Bears depth chart released

[Bears4Ever_34]

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/depthchart.asp

 

Also via Zach Zaidman:

Depth chart is out: Hester & Bennett are the #1 WR's. Rideau & Davis are 2nd team. Aromashodu & Iglesias are 3rd team

[Ed Hochuli 3:16]

but davis sux and shoulda been cut, yo!!!!111

[Mongo3451]

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/depthchart.asp

 

Also via Zach Zaidman:

 

:Here are some interest parts

 

NT Anthony Adams / Dusty Dvoracek / Marcus Harrison (3 way tie)

 

SLB Pisa Tinoisamoa / Nick Roach / Jamar Williams Marcus Freeman (Pisa was quick to #1)

 

LCB Trumaine McBride / Corey Graham (Tied)

 

FS Danieal Manning Josh Bullocks Craig Steltz (Steltz 3rd string!!!!)

 

Earl Bennett Brandon Rideau Devin Aromashodu Johnny Knox (looks like Knox may get the redshirt IR, as we have discussed)

 

Matt Forte Kevin Jones Garrett Wolfe Adrian Peterson (AP better be a stud on ST or he's done)

 

Greg Olsen Desmond Clark Kellen Davis Michael Gaines (With davis ahead of Gaines, we may keep 4, as we have discussed)

[bowlingtwig]

:Here are some interest parts

 

NT Anthony Adams / Dusty Dvoracek / Marcus Harrison (3 way tie)

 

SLB Pisa Tinoisamoa / Nick Roach / Jamar Williams Marcus Freeman (Pisa was quick to #1)

 

LCB Trumaine McBride / Corey Graham (Tied)

 

FS Danieal Manning Josh Bullocks Craig Steltz (Steltz 3rd string!!!!)

 

Earl Bennett Brandon Rideau Devin Aromashodu Johnny Knox (looks like Knox may get the redshirt IR, as we have discussed)

 

Matt Forte Kevin Jones Garrett Wolfe Adrian Peterson (AP better be a stud on ST or he's done)

 

Greg Olsen Desmond Clark Kellen Davis Michael Gaines (With davis ahead of Gaines, we may keep 4, as we have discussed)

I hope to see Knox on the field this year.

[madlithuanian]

Thank heavens he's second string...

 

At least he can drop Hanie's passes instead of Cutler's.

 

but davis sux and shoulda been cut, yo!!!!111

 

[nfoligno]

NT Anthony Adams / Dusty Dvoracek / Marcus Harrison (3 way tie)

 

Harrison is low, but also got a late jump. I think he will rise to at least 2nd. I have not heard a thing about Dusty in camp, but Adams seems to be having a solid camp. In the end, I think we will see (unless Harrison breaks out) Adams get the bulk of the snaps on run downs and Harrison in the nickel or passing downs.

 

SLB Pisa Tinoisamoa / Nick Roach / Jamar Williams Marcus Freeman (Pisa was quick to #1)

 

Gotta say. This is a position that seems to have a nice group in the battle, but I have read next to nothing about in camp.

 

LCB Trumaine McBride / Corey Graham (Tied)

 

Little deceptive as they are not factoring injured players. Tillman is obviously the #1, but I think it safe to say Bowman has taken (despite the injury) the primary backup spot too. Still sad IMHO that we have Graham flat out burried.

 

FS Danieal Manning Josh Bullocks Craig Steltz (Steltz 3rd string!!!!)

 

What I find interesting here is, Afalava has been drawing a lot of praise for his work at FS, with the 1st string, and from all reports, seems to have moved ahead of Steltz. Really have to wonder at this point if Steltz makes it out of camp. If Afalava beats him out on the depth chart, I am not sure Steltz sticks.

