Predicting the 53 man roster for 2019

   Last year Matt Nagy strongly limited his starters snap counts on preseason, this time he almost didn't even let them touch the field. Even without saying anything, everyone knew David Montgomery got the job once he didn't take the field after the opening game against the Panthers. Nagy isn't joking around, he wants to get to the start of the season at full health with a team itching for some contact against real opponents, what better to go all out against the Packers in Soldier Field at a prime time hour.

   Because of this, the 53 man roster for this yeas is fairly easy to predict when talking about the starters, but once you get to the backups, it isn't that easy and in some cases it doesn't feel right or its just that this team has the chance to be very versatile.  

QB - M. Trubisky, C. Daniel

   Finally its the moment of truth, this year Mitchell Trubisky has to take a big step forward and I don't mean in numbers, he is a veteran now and a leader of this team with one full year to digest Nagys playbook. He has to show what he is made of and get things done when needed and has already shown his is capable, its time to show more consistency. Even if he doesn't put the big numbers, winning is what matters and if he can minimize the mistakes, he should be just fine. What is not fine is what Chase Daniel has shown on this preseason, some of the shaky play can be put on the inconsistency of backup players and rookies, but just part of it. Its best if he is just there to help Trubisky with the game plan and giving the high fives, but its getting to the point where Ryan Pace should start searching for a better prospect.

RB - D. Montgomery, T. Cohen, M. Davis, R. Nall

   I'm giving the last spot to Ryan Nall instead of Kerrith Whyte although I had both of them at one point. I like Whyte speed at the RB position and as a KR but I don't see him getting snaps unless someone gets injured, Nall I can see him on the field to deceive the defense as a FB because he is a more all around player than Whyte who I believe isn't ready yet to make a difference but should be a priority to get him signed on the practice squad.

WR - A. Robinson II, T. Gabriel, A. Miller, J. Wims, C. Patterson, R. Ridley

   Javon Wims deserves a spot here with a superb camp and showed good play with the snaps he got this preseason. Cordarell Patterson will be an offensive and special teams weapon. Last spot goes to Riley Ridley who displayed enough talent to surpass the other WRs on the team with good size, hands and rout running.

TE - T. Burton, A. Shaheen, B. Braunecker, I. Bunting, D. Raymond

   This is were it gets tricky, the Bradley Sowell experiment didn't convince me and its not easy to not pick him with the hard work he put on for the transition he made from OT to TE, but I just didn't see enough of him as a consistent blocker and didn't display any pass catching or rout running skills to really consider him viable. Ian Bunting showed ups and downs but showed something and mostly was that he can be a passing threat up the middle who can shed tackles. Dax Raymond showed good blocking and right now I believe he is a better TE than Sowell. Ben Braunecker isn't that special but does everything OK and it helps that he should be more familiar with the system.

OL - C. Leno Jr., C. Whitehair, J. Daniels, K. Long, B. Massie, A. Bars, T. Larsen, R. Coward

   I'm a bit disappointed that Ted Larsen deserves a spot because nobody else really showed better skills than him but Alex Bars really is a good surprise, he really showed dominance at the guard position and didn't look bad at the OT position and even looked better that the other guys playing for a OT spot. Rashaad Coward is here just because I felt obligated to put one OT of the group as a backup but Bars looked way better and it wouldn't shock me if the team decided to not go with Coward and instead make room for someone else, in my case it could be Sowell or Whyte. a free agent pickup wouldn't be surprising.

DL - A. Hicks, E. Goldman, B. Nichols, R. Robertson-Harris, A. Anderson, N. Williams

   Jonathan Bullard's time with the team has been on a string for a while now at I believe his time is up, I liked what I saw from Abdullah Anderson this preseason and I still haven't seen any dominance from Bullard so I give his spot to Anderon. Nicholas Williams played well and could be a good backup if the team wants to go with six D-linemen or maybe they will use it on another LB.

ILB - D. Trevathan, R. Smith, N. Kwiatkoski, J. Iyiegbuniwe

   Nick Kwiatkoski lives another day... or season, he shows that even if he isn't good at covering, he has good value near the line of scrimmage against the run and even can show some pass rushing moves. Joel Iyiegbuniwe is here because I couldn't decide who played well enough to get this spot, it could easily go to anyone else from the ILBs or no one at all. A free agent could be a posibility.

OLB - K. Mack, L. Floyd, A. Lynch, I. Irving

   Isaiah Irving get the nod but not by much, Kylie Fitts showed near even trait than Irving but I saw more hustle by Irving so I chose him, Fitts could still make the team if Williams or Iyiegbuniwe don't get picked.

