An International First

E-Rod has now played three games in Buffalo and will finish December with games against Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Miami and New England. Here he hauls in a pass during pre-game warm-ups in Toronto's Rogers Centre before the Bills took on Atlanta. It was the first time in his entire football career he played in a game outside of the United States. Atlanta won in overtime 34-31.

Photo courtesy of Timothy T. Ludwig, USA Today Sports.

How E-Rod Might Fit in Buffalo

Courtesy: buffalobills.com

Bills head coach Doug Marrone would like to see him more on the practice field, but new signee Evan Rodriguez could have a role no one on the roster is really filling at this point in Buffalo’s offense.

Rodriguez is listed as a fullback, but he was a tight end in college at Temple and had 69 receptions for 871 yards and seven touchdowns. Marrone sees a possible hybrid role for Rodriguez.

“I think I’ll wait and see,” said Marrone. ”I know that he’s very athletic. He can help us in the H-Back mode and he can also help us on special teams. I think I wait to see what actually happens on the field.”

Bills work-out, then sign E-Rod

Courtesy of buffalobills.com and @buffalobills

With the news that EJ Manuel has been fully cleared to play coming off his knee injury, Buffalo made a roster move Monday. The team released QB Matt Flynn and signed free agent FB Evan Rodriguez to their 53-man roster.

Rodriguez (6-2, 239) was a former fourth-round pick of the Chicago Bears (2012). The Temple product appeared in 12 games for the Bears as a rookie last season playing mostly on special teams. He had four receptions for 21 yards.

Released by Chicago this past June, Rodriguez spent training camp with Miami before being released prior to the regular season.

Rodriguez was a two-time first-team All-MAC selection as a tight end for the Owls. He finished his college career with 69 receptions for 871 yards and seven touchdowns.

Flynn spent just three weeks on Buffalo's roster following the knee injury suffered by EJ Manuel. He never appeared in a game for the Bills.

E-Rod in, Lane demoted

by Armando Salguero, Miami Herald

Today it became clear Jorvorskie Lane is struggling to keep his spot on the roster, much less his starting fullback job from a season ago. Lane was relegated to snaps with the reserves while Evan Rodriguez took all the available first-team snaps at fullback.

That endangers Lane's spot on the roster because the Dolphins are going to keep one fullback at most when they trim the roster to 53 players and the backup fullback won't be one of those.

That doesn't, however, mean Rodriguez is secure in winning a roster spot. He must still perform well but even if he does, the Dolphins may still decide to go without any fullbacks on the roster and instead let H-back Charles Clay fill that role as well as his duties at tight end.

Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman has said he likes using Clay and tight end Dustin Keller in the lineup at the same time and that makes the fullback position one of uncertainty. 

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2013/08/vernon-like-starting-de-lane-demoted.html#storylink=cpy

New Opportunity Awaits E-Rod In Miami

The Miami Dolphins have been awarded running back Evan Rodriguez (from Chicago) off waivers, the team announced. To make room on their roster for Rodriguez, the team waived running back Rupert Bryan.

Rodriguez appeared in 12 games with five starts for the Bears in 2012. Seeing action at both running back and tight end he caught four passes for 21 yards. Rodriguez entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft selection (111th overall) by Chicago in the 2012 NFL Draft. During his collegiate career he appeared in 37 games for the Temple Owls and caught 69 passes for 871 yards and seven touchdowns. Born September 21, 1988 in Bronx, NY, Rodriguez attended North Bergen High School in North Bergen, New Jersey.


The team needs help at tight end and fullback because of nagging injuries that could impact Dustin Keller, Charles Clay and undrafted fullback Ina Liaiana.

The Dolphins presently have five tight ends - Keller, Clay, Michael Egnew, Kyle Miller and rookie Dion Sims on the roster, and three fullbacks in Jorvorskie Lane, last year's starter, Liaiana and Rupert Bryan, a former Florida International University offensive linemen the Dolphins are working on converting to fullback.

Why E-Rod Is an Emerging Star in Chicago

Courtesy of bleacherreport.com

By: Andrew Dannehy

Among the Chicago Bears players who has the most to gain with the change in coaches from Lovie Smith to Marc Trestman is fullback Evan Rodriguez, who could become a star in a more creative offense.

Rodriguez is a unique player who should have a unique role, unlike what the Bears gave him last season.
He played tight end and caught 69 passes for 871 yards and seven touchdowns at Temple. Excitement for the rookie grew after a good showing in training camp in which he reportedly put on a "clinic against the team's defense with clutch grabs, more precise routes and a display of athleticism", according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN Chicago.

Yet, when the regular season began, Rodriguez was a forgotten man.
The role general manager Phil Emery saw for him after the draft wasn't one he ended up playing.