 

Earl Bennett Brandon Rideau Devin Aromashodu Johnny Knox (looks like Knox may get the redshirt IR, as we have discussed)

 

This is the best battle, and I can't wait to see the final depth chart here. While Davis may currently be 2nd string, I think a big part of that is his starting out ahead due to his experience. All reports have flat out raved about Rideau and Aromashodu, and I have also read about Iglesias really coming on. In fact, the only Wr I have not read much about is Davis. So much is going to depend on preseason games, but at this point, it would not surprise me if Davis doesn't make it out of camp. I think he has been an insurance policy w/ so much youth at WR, but as that youth steps up, I think Davis could step out.

 

As for Knox, I do not think he gets the red shirt. From what I have read, we have taken a very specific approach w/ him. Opposite Bennett, we are developing Knox at one position only, and envision him as a potential deep threat this season. I think he may not see a ton of snaps, but will be a deep threat every time he is on the field. That will be his niche.

 

Matt Forte Kevin Jones Garrett Wolfe Adrian Peterson (AP better be a stud on ST or he's done)

 

Could it be possible to see AP gone? I do not think it happens this year, but IMHO, it should. I would hate to cut one of the talented young WRs or a TE in order to keep a roster spot for him.

 

Greg Olsen Desmond Clark Kellen Davis Michael Gaines (With davis ahead of Gaines, we may keep 4, as we have discussed)

 

I think Davis was very much on the bubble, and may still be, but has been having a very solid camp. We may well keep 4 TEs.

[Bears4Ever_34]

Knox and Iglesias are locks to make this team. I think they may IR Kinder instead of putting him on the practice squad because theirs a chance someone may pick him up. Atleast depth charts are subject to change on a game to game basis. I am hoping they switch Rideau and D.A into the first string some atleast once this preseason and move Rasheid to 4th string until they finally cut him. Knox will stay on the team because he's going to be a backup punt/kickoff returner along with being the "gunner" on punt coverage. Our special teams coach labels him as a "weapon" because of his speed.

[lemonej]

I wonder who screwded up this depth chart. Where is the guy who has been one of the darlings of TC? Zack Bowman is he not ahead of McBride and Graham? Looks like this depth chart is not too accurate.

[flea]

lemon, Bowman is probably down to him being hurt. He may not see time sat.

[lemonej]

lemon, Bowman is probably down to him being hurt. He may not see time sat.

Flea I'm with ya' but is this the depth chart for this game or is this the team depth chart because ,Tillman and Mines are on it.

[flea]

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/depthchart.asp

 

Mines & Tillman are off it now so I'm assuming game depth chart

[lemonej]

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/depthchart.asp

 

Mines & Tillman are off it now so I'm assuming game depth chart

Tillman Is on the PUP list if you look at the full roster and not the depth chart. Also they only have 4th string listed and by my account Mines would be the 5th TE.

[bradjock]

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/depthchart.asp

 

Also via Zach Zaidman:

 

Davis may not be starting, but the depth chart does not indicate who is the starting slot receiver. Face it, Rashied looked pretty damn good in 2006 in the slot. The team has indicated that when we asked him to do more it became a problem.

 

I REALLY like Davis as a #5 WR. He knows all the positions, he plays special teams, and he's a scrapper. You can put him out there in a pinch and expect him to perform. Yes, he had some drops, but seemingly every WR we acquire has that problem . . . then they go away and the problem stops.

 

A final note on Davis: Everyone focuses on his drops, but how many huge receptions has he had? I think it was the Atlanta game he caught what should have been the game winning TD. (He had at least one game-winning catch.)

[bradjock]

SLB Pisa Tinoisamoa / Nick Roach / Jamar Williams Marcus Freeman (Pisa was quick to #1)

 

Gotta say. This is a position that seems to have a nice group in the battle, but I have read next to nothing about in camp.

 

When did Jamar Williams become a SLB? Why didn't we try him out when Roach & Hunter were competing to see who was worse last year. Speaking of this, are we going to pay Hunter over a million to play ST's and be a back-up?