CB - K. Fuller, P. Amukamara, B. Skrine, K. Toliver, D. Shelley. M. Joseph

   Duke Shelley is pure hustle and I love it, I expect big things from him and would be very disappointed if he doesn't make the team. Cant say the same about Michael Joseph, again I just chose him because I didn't like how John Franklin III got burned badly by second and third squad WRs and Clifton Duck although he showed good things I don't believe he is ready for the league but should be considered for the practice squad.

S - E. Jackson, H. Clinton-Dix, D. Bush, S. McManis, D. Houston-Carson

   Deon Bush showed the team that he should be considered to start at SS, time will tell. Sherick McManis is an average back that can do decent wherever he is placed but his value is at STs as is DeAndre Houston-Carson.

K - E. Piniero
   I had my money on Elliott Fry but his miss against the Giants gave way to Eddie Piniero getting picked because of his stronger leg. Rumors say that there is a chance Pace could go for a free agent leg, so solidifying this position could be far from over. Damn you John Fox...

P - P. O'Donnell
   Hey Pat's back.

LS - P. Scales
   Hey so is the other one. 

   Many if not every battle for the last sport on their respective group should be determined with their contribution at STs because that area needs to get better, its going to be tough even for this defense to stop offenses from getting points if they are getting great field position on KOs and punts regularly as its happening lately.

2019 Offseason

   Its August, football is back... sort of. Its still a ways to go for meaningful football but something is better than nothing I guess, this period is mostly for the rookies to show their guts so they can be considered to be part of the final 53 man roster or the practice squad. Football news is blowing up and the only thing I'm interested in is to not hear that someone in the team got hurt.

The draft is a thing of the past, free agency and trade options are mostly over for the Bears who are very limited in cap space, it would be really surprising if they did something significant at this stage of the season. So, now a recap of the additions to the team from this offseason.

   With limited picks in this years draft Ryan Pace did what he has been doing since being GM for the Bears and that is getting his guys no matter what and no matter where they competed.

   David Montgomery - Ryan Pace made yet another move, went up the board and drafted someone I didn't imagine would be available in the third round, Montgomery was my favorite RB to get drafted by the Bears, so yeah I loved this pick. I believe Montgomery will do well in Matt Nagy's system, it will all depend on how fast he can digest the playbook and how healthy he can stay. He wont have to do it all on his own the first time around with good depth at the RB position. Running the ball is extremely important but it helps that every RB in the roster right now is descent at catching the ball.

   Riley Ridley - A good route runner with size and good hands, comes in to make the depth at WR even deeper, I don't know if there was another time the WR position was this talented and versatile. 

   Duke Shelley - I didn't see any gameplay of Shelley until he got drafted and I was surprised that he wasn't really considered on draft boards or talked about more by analysts, he looks to be a very fierce nickel corner with quickness, tenacity and ball skills.

   Kerrith Whyte - A speedy running back who can punish defenses if they don't pay attention. Speed is something that the Bears have lacked for some time, its good to have it at hand.

   Stephen Denmark - A very raw CB with size and a nasty tackler, can go up and get it as he has WR experience but has no feet technique and is not fluid enough to be called a corner yet, still relies to much on his physique and speed.

Free agent rookie signings that caught my eye,

   Alex Bars & Sam Mustipher get to reunite with their Oline coach ones more, familiarity can only help them get to speed much quicker.

   Emanuel Hall was considered by some analysts to have slipped at the draft, an all around WR that will help to generate competition in an already crowded and talented WR core.

   Chuck Harris the successor of Khalil Mack at Buffalo will be following the footsteps of his former teammate and hopefully learn as much as possible from him. 

   Dax Raymond was one of my favorite TEs in the draft who is still raw but has good potential to be a big red zone threat once he gets the hang of things. He will be pushing for Ben Braunekers spot in the depth chart.

   Mathieu Betts gets to show why he was drafted 3nd overall in the CFL. In games he has shown good strength and a big motor as a pass rusher from the edge, him and Harris will have to show big potential to catch up to RRH and Aron Lynch.

Even with good money spent on big talent already on the team, Pace got some needed help via free agency to fill some holes on the depth chart and strengthen other areas.

   Mike Davis mixes well with what the Bears already have at the RB position, brings experience, shows good speed and agility, not afraid to lower the shoulder and can catch out of the backfield.

   Buster Skrine was brought in to replace Bryce Callahan, is similar in size but with a better health record although he hasn't put the numbers Callahan has, still with the drafting of Shelley I don't believe the nickel position will be given to Skrine and will have to compete for it, which is how it should be.