"Right role, right fit for the player and team; we see Evan as a combination of a fullback and an F tight end (primarily a receiving tight end). As we analyzed our team needs, we really felt that we had a defined need with the system changes that coach Tice will bring in terms of having a vertical tight end, somebody that could challenge the inside of the defensive structure of our opponent,” Emery said. 

Despite the Bears' struggles at the tight end position and their desperate need for someone other than Brandon Marshall to catch passes, Rodriguez was used almost exclusively as a blocking fullback by Tice.

E-Rod training with Marshall, Jeffery

By Jeff Dickerson
Courtesy: ESPNChicago.com

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery isn’t the only member of the Chicago Bears’ 2012 draft class who is spending his offseason training with Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall in South Florida.

Last year’s fourth-round pick, fullback/tight end Evan Rodriguez, arrived at Marshall’s brand-new Fit Speed Inc. training facility in Weston, Fla., in mid-February to participate in workouts with his Bears teammates and other NFL players recruited by Marshall, who is recovering from offseason hip surgery.

Rodriguez’s decision to train in that environment seems like a wise one.

This figures to be an important season for Rodriguez’s development, after he lined up primarily at fullback his rookie year. Touted as a pass-catcher by Bears general manager Phil Emery on draft day, Rodriguez managed to haul in only four receptions for 21 yards in 12 games (five starts) in limited playing time. The Bears used Rodriguez an average of 19 offensive snaps per game, with a high of 32 snaps (52 percent of all snaps) in the Bears’ Week 13 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The 6-foot-2, 239-pound Rodriguez showed NFL scouts he had the ability to be a vertical threat during his final year at the collegiate level, when he caught 35 balls for 479 yards and two touchdowns.

E-Rod to be used in many roles

Courtesy of ESPN.com
By Michael C. Wright
 
INDIANAPOLIS -- Chicago Bears tight ends coach Andy Bischoff recently hinted at changes set to take place with how the team uses its tight ends. Rising second-year man Evan Rodriguez might be the best suited for what the staff envisions in the future at the position.

He’ll certainly receive ample opportunity, according to general manager Phil Emery.

“He’s going to be used in a variety of roles until we find the right role for him,” Emery said. “He finished the year as a fullback. We felt by the end of the year that he did a good job in there.”

A fourth-round pick in 2012, Rodriguez made his first start last season during the team’s win over the Indianapolis Colts in the opener. Rodriguez played in the first two games without logging a catch. In his third outing against the St. Louis Rams on Sept. 23, Rodriguez left the game with a sprained left MCL sustained on the opening kickoff.

The injury put Rodriguez on the shelf for a month and ruined the team’s plans to make him a focal part of the passing attack. Rodriguez returned Nov. 4 against the Tennessee Titans but didn’t make his first NFL catch until Nov. 25 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Bears position analysis: Tight end

By Brad Biggs
Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman isn’t going to stand up at the NFL scouting combine in a little more than a week and declare Kellen Davis capable of being a featured tight end.
That is what his predecessor Lovie Smith did a year ago shortly before the tight end was re-signed to a two-year, $6,004,805 contract, a deal that is scheduled to pay him $2.4 million in base salary this year with a $100,000 workout bonus.

“I think if you want to feature Kellen Davis you can do that,” Smith said. “Great size, great in-line blocker, skilled enough of an athlete to be able to move outside and do some things. I really like him.”

Davis had a world of opportunities. The only skill-position player on the roster who got more playing time was wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Davis was on the field for 920 of the 1,046 offensive snaps (87.95 percent) but he didn’t deliver as a threat in the passing game -- not even like he had in the red zone in the past. Davis entered the season with nine touchdown catches in 28 receptions but he scored just two touchdowns in a career-high 19 catches.

Quarterback Jay Cutler had a devil of a time hooking up with Davis. He was the intended target on 44 passes, meaning only 43.2 percent resulted in completions, a woeful ratio. Good pass-catching tight ends in the NFL are being targeted 80 times and more a season.

Bears O-Line Gets Help from E-Rod

E-Rod protects Cutler vs. the Colts.  Photos courtesy of chicago.cbslocal.com

By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune

Although the Chicago Bears are coming off a loss, there are no plans to change the starting offensive line for Sunday’s game at Minnesota.

Veteran guard Chris Spencer returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis after being held out last week with a knee injury. But he’s not likely to crack the lineup as offensive coordinator Mike Tice indicated Gabe Carimi is likely to remain at right guard for a second start with Edwin Williams, who struggled against the Seahawks, sticking at left guard.

“Right now, we don’t anticipate any changes up front,” Tice said after practice Wednesday. “We felt like the line played solid football, not necessarily great football but solid football. Anytime with the line you want to have the same guys in there, so there’s no sense at this point of the week making any drastic changes and just trying to keep building on some of the things we’ve done the last two weeks.”