 

LCB Trumaine McBride / Corey Graham (Tied)

 

Little deceptive as they are not factoring injured players. Tillman is obviously the #1, but I think it safe to say Bowman has taken (despite the injury) the primary backup spot too. Still sad IMHO that we have Graham flat out burried.

 

Mully on the SCORE says McBride looks terrible. I'm confused as you about Graham.

 

FS Danieal Manning Josh Bullocks Craig Steltz (Steltz 3rd string!!!!)

 

What I find interesting here is, Afalava has been drawing a lot of praise for his work at FS, with the 1st string, and from all reports, seems to have moved ahead of Steltz. Really have to wonder at this point if Steltz makes it out of camp. If Afalava beats him out on the depth chart, I am not sure Steltz sticks.

 

So Steltz went from competing for SS, to nickel-back FS, to 3rd string? That's ALL happened in the last 2 weeks. And he hasn't been hurt. Can we just load all these guys up in the freaking clown-car? Steltz will stick because someone will be injured.

 

As for Knox, I do not think he gets the red shirt. From what I have read, we have taken a very specific approach w/ him. Opposite Bennett, we are developing Knox at one position only, and envision him as a potential deep threat this season. I think he may not see a ton of snaps, but will be a deep threat every time he is on the field. That will be his niche.

 

Wasn't that what Airese Currie was supposed to be for? Like Knox, he was fast as hell. I see him getting the red-shit.

 

Could it be possible to see AP gone? I do not think it happens this year, but IMHO, it should. I would hate to cut one of the talented young WRs or a TE in order to keep a roster spot for him.

 

I don't see how you'd justify keeping Knox or Kellen Davis over AP. Chances are, Knox or Davis would make it back to our practice squad. For at least a week or two.

 

I think Davis was very much on the bubble, and may still be, but has been having a very solid camp. We may well keep 4 TEs.

 

We've said that Gaines can play FB. I look for him to replace McKie, and we keep 4 TE's.

[nfoligno]

When did Jamar Williams become a SLB? Why didn't we try him out when Roach & Hunter were competing to see who was worse last year. Speaking of this, are we going to pay Hunter over a million to play ST's and be a back-up?

 

I am guessing, but my guess is he looked so good during OTAs that our staff is trying to find a way to get him on the field. I am not sure even our staff believes he can play SLB, but are giving it a try due to how he has looked in general. We can argue this should have been done in the past, but frankly, I have never before heard the rave reviews I have this offseason about him.

 

Mully on the SCORE says McBride looks terrible. I'm confused as you about Graham.

 

That seems to be supported by the ESPN guys who are doing the twitter and blogs and such. Quite often comments are made about this receiver or that receiver making a play, and doing so against McBride. W/ regard to Graham, my only guess is the staff feels very confident Tillman and Bowman will return, and they want to keep Graham at nickel and develop him there. That is my guess of their thinking, but I think their thinking is whacked.

 

So Steltz went from competing for SS, to nickel-back FS, to 3rd string? That's ALL happened in the last 2 weeks. And he hasn't been hurt. Can we just load all these guys up in the freaking clown-car? Steltz will stick because someone will be injured.

 

Steltz may ultimately make the roster, but it won't be due to him performance.

 

Wasn't that what Airese Currie was supposed to be for? Like Knox, he was fast as hell. I see him getting the red-shit.

 

Big difference between Knox and Currie. Currie was a track star who was still very raw as a WR. Knox is a developed WR, but the key question for him coming out of school was level of competition. But that doesn't compare to a guy who is learning how to be a WR. Yes, the idea of what the team wanted w/ Currie carries over to Knox, but the key difference is Currie was far behind the learning curve at WR, where as Knox is not.

 

I don't see how you'd justify keeping Knox or Kellen Davis over AP. Chances are, Knox or Davis would make it back to our practice squad. For at least a week or two.