   Cordarelle Patterson is one of the best pickups at free agency for the Bears, hopefully he can get the offense in much better position with some good returns on kickoffs. He has shown to be a dangerous returner and can be a gadget player in Nagys offense to confuse the defense even more than last season lining him up at WR or RB.

   HaHa Clinton-Dix could be considered the best pick up in terms of value, talent and need. Still, it will be interesting to see two deep safety's on the field at the same time but it could end up being fun watching opposing QBs think twice when wanting to go deep.

   Marvin Hall another speedy receiver to the mix who I see as backup to Taylor Gabriel and at the return game.

   Ted Larsen returns as an experience interior lineman who, if he gets to be on the team, I hope doesn't get to play one down.

   Time to see some rookies develop and may the football gods have mercy on our starters.

Draft: TEs group of 2019

   Last group I could watch before the draft, this is really time consuming. Well now that I did get to see this years TEs group, or par of it, ill take this moment to thank Zack Miller for his time with the Bears as a player and hopefully he sticks around to continue to be a good teammate even if his time as a player is over which is a shame that injuries were a big part of his career but when healthy he showed he was a play maker.
   The TE position, as are the others on the team, has no meaningful holes to fill but there are some questions regarding Adam Shaheen's development which is similar to Leaonard Floyd's, injuries have derailed his improvement and there is no sure thing he can be who the team thought they would get, so some insurance can be drafted this year. The obvious ones to get drafted early are the Iowa boys, T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant, just depend on whats your want more, receiver or blocker. Both can do everything good enough but they are not the same type and are built differently, I would prefer Hockenson. Others who I don't see making the third round are Keenan Brown, Alize Mack and Irv Smith, still there are some how caught me eye.

   Dax Raymond - A bit of a project but does everything well, has some drops and isn't o polished blocker but does enough to open lanes and give time to the QB, has good speed and agility but still need to get stronger in his lower body to shed tacklers better.
   Kahale Warring - Could get better at blocking but can become a threat in the passing game with his size and strength.
   Trevon Wesco - A blocking TE that if it weren't for his speed he could be a decent receiver, wont go down easy and still is agile enough to make people miss.

   Drew Samples and Foster Moreau would be other considerations for a blocking TE and Caleb Wilson for a receiving type TE but Samples and Moreau didn't get much of a shot to see how good they could be as receivers and Wilson still seems too raw of a player.
   So this is as far as I go this year on analyzing players so ill be watching back on this to see how I do, for today I will be imagining that the 24th pick the Chicago Bears select Khalil Mack. What. a. STEAL.

Draft: EDGE group of 2019

   Few days away from this years NFL draft and Ryan Pace is still filling holes on his roster signing Aaron Lynch to back up Leaonard Floyd and Khalil Mack at the OLB position one more year. Lynch gives familiarity and game plan experience to the team even if the Defensive Coordinator has changed, Chuck Pagano would be wise to stick as much as possible to the blue print left by Vic Fangio. Again, Pace does himself a favor and reduces significantly the need at this position, he has better prepared himself to go for the better player on every pick he gets which is good in any situation but even better when one lacks picks like the Bears do this year.
   This years group has some promising players with potential to go in the first round but none I see is a dominant player. Josh Allen, Clelin Ferrel and Josh Sweat are my favorites to go on day 1. Brian Burns is another one that could be picked on Thursday but I have him going one day later because of coverage concerns. Jachai Polite, Porter Gustin and D'Andre Walker are day 2 players that if they slide would be my preferred candidates for Pace to pick up. My problem is that aside from these three, I don't see any other player that seems like a natural OLB that the Bears should consider using a draft pick on, I see some DEs with potential but could they play standing up? I don't know but these guys might be intriguing,

   Justin Hollins - I saw some flashes of him rushing the edge with some bend and speed, but his inconsistency and motor are what bother me about him, he doesn't seem to go all out on every play but when he does he looks good and capable to rush inside or out with fluid movement as well when dropping to coverage.
   Christian Miller - Can play standing up but seems to have only one move combo when rushing the edge, needs more moves to get better as a pass rusher but has shown to be good at stopping the run and be where he needs to be, add that he looks comfortable in coverage and you almost got a decent OLB.
   Jordan Braliford - Could play middle LB or DE, uses more power than finess to get to the QB when rushing, better at stopping the run by filling up the run lane and can drop to coverage as good as any middle linebacker should.
   Oshane Ximines - He looks more prepared to play with his hand in the dirt but I consider him a prospect because he looks very raw and could be taught to play standing up. Even as raw as he is, he displays flashes of dominance with good speed, agility and strength to play the edge.
   Sutton Smith - The local underdog, small guy to be playing as an edge rusher but what he lacks in strength he makes up with effort, big motor and wont give up until the play is dead, more quick than fast but agile enough to disengage at the line to beat linemen, can show it as well when dropping to coverage.

