Who is the odd man?

[Wesson44]

The Bears' 53-man roster will include a couple of surprises, as it always does, but this is how it could shape up:

 

Quarterbacks (2): The Bears almost always keep three, but they might go with just Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman and stash promising rookie Caleb Hanie on the practice squad, hoping no other team claims him for their active roster, which is probably a safe bet.

 

Running backs (5 or 6): Matt Forte, Kevin Jones, Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe all appear to be roster locks. Jason McKie might be the only fullback who sticks.

 

Odd men out: RB P.J. Pope and FB Lousaka Polite.

 

Wide receivers (6): Devin Hester and Rashied Davis are the only locks, but it would be shocking if veterans Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd don't stick, and rookie Earl Bennett is a third-round pick. Underachieving Mark Bradley still has upside, which probably buys him one more year to produce, but he's no lock.

 

Odd men out: Mike Hass and Brandon Rideau have shown NFL skills in the past, but the numbers seem stacked against them, unless the Bears decide they can do without one of the veterans.

 

Tight ends (3): No tough decisions here, although Desmond Clark's knee injury could require an additional body besides Greg Olsen and rookie Kellen Davis.

 

Odd men out: Fontel Mines and Marcus Stone.

 

Offensive line (8 or 9): Current starters LT John St. Clair, LG Josh Beekman, C Olin Kreutz, RG Roberto Garza and RT John Tait will be joined by first-round pick T Chris Williams, who is rehabbing after back surgery, and Terrence Metcalf, who was starting at LG before a knee scope. With Williams not expected back until after midseason, there's room for another rookie tackle, either seventh-round pick Kirk Barton or undrafted Cody Balogh. A backup guard spot should go to Tyler Reed or Anthony Oakley.

 

Odd men out: G Ryan Poles. Seventh-round pick Chester Adams could wind up on the practice squad, and so could Barton and/or Balogh, as well as Reed and/or Oakley. Any of them could also be cut.

 

Defensive line (9): Starters Tommie Harris, Anthony Adams or Dusty Dvoracek, Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye are sure things, along with Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije, who can play end or tackle, and third-round rookie Marcus Harrison. That probably leaves just one spot for injury-prone DE Dan Bazuin, last year's second-round pick; DT Matt Toeaina, who played well at the end of last season; and seventh-round pick Ervin Baldwin.

 

Odd men out: Two of the last three, plus rookie DEs Joe Clermond and Nick Osborn.

 

Linebackers (6 or 7): Starters Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Hunter Hillenmeyer are for sure along with top backup Jamar Williams. Darrell McClover and Nick Roach should make it on special-teams play alone.

 

Odd men out: Michael Okwo, a third-round pick last year, is on thin ice, as is seventh-round rookie Joey LaRocque, unless the Bears keep seven.

 

Defensive backs (9 or 10): CBs Charles Tillman, Nate Vasher and Corey Graham, CB-S Danieal Manning and safeties Mike Brown, Brandon McGowan, Kevin Payne and Craig Steltz are in. CBs Trumaine McBride and fifth-round pick Zackary Bowman aren't sure things, but at least one will make it and maybe both. McBride struggled in camp, but he played better than expected last season as a seventh-round pick.

 

Odd men out: CB Trey Brown, S Leonard Peters.

 

Specialists (3): PK Robbie Gould, P Brad Maynard and LS Pat Mannelly

[nfoligno]

Quarterbacks (2): The Bears almost always keep three, but they might go with just Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman and stash promising rookie Caleb Hanie on the practice squad, hoping no other team claims him for their active roster, which is probably a safe bet.

 

I agree it is probably a safe bet, but I think the question should be asked, do we like him enough to warrant the risk? What is it they say about Vegas? Only gamble what you are willing to lose. I know we want the extra roster spot, but how upset would we (the staff) be if another team did take Hanie from us. I agree it isn't very likely, but it is a risk. At most positions, this would not be a great issue, but do we want to gamble on a young QB who has shown some potential.

 

Running backs (5 or 6): Matt Forte, Kevin Jones, Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe all appear to be roster locks. Jason McKie might be the only fullback who sticks. Odd men out: RB P.J. Pope and FB Lousaka Polite.

