This is the 2009 Bears roster

[Wesson44]

Quarterbacks (2): Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie.

When you have an elite quarterback, it's easy to go with just two. The team will look for a third for the practice squad and consider Brett Basanez.

 

Running backs/fullbacks (5): Matt Forte, Kevin Jones, Garrett Wolfe, Adrian Peterson, Jason McKie.

It's been an uphill battle for Peterson, but he ran very well at Denver and always has been reliable on special teams.

 

''I just show up on film,'' Peterson said when asked how he evaluated his chances. ''If they stick me out on the field, I am going to show up. I'm going to let the chips fall where they do. I'm not losing sleep over anything.''

 

Jones hasn't sparkled in preseason, but the Bears go with an extra back instead of a fourth tight end in Michael Gaines. Will Ta'ufo'ou could be targeted for the practice squad.

 

Wide receivers (6): Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Devin Aromashodu, Rashied Davis, Juaquin Iglesias, Johnny Knox.

If draft status had nothing to do with it, Brandon Rideau would stick ahead of Iglesias, but the Bears will put him on the Bennett redshirt plan. Aromashodu plays faster than Rideau and has been a preferred target for Cutler. Davis hasn't gotten the ball much at all but has too much value on special teams and can play the slot in the event Bennett is injured.

 

''I don't know what is going to happen when the roster spots start getting filled,'' Davis said. ''But I definitely feel good about where I am at. I've gotten better every year at special teams. That's ... one of the pluses for me.''

 

Tight ends (3): Greg Olsen, Desmond Clark, Kellen Davis.

The addition of Gaines to the mix did one thing: It lit a fire under Davis, who wasn't as visible in camp as a year ago but is an improved player. Gaines just didn't show up a whole lot and can't contribute on special teams like some of the reserve running backs.

 

Offensive line (8): Orlando Pace, Frank Omiyale, Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza, Chris Williams, Kevin Shaffer, Josh Beekman, Dan Buenning.

Only eight linemen would have stuck last season, but Williams was carried while he recovered from back surgery. The depth provided by Shaffer, Beekman and Buenning, and their versatility, is a real plus. Lance Louis and Cody Balogh could be targeted for the practice squad.

 

Defensive line (10): Alex Brown, Anthony Adams, Tommie Harris, Adewale Ogunleye, Mark Anderson, Henry Melton, Israel Idonije, Marcus Harrison, Jarron Gilbert, Matt Toeaina.

The suspense of a move here was erased when Dusty Dvoracek was lost for the season. Toeaina has practice-squad eligibility remaining, but tackles are hard to find -- meaning he sticks.

 

Linebackers (6): Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Pisa Tinoisamoa, Nick Roach, Jamar Williams, Hunter Hillenmeyer.

Undrafted free agent Kevin Malast has been as impressive as any rookie on the roster and could force the coaching staff into a long, hard decision because he might not make it through waivers to bring him back to the practice squad. Fifth-round pick Marcus Freeman did little in camp or during the preseason and becomes one of the rare non-seventh-rounders that Angelo cuts ties with quickly.

 

Defensive backs (10): Charles Tillman, Zack Bowman, Danieal Manning, Kevin Payne, Nathan Vasher, D.J. Moore, Corey Graham, Rod Hood, Al Afalava, Craig Steltz.

Hood is no guarantee to make the roster, but he will be an upgrade over Trumaine McBride. Steltz has taken quite a dip since the offseason program ended, but he can help out on special teams and will know where to line up if needed in a pinch. Cornerback Woodny Turenne did not play last week at Denver, and that might be because the Bears want him to fly under the radar, right onto their practice squad.

 

Specialists (3): Robbie Gould, Pat Mannelly, Brad Maynard.

No surprises here. To hear Smith say it, there really won't be any surprises anywhere.

 

''I think each year you like a lot of players -- but in the end, the separation happens,'' he said. ''They distinguish themselves, and they tell you who should be on the roster. And I think the same thing will happen this year

 

[AZ54]

I think Malast is making things very difficult on Hunter. We have good depth and experience now with Pisa, Roach, and Williams. I won't be surprised at all to the see the Bears go with youth here and keep Malast. I expect Freeman to get on the practice squad.

 

I disagree with the Dline because I think Melton goes on the practice squad. He's too raw to be ready this year and I highly doubt anyone would think enough of him to put him on their active roster. In his place we keep Gaines who has proven he can block and make big catches for us.

 

Davis gets cut and Rideau finally makes the roster. Knox and Iglesias both make roster too.

 

Running back: AP is cut and McClover takes his roster spot.