Stock reports on Bears rookies/vets

[defiantgiant]

This is all from Jeff Dickerson at ESPN Chicago. I went ahead and combined the rookie and vet lists:

 

Stock Up

 

Craig Steltz -- The former fourth round pick appears to have the inside track to start at either of the safety spots. On the surface, Steltz seems to lack the speed to cover the deep middle of the field, but coaches feel Steltz possesses the necessary athleticism to play outside or inside in the box. As we've stated before, only time will tell if that assessment is accurate, but for now, Steltz ranks very high in the secondary hierarchy. It also doesn't hurt to have the support of the front office.

 

Israel Idonije -- Now that Idonije received his contract extension, he looks to be in pretty good shape considering, Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson (pending a new CBA) are entering the last year of their respective deals. No doubt that Idonije envisions an increase in playing time in the near future, and that could very well happen. Plus, he's always been a terrific special teams player. I bet Darren Sproles still has nightmares about the hit he took from Idonije in the opening game of the 2007 season.

 

Zack Bowman -- Bowman quietly has elevated his game this offseason and, if Corey Graham sticks at safety, should seriously challenge for the third cornerback spot. He is an outstanding athlete, who made a big impression before an injury ended his rookie season. Injuries will always be a red flag with Bowman, but if he stays healthy, I still believe he could make a big splash this summer in Bourbonnais.

 

Kevin Malast --If the Bears keep seven linebackers, the final spot could go to either Malast or fellow undrafted free agent Mike Rivera. By all accounts, both players have performed well during OTAs, with each receiving increased reps this past week due to minor injuries to Brian Urlacher and Nick Roach. Plus, fellow linebacker Joey LaRocque has missed time, opening the door even wider for the two rookies. Malast seems to be a fast learner, and has been helped out in part by the fact Rutgers runs a similar defense to the one employed here in Chicago.

 

Woodny Turenne -- Another undrafted free agent making the most of his opportunities, Turenne has displayed some impressive athleticism and toughness. Although he's behind Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher and Zack Bowman, he's put some pressure on Trumaine McBride, D.J. Moore and Marcus Hamilton for the fourth cornerback slot. Even if he doesn't make the final 53-man roster, Turenne appears an ideal candidate for the practice squad, a nice honor for any undrafted rookie.

 

Johnny Knox -- Knox can flat-out fly. He might be labeled a "small" receiver, but this rookie is put together and surprisingly strong for a guy his size. As I've stated before, let's wait until the pads come on to make our final evaluations, but up to this point, Knox has been the best of the rookie receivers.

 

Stock Down

 

Hunter Hillenmeyer -- A consummate professional, Hillenmeyer battled an assortment of injuries last season, eventually giving way to Nick Roach at strong side linebacker. The deck now seems stacked even higher against Hillenmeyer with the addition of Pisa Tinoisamoa. Plus, the former starter is still working his way back on the practice field, limited so far this offseason because of a sports hernia. But let's be clear about something; Hillenmeyer still has value, and could always play middle linebacker if called upon. Nobody's technique is more sound than Hillenmeyer, so to think that Hunter's playing days are over is inaccurate. I just don't know if Chicago is a good fit anymore.

 

Kevin Payne -- Until the Bears decided to move Payne to free safety mid-way through last season, I thought he was playing the best football of anybody on that defense. But moving Payne out of the box exposed some limitations with regard to awareness and quickness. Playing with a bad shoulder didn't help Payne's cause either, preventing the safety from wrapping up in several tackling situations. He now appears to be in a battle with Josh Bullocks, but since the Bears view safety as interchangeable, there's no guarantee either of those two will start. Lovie Smith will likely go with the two best overall safeties, and right now, Payne looks to be the number three, at best.

 

Rashied Davis -- Davis falls into this category strictly because Johnny Knox has played so well during OTAs. If Knox continues to make strides, the rookie might push Davis for some playing time in the slot. It's still way too early to expect significant contributions from Knox, but Davis' average 2008 season has opened the door for some competition. I still feel Davis is an excellent special teams contributor, but the Bears need better play from their wideouts -- end of story. If it can come from a rookie, so be it.

 

D.J. Moore -- Moore is a very talented player who is still figuring out how to be a professional. Sometimes rookies fail to understand the desire and attitude necessary to succeed in this league. The good news: Moore is surrounded by excellent coaches and savvy veterans. With such a solid support system, Moore has a good chance of learning the proper way to approach his new job.

 

Juaquin Iglesias -- Iglesias looked slow coming out of his breaks earlier this week. Just from observing a few workouts, it seems he's having a hard time getting open, a common problem for receivers still trying to adjust to the speed of the NFL. Regardless, all the buzz that Iglesias generated during draft weekend seems like a distant memory. Maybe strapping on the equipment this summer will help Iglesias, who was known as a physical player at Oklahoma. You can't hit anybody during OTAs.

[madlithuanian]

Thanks for the post!

 

This is all from Jeff Dickerson at ESPN Chicago. I went ahead and combined the rookie and vet lists:

 

Stock Up

 

Craig Steltz -- The former fourth round pick appears to have the inside track to start at either of the safety spots. On the surface, Steltz seems to lack the speed to cover the deep middle of the field, but coaches feel Steltz possesses the necessary athleticism to play outside or inside in the box. As we've stated before, only time will tell if that assessment is accurate, but for now, Steltz ranks very high in the secondary hierarchy. It also doesn't hurt to have the support of the front office.

