The UDFA Thread

[dawhizz]

Looks like the Bears got an early start on a guy I think can really help this team (per KFFL):

 

Bears | Freddie Barnes signed

Comment (0)

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:44:30 -0400

 

The Chicago Bears have signed undrafted free-agent WR Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green), according to Daniel Mogollon, of NFLDraftBible.com. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

 

[dawhizz]

LB Matt Mayberry from Indiana as well.

 

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/...t-products.html

[bradjock]

Looks like the Bears got an early start on a guy I think can really help this team (per KFFL):

 

Bears | Freddie Barnes signed

Comment (0)

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:44:30 -0400

 

The Chicago Bears have signed undrafted free-agent WR Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green), according to Daniel Mogollon, of NFLDraftBible.com. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

 

How about a drafted FA thread . . . by that I mean Faneca. Come on Faneca!!!

[dawhizz]

Quentin Scott, S, Northern Iowa

Brandon Minor, RB, Michigan

Lawrence Wilson, DE, Ohio State

Desi Cullen, P, UConn

Cornelius Brown, CB, UTEP

[defiantgiant]

Between Freddie Barnes and Earl Bennett, Bears have the NCAA record for single-season receptions (155) and the SEC record for career receptions (236.) That's pretty awesome. Here's some more on Barnes.

 

From NFP's writeup on the Humanitarian Bowl:

"Bowling Green has an intriguing prospect on the offensive side of the ball who might have had the most dominating season of any player in the NCAA not named Ndamukong Suh. Wide receiver Freddie Barnes currently ranks first in the nation in receptions (138), first in receiving touchdowns (16) and third in receiving yards (1,551). He isn’t the most explosive straight-line athlete and lacks the wheels to consistently threaten NFL defenses vertically, but he showcases a real feel for the pass game, has good balance as an underneath route runner and knows how to adjust to the ball. Barnes isn’t a guy with the athleticism needed to start on the outside in the NFL, but he certainly has the talent to fill out an NFL receiving corps."

 

From SI's writeup on the East-West Shrine Game:

"Barnes caught everything thrown his way each day at practice. He impressed scouts with the ability to consistently separate from defensive backs and find the openings in the coverage. Barnes proved to scouts that his record-breaking numbers in college had more to do with his skills rather than the offensive system at Bowling Green."

 

NFP on the Shrine Game:

"Is Barnes someone who will consistently be beat man coverage on the outside and escape press vs. physical NFL corners? No, but he’s a well-built kid with good body control who does a great job gaining initial separation and plucking the football. He’s not a guy who will ever be a star in the league, but if you need a wideout who can come into a game as a sub-package receiver and move the sticks from the slot, Barnes is your man."

 

"Has the most impressive body of all the East wideouts. Possesses a thick lower half and good overall muscle definition through his legs. Doesn’t exhibit a second gear down the field but is a coordinated wideout who displays good body control as a route runner and adjusts well to throws away from his frame. Will struggle to beat press on the outside vs. more physical defensive backs but looks like a solid sub-package receiver in the Jason Avant mold."

[flea]

Matt Mayberry, LB Indiana

Quentin Scott, S Northern Iowa

Brandon Minor, RB Michigan

Lawrence Wilson, DE Ohio State

Levi Horn, OT Montana

Greg Matthews, WR Michigan

Antonio Robinson, WR Nicholls State

Cornelius Brown, CB UTEP

Barry Turner, DE Nebraska

 

Illinois QB Juice Williams was invited by the Bears to participate in a three-day minicamp next weekend on a tryout basis.

 

[dawhizz]

Also add Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, DT, Texas A&M Kingville & Tim Walter, C, Colorado.

[lemonej]

Between Freddie Barnes and Earl Bennett, Bears have the NCAA record for single-season receptions (155) and the SEC record for career receptions (236.) That's pretty awesome. Here's some more on Barnes.

 

From NFP's writeup on the Humanitarian Bowl:

"Bowling Green has an intriguing prospect on the offensive side of the ball who might have had the most dominating season of any player in the NCAA not named Ndamukong Suh. Wide receiver Freddie Barnes currently ranks first in the nation in receptions (138), first in receiving touchdowns (16) and third in receiving yards (1,551). He isn’t the most explosive straight-line athlete and lacks the wheels to consistently threaten NFL defenses vertically, but he showcases a real feel for the pass game, has good balance as an underneath route runner and knows how to adjust to the ball. Barnes isn’t a guy with the athleticism needed to start on the outside in the NFL, but he certainly has the talent to fill out an NFL receiving corps."

