Bears 2014 Roster Prediction 1.0

[HeHateMe]

This thread is bringing out the best of the people on this board.

u should do a videoblog about it.

 

[OnemanWolfpack]

I think there is going to be a lot of competition for that 4th and 5th WR spot. I'm all aboard the Williams train but sometimes I'm a homer like that.

The 3rd RB spot will be a wild race between Lynch and Ford. I could easily see both making the roster based off of special teams value. Lynch may be designated more of a specialty player as a QB/RB/WR hybrid. What the French call a certain .... I don't know what.

I think linebacker is wide open. Obviously Briggs and then who the **** knows. It will be the best camp battle. I would love to see Bostic or Shea snag that MLB spot and solidify it for years but again - homerism. I'm not counting out Greene either. He was thrust into a starting role far too early. He has good coverage skills and a knack for the ball. He can find a role on this roster.

The two safety positions are also wide open. I think we all want Vareen to win the job and be the next big thing but he is a 4th rounder. I'd like to see someone seriously push Mundy for the SS spot partially because I don't trust him yet and partially because depth would be great at the position. Honestly I don't know why Steltz never gets a chance to start at SS. I think he is a step slow but he is a smart instinctive player. He always seems to be in good position and is a good tackler.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that when he comes on the field I'm never too worried about it. I trust him to be in position and do what he is supposed to do.

The only other positions to watch - Kick Returner, Swing Tackle, 4th DE, 2nd TE, and 2nd QB

 

[Silverwulf]

I have a hard time seeing Lynch beating out Ford in any way.
I'd be very surprised to not see Lynch on the PS for the entire season.

 

[Sagbear]

I have a hard time seeing Lynch beating out Ford in any way.
I'd be very surprised to not see Lynch on the PS for the entire season.

I feel the exact same way, Ford has been in the system for over a year now and thats going to help him. He also has a nice blend of power, explosion and speed and has shown the ability to play ST.

 

[OnemanWolfpack]

I feel the exact same way, Ford has been in the system for over a year now and thats going to help him. He also has a nice blend of power, explosion and speed and has shown the ability to play ST.

It's all true. And Lynch is the UDFA / camp hero / underdog that comes around this board every single year. I do think that Lynch offers a unique skill set unlike most CCS message board hero's. In my opinion he would add tremendous value to the practice squad. For him to make the roster, he will have to prove himself as a special teamer and receiver. If he does that he could end up making the roster over Ford or along with Ford with the designation as a offensive weapon. Players that can be a movable chess piece to create mismatches are all the rage these days. I think we all know Lynch can run, for him to prove that he can be that type of player will depend on his receiving and route running ability.

 

[EverybodyHatesCutler]

I don't see there being any way that Lynch makes the team over Ford.

Ford brings better value all the way around than a converted QB that the city & fans like.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WCL]

Here's what I had in my thread (http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/showthread.php/49247-53-Man-Roster-Premature-Speculation). It's not that far off from the OP:

Quarterbacks (3)
Jay Cutler
Jordan Palmer
David Fales

Running Backs (4)
Matt Forté
Ka'Deem Carey
Michael Ford
Tony Fiammetta (FB)

Wide Receivers (6)
Brandon Marshall
Alshon Jeffery
Marquess Wilson
Chris Williams
Eric Weems
Josh Morgan

Tight Ends (3)
Martellus Bennett
Dante Rosario
Fendi Onobun or Zach Miller

Offensive Linemen (8)
Jermon Bushrod (T)
Matt Slauson (G)
Roberto Garza (C)
Kyle Long (G)
Jordan Mills (T)
Eben Britton (G/T)
Brian de la Puente (C)
Charles Leno, Jr. (G/T) or James Brown (G/T)

Defensive Linemen (10)
Jared Allen (DE)
David Bass (DE)
Willie Young (DE)
Lamarr Houston (DE/DT)
Cornelius Washington (DE/DT) or Israel Idonije (DE/DT)
Stephen Paea (NT)
Ego Ferguson (NT)
Jeremiah Ratliff (NT/DT)
Will Sutton (DT)
Nate Collins (DT)

Linebackers (6)
Lance Briggs
Jon Bostic
Shea McClellin
D. J. Williams
Khaseem Greene
Christian Jones or Jordan Senn

