Bears Blitz

Published by Max Kienzler on July 10, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Despite the addition of several key players, the Chicago Bears have some serious question marks going into training camp.

Battle No. 1: Defensive line – Fighting for a place on the roster

Anthony Adams vs Dusty Dvoracek

The standard position is for teams to have eight defensive lineman. The starting lineup of Ogunleye, Harris, Harrison, and Brown should remain unchanged through camp.

That leaves rookie DT Jarron Gilbert, DE Mark Anderson, DT/DE Israel Idonije, Dusty, and Adams.

Gilbert will stick with the team, mostly learning throughout his first year. Anderson will stay because everyone seems convinced that new DL coach Rod Marinelli can bring him back to the rushing production of his rookie year. Idonije’s flexibility and special teams play also make him a lock.

This leaves Dusty and Anthony. Dusty finally managed to turn in a full season last year, although he was not as big of a boost as expected. He did play with a high motor and never quit on plays, but he couldn’t shed blocks or demand the occasional double team that would have freed up Tommie Harris.

Adams actually performed better than Dusty last season, in my opinion. But the reason he is in this position is because he has reached his ceiling. Dusty, on the other hand, is believed to have a lot more undeveloped potential.

So the question becomes experience vs potential. It will be interesting to see how both play (and in what shape they show up for camp in) over the next couple months.

Note: look for another rookie, DE Henry Melton, to be put on IR with a mysterious injury. This will allow him to stay on the team, but not on the roster or waivers, in an attempt to sign to the practice squad.

Battle No. 2: Free Safety – Fighting for the starting position

Josh Bullocks vs Craig Steltz

The Bears parted ways with long time fan favorite Mike Brown this offseason citing the need to get younger and healthier. The Bears signed Bullocks after he was cut by the New Orleans Saints. Steltz was drafted by the Bears in 2008 from LSU.

In my humble opinion, one of them needs to come out and just wow the coaches with their play in camp. From all accounts, Saints fans cheered the cutting of Bullocks when the news was announced, and Chicago fans groaned after every tackle Steltz missed when he filled in for Brown at the end of last season.

Others that might enter contention are former Houston Texans safety Glenn Earl, who hasn’t played in two years or at cornerback. A hot topic in blogs this summer has been whether the Bears should convert either Zachary Bowman or Corey Graham into a free safety. Bowman only played in one game last season before getting hurt. Although to be fair, he did make the game-deciding interception against the Vikes with a torn bicep. Graham played most of the year, replacing injured CB Nathan Vasher.

However, barring a major development out of any of those three, it comes down to a rookies development vs a fresh start for a veteran.

Battle No. 3: Slot receiver – Fighting for playing time

Rashied Davis vs Juaquin Iglesias

The starting wide receivers for the Bears will be Devin Hester and Earl Bennett. Hester is the best receiver on our team (God, I am a Bears fanatic and that still worries me to say), and Bennett has learned the system and has a previous relationship with new QB Jay Cutler. 

This leaves veteran Rashied Davis, one of two receivers who have caught a pass in the NFL, versus rookie Juaquin Igelsias from the University of Oklahoma.

Davis suffered through a terrible season last year, plagued by drops and missed chances. Igelsias comes in considered to be NFL ready. A smart route runner and reliable hands puts Iglesias right up there. It all depends on how quickly Iglesias picks up the offense and how Rashied’s hands do catching those bullets from Cutler.

Battle No. 4 – Tight End – Fighting for just a place on the roster

Kellen Davis vs the coaches

TE Kellen Davis is a physical force. Standing 6’7″ and weighing 262 lbs, Davis is taller than all of our defensive ends and weighs more than all except Idonije. He is only in his second year and would have no trouble staying on any roster other than the Bears.

The “problem” with the Bears is that Greg Olsen is expected to be one of the best in the NFL this year, Desmond Clark has been our most consistent receiver for the past four seasons, and they just signed Michael Gaines to a contract.

No other team in the NFL carries four tight ends. So the question here is whether Davis performs well enough to warrant a roster spot despite the pressure to only have three.

Battle No. 5: Fullback – My own personal pipe dream

Jason McKie vs Will Ta’ufo’ou

Jason McKie has been a consistent, average fullback for the Bears. He blocks and catches okay. He runs the ball so-so. He is like purgatory: He isn’t really bad, but he just isn’t that good.

In steps undrafted free agent Will Ta’ufo’ou out of the University of California. Is he a long shot? Yes. Does that stop me from hoping that he out works and out hustles McKie this training camp? Nope.

Ta’ufo’ou was a good fullback for Cal, opening holes for several pretty good running backs (including one who is a front runner for the Heisman Trophy this year). He is strong, with a low center of gravity and a hard worker.

At this point, that puts him ahead of McKie…I am over fullbacks diving up the middle for no gain.