The Bears don’t have anything drastic they could consider but Spencer, who has made three starts this season, is an option.

The Bears picked up 132 yards rushing against the Seahawks with Matt Forte and Michael Bush combining for 105.

“It was the first game I felt good about the pulling stuff,” Tice said. “We got some pulling going. As we know, getting the pulling stuff going against 3-4 schemes is tough. I told the offense this is the first time in a long time I could remember this late in the season that the run game, each run seems like it is one block. This guy got his block. This is great, but this guy ... so in the second half we had less of that. We had more guys on their blocks and Matt was able to use his speed and hit some seams and we were pulling guys and the fullback (Evan Rodriguez) is blocking well too.”

Quarterback Jay Cutler has been sacked only twice in the last two games and it’s been the result of him tripping on linemen’s feet and losing the ball for a fumble. So, linemen have not been responsible. That’s another reason to keep the group together as is.

“They’re playing better,” Cutler said. “I don’t know if it’s because I am yelling at them more or what’s happening. Guys are playing well. We’re getting rid of the ball quickly. I think we have good game plans going into it. I think Mike is doing a great job of mixing it up and spinning the play calling and keeping teams off balance.”

E-Rod Back In The Game!

E-Rod returned to the field in Nashville in the Bears 51-20 win over the Titans.

Bears Rodriguez back in action

Photo by: Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune

By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter

Fullback Evan Rodriguez returned to practice Monday for the first time since spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee against the Rams.

Coach Lovie Smith hinted last week Rodriguez would be back for Monday night's game against the Lions.

"I am well rested and the knee feels much better,'' Rodriguez said. "I should be back this week. Right now, I am day-to-day. I've just got to get my wind back, but it feels good.''

Rodriguez was drafted as a tight end but switched to fullback for the start of the season. He did an exceptional job as a lead blocker before suffering the injury.

Rookie Diary: Evan Rodriguez

Courtesy of BearReport.com, written by Beth Gorr Chicago Bears rookie Evan Rodriguez is listed on the depth chart as the club’s starting fullback. A tight end at Temple, Rodriguez has taken to his new role as an F-back, a hybrid tight end/fullback position. Jeff Hanisch/US Presswire As a lead blocker in the run game, Rodriguez has been extremely valuable. His physicality at the line of scrimmage has been the key to Chicago’s rushing attack so far. We caught up with Rodriguez as he prepares for this weekend’s matchup against the St. Louis Rams. “Everything is looking good for me personally so far. I’m about where I thought I’d be at this point in terms of playing time. My learning curve is manageable and physically I’m feeling fine. “Last week was a difficult game to say the least. The atmosphere up at Lambeau Field was so incredibly intense. It wasn’t as if we were taken by surprise or anything, it was just that we weren’t executing the things we had worked on in practice all week. “In college I remembersome games like that, times when you just wanted to take back everything that happened and start all over again. Unfortunately that isn’t an option, so we’re using what we can as a learning experience. Seeing the mistakes on the film, then correcting the mistakes in practice.

Chicago may have a secret weapon in rookie E-Rod

Pre-game warm-up at Lambeau Field

Courtesy of mockingthedraft.com, written by Dan Kadar

Thursday football starts tonight with the Chicago Bears at the Green Bay Packers. I may not have NFL Network (thanks, Time Warner Cable!), but you may. If you do, you'll see the Bears' secret weapon on offense. That would be fourth-round pick Evan Rodriguez.

Rodriguez could be the versatile weapon for the Bears that Chris Cooley was for some many years for the Redskins. At Temple, Rodriguez was primarily a pass-catching tight end. But he also lined up at H-back, in the wing and in the slot.

When Rodriguez was drafted, Bears general manager Phil Emery cited the Temple product as a "move tight end," with an emphasis on being a fullback and receiving tight end. In Chicago's first game, Rodriguez didn't register on the stat sheet, but he made a difference.

In the first quarter, Rodriguez executed a cut block on the Colts' Tom Zbikowski. The open field block helped spring running back Matt Forte to a 32-yard run. On a Michael Bush touchdown run later in the drive, Rodriguez laid a key block again on Zbikowski, opening a hole for Bush.

Rodriguez also helped the Bears close out the game. As the fourth quarter close, the Bears only had to run out the clock for a win. On a pass play, Rodriguez was lined up offset of Forte. Rodriguez picked up a blitz by lineback Kavell Connor. That allowed quarterback Jay Cutler to step into the pocket and complete a touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery, another rookie.