 

Israel Idonije -- Now that Idonije received his contract extension, he looks to be in pretty good shape considering, Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson (pending a new CBA) are entering the last year of their respective deals. No doubt that Idonije envisions an increase in playing time in the near future, and that could very well happen. Plus, he's always been a terrific special teams player. I bet Darren Sproles still has nightmares about the hit he took from Idonije in the opening game of the 2007 season.

 

Zack Bowman -- Bowman quietly has elevated his game this offseason and, if Corey Graham sticks at safety, should seriously challenge for the third cornerback spot. He is an outstanding athlete, who made a big impression before an injury ended his rookie season. Injuries will always be a red flag with Bowman, but if he stays healthy, I still believe he could make a big splash this summer in Bourbonnais.

 

Kevin Malast --If the Bears keep seven linebackers, the final spot could go to either Malast or fellow undrafted free agent Mike Rivera. By all accounts, both players have performed well during OTAs, with each receiving increased reps this past week due to minor injuries to Brian Urlacher and Nick Roach. Plus, fellow linebacker Joey LaRocque has missed time, opening the door even wider for the two rookies. Malast seems to be a fast learner, and has been helped out in part by the fact Rutgers runs a similar defense to the one employed here in Chicago.

 

Woodny Turenne -- Another undrafted free agent making the most of his opportunities, Turenne has displayed some impressive athleticism and toughness. Although he's behind Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher and Zack Bowman, he's put some pressure on Trumaine McBride, D.J. Moore and Marcus Hamilton for the fourth cornerback slot. Even if he doesn't make the final 53-man roster, Turenne appears an ideal candidate for the practice squad, a nice honor for any undrafted rookie.

 

Johnny Knox -- Knox can flat-out fly. He might be labeled a "small" receiver, but this rookie is put together and surprisingly strong for a guy his size. As I've stated before, let's wait until the pads come on to make our final evaluations, but up to this point, Knox has been the best of the rookie receivers.

 

Stock Down

 

Hunter Hillenmeyer -- A consummate professional, Hillenmeyer battled an assortment of injuries last season, eventually giving way to Nick Roach at strong side linebacker. The deck now seems stacked even higher against Hillenmeyer with the addition of Pisa Tinoisamoa. Plus, the former starter is still working his way back on the practice field, limited so far this offseason because of a sports hernia. But let's be clear about something; Hillenmeyer still has value, and could always play middle linebacker if called upon. Nobody's technique is more sound than Hillenmeyer, so to think that Hunter's playing days are over is inaccurate. I just don't know if Chicago is a good fit anymore.

 

Kevin Payne -- Until the Bears decided to move Payne to free safety mid-way through last season, I thought he was playing the best football of anybody on that defense. But moving Payne out of the box exposed some limitations with regard to awareness and quickness. Playing with a bad shoulder didn't help Payne's cause either, preventing the safety from wrapping up in several tackling situations. He now appears to be in a battle with Josh Bullocks, but since the Bears view safety as interchangeable, there's no guarantee either of those two will start. Lovie Smith will likely go with the two best overall safeties, and right now, Payne looks to be the number three, at best.

 

Rashied Davis -- Davis falls into this category strictly because Johnny Knox has played so well during OTAs. If Knox continues to make strides, the rookie might push Davis for some playing time in the slot. It's still way too early to expect significant contributions from Knox, but Davis' average 2008 season has opened the door for some competition. I still feel Davis is an excellent special teams contributor, but the Bears need better play from their wideouts -- end of story. If it can come from a rookie, so be it.

 

D.J. Moore -- Moore is a very talented player who is still figuring out how to be a professional. Sometimes rookies fail to understand the desire and attitude necessary to succeed in this league. The good news: Moore is surrounded by excellent coaches and savvy veterans. With such a solid support system, Moore has a good chance of learning the proper way to approach his new job.

 

Juaquin Iglesias -- Iglesias looked slow coming out of his breaks earlier this week. Just from observing a few workouts, it seems he's having a hard time getting open, a common problem for receivers still trying to adjust to the speed of the NFL. Regardless, all the buzz that Iglesias generated during draft weekend seems like a distant memory. Maybe strapping on the equipment this summer will help Iglesias, who was known as a physical player at Oklahoma. You can't hit anybody during OTAs.

[defiantgiant]

Thanks for the post!

 

I'm a little worried about D.J. Moore's report - the conspiracy theorist in me thinks it sounds like it came from inside the Bears organization, rather than from a reporter observing OTAs. I hope there aren't any problems with Moore; the Bears will be counting on him heavily if Vasher can't return to form. Clearly he's an exceptional talent (some evaluators had him ranked right after Alphonso Smith, who was a high second-round pick) but it sounds like he could have some attitude/work ethic problems. If something's up with him, I hope he sorts it out sooner, rather than later.

[madlithuanian]

While i'd like to hear nothing but glowing repoerts on everyone, I think this is all to be expected. We need to see what heppens right before the pre-season starts. If by then, there are concerns, then I'll worry!

 

I'm a little worried about D.J. Moore's report - the conspiracy theorist in me thinks it sounds like it came from inside the Bears organization, rather than from a reporter observing OTAs. I hope there aren't any problems with Moore; the Bears will be counting on him heavily if Vasher can't return to form. Clearly he's an exceptional talent (some evaluators had him ranked right after Alphonso Smith, who was a high second-round pick) but it sounds like he could have some attitude/work ethic problems. If something's up with him, I hope he sorts it out sooner, rather than later.