 

Likely true, but unfortunate. I simply think very little of McKie. I don't think he is a very good run blocker, average pass blocker, and while he was always hyped as a good receiver, I have never seen much to impress. He catches the ball, but always seems to be tackles immediatly, not showing much YAC potential. I am not saying Polite is a stud, or close, but I wonder if he doesn't have more upside than McKie.

 

Wide receivers (6): Devin Hester and Rashied Davis are the only locks, but it would be shocking if veterans Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd don't stick, and rookie Earl Bennett is a third-round pick. Underachieving Mark Bradley still has upside, which probably buys him one more year to produce, but he's no lock. Odd men out: Mike Hass and Brandon Rideau have shown NFL skills in the past, but the numbers seem stacked against them, unless the Bears decide they can do without one of the veterans.

 

One of the most interesting to watch. I would add Bennett as a lock. His play doesn't warrant that, but I can't see us cutting a 3rd round pick so soon. I think his draft status makes him a lock also. Lloyd has shown enough to stick. That's four. Booker has done little, but I personally think the staff has not played him much, believing they know what they have in him. I believe if they were less sure about him, we would have seen him more. Bradley has done little to warrant a roster spot, but if he is healthy, I don't see the staff cutting him, as he has that downfield potential the staff loves. So many assume we only keep 5, but I agree it is likely we keep 6.

 

Tight ends (3): No tough decisions here, although Desmond Clark's knee injury could require an additional body besides Greg Olsen and rookie Kellen Davis. Odd men out: Fontel Mines and Marcus Stone.

 

Not even sure we would keep an additional body. At best, we try to stash Mines in the PS in case, while Clark is still hurt, Olsen or Davis go down. But otherwise, I think we would be fine w/ two healthy TEs until Clark is 100%.

 

Offensive line (8 or 9): Current starters LT John St. Clair, LG Josh Beekman, C Olin Kreutz, RG Roberto Garza and RT John Tait will be joined by first-round pick T Chris Williams, who is rehabbing after back surgery, and Terrence Metcalf, who was starting at LG before a knee scope. With Williams not expected back until after midseason, there's room for another rookie tackle, either seventh-round pick Kirk Barton or undrafted Cody Balogh. A backup guard spot should go to Tyler Reed or Anthony Oakley. Odd men out: G Ryan Poles. Seventh-round pick Chester Adams could wind up on the practice squad, and so could Barton and/or Balogh, as well as Reed and/or Oakley. Any of them could also be cut.

 

After the first 7, I think we keep Barton. After that, it is between Reed and Oakley, and which ever has more diversity (can play OG or OT) or special teams could decide.

 

Defensive line (9): Starters Tommie Harris, Anthony Adams or Dusty Dvoracek, Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye are sure things, along with Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije, who can play end or tackle, and third-round rookie Marcus Harrison. That probably leaves just one spot for injury-prone DE Dan Bazuin, last year's second-round pick; DT Matt Toeaina, who played well at the end of last season; and seventh-round pick Ervin Baldwin. Odd men out: Two of the last three, plus rookie DEs Joe Clermond and Nick Osborn.

 

I would not be shocked at all to see us keep only 8. Idonije's play this year, and his versatility to play DT or DE gives us more opportunity. W/ Idonije, we essentially have a 4th DE and a 5th DT. I think Bazuin is gone. He simply has not done enough with his time, nor has Baldwin. Toeaina hurts to lose, as he did show something, but when you are as deep at a position as we are here, you often do end up cutting some queality. This is one of the few areas teams will actually be looking to see who we cut.

 

Linebackers (6 or 7): Starters Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Hunter Hillenmeyer are for sure along with top backup Jamar Williams. Darrell McClover and Nick Roach should make it on special-teams play alone. Odd men out: Michael Okwo, a third-round pick last year, is on thin ice, as is seventh-round rookie Joey LaRocque, unless the Bears keep seven.

 

After Williams, I think Roach has done enough to make the team. After him, I think it is between McClover and Okwo. McClover has done more to earn the spot, but Okwo has the draft pick status. Should go to McClover, but will it?

 

Defensive backs (9 or 10): CBs Charles Tillman, Nate Vasher and Corey Graham, CB-S Danieal Manning and safeties Mike Brown, Brandon McGowan, Kevin Payne and Craig Steltz are in. CBs Trumaine McBride and fifth-round pick Zackary Bowman aren't sure things, but at least one will make it and maybe both. McBride struggled in camp, but he played better than expected last season as a seventh-round pick. Odd men out: CB Trey Brown, S Leonard Peters.