   If Polite, Gustin or Walker don't slide, I don't believe the Bears will select someone from this list with their first selection on round 3, its more likely that a RB will be considered for this pick but it will and should depend on which player brings more talent and promise, this is what Pace and his war room should be thinking this next Friday.

Draft: Safety's group of 2019

   Didn't finish this one on time before the Bears stole Ha Ha Clinton-Dix off the free agency pool, a 1 year prove it deal. It doesn't "replace" Adrian Amos as a Strong Safety, Amos is more the enforcer type while Clinton-Dix is a cover guy but if paired with Eddie Jackson what happens is they maximize coverage "sacrificing" run support. Clinton-Dix or Jackson aren't bad tacklers, they just aren't sure tacklers, but what they are is ball hawks that can cover half of the field to shut down the deep ball and read the QBs eyes to pick off routs, so if the front seven is OK with not getting extra help, its going to be a tough day for QBs. Also this looks like Ryan Pace finding insurance if Jackson falls injured again, the feeling that if Jackson where healthy enough to play against the Eagles they would have won may have triggered Pace to get this done at all cost.

   Its been a passing league for some years now with teams searching for all around running backs that can catch and the three down back is scarce, so if the Bears offense can get leads early like they did last season forcing teams to forget about the run, this safety combo would be the perfect scenario. If this is the plan, having "max coverage" with double FSs on the field, then what happens if (know on wood) one gets injures? do they go conventional and stick Deon Bush as a SS or do they try and get depth at FS? Whatever they decide, the Bears can get a special teams player out of this group at the least.

   Going against the grain, I believe that Deionte Thompson isn't that good, atop the list I have Johnathan Abrams as the best strong safety this year in front of Taylor Rapp and Juan Thornhill. The best Free Safety I got is Nasir Aderley but not good enough to go in the first round as well as Marquise Blair. Chauncey Gardern-Johnson is my favorite of this group, still raw but I see loads of potential in him to be a really good FS and his attitude on the field could be contagious in a good way. These players I don't believe they will be available when the Bears are up, the ones I do think will be and I consider of interest are,

   Shedrick Redwine - More of a FS but does a good job of bringing ball carriers down, has enough agility and speed to react to the play, can play man and is decent in zone coverage.

   Evan Worthington - A bit raw recognizing where the ball is going but has very good agility and movement to react once he knows where to go, a big guy that makes it even more impressive how he can move, unfortunately he isn't as fast and can get beat by speedsters.

   Darnell Savage - A smallish back that can play the slot but could learn to play FS with his high athleticism and strength to tackle and take on blockers, he gets lost on plays, needs to be taught.

   Khari Willis - A strong SS that needs to get better at using his feet and align himself to plug the hole or attack the ball carrier, not good in coverage but could be a great enforcer to assist at the line of scrimmage and a special teams guy,

   Zedrick Woods - A patrolling compact SS that lives for contact, lacks some strength to get ball carrier down without giving them extra yardage but he can be an enforcer and special teams player.

   Pace eliminated the need at this position with Clinton-Dix, only some depth is required as does TE and EDGE positions, it seems that this years crop of EDGE players are better than the safety's and you can never have enough pass rushers.

Draft: CBs group of 2019

   I find it very difficult to evaluate cornebacks, in part its because I don't watch it from the 22 man view but from game clips, where they just run out of the screen and often one cant know how the play unfolds until the ball is thrown his way and that is only if the ball got thrown, what I get to watch is very limited, although what I look for or try to watch from a player, I believe the clips are enough to get an idea of how good I think he is.

   Now that Free agency is taking form as I write this, it seems very unlikely that Bryce Callahan returns to the team now that Buster Skrine is set to get signed once free agency hits officially. Skrine will be 30 years old when the season starts so his signing shouldn't stop the Bears from getting a younger one to mold to their system.

   As I watched this group in alphabetical order, I was thinking that this years bunch was not very good, but then some just popped up and at the end I finished giving 5 players a 1st round grade. Greedy Williams and Tayvon Mullen are the best of the bunch, Mullen looks more ready but Williams is good and could end up being the better one with experience. Byron Murphy is the better nickle corner of the group and can play outside as well. Rock Ya-Sin has everything to be a starter day 1 and Jamel Dean is a good player that will benefit from crunching the combine. I don't expect these players to be around when the Bears get to pick but there are 4 players that they could consider to battle Skrine for the position.