Defensive Backs (10)
Charles Tillman (CB)
Tim Jennings (CB)
Kyle Fuller (CB)
Isaiah Frey (CB)
Kelvin Hayden (CB)
Sherrick McManis (CB) or C.J. Wilson (CB)
Ryan Mundy (S)
Chris Conte (S)
Brock Vereen (S)
Craig Steltz (S)

Special teams (3)
Robbie Gould K
Pat O'Donnell P
Brandon Hartson (LS) or Chad Rempel (LS)

 

[Xplosive]

David Fales is a 6th round pick, if you try to put him on PS someone will steal him. Meanwhile Jordan Palmer is a journeyman QB who can be released and brought back to the team later in the season if needed because no one is likely to sign him. Considering the Bears only carried 2 QB last year why waste the extra roster spot? Linebackers are athletes that are vital to special teams so I would keep the extra backer or even an extra OLineman over a 3rd QB.

 

[WCL]

David Fales is a 6th round pick, if you try to put him on PS someone will steal him. Meanwhile Jordan Palmer is a journeyman QB who can be released and brought back to the team later in the season if needed because no one is likely to sign him. Considering the Bears only carried 2 QB last year why waste the extra roster spot? Linebackers are athletes that are vital to special teams so I would keep the extra backer or even an extra OLineman over a 3rd QB.

So you would be comfortable going into the season with just Cutler and Fales as the quarterbacks?

And they wanted to keep eight linemen last year. They kept nine nine because they didn't want to lose Boggs. They'll only keep eight this season.

And why do you need seven linebackers when the defense is in sub packages 60-70% of the time? That doesn't make any sense.

 

[pseudonym]

Quarterbacks (3)
Jay Cutler
Jordan Palmer
David Fales

Running Backs (4)
Matt Forté
Ka'Deem Carey
Michael Ford
Tony Fiammetta (FB)

Wide Receivers (6)
Brandon Marshall
Alshon Jeffery
Marquess Wilson
Chris Williams
Eric Weems
Josh Morgan

Tight Ends (3)
Martellus Bennett
Dante Rosario
Fendi Onobun

Offensive Linemen (8)
Jermon Bushrod (T)
Matt Slauson (G)
Roberto Garza (C)
Kyle Long (G)
Jordan Mills (T)
Eben Britton (G/T)
Brian de la Puente (C)
Charles Leno, Jr. (G/T)

Hybrid (1)
Lynch

Defensive Linemen (10)
Jared Allen (DE)
David Bass (DE)
Willie Young (DE)
Lamarr Houston (DE/DT)
Israel Idonije (DE/DT)
Stephen Paea (NT)
Ego Ferguson (NT)
Jeremiah Ratliff (NT/DT)
Will Sutton (DT)
Nate Collins (DT)

Linebackers (6)
Lance Briggs
Jon Bostic
Shea McClellin
D. J. Williams
Khaseem Greene
Christian Jones

Defensive Backs (9)
Charles Tillman (CB)
Tim Jennings (CB)
Kyle Fuller (CB)
Isaiah Frey (CB)
Kelvin Hayden (CB)
Ryan Mundy (S)
Chris Conte (S)
Brock Vereen (S)
Craig Steltz (S)

Special teams (3)
Robbie Gould K
Pat O'Donnell P
Brandon Hartson (LS)

 

[Xplosive]

So you would be comfortable going into the season with just Cutler and Fales as the quarterbacks?

And they wanted to keep eight linemen last year. They kept nine nine because they didn't want to lose Boggs. They'll only keep eight this season.

And why do you need seven linebackers when the defense is in sub packages 60-70% of the time? That doesn't make any sense.

I don't see the value of keeping 3 QB's and Palmer can be called upon at anytime if Cutler gets injured. Fales would make it through a game, and then resign Palmer. The idea is to keep players that can help on special teams or be developed. I could see keeping an extra DB over a LB though.

 

[WCL]

I don't see the value of keeping 3 QB's and Palmer can be called upon at anytime if Cutler gets injured. Fales would make it through a game, and then resign Palmer. The idea is to keep players that can help on special teams or be developed. I could see keeping an extra DB over a LB though.

And if someone signs Jordan Palmer? Why would you take that chance?

 

[Xplosive]

Nobody has tried to sign him for years, I doubt people magically start beating down his door unless he puts up a McCownesque performance in the preseason which I doubt. Old journeymen QB's that Trestman can coach up to serviceable are a dime a dozen. We won't really know for sure until the preseason but if Fales looks really good, let Palmer walk with a promise to bring him back if anyone is injured.