 

Gotta think we keep 9 here. McBride hasn't looked good this year, but showed enough last year to warrant the roster spot. Especially since we are having to keep two spots for a pair of rookies who have done little to earn a spot, but will get one due to draft status. Keeping the extra DB could be why we keep only 8 DL. Also would point out we use our DBs heavily on special teams, thus deep depth DBs have more weekly value than deep depth DL.

 

Specialists (3): PK Robbie Gould, P Brad Maynard and LS Pat Mannelly

 

About the most no-brainer unit in terms of figuring depth chart.

[azbearsfan]

I agree with you on McKie. He has really gone downhill. I like Polite alot better.

[nfoligno]

I agree with you on McKie. He has really gone downhill. I like Polite alot better.

 

To be honest, I don't think I have ever thought he was that good. As I recall, we believed McKie was a good receiving FB, but have we ever seen that? He's been w/ us 4 years, and in only one year did he have a number of catches to speak about (25), but even in that year, was he really impressive? He can make the catch, and that counts for something w/ our stone handed receivers of late, but he did nothing after the catch. Nearly every time I see him make a catch, he is dropped immediately. He doesn't have the cut or exceleration to turn it up the field. I'm not talking homerun, but for a few yards to turn a 3-5 yard pass/catch into a 6-10 yard gain. Does he even show power after the catch?

 

And has he ever stood out as a blocker? In the run game or passing?

 

This is an area I have wanted to upgrade for years, but it just doesn't happen. The FB is just below QB and OL on our priority list.

[azbearsfan]

To be honest, I don't think I have ever thought he was that good. As I recall, we believed McKie was a good receiving FB, but have we ever seen that? He's been w/ us 4 years, and in only one year did he have a number of catches to speak about (25), but even in that year, was he really impressive? He can make the catch, and that counts for something w/ our stone handed receivers of late, but he did nothing after the catch. Nearly every time I see him make a catch, he is dropped immediately. He doesn't have the cut or exceleration to turn it up the field. I'm not talking homerun, but for a few yards to turn a 3-5 yard pass/catch into a 6-10 yard gain. Does he even show power after the catch?

 

And has he ever stood out as a blocker? In the run game or passing?

 

This is an area I have wanted to upgrade for years, but it just doesn't happen. The FB is just below QB and OL on our priority list.

 

 

Totally agree with all of that. I can't remember the guys name, but we cut a great blocking fullback, a vet if I remember, in favor of the superior receiving skills of McKie. From what I have seen, Politte is just as good of a receiver with more power after the catch. I haven't really noticed Poliite's blocking but McKie gets crumpled as a lead blocker alot.

 

But I'm sure we will keep McKie over Politte just like we keep AP for his "blocking" and "special teams impact" even though he is average at both . And to be honest, I know I am in the minority here I would keep Pope over AP.

[nfoligno]

Totally agree with all of that. I can't remember the guys name, but we cut a great blocking fullback, a vet if I remember, in favor of the superior receiving skills of McKie. From what I have seen, Politte is just as good of a receiver with more power after the catch. I haven't really noticed Poliite's blocking but McKie gets crumpled as a lead blocker alot.

 

But I'm sure we will keep McKie over Politte just like we keep AP for his "blocking" and "special teams impact" even though he is average at both . And to be honest, I know I am in the minority here I would keep Pope over AP.

 

I think you might be thinking of Damon Shelton. He was a very good run blocking FB. He was a pretty solid pass blocking FB. But he was one dimensional, and not considered much of a runner or receiver. We then got Pritchett, who was considered a good receiving FB and decent pass blocking FB, but average to below average run blocking FB, and not a runner himself.

 

You can double check my memory, but I think the two overlapped a season or two, and then the team let Shelton go, choosing to go w/ a more versatile FB.

 

Pritchett lasted a year or so more, and we then brought in Mckie, who has been our guy for the last 4 years.

 

Mixed in w/ this, though I can't recall the year, we traded w/ Wash for Bryan Johnson, but he could never stay healthy, and never made an impact.

