Marquess Wilson and the Bears Special Teams Tunnel Vision

[dawhizz]

So, we're hearing that for Marquess Wilson to make the roster, he either has to really stand out as a WR, or show value on special teams. This is not especially surprising, as the Bears have repeatedly gone after players for their special teams value (Costanzo, Weems, Zbikowski, etc.) and seemed dedicated to proving to everyone, whether we care or not, that they value special teams as the unheralded, but equally important, third phase of football.

 

This makes ZERO sense.

 

For one, the Bears knew when they drafted Wilson that he had no special teams experience, and that he was a slim WR who didn't exactly project as a special teams player. They drafted him as a WR. That's his future. If you think he has skills worth developing that you don't want to lose (and while it's based on just one game, he's looked pretty good so far), you keep him, knowing that WRs get hurt all the time. Maybe Joe Anderson is the better WR right now and he's almost certainly the better ST player. But I'm not worried about Anderson getting plucked from the practice squad and becoming a contributor. I do have that worry about Wilson (I see a bit of Danario Alexander - simialr heatlh concerns, but clear WR ability). So you keep him on the roster, let him learn from some other big WRs, and see how he develops. If anything, the Bears focus on ST players in FA means they have a roster that is better built to absorb a one-dimentional player than others.

 

This makes me crazy. Just had to vent for a bit.

[madlithuanian]

I suppose until further notice,it's just talk. You never know what the backstory is...could be motivation.

 

So, we're hearing that for Marquess Wilson to make the roster, he either has to really stand out as a WR, or show value on special teams. This is not especially surprising, as the Bears have repeatedly gone after players for their special teams value (Costanzo, Weems, Zbikowski, etc.) and seemed dedicated to proving to everyone, whether we care or not, that they value special teams as the unheralded, but equally important, third phase of football.

 

This makes ZERO sense.

 

For one, the Bears knew when they drafted Wilson that he had no special teams experience, and that he was a slim WR who didn't exactly project as a special teams player. They drafted him as a WR. That's his future. If you think he has skills worth developing that you don't want to lose (and while it's based on just one game, he's looked pretty good so far), you keep him, knowing that WRs get hurt all the time. Maybe Joe Anderson is the better WR right now and he's almost certainly the better ST player. But I'm not worried about Anderson getting plucked from the practice squad and becoming a contributor. I do have that worry about Wilson (I see a bit of Danario Alexander - simialr heatlh concerns, but clear WR ability). So you keep him on the roster, let him learn from some other big WRs, and see how he develops. If anything, the Bears focus on ST players in FA means they have a roster that is better built to absorb a one-dimentional player than others.

 

This makes me crazy. Just had to vent for a bit.

 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

I suppose until further notice,it's just talk. You never know what the backstory is...could be motivation.

 

And more than likely a few current "special teams" players will probably be gone anyhow. Either Hester or Weems (they aren't keeping both) and Costanzo. They don't need him.

[AZ54]

1) Charles Tillman has played special teams for his entire career so I don't see a problem with the expectation. Of course Tillman isn't always on coverage but he contributes.

 

2) On top of that, Trestman basically told Wilson he had shown enough as a WR to be on the active roster but could make it a lock if he improved on special teams. That also means, if Wilson were to make the final cut, that the coach would also like to have him active on game days. If I'm looking for job in the NFL I want to make the coaches decision to keep me around an easy one, and the decision to cut Weems an easy one. I'd appreciate his honesty and be working hard to build upon that.

 

3) The Bears have consistently had one of the top specials teams over Lovie's tenure. I'm glad they continue that emphasis with the new coaches. With one of the league's worst offenses, special teams and defense are how we win games. No reason to change that now as we seemingly prepare to start the season with two rookies as starters on the Oline. Hopefully by mid-season the offense is contributing equally as well.

 

Having said all that I think Earl Bennett is going to make this decision for Trestman. Earl can't get back to practice yet and that's a very troubling sign. I do expect him back before the start of the season and I expect him to contribute but his injury history is not going away. For a guy who makes his $$$ working the inside routes we have to expect he'll take some more hard shots. Keeping Weems as a backup WR is not a good option over Wilson based on what I've seen.

[Bears4Ever_34]

So, we're hearing that for Marquess Wilson to make the roster, he either has to really stand out as a WR, or show value on special teams. This is not especially surprising, as the Bears have repeatedly gone after players for their special teams value (Costanzo, Weems, Zbikowski, etc.) and seemed dedicated to proving to everyone, whether we care or not, that they value special teams as the unheralded, but equally important, third phase of football.

 

This makes ZERO sense.

 

For one, the Bears knew when they drafted Wilson that he had no special teams experience, and that he was a slim WR who didn't exactly project as a special teams player. They drafted him as a WR. That's his future. If you think he has skills worth developing that you don't want to lose (and while it's based on just one game, he's looked pretty good so far), you keep him, knowing that WRs get hurt all the time. Maybe Joe Anderson is the better WR right now and he's almost certainly the better ST player. But I'm not worried about Anderson getting plucked from the practice squad and becoming a contributor. I do have that worry about Wilson (I see a bit of Danario Alexander - simialr heatlh concerns, but clear WR ability). So you keep him on the roster, let him learn from some other big WRs, and see how he develops. If anything, the Bears focus on ST players in FA means they have a roster that is better built to absorb a one-dimentional player than others.

 

This makes me crazy. Just had to vent for a bit.

 

You are 100% correct. When I heard about the special teams thing, I immediately thought, "Why the hell did they draft him for then?" This is exactly why the NFL needs to expand its active roster. Then you won't have this issue of forcing skill position players to play on special teams.