 

From SI's writeup on the East-West Shrine Game:

"Barnes caught everything thrown his way each day at practice. He impressed scouts with the ability to consistently separate from defensive backs and find the openings in the coverage. Barnes proved to scouts that his record-breaking numbers in college had more to do with his skills rather than the offensive system at Bowling Green."

 

NFP on the Shrine Game:

"Is Barnes someone who will consistently be beat man coverage on the outside and escape press vs. physical NFL corners? No, but he’s a well-built kid with good body control who does a great job gaining initial separation and plucking the football. He’s not a guy who will ever be a star in the league, but if you need a wideout who can come into a game as a sub-package receiver and move the sticks from the slot, Barnes is your man."

 

"Has the most impressive body of all the East wideouts. Possesses a thick lower half and good overall muscle definition through his legs. Doesn’t exhibit a second gear down the field but is a coordinated wideout who displays good body control as a route runner and adjusts well to throws away from his frame. Will struggle to beat press on the outside vs. more physical defensive backs but looks like a solid sub-package receiver in the Jason Avant mold."

This is kind of a personal note for me as Freddie played QB at Homewood-Flossmoor High School with my son as his WR. He also played point guard on their basketball team and has some pretty good leaping ability. He hails from the same neighborhood that produced the New Orleans Hornets Julian Wright. I wacthed a few of his games at Bowling Green and he has on occassion been on punt returns which will be a plus if he is to make this roster.

 

[barnesat]

This guy looks interesting. Just saw the bears signed him. Good size and ball skills. Says his downside is on the tackling end, but as a free safety I would be more concerned with his ball skills which is something every other safety we have lacks.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/messages/chrono/21027958

 

"Quentin Scott, of UNI

04/04/2010 - PRO DAY RESULTS: Free safety Quentin Scott impressed scouts from eight teams at Northern Iowa's pro day on March 31st. Scott (6-3 7/8, 224) worked out as both a defensive back and a wide receiver and put together a really good workout. He ran a 4.40-second and 4.45-second 40-yard dash, had a 35-inch vertical leap, 10-1 broad jump, 4.18-second short shuttle, 6.88-second three-cone drill and completed 13 bench press repetitions at 225 pounds. His arms were measured at 34 5/8 inches. Ten of Scott's teammates and two players from small area schools also worked out indoors on Mondo track. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com

 

 

Overview

The size (6-4, 224) and speed (4.43 40) are not misprints. Scott's physical attributes intrigue scouts all over the league, and though it's not clear where his NFL position will be, he'll certainly be part of war room conversations throughout the second half of the draft.

 

After a very successful two years at Iowa Central Community College, Scott bade his time as a safety/linebacker/special teamer in 2008 (20 tackles, two for loss, interception). Given a chance to start as a senior, he came through with flying colors: Team MVP, first-team All-Missouri Valley with 49 tackles, five interceptions (one score) and four pass break-ups.

 

Scott held his own at the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge. The athleticism he showed at his pro day actually caused scouts to ask him to work out at receiver; although didn't catch every ball thrown his way, he looked good enough to potentially get a shot there at the next level. But he also shows good range and physicality as a centerfielder, so coaches who believe they can improve his tackling technique may push for him as a free safety prospect in the middle rounds.

 

Analysis

Read & React: Very quick reacting to plays in his area and able to get across the field in a hurry to help on those outside his immediate zone. Lacks great instincts and discipline, gets sucked in on play-action and fooled by misdirection when playing near the line. Takes too aggressive of an angle near the line, giving up the sideline instead of at least forcing plays inside.

 

Man Coverage: Has a surprisingly quick backpedal, taking slot receivers on occasion. Good change-of-direction despite his height, will stay with outside receivers but needs to prove coverage skills against quick pro receivers. Good ball skills, has the hands and ability to high-point that teams may try him as a receiver. Inexperienced pressing on the line.

 

Zone Coverage: True centerfielder, takes away deep balls with his height and athleticism. Goes from one sideline to the other to help corners or bring down receivers on his own. Can be an intimidating force on crossing routes, likes to make receivers feel his presence with a big hit. Better reacting to plays in front of him than anticipating routes. Will bite on play-action, leaving his man on an island outside.

 

Closing/Recovery: Excellent closing speed. Transitions from pedal to plant-and-drive well. Uses speed and size to track down players, even if initially taking a poor angle. Rangy player who gets to the sideline to contest deep balls.

