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| E-Rod catches a ball against linebacker Blake Costanzo, |
Courtesy CBS Chicago, written by Adam Hoge.
HALAS HALL (CBS) After
watching OTAs and mini-camp over the last four weeks, we’re starting to
get a better look at what the Bears’ depth chart might look when
training camp opens in late July.
At
this point, the Bears are simply installing their playbook and taking
it to the next level in mini-camp by simulating game situations. But
with the new CBA rules, the players haven’t been able to wear pads,
which means you aren’t going to see any starters lose their jobs this
time of year because of how they perform on the field. The last four
weeks has been more about weeding out the guys you know won’t be able to
help you in September and setting the stage for position battles that
will rage on throughout training camp.
Here’s a position-by-position look at some of those battles:
Tight end
This
is one of the most interesting positions to me. Kellen Davis and Matt
Spaeth are your No. 1s right now, but the Bears are looking to use the
tight ends more up the middle with vertical passing routes and rookie
Evan Rodriguez and second-year tight end Kyle Adams look much more
comfortable as pass catchers. The Bears keep raving about Davis’
potential in the passing game, but to me, he doesn’t run routes well and
even though he has great size and athleticism, he doesn’t attack the
ball in the air like Rodriguez and Adams do. This should be a fun battle
in camp.
Quarterback
Jay
Cutler is your starter and Jason Campbell is the clear backup, but it
will be interesting to see what the Bears do with Josh McCown and Nathan
Enderle. Do the Bears still consider Enderle a project? He was drafted
for Mike Martz’s system and doesn’t really fit well anymore. Anyway,
there’s not much to see here.
Running back
It’s
looking more and more like the Bears will go to Bourbonnais without
Matt Forte, but he will still be the starter Week 1 against the Colts.
Michael Bush seems to have a hold on the No. 2 spot despite the
potential Kahlil Bell showed late last season. Armando Allen looks very
quick, but it’s tough to tell without the pads on and at this point, it
would be surprising if he beats out Bell.
Wide receiver
Brandon
Marshall, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett are your starters right now.
Alshon Jeffrey will have to have a big camp to change that, especially
because he’s been banged up in mini-camp. Every time I look at Eric
Weems, I doubt him because he’s only 5-9, but he has won me over the
last four weeks. Basically, he does everything well but be tall. He runs
good routes, catches everything and Dave Toub loves him not only as a
kick returner, but also as a gunner on special teams. The last wide
receiver spot will be interesting. Dane Sanzenbacher, Devin Thomas and
Joe Anderson are battling for that spot right now, but my dark horse is
undrafted rookie Chris Summers from Liberty. He’s 6-5 and has looked
good so far.
Left tackle
There’s
not much to evaluate here because the linemen haven’t been able to wear
pads. J’Marcus Webb and Chris Williams received equal reps in OTAs and
mini-camp and will battle it out in the preseason. All eyes will be on
this position battle.
Offensive line
The
rest of the offensive line appears set. Gabe Carimi is healthy and your
starting right tackle, Lance Louis is the right guard, Roberto Garza is
the center and Chris Spencer is the left guard. The No. 2s in mini-camp
included Chilo Rachel at left guard, Edwin Williams at center, Ricky
Henry at right guard and James Brown and Tyler Henrickson at right
tackle (both of whom are undrafted rookies). Henrickson seemed to take
over the No. 2 spot Tuesday and Wednesday so he might be a guy who makes
a push for a roster spot in August.
Defensive line
The
first team defensive line includes Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije at
the ends and Matt Toeaina and Henry Melton at tackle. The second team
has Shea McClellin, Corey Wootton and Cheta Ozougwu getting the bulk of
work at the ends and Stephen Paea, DeMario Pressley and Jordan Miller
getting the most reps at tackle. Eyes will be on McClellin and Paea to
see if they can push for starting jobs in camp and the other four No. 2s
will be battling for roster spots.
Linebacker
Your
starters are obviously Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Nick Roach.
Roach has moved to the middle with Urlacher out of OTAs and mini-camp,
but he’ll move back to the outside when No. 54 is healthy. Geno Hayes
has gotten the limited work with he No. 1s with Urlacher out, but the
Bears have mostly been working with their nickel package. That might be
an indication that they aren’t in love with Hayes. Otherwise, Dom
DiCicco, Blake Costanzo, Jeremy Jones and Patrick Trahan will battle for
roster spots. Jones, an undrafted rookie from Wayne State is lifted as a
safety but has worked with the linebackers. Dave Toub loves Costanzo on
special teams so it would be a surprise if he didn’t make the team.
Cornerbacks
This
will be one of the fiercest battles in camp. The Bears have added four
cornerbacks to the mix with free agents Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan
Wilhite and drafted rookies Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy. The competition
has pushed Tim Jennings to have a great offseason, which means he’s your
likely starter next to Charles Tillman. D.J. Moore is still the nickel
back and Lovie Smith said Wednesday you might even see him outside.
Wilhite might have a leg up on Hayden because he received No. 1 reps
when Tillman missed an OTA practice, but Wilhite has missed time in
mini-camp with an injury. Frey looks more comfortable at corner than
McCoy, but McCoy is currently being used as the No. 2 punt returner
behind Hester. The roster spots at corner could be up for grabs.
Safety
Chris
Conte looks noticeably better and might be the best safety on the team.
Major Wright is the other starter right now, but he continues to be up
and down. Rookie Brandon Hardin looks like a legit player and it will be
interesting to see if he pushes for a starting job this season. Craig
Steltz is the other No. 2 right now. If you are looking for a dark horse
to make the team, undrafted rookie Trevor Coston from Maine has looked
impressive.
Kick/punt returner
If
there was any doubt, Dave Toub said Devin Hester is still his No. 1
kick returner. Eric Weems will be back there with him. Otherwise, Devin
Thomas and Dane Sanzenbacher have also received looks and that might
impact the battle between them to make the team. D.J. Moore and Greg
McCoy have also had some reps at kick returner, but McCoy appears to be
much more involved in the punt return game, where he is backing up
Hester. The cornerback from TCU has looked weak in coverage, but his
return abilities might keep him on the roster. Coston has also been
involved in the punt return game, another reason why he is a sleeper to
make the team.