 

If Knox hits our practice squad, I predict we lose him. Its one thing if you want to talk about Kinder to the PS, but Knox was the 4th pick of the 5th round. He is a player who had some questions, but frankly, seems to have answered many of those same questions in OTAs and camp. He has looked good and has blazing speed. It would be a huge mistake to put him on the PS, as I will simply bet you another team would come in and steal him. As for Davis, is he eligible?

 

Back to the original issue though, I simply do not feel AP has much value anymore. At one time, I could at least say he was a special teams leader, but frankly his play in that area has gone down, and last year, I thought he was a liability on special teams. I think the addition of K.Jones essentially replaces him, and would rather keep Wolfe than AP, as Wolfe at least brings something different to the table. AP is a great guy, and I wish him the best, but when I look at our roster, I do not see what value he brings to the table. I do see what Knox and Davis can bring though.

 

We've said that Gaines can play FB. I look for him to replace McKie, and we keep 4 TE's.

 

For the record, I would love this, but I think our losing McKie is a fan thing and not a staff thing. IMHO, our staff very much likes McKie and believes he is a solid player. I strongly disagree, but that is how I see the staff viewing the situation. I think we are looking at TEs capability to block in the backfield in order to consider them as depth, as we only keep one FB.

 

Here is the numbers problem. We have a slew of young WRs, many of which are looking very good. At this point, it is hard to imagine not keeping 6. We have a group of TEs, also looking good, and this is going to be a more featured position on our offense, and thus it is hard to think we don't keep 4. But to keep 6 WRs and 4 TEs, you have to make sacrifices somewhere.

 

I can not see us cutting McKie, as much as I would be in favor of that. I can not see us going w/ too little depth on the OL, as you always are hit w/ injuries there and depth is too important. That leaves RB and QB. I have argued in favor of going w/ only 2 QBs, as I think we can pick someone up midseason (if there is need) who wouldn't be worse than Basanez, but I don't see the team doing it. That leaves RB. Keeping 3 RBs is pretty normal, but we are looking at 4. That was understandable last year when KJ was not 100%, but he is this year, and having a great camp. W/ Forte and KJ, AP will likely never see the field on offense. Wolfe is a player who Turner is talking about working into the offense, but AP is strickly a special teams guy. I would rather keep a 6th WR or 4th TE, who I believe can factor in the offense, than a 4th RB who will only get off the bench for special teams.

[nfoligno]

I have no issue w/ Davis, and have argued the same point you made before. Davis is a nice depth chart WR who was asked to do too much.

Think Mark Anderson. As a pass rush specialist, the guy challenged for ROY honors. Inserted into a starting position, and he flopped big time. Doesn't mean you give up on the player, but simply put him back where he did well.

 

Now, I have made that argument in the past, but right now, I am not so sure. Despite your wanting to red shirt or practice squad Knox, it isn't going to happen. He was a high 5th round pick this year, and frankly, has looked good in camp. On the ESPN twitter, there have been several comments about him simply blowing past our secondary to make a long completion. If you listen to the staff, they have several specific roles designed for him, and have even talked about him in special teams. Iglesias is not going anywhere either. W/ Bennett and Hester, that's 4.

 

I think it safe to safe Rideau is making the team. The guy has been our most impressive receiver in camp, and has moved up to #3 in the pecking order. Sure, that could change if he bombs in the preseason games, but right now, he is looking pretty safe. That's 5.

 

Some debate the point, but I think we keep 6 WRs this year. But here's the thing. Now we have this kid, Aromyourmama blowing it up. His play has been such that it feels like all we hear about is his making plays. Cutler seems to be his biggest fan, and that is going to mean a lot.

 

What have you heard about Davis from camp. I read the twitter and blogs everyday, and the only twitter comment I can recall about Davis was to say he really hasn't been part of any plays. I don't know the reason. Not getting open? Not getting the repts. Cutler simply prefering others? I don't know. But if Davis is not doing anything impressive in camp, while at the same time those he is competing for a spot w/ are playing great, I have to question keeping him, experience or not.