 

Run Support: Willing in run support, closes on ballcarriers at the sideline or between the tackle and drags them down, though he usually played too far off the line of scrimmage to make a huge impact. Puts shoulder into pulling guards to hold his ground and maintain his gap near the goal line but won't overwhelm veteran pro linemen. Must learn to use his length to keep distance from blockers and disengage to make plays; gets pushed away too easily by linemen and fullbacks.

 

Tackling: Likes the physical aspect of the game. If a receiver is in his path, he will wrap him up and plant him. Likes to lower the shoulder as well, whether dislodging the ball from a receiver or aiding a teammate in making a stop. However, ducks his head too often, trying to grab a leg even if in position to blow up a running back and receiver near the line; will whiff against elusive ballcarriers. Looks for the hit instead of wrapping up in space at times. Susceptible to cut blocks due to his height, needs to feel those blocks and use his hands to defeat.

 

Intangibles: Plays with the confident, physical attitude that teams want. Good teammate, backs them when needed and congratulates them after plays. Junior college transfer. No major character concerns."

[jason]

It's just too bad Barnes will probably never see the field.

 

1 - The Bears are stacked with young WRs.

2 - The Bears are stacked with potential at WR.

3 - Look how long it took for Aromashodu to get on the field.

4 - Hester is getting paid too much to be eliminated from the WR position entirely.

 

So where does Barnes fit in?

Slot? Nope. That's Hester's position.

Straight line speed? Nope. He can't do it, and it's all on Johnny Knox.

Possession WR? Nope. Bennett is better at it, AND has familiarity with Jay Cutler.

Potential sleeper to get on the field and explode? Nope. That's Aromashodu.

 

So, once again, how does Barnes get on the field?

[clnr]

He has Iglesias in front of him as well, but he should be able to beat out Davis. I mean, he must get cut sometime.

[Pixote]

He has Iglesias in front of him as well, but he should be able to beat out Davis. I mean, he must get cut sometime.

 

I agree, if he shows up big time on special teams then it may be time to let R Davis go.

[defiantgiant]

It's just too bad Barnes will probably never see the field.

 

1 - The Bears are stacked with young WRs.

2 - The Bears are stacked with potential at WR.

3 - Look how long it took for Aromashodu to get on the field.

4 - Hester is getting paid too much to be eliminated from the WR position entirely.

 

So where does Barnes fit in?

Slot? Nope. That's Hester's position.

Straight line speed? Nope. He can't do it, and it's all on Johnny Knox.

Possession WR? Nope. Bennett is better at it, AND has familiarity with Jay Cutler.

Potential sleeper to get on the field and explode? Nope. That's Aromashodu.

 

So, once again, how does Barnes get on the field?

I'm not saying Barnes is going to challenge for a starting role or anything. But if he can play ST, I think he has a good shot to make the roster, at least. And on plays where we need both Bennett and another possession guy to go over the middle (like a 4WR set with opposite crosses/slants from the slot receivers) I'd probably rather have Barnes on the field than Iglesias. Barnes looks to have roughly similar measurables to Iglesias, with nicer route-running and much, MUCH better hands. I could see him making the roster based on ST, then contributing in specific sub-packages, like Jason Avant does in Philly (where they also have a glut of quality receivers.)

 

Basically, we have three speed guys in the WR corps, but the only possession receiver who's shown anything is Bennett. We could use another possession receiver who can play special teams. I'm fine with cutting Rashied Davis and letting Iglesias and Barnes duke it out for the #5 spot.

[Connorbear]

I agree, if he shows up big time on special teams then it may be time to let R Davis go.

I definately see the Bears carrying 6 WRs but no way do they activate more than 5 each week. I would love to see him beat out Davis for the final roster spot but I really want to see what Iglesias has this yr.

 

Peace

[ASHKUM BEAR]

 

 

I've heard a lot of positive news on Iglesias from other Bears. Iglesias likely will have a hard time seeing the field, but catches everything and can get the YAC. Maybe if we start seeing 4 WR packages with Martz, this kid will get an opportunity.

[defiantgiant]

Another UDFA signing, and a pretty interesting one: the Bears signed Vic Hall from UVA. He might be the most versatile player in this year's draft: he played quarterback, wide receiver, safety, and cornerback for the Cavs. He also covered kickoffs and returned punts. He got most of his playing time at corner, and that's probably where he'll play in the NFL (as he's 5'10" 185 pounds and runs a 4.46 in the 40) and I think he could be an interesting developmental player there. He missed most of 2009 due to injury, but he was actually pretty productive the last time he got significant playing time: in 11 starts at CB in 2008, he had 59 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 forced fumbles. Could be a good depth/ST pickup.