 

Somewhat sad is we actually drafted a pretty good FB back in 1999, in Jim Finn. He was a 7th round pick that year, and I don't think even made the 53 man roster. He signed w/ Indy, and I believe was their #1 FB for several year, then went to NYG as a FA, where again, I think he was a starter. As I recall, he was a pure blocking FB, but he was solid, and did well after we cut him. I am not saying he was great, but its just a bit sad IMHO that we have spent years w/o a good FB, and let one slip through our hands.

[Connorbear]

I think you might be thinking of Damon Shelton. He was a very good run blocking FB. He was a pretty solid pass blocking FB. But he was one dimensional, and not considered much of a runner or receiver. We then got Pritchett, who was considered a good receiving FB and decent pass blocking FB, but average to below average run blocking FB, and not a runner himself.

 

You can double check my memory, but I think the two overlapped a season or two, and then the team let Shelton go, choosing to go w/ a more versatile FB.

 

Pritchett lasted a year or so more, and we then brought in Mckie, who has been our guy for the last 4 years.

 

Mixed in w/ this, though I can't recall the year, we traded w/ Wash for Bryan Johnson, but he could never stay healthy, and never made an impact.

 

Somewhat sad is we actually drafted a pretty good FB back in 1999, in Jim Finn. He was a 7th round pick that year, and I don't think even made the 53 man roster. He signed w/ Indy, and I believe was their #1 FB for several year, then went to NYG as a FA, where again, I think he was a starter. As I recall, he was a pure blocking FB, but he was solid, and did well after we cut him. I am not saying he was great, but its just a bit sad IMHO that we have spent years w/o a good FB, and let one slip through our hands.

Finn was drafted Jauron's first yr. He didn't make it past the 1st cut and, like you said, had a very productive career. The most interesting thing about him was he was Mr. Irrelevant (the last pick of the draft) and he was actually at the draft in NY. He came up on the stage and received congratulations from the crowd. I also remember an interview with him after he was cut and he said he would play in the league.

 

I wish would have never cut him.

 

Peace

[Da Bears 88]

Rod Wilson was cut. No surprise.

[azbearsfan]

I think you might be thinking of Damon Shelton. He was a very good run blocking FB. He was a pretty solid pass blocking FB. But he was one dimensional, and not considered much of a runner or receiver. We then got Pritchett, who was considered a good receiving FB and decent pass blocking FB, but average to below average run blocking FB, and not a runner himself.

 

You can double check my memory, but I think the two overlapped a season or two, and then the team let Shelton go, choosing to go w/ a more versatile FB.

 

Pritchett lasted a year or so more, and we then brought in Mckie, who has been our guy for the last 4 years.

 

Mixed in w/ this, though I can't recall the year, we traded w/ Wash for Bryan Johnson, but he could never stay healthy, and never made an impact.

 

Somewhat sad is we actually drafted a pretty good FB back in 1999, in Jim Finn. He was a 7th round pick that year, and I don't think even made the 53 man roster. He signed w/ Indy, and I believe was their #1 FB for several year, then went to NYG as a FA, where again, I think he was a starter. As I recall, he was a pure blocking FB, but he was solid, and did well after we cut him. I am not saying he was great, but its just a bit sad IMHO that we have spent years w/o a good FB, and let one slip through our hands.

 

Nah. I just looked it up. lol Remember Marc Edwards. That guy was awesome.

[Pixote]

Totally agree with all of that. I can't remember the guys name, but we cut a great blocking fullback, a vet if I remember, in favor of the superior receiving skills of McKie. From what I have seen, Politte is just as good of a receiver with more power after the catch. I haven't really noticed Poliite's blocking but McKie gets crumpled as a lead blocker alot.

 

But I'm sure we will keep McKie over Politte just like we keep AP for his "blocking" and "special teams impact" even though he is average at both . And to be honest, I know I am in the minority here I would keep Pope over AP.

 

AP is an average blocker at best BUT he is one of our best ST players on the roster. Definately not Average.

[Wesson44]

Yes the Bears should have kept Marc Edwards..........he was a better blocker then any of the last 5 fullbacks we had starting for us. AAnd he also could catch the ball. But most of the time I think what you guys are missing with the fullback in trying to get them YAC (yards after the catch) is that they have guys covering them in the short zones. They are slower than your WR so they are covered quicker when the catch the ball. Also its closer to the line so there is not much seperation for the defenders.