 

Davis may not be starting, but the depth chart does not indicate who is the starting slot receiver. Face it, Rashied looked pretty damn good in 2006 in the slot. The team has indicated that when we asked him to do more it became a problem.

 

I REALLY like Davis as a #5 WR. He knows all the positions, he plays special teams, and he's a scrapper. You can put him out there in a pinch and expect him to perform. Yes, he had some drops, but seemingly every WR we acquire has that problem . . . then they go away and the problem stops.

 

A final note on Davis: Everyone focuses on his drops, but how many huge receptions has he had? I think it was the Atlanta game he caught what should have been the game winning TD. (He had at least one game-winning catch.)

 

[jason]

Could it be possible to see AP gone? I do not think it happens this year, but IMHO, it should. I would hate to cut one of the talented young WRs or a TE in order to keep a roster spot for him.

 

I don't see how you'd justify keeping Knox or Kellen Davis over AP. Chances are, Knox or Davis would make it back to our practice squad. For at least a week or two.

 

I think Davis was very much on the bubble, and may still be, but has been having a very solid camp. We may well keep 4 TEs.

 

We've said that Gaines can play FB. I look for him to replace McKie, and we keep 4 TE's.

 

1. Cutting AP in favor of a 6th WR or a 4th TE is stupid. AP will contribute more, and is probably overall a better player anyway.

2. The ONLY way the Bears should keep 3 TEs, let alone 4, is if one of them is Gaines at the FB position.

[nfoligno]

I disagree w/ your thinking quite a bit.

 

How do you envision AP contributing? The only way he makes the field on offense is if we have an injury, and frankly, it may even require multiple as our #2 RB has starting capability. We also have Wolfe, who according to that depth chart, has moved ahead of AP. Wolfe is a player the staff has talked about getting more involved in the offense, as he brings something different to the table. AP doesn't. AP's only value to the offense is depth, and frankly, deep depth at that.

 

He used to have big value as a special teams performer, but last year, I thought his play had declined to the point he was a liability on teams.

 

You don't think there is value in a 6th WR? I would argue this on several points.

 

One. At Wr, we have a lot of youth we are trying to develop, including 2 rookies. You need more roster spaces when you are developing players, as opposed to a position (like RB) where you are set.

 

Two. You play a lot more WRs at any given time. You start two, but could have 3 and even 4 WR sets.

 

Three. I would also argue that at WR, when talking about depth, we are looking at players who bring something different to the table. In Rideau and Arom, you get added size. In Knox. You have speed. In Iglesias, you have precise route running and hands. What does AP bring to the table different from any other?

 

Four. Maybe this goes back to the 1st point, but what future does AP have? What future might a 6th WR have. So far in camp, Arom (who would likely be that 6th WR) sure seems to be showing the potential for a greater future than AP.

 

Then there is the issue of a 4th TE, while you question even the value of 3.

 

One. As we use more and more 2 TE sets, I think the need for depth there is greater.

 

Two. While we are most likely to keep McKie, a FB, we look at our 3rd TE as the backup FB. So a TE like Gaines may not be our starting FB, but he would be our depth.

 

Three. More than Gaines, IMHO, it comes down to Davis v AP. I'll take Davis w/o question.

 

At TE, Clark is solid, but you have to ask how much longer he will be w/ the team. Davis, not Gaines, would be viewed as his successor. At RB, we have a 2nd year RB in Forte, his backup is still relatively young, and Wolfe too is young. There is not much need to consider successors at RB, but there is more so at TE. Finally, I would use the "what do they bring to the table that is different" argument. I have already made the point that AP bring nothing different to the table. Davis brings a 6'7 frame w/ fairly impressive receiving capabilities. I have read numerous times of Davis making spectacular catches, particularly in the endzone, in camp. I flat out love the idea of Davis being a red zone threat, paired w/ Olsen.

 

At the end of the day, I believe our 6th WR and 4th TE would have a role in the offense this year, while AP would not. Further, beyond this year, I think our 6th WR and 4th TE have a potential future, while again, AP does not.