 

[Sculpt]

I don't see the value of keeping 3 QB's and Palmer can be called upon at anytime if Cutler gets injured. Fales would make it through a game, and then resign Palmer. The idea is to keep players that can help on special teams or be developed. I could see keeping an extra DB over a LB though.

Hold up... yes, you could likely sign Palmer off the street. But that's what he'll be: off the street! Not a guy who has been in the Offense strategy room every day, preparing to play QB for this week's opponent; And practicing every week with our team of WR, TE RB OL. That's a hell of a big difference! We're a SB contender -- we're not going with a only 6th Rd draft pick, or guy off the street, for our only backup.

If you cut Palmer, are you really ready to play Fales if Cutler goes down Game 1? If Palmer is at home on the couch for 6 weeks, you ready to play Fales Week 6, and have couch-headed Palmer challenge him for the next 6 weeks while Cutler recovers?

I think you forget how much Trestman valued the vet McCown working with Trestman and Cutler. I think Fales is the perfect development QB for this offence... I just think is going to put the QB position as the most important position and keep vet Palmer to step in any time to play, and get Fales ready over the 2014 season.

 

[winterwarz]

I don't think Leno beats out James Brown.

Leno jaywalks to the PS.

 

[Sculpt]

Cut Morgan. Off the field issues. Everyone is forgetting Chris Williams from CFL. Emery raved about his return abilities and his speed in an interview like a month ago. Look him up. "Chris Williams - Hamilton". No way he gets cut unless he completely sucks as a returnee in the pre season but its his job to loose.

Ah thanks! Yes, Trestman has gone to a lot of trouble to bring in Chris Williams (signing bonus, nabbed from Wash PS). Returner is his job to lose. He's an excellent 4.28 40Dash returner and a serviceable WR. He's a small guy, but I hope he can do some ST coverage too.

Updated my 53 with Chris Williams at WR, and cut JM Jennings. Going with 4 Safeties.

I'm positive that Briggs won't lose his starting job to McClellin and then get moved to the strong side.

Yes, that was a typo. Of course Briggs at Will. I fixed that.

 

[Sculpt]

I don't think Leno beats out James Brown.

Leno jaywalks to the PS.

Offensive Linemen (8)
Jermon Bushrod (T)
Matt Slauson (G)
Roberto Garza (C)
Kyle Long (G)
Jordan Mills (T)
Eben Britton (G/T)
Brian de la Puente (C)
Charles Leno, Jr. (G/T)

Exactly, Winterwarz.

-- some folk have Leno in place of Brown. It's possible Leno could play better than Brown... but think it through... Leno is a 7th Round pick! He's very reasonably safe on the Practice Squad where you develop him, & call him up anytime. Why cut Brown when you can have Brown and Leno?

 

[Lake Camelot]

I really wish we could improve TE 2 & 3

I really didn't know they were both still here.

 

[Sculpt]

If we cut Izzy to keep Collins I will not be happy.

Not only is Izzy a better DT than Collins, he is healthier, can play DE and is a very good special teams player.

Not having Izzy last season hurt this team.

It did hurt not have Izzy last year.

Is Izzy really a better DT than Collins? Circa 2014? I don't know... Why did Izzy ride the bench in Detroit last year?

If Izzy plays better DT than Collins, than hell ya, keep Izzy and cut Collins. Izzy can obviously play some DE too.

 

[Sculpt]

I also think Lynch is destined for the PR.

He cannot block at an NFL level right now and I do not see that changing in the near future.

Ya, haven't seen the recent practices. He's 6' 220lbs, strong guy. If he learn proper technique and leverage, with his balance, he might be a good blocking RB. He said he's working on his body and blocking in particular. I don't see a specific reason why he can't learn to block as well as smaller RBs (besides the obvious lower leverage).

If the Bears keep Chris Williams as the Returner, and Weems as your ready backup Returner (and ST Ace) since Hixon retired, and you got Forte and Carey in our Pass-first offense... Ford is really a much lesser backup to Carey. Lynch is a real change-of-pace RB to Forte and Carey. Trestman hasn't been doing anything wild with the offense, but Lynch does add some special offensive opportunities.

Like i mentioned before, I'd like to see Lynch learn to be a placeholder for FG, and be center blocker for punts -- where he could get the ball and be a serious threat to run or pass for a 1st down. Defenses would have to protect the LOS and have less blockers downfield.

Practical wisdom says Ford or Draughn make 3rd RB, and Lynch a chance at PS. But I'm thinking more creatively.