One Question for you guys

[Wesson44]

This was posted on the Bear website. I ask do the opportunities that Rideau and Aromashodu are getting translate into them pushing for jobs? They are both tall 6'3 and 6'4 and would make great targets for Cutler to throw to. As far as speed Brandon is slower than Devin(not Hester)but they seem to be faster than Davis. So they question here is would these two be good fits for a roster than looks like this. Hester, Bennett, Ridaeu,Aromashodu, Knox, Iglesias.IMHO I would take my chances and let Davis go and work with three speed guys Devin H, Devin A and Knox and use Bennett, Ridaeu, Iglesias as the move the chairs type WR'S

 

Who do you think will have the best chance of challenging Hester and Bennett for a starting position in training camp and the preseason?

 

Well, Brandon Rideau and Rashied Davis have both been [occasionally] working with the first team. The young guys are starting to come on. Devin did some really good things in the OTAs. I’m really excited about him. He’s another guy. But it still all remains to be seen. We’ve got a long way to go. When we get to training camp and we start getting into games, then we’ll have a better feel when we see how guys react in those situations against other people.

 

It seems that Rideau really stepped up and made some plays in the OTAs. How do you think he performed and what type of opportunity will he have in training camp?

 

Right now it’s up to him. That opportunity is there for him. He’s done some good things, but he needs to continue to work and improve if he’s going to be out there and have a chance to help us. But I’ve been pleased with his progress. He’s a guy who has been in this system for a while. You can line him up in any position. He knows what to do. The biggest thing for him is that every chance he gets to make a play, he’s got to make it.

 

[defiantgiant]

This was posted on the Bear website. I ask do the opportunities that Rideau and Aromashodu are getting translate into them pushing for jobs? They are both tall 6'3 and 6'4 and would make great targets for Cutler to throw to. As far as speed Brandon is slower than Devin(not Hester)but they seem to be faster than Davis. So they question here is would these two be good fits for a roster than looks like this. Hester, Bennett, Ridaeu,Aromashodu, Knox, Iglesias.IMHO I would take my chances and let Davis go and work with three speed guys Devin H, Devin A and Knox and use Bennett, Ridaeu, Iglesias as the move the chairs type WR'S

 

Not to split hairs, but Rideau and Aromashodu are listed at 6'3" and 6'2", respectively. Still, they're both a couple of inches taller than any of our current receivers. I doubt that both guys get roster spots, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them make the roster. In my mind, there are five guys who are basically guaranteed a roster spot: Hester, Bennett, Davis, Iglesias, and Knox. I think, given the uncertainty at the position, we'll probably keep 6 WRs this season. That means that Rideau, Aromashodu, and Derek Kinder are all probably fighting to be the sixth receiver.

 

Personally, I'd go with Rideau. All three guys are very unproven, but Rideau at least looked good in preseason games. He should be a good guy to sub in for red-zone packages, and I think he could develop pretty well in that role.

[nfoligno]

I mostly agree. I would however call Davis a "virtual lock". Frankly, regardless how Hester, Bennett, Iglesias or Knox look in camp, there is simply no chance we cut them (injury/IR doesn't count). If one of this groups really struggles in camp, that would threaten playing time but not their roster spot.

 

W/ Davis, I feel the situation is a bit different. I think he enters camp w/ a job/roster spot, but also would say it is "possible" he could lose it. I think it is his to lose, but if he is dropping the ball and struggling in camp the way he did last year, I think he could be let go. That would also depend on the others, but if Rideau, Kinder or Aroma are doing well while Davis is struggling, I could see a change made.

 

Assuming Davis keeps his job though, and further assuming we go w/ 6 WRs, I agree Rideau is the most likely candidate. He brings something to the table the others do no (size). At the end of the day though, if we do keep a 6th WR, it will likely come down to their special teams play as much as, if not more than, their WR play/potential.

 

 

 

Not to split hairs, but Rideau and Aromashodu are listed at 6'3" and 6'2", respectively. Still, they're both a couple of inches taller than any of our current receivers. I doubt that both guys get roster spots, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them make the roster. In my mind, there are five guys who are basically guaranteed a roster spot: Hester, Bennett, Davis, Iglesias, and Knox. I think, given the uncertainty at the position, we'll probably keep 6 WRs this season. That means that Rideau, Aromashodu, and Derek Kinder are all probably fighting to be the sixth receiver.

 

Personally, I'd go with Rideau. All three guys are very unproven, but Rideau at least looked good in preseason games. He should be a good guy to sub in for red-zone packages, and I think he could develop pretty well in that role.

 

[madlithuanian]

I'd agree...

 

Rideau looks like a good possibility and the coaching staff seem to love them some Davis...

 

I mostly agree. I would however call Davis a "virtual lock". Frankly, regardless how Hester, Bennett, Iglesias or Knox look in camp, there is simply no chance we cut them (injury/IR doesn't count). If one of this groups really struggles in camp, that would threaten playing time but not their roster spot.