 

To me, AP is like R.Davis. They became fan favorites at a time when we had trash at the position, but as we add talent, their value really deteriorates.

 

1. Cutting AP in favor of a 6th WR or a 4th TE is stupid. AP will contribute more, and is probably overall a better player anyway.

2. The ONLY way the Bears should keep 3 TEs, let alone 4, is if one of them is Gaines at the FB position.

 

[AZ54]

1. Cutting AP in favor of a 6th WR or a 4th TE is stupid. AP will contribute more, and is probably overall a better player anyway.

2. The ONLY way the Bears should keep 3 TEs, let alone 4, is if one of them is Gaines at the FB position.

 

 

Exactly where will AP contribute more? RB? Not likely as he is at best our 3rd RB and currently is listed as 4th on the depth chart. He won't see the field unless Forte and Jones go down. Losing players is never a good thing but if there's one thing that teams have shown over the years you can find a RB off the street (or more likely off your practice squad) to fill in. AP is an average RB, and not very good as a blocker, at least not last year.

 

Special teams kick coverage? Wolfe was far better on special teams last year, I'll go so far as to say he was stud often getting downfield early and making tackles before the KR/PR could get momentum. Even KJ outshined AP in those last few games getting further downfield and making tackles on KR.

 

Special teams blocking on returns? This one I'll give to AP because I simply don't know one way or the other. So we'd be keeping AP on the roster solely to be a special teams ace, even though others outperform him in some areas. There is going to be a lot of competition for this role. Consider Freeman who did well on special teams in college. Jamaar Williams who has often been a special teams standout and appears to be our 4th LB on the depth chart, especially now that they've listed him on the SLB depth chart. My belief is they are doing that solely because they know he can contribute well on special teams and they want him active for game day. It's good for him to know the SLB role even if he'd only do that to finish out a game.

 

You prefer to keep AP solely to get a good blocker on KR/PR and in exchange only keep 2 TEs, the most injured position in the league? Or we drop one of our talented young WR, a position we have so many question marks and lots of inexperience? You realize we like to run 4 WR sets from time to time? I'll take the extra WR to see which of the 4 young guns develops best for the future.

 

I've already been posting this offseason that it's time to move on from AP, and nothing I've heard from camp has made me change my mind.

[Mongo3451]

Exactly where will AP contribute more? RB? Not likely as he is at best our 3rd RB and currently is listed as 4th on the depth chart. He won't see the field unless Forte and Jones go down. Losing players is never a good thing but if there's one thing that teams have shown over the years you can find a RB off the street (or more likely off your practice squad) to fill in. AP is an average RB, and not very good as a blocker, at least not last year.

 

Special teams kick coverage? Wolfe was far better on special teams last year, I'll go so far as to say he was stud often getting downfield early and making tackles before the KR/PR could get momentum. Even KJ outshined AP in those last few games getting further downfield and making tackles on KR.

 

Special teams blocking on returns? This one I'll give to AP because I simply don't know one way or the other. So we'd be keeping AP on the roster solely to be a special teams ace, even though others outperform him in some areas. There is going to be a lot of competition for this role. Consider Freeman who did well on special teams in college. Jamaar Williams who has often been a special teams standout and appears to be our 4th LB on the depth chart, especially now that they've listed him on the SLB depth chart. My belief is they are doing that solely because they know he can contribute well on special teams and they want him active for game day. It's good for him to know the SLB role even if he'd only do that to finish out a game.

 

You prefer to keep AP solely to get a good blocker on KR/PR and in exchange only keep 2 TEs, the most injured position in the league? Or we drop one of our talented young WR, a position we have so many question marks and lots of inexperience? You realize we like to run 4 WR sets from time to time? I'll take the extra WR to see which of the 4 young guns develops best for the future.

 

I've already been posting this offseason that it's time to move on from AP, and nothing I've heard from camp has made me change my mind.

Nuf said...