Speaking of Jeffery, he had three interceptions for 80 yards and a score in Week 1. He could be in for another good week. The Packers only gave up 191 yards, but that was to Alex Smith and the run-heavy 49ers. The Packers' Tramon Williams will be busy with the Bears' Brandon Marshall. That should leave Jeffery to being Cutler's first read on many plays. If he does, look for Rodriguez making more critical blocks.

Rookie tight end E-Rod’s value: versatility

Artwork: J D Austin

Courtesy: Chicago Sun Times

Written by: Joe Cowley

Evan Rodriguez still is trying to find his place with the Bears.

Through three preseason games, the rookie has played on special teams, as an H-back and at his natural position of tight end.

During the long training-camp days in Bourbonnais, however, he played the role of a mismatch for the defense because of how well he caught the ball and moved in space in the team drills.

Those are strengths that the 23-year-old is not shy to talk about.

“I feel like with my athleticism, you can basically put me up against anyone and it will be a mismatch for the defense,’’ Rodriguez said. “I think I’m a guy that can put defenses in tight situations. I think I’m fast enough to be a tough match for linebackers and stronger than a lot of DBs, so it’s like pick your poison. That’s the way I look at it.’’

All that matters is how the Bears look at it.

The fourth-round pick out of Temple is battling Kyle Adams for the third tight-end spot on the depth chart behind Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth.

The question becomes whether Rodriguez can be the No. 1 tight end of the future in a league trending toward turning tight ends into playmakers?

Rodriguez making strong impression

Denver vs. Bears, AP Photo

Courtesy of Chicago Tribune, By Vaughn McClure

BOURBONNAIS — After Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub dissected the film of Thursday night's loss to the Broncos, he concluded one new face made an impact on special teams: Evan Rodriguez.

The rookie tight end played on all four phases, including guard on kickoff return.

"He did a solid job as a rookie,'' Toub said. "He kind of stood out. A lot of the young guys didn't do enough for me to mention. They know who they are, and they need to get better.''

Rodriguez, a fourth-round draft pick from Temple, has impressed on offense as well throughout camp at Olivet Nazarene University, including a nifty catch down the seam Tuesday off a dart from quarterback Jason Campbell.

E-Rod is on Chicago's Latino community's radar

Written by Azarel LugoCourtesy: Nuevo Impact

 It is no secret that NFL rosters are mostly made up of African-Americans and Caucasians. However, throughout the league's history, there have been a few Hispanic men who persevered to make it in the sport. Roberto Garza and Evan Rodriguez of your Chicago Bears are two of them, and the Bears are glad to have them.

Roberto was raised in Rio Hando, TX and grew up in a typical Mexican home. He says he ate tortillas de arena and arroz con frijoles daily. Growing up he was constantly surrounded by family and enjoyed all of the family get-togethers and parties. Having Spanish only speaking parents made him fluent in Español, and has taught him to enjoy and embrace his Mexican culture and heritage. During Roberto's high school years, he lettered in football and track. He was also a part of the National Honor Society. He went on to college at Texas A&M-Kingsville and turned heads as a starter for three years and won multiple awards for his play. He even won the NCAA title for shot put in 2000. Garza became a Bear in 2005 and has played exceptionally well since then. He has been a great role model on the field (with his hard work and dedication) and off the field (with his continuous charitable donations and outreach events).

Bears rookie Rodriguez impresses

E-Rod reels one in in Practice #1. Courtesy: AP Photos

By Vaughn McClure

Tribune reporter

 

Evan Rodriguez did his best Brandon impersonation Thursday: Brandon Marshall, not Manumaleuna.

Rodriguez, the rookie fourth-round draft pick from Temple, looked rather sure-handed while hauling in passes down the seam. He was as impressive as any rookie on the field on a rough first day of camp – at least for the offense.

``That’s my job,’’ Rodriguez said of catching the ball. ``It was exciting to be out there some with the first team. Just being on the field in general, right now it’s a learning process for me. I’m coming along slowly, but today was the first step. Tomorrow’s a new day.’’

Rodriguez, who admitted struggling miserably during minicamp, was wise to temper his enthusiasm. As promising as he looked Thursday behind Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth, viewpoints could change if he stumbles during Friday’s afternoon practice. That’s why it’s important not to read too much into performances in the early stages of camp – like Marshall dropping a few balls or rookie receiver Alshon Jeffery fumbling after the catch.

E-Rod Thanks North Bergen Recreation

We just got the t-shirts in that E-Rod and Sneaker Hub of Union City, NJ are supplying to all of the young football players and their coaches of North Bergen (NJ) Recreation! Here's is E-Rod's younger brother Louie Rodriguez modeling them for us. Plans are to donate these to the Recreation Department on Saturday, July 21st. E-Rod played 7 full seasons of NB Rec football for the Chiefs, Giants, Eagles and Red Raiders between 1996-2002.

An Early Look At Bears Position Battles, Depth Chart

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.