 

W/ Davis, I feel the situation is a bit different. I think he enters camp w/ a job/roster spot, but also would say it is "possible" he could lose it. I think it is his to lose, but if he is dropping the ball and struggling in camp the way he did last year, I think he could be let go. That would also depend on the others, but if Rideau, Kinder or Aroma are doing well while Davis is struggling, I could see a change made.

 

Assuming Davis keeps his job though, and further assuming we go w/ 6 WRs, I agree Rideau is the most likely candidate. He brings something to the table the others do no (size). At the end of the day though, if we do keep a 6th WR, it will likely come down to their special teams play as much as, if not more than, their WR play/potential.

 

[defiantgiant]

I mostly agree. I would however call Davis a "virtual lock". Frankly, regardless how Hester, Bennett, Iglesias or Knox look in camp, there is simply no chance we cut them (injury/IR doesn't count). If one of this groups really struggles in camp, that would threaten playing time but not their roster spot.

 

W/ Davis, I feel the situation is a bit different. I think he enters camp w/ a job/roster spot, but also would say it is "possible" he could lose it. I think it is his to lose, but if he is dropping the ball and struggling in camp the way he did last year, I think he could be let go. That would also depend on the others, but if Rideau, Kinder or Aroma are doing well while Davis is struggling, I could see a change made.

 

Assuming Davis keeps his job though, and further assuming we go w/ 6 WRs, I agree Rideau is the most likely candidate. He brings something to the table the others do no (size). At the end of the day though, if we do keep a 6th WR, it will likely come down to their special teams play as much as, if not more than, their WR play/potential.

 

I agree that Davis struggled on the outside last year, but he's going back to the slot, where's he's always been serviceable if unspectacular. Also, when you're considering whether he's a lock to make the roster, remember that he's a staple on special teams units, particularly on the coverage team. Before Garrett Wolfe stepped up his ST play at the end of last season, Davis was looking like the best player on our coverage team.

 

I think Davis could certainly get bumped down the depth chart or lose some snaps to Knox/Iglesias if he performs poorly, but I think he'll ultimately be kept on the roster, if only because he's a valuable ST player. I definitely don't think he's guaranteed to be our #3 receiver this season, but I've got no problem with him playing on special teams and competing for the slot receiver job. If he ends up #4 or #5 on the depth chart, at least that roster spot went to a productive special teamer.

[AZ54]

On Rideau, he's tall but not big. At 6'3" and well under 200lbs. I hope he's bulked up some this offseason but getting off the LOS under press coverage is a problem for him. So is going up after the ball, he's soft. Here's another problem for him: when your position coach says you must make EVERY play that comes your way you are definitely on the bubble to make the roster.

 

Aromashodu...don't know anything about him, don't expect much from him. I agree that if we keep 6 WR he's got a shot to be #6 but my money is on us keeping 4 TEs with Olsen being your tweener TE/WR (he already does this) and Gaines being your tweened TE/FB. If Kellen Davis does not step up from last year's performance he could be gone though and special teams is going to be a big factor in this decision, and that goes for Gaines too.

 

Davis...going back to the slot is good for him and us as fans. Going to the bench would be even better for us fans as it would mean one of the rookies has stepped up to take his place. I agree he's a near lock to make the team just because of his experience.

 

Rideau and Aromashodu ran with the first team in spots simply because they knew the offense and the rookies did not. There's no point in trying to teach your new QB the offense with WRs who don't know what route to run.

 

 

 

 

[defiantgiant]

On Rideau, he's tall but not big. At 6'3" and well under 200lbs. I hope he's bulked up some this offseason but getting off the LOS under press coverage is a problem for him. So is going up after the ball, he's soft. Here's another problem for him: when your position coach says you must make EVERY play that comes your way you are definitely on the bubble to make the roster.

 

Yeah, in every picture I've ever seen of Rideau, he looked REALLY skinny. Like skinnier than Randy Moss. Check out this picture from last preseason: the guy's a stick figure. I think he has a chance to make the roster this season and maybe even contribute, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a draft pick or FA acquisition replace him in 2010.

 

Really, I'd like to see us draft

out of Elon in the middle rounds next year. He's from a small school, but he makes TONS of plays. He's not the fastest receiver in the world (4.54 40) but he goes 6'3" 237 lbs. and he's been dominant at his level: he had 62 catches for 1027 yards and 8 TDs in 2006, 117-1474-18 in 2007, and 86-1116-10 in 2008. The video in that link is a total puff piece, but you can see some clips of game footage.

[Mongo3451]

On Rideau, he's tall but not big. At 6'3" and well under 200lbs. I hope he's bulked up some this offseason but getting off the LOS under press coverage is a problem for him. So is going up after the ball, he's soft. Here's another problem for him: when your position coach says you must make EVERY play that comes your way you are definitely on the bubble to make the roster.

That quote struck me in the forehead when I read it.