Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on August 2, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

This is a subject that has been gone over many times during the past couple of months, but as training camp has finally arrived, it’s time to take another look at some additional guys that may be on the chopping block as camp goes on and concludes.  There may be no surprises here because a lot of guys on this team are fighting for jobs and we could see some old faces in new places (off the team) when training camp is over.

So here is a quick look at five guys that need to have a great camp or else they could be gone (or lose their starting jobs).

1.  Greg Olsen

Yes it’s hard to believe that Olsen makes this list, but the Bears have found out that while he’s well adept as a pass catcher he’s not a willing blocker.  If new offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s offense is anything close to what it has been in the past, Olsen will not be a good fit.  His lack of blocking ability will definitely hurt him and hurt the team.

So how can he stick with the team? 

Aside from learning how to block, which may never happen, he needs to show that he can be a valuable part of the offense.  The Bears could end up splitting him out as a wide receiver at times, but the defense will be able to key in on this and know that he’s there to catch a pass (because he can’t do much else). 

You can bet that the Bears will entertain trade offers that might come in during training camp for Olsen.  The fact is, they haven’t quit shopping him around since right before the draft, so teams know that he is out there and he’s available.  If someone offers the Bears something that they like, it could mean that Olsen is headed on his way out of Chicago.

2.  Garrett Wolfe

The acquisition of Harvey Unger probably means the end of either Wolfe, Kahlil Bell or quite possibly both.  Even though Unger comes in as a supplemental draft pick with no experience in Bears offseason workouts (and thus no experience in the Bears system), he has a lot more promise than Wolfe and Bell, and with a solid training camp, Unger may supplant Wolfe on the roster.

Wolfe was an intriguing pick when the Bears selected him a few seasons ago and many thought that he would play the role of a third down back.  He was tried in several situations, but things just didn’t pan out (as far as getting him into lineup more). 

However, Wolfe has been a pretty strong player on special teams and since the Bears value great special teams players, there is an outside shot that he might be able to stick with the team.  However, that is unlikely.

3.  Kahlil Bell

Bell is in the same boat as Wolfe is. 

Thanks to the Bears acquisition of Unga, Bell could be an odd man out and not make the roster at the end of training camp.  The Bears used Bell sparingly in 2009 and when he played, he played fairly well in relief of starting running back Matt Forte.  Now, with Chester Taylor and Unger in the mix, Bell may be out of a job.

So what does Bell have to do to stick with the team beyond training camp? 

If the Bears decide to keep four running backs then he has a shot at making the roster, but he is going to have to make it on special teams because if the Bears keep a fourth running back that is where they will play the most.  Bell could do it, but if Chicago needs a special teamer, Wolfe could have the edge here.

4.  Caleb Hanie

The Bears brought in two quarterbacks during the offseason (Dan LeFevour and Mike Teel), leaving some to question whether or not Caleb Hanie will remain with the Bears after the end of training camp.  It can be assured that the Bears will take three quarterbacks into the season this year (even though they only had two on the roster last season), so which other two aside from Cutler will it be?

Hanie has some experience with the team, but like any other quarterback this season, he is new to the type of offense that new offensive coordinator Mike Martz has installed.  So he has just as much of a learning curve as the other quarterbacks do.

But Hanie has something that that the other quarterbacks (minus Cutler) don’t have, and that’s experience.  Granted, it’s all been in the preseason, but he does have that experience and when he has been called upon to play, he has performed well.  It’s likely that it’s going to take a herculean effort by LeFevour and/or Teel to leapfrog Hanie in the lineup.  His job will probably be safe.

5.  D.J. Moore

It’s all about size in the NFL and Moore doesn’t quite have the ideal size that is looked for in a starting cornerback.  Moore didn’t get a chance to play much in 2009, but will get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do in training camp. 

Moore may not be able to cover taller receivers, but he does have two things going for him.  The first is that he is more than willing to play the run and in the cover two, which is something that’s very important.

The second thing is that Moore has is draft status. 

He’s a higher draft pick and therefore, the Bears may be willing to keep him around for at least one more season to see what they can get out of him.  However, that’s not even a guarantee. 

This season is a season of winning now, and if there is someone else better than Moore then the Bears may let him loose in order to keep people that can help them win now.  That’s what will make it an interesting camp for D.J.

Will he be with the team at the end of training camp this summer?  He has a shot, but may need a super camp and an injury to someone at the position to allow him to stick with the club in 2010.

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