does not seem to be afraid of cutting ties sooner than later. 

With Kick returns getting trivialized, Velus needs to be a contributor on offense, otherwise his roster spot is a wasted slot.

exactly. He needs to show something he hasnt shown before, or hes not gonna last long.

[AZ54]

Depth chart for Wk 1.   No real surprises except perhaps Peterman as QB2.  I think that's to be expected early in the season.  

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-depth-chart-against-packers-week-1/

[adam]

4 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Depth chart for Wk 1.   No real surprises except perhaps Peterman as QB2.  I think that's to be expected early in the season.  

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-depth-chart-against-packers-week-1/

I honestly think they were just protecting Bagent from getting scooped up by another team. With all the other moves, it sure seemed like it. Now once Jenkins comes back, I wonder what they will do? Cut Peterman? Technically you have Kramer coming back too. So he may be the odd man out and go right to the PS after IR.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

I suspect Stevenson will be the opposite CB when they run Nickel which I thought was more Flus’ style? 
 

I predict Feeney starting at Center before long. 

18 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Depth chart for Wk 1.   No real surprises except perhaps Peterman as QB2.  I think that's to be expected early in the season.  

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-depth-chart-against-packers-week-1/

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

11 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

I suspect Stevenson will be the opposite CB when they run Nickel which I thought was more Flus’ style? 
 

I predict Feeney starting at Center before long. 

 

If Whitehairs hand recovers, he might get the nod back at C.  If Feeney is better at C as some predict, then he might play there.  My thinking is he is the insurance policy for C/G for injuries.  Once everyone is healthy, they have to decide who goes.  Patrick has to play well imo.  

[BearFan PHX]

I have a hard time believing that when Sanborn is on the field, Gordon will play the 2nd corner rather than Stevenson.

I totally agree with you Grizzly, that in Nickel, Gordon will play the interior nickleback, and Stevenson will be on the outside at CB2.

I also think Sewell will push Sanborn for playing time.

I think Feeney will get on the field when he knows the calls. Can Whitehair call the protections from the LG until Feeney knows the system?

And I see Freeman pushing Herbert for the starting job too, at least until Roschon comes on.

The evolution at those positions is gonna be fun.

Also gonna be watching Claypool for signs of life.

[AZ54]

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

I have a hard time believing that when Sanborn is on the field, Gordon will play the 2nd corner rather than Stevenson.

I totally agree with you Grizzly, that in Nickel, Gordon will play the interior nickleback, and Stevenson will be on the outside at CB2.

I also think Sewell will push Sanborn for playing time.

I think Feeney will get on the field when he knows the calls. Can Whitehair call the protections from the LG until Feeney knows the system?

And I see Freeman pushing Herbert for the starting job too, at least until Roschon comes on.

The evolution at those positions is gonna be fun.

Also gonna be watching Claypool for signs of life.

They already stated that Gordon will focus on NB so if we start with 3 LBs you should see Stevenson on the outside and Gordon on the bench.  

[BearFan PHX]

22 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

They already stated that Gordon will focus on NB so if we start with 3 LBs you should see Stevenson on the outside and Gordon on the bench.  

Right, but Gordon is listed as starting CB2, and Stevenson is listed as second string CB behind Johnson.

In nickel, we all know what's gonna happen, but in base 4-3 defense, who is the corner on the field with Johnson?

[AZ54]

If I'm not mistaken that's Rasheem Greene getting the gold bar for how he set the edge against a running play.   If I'm correct, that ability is why he's still here and Lewis isn't.  

https://www.chicagobears.com/video/bears-new-additions-provide-juice-for-defense-1920-football-drive

[Stinger226]

Green is bigger with more experience than Lewis. Capable of overall better traits. Yannick and Walker are the starters so maybe they are not counting on Green to be as much a pass rusher and more of a stable run defender that can set the edge. Robinson is clearly his project as a edge rusher.

[AZ54]

Roschon is wearing #23 now.   He's got a lot to live up to with that number.  

https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/

[Alaskan Grizzly]

46 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Roschon is wearing #23 now.   He's got a lot to live up to with that number.  

https://www.chicagobears.com/team/players-roster/

He ‘apologized’ via Instagram…

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

48 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

He ‘apologized’ via Instagram…

 

Wow, bold move to make the change but I like it.  23 in this town comes with some weight so I hope he can carry it.  I believe he will.  I posted a while ago that he will take the reins come week 4, don't let me down.

[Stinger226]

11 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Wow, bold move to make the change but I like it.  23 in this town comes with some weight so I hope he can carry it.  I believe he will.  I posted a while ago that he will take the reins come week 4, don't let me down.

Truthfully I hope all the RBs play well and he becomes the lead back next year. I think he is a better version of Montgomery but  with a little more energy to his game.