   David Long - He moves very effortless while sticking to his man, what I really like about him is that he often doesn't loose sight of the QB while shadowing the receiver on the move, he plays aggressive attacking the ball and doesn't shy away from contact. He might not be there for round 3 of the draft and don't know how suited he is to play the slot.

   Julian Love - He can play in nickle packages, moves fluidly with agility and can tackle, only concern I had was his game speed, he showed he has enough speed running the 40 at the combine.

   Ryan Pulley - Sticky corner and very agile while running, he can stop and change directions very quickly, a big plus is his aggressive play to frequently try and punch the ball out and he is a good tackler. Issues I have on him is his lack of recovery speed when getting beat or going against speedy receivers, he tends to grab to much.

   Ken Webster - He is a big question mark, he looks like a veteran with good instincts and technique, but physically doesn't show it consistently, he doesn't seem agile and fast enough to move to where he recognizes the play is going. At the combine he showed very good speed and agility, if he can show these same physical traits on the field, he could become a great player.

   Others to consider for depth could be Salvion Smith, big strong corner with good movement, his 40 yard dash on his pro day will decide on what round he goes. Kris Boyd may not be the best cover corner but can assist on run defense and has enough speed to go toe to toe with his man. Michael Jackson is a bit stiff but can play press man to disrupt routs and zone where he aggressively attacks the ball. Lonnie Johnson is a tall corner with some good movement and decent speed to cover big targets.

   The only big names behind the starting corners are promising but raw Kevin Toliver II and special teams captain and serviceable backup Sherick McManis and a bunch of practice squad dudes, I do believe the Bears will end up picking at least one corner this year.

Draft: RBs group of 2019

   Its been 50 days since Cody Parkeys last doink with the Bears, Ryan Pace did it again and kicked the kicker out of the team even before free agency hit. So the road to finding a new kicker has begun as well as a very probable boring offseason with the Bears having little cap room to consider getting high talent in this years free agency and down their first and second round picks this year, on the bright side this means that they wont have to pay big contracts to rookies and can maybe consider that cash somewhere else. But before the saga for the search of a new non-doinker, through-the-uprights kicker begins, I got through this years running back group invited to the 2019 Combine.

  The talk that Jordan Howard may not be the ideal player for Matt Nagys system has been on various analysts mouths, this may be true. Howard is a very good back and his dip in numbers cant be all on him, the Oline struggles on times to open holes and the passing game was still in its infant stage. Howard got much better at catching the ball on short routes, he is no burner running routes and wont catch high passes. He can punish tacklers and shed them but will not make tacklers miss with agility or with quickness by changing direction. So if Nagy prefers agility and speed over power then there are a hand full of backs I like that can maybe compliment Tarik Cohen without sacrificing speed.

   The obvious pick would be Josh Jacobs, punishing back with speed, balance and burst. Isn't really big but plays big, good receiver and blocker. He will be gone by the end of the first round so there is no chance the Bears will get him. So I really only have four players that I would accept the Bears drafting if they intend to replace Howard. 

   David Montgomery - I see him as a LeVeon Bell type of player with his patience and having enough speed and burst to attack holes for big gains. He lacks top speed but he can change direction with good balance, he can take on tacklers with enough strength. Hes could be an asset as a receiver.

   Myles Gaskin - A smaller player that the previous two but runs with patience and vision, has enough burst and speed to get to the hole, wont go down easy. Good balance to change direction and attack the perimeter. Can catch short passes but wont be a weapon as a receiver.

   Elijah Holifield - He doesn't have the typical size for a physical back but he looks to enjoy contact, pushes tacklers around and runs with aggression, not the fastest of the bunch but will fight for every yard but is agile enough to make cuts and change direction without losing too much speed. His receiving skills are a question mark but not his willingness to block.

   Tyveon Williams - Of all the small backs, I consider him the all around better option. He can be physical enough to gain hard yards, he has good speed, balance and agility. has good vision to be patient and find the hole. Can be a good receiver and doesn't shed from contact when blocking.

   Damien Harris and Karan Higdon could be better backs but Damien is too similar to compliment Cohen and Higdon doesn't have enough speed and agility. Rodney Anderson, Alex Barnes and Qadree Ollison are good backs but too similar to Howard, also Anderson has a serious injury history. One intriguing runner is Darnell Henderson, he is a burner that reminds me of Chris Johnson, small but not as small as Cohen although less physical and agile.

   

   So if these four are not there for the Bears to take, I would roll with Howard on his contract year.