It's a little risky going into the season with only 2 QBs, especially with questions on the O-line, but this was the right move to get an extra body on the roster, since the Bears have a few injuries and have to carry 2 punters. If your 3rd QB has to play, it's probably a lost season anyway. My 53 had McCown getting cut, being able to keep Blanchard on the practice squad makes the situation fine.
RB (3)- Matt Forte, Michael Bush,
Bears only kept 3 RBs last year with Forte, Barber and Bell...with Allen in waiting on the practice squad. Forte is seen as an injury risk, but last year was the first time he's missed a game in his 4-year career...every other RB in the league missed games over that span. He and Bush are as reliable as can be in the backfield. Allen will be in the waiting again, and maybe not too long. Podlesh will likely play Week 1, with Booker out. Allowing the Bears to cut Quigley and put Allen in his spot as the #3 RB. Apparently, Booker suffered a pretty bad concussion and was just put on IR, Allen was promoted to the 53-man roster to take his place.
WR (6)- Brandon Marshall, Devin Hester, Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett, Eric Weems, Dane Sanzenbacher.
No surprises here. Best group of WRs in Chicago Bears history. I expect record breaking numbers for Marshall, with possible career highs in catches/yards for Hester and/or Bennett, with BM taking most of the attention.
TE/FB (4)- Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth, Evan Rodriguez, Kyle Adams.
Surprised Tyler Clutts is not in this group, but there was only going to be 4 regardless. Thought Spaeth would be the odd man out, but he is the only decent blocker of this group. Rodriguez is listed at FB, but the Bears are basically going without this year. Hopefully, this move pans out.
OL (8)- J'Marcus Webb, Chris Spencer, Roberto Garza, Lance Louis, Gabe Carimi, Chris Williams, Chilo Rachal, Edwin Williams.
If the same 5 start all 16 games this year, the Bears will be an elite team. I honestly don't expect this group of 8 to even be the same at the trade deadline. The Bears will probably need to add a body here. Whether thru trade or on the waiver wire. Brown and Brandon are on the p-squad, but neither is ready. This group isn't attractive, but they just need to play just pretty enough to win games.
DL (9)- Julius Peppers, Israel Idonije, Stephen Paea, Henry Melton, Amobi Okoye, Matt Toeina, Shea McClellin, Corey Wootton, Cheta Ozougwu. Nate Collins (1-week suspension).
I think this is the key group. Gotta get Peppers some help this year. Idonije was a monster in preseason, dominating the Skins and being held (no calls though) all night vs. the Giants. Melton has to be more consistent. Paea has to stay on the field. At least 1 of the backup edge rushers need to provide something. A 3rd or 4th edge rusher would help the DT position as Idonije or Peppers could move inside on passing downs making that group stronger. This group will be 9 to start, and I think 10 when Collins is activated for Week 2.
LB (7)- Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Nick Roach, Geno Hayes, Blake Costanzo, JT Thomas,
This group is as strong as usual. Urlacher and Briggs together for the 10th straight year. Roach is going into his 4th year as a starter, which doesn't include 2010 when he started a couple games for Pisa Tinoisamoa. The backups all looked pretty solid in preseason, though Trahan may be the odd man out when Collins is activated. Did I say 53-man roster? I meant 52. Patrick Trahan also cut today, not yet filling his spot. Nate Collins needs a spot for next week, but even if he takes it, Ryan Quigley isn't long for this team, so look for a possible roster pickup in the next few days.
DB (10)- Charles Tillman, Chris Conte, Major Wright, Tim Jennings, Kelvin Hayden, Craig Steltz, DJ Moore, Anthony Walters, Jeremy Jones, Sherrick McManis.
CBs are basically the same as last year. Hayden instead of Zach Bowman, McManis instead of Corey Graham. Hayden is a clear upgrade. Question is can Peanut Tillman still hang in there at CB? The questions at S continue, but Wright and Conte were the most used starting safety combo in 2011. This could be a strong position if the 2 recent 3rd round picks stay healthy and live up to their hype. Steltz is very experienced depth. 5th CB and 4th S could be issues, but the hope is it never gets to that.
Specialists (4)- Robbie Gould, Adam Podlesh, Patrick Mannelly, Ryan Quigley.
Again, Quigley may be gone by tomorrow with Podlesh listed as probable. But I believe this is the best group in the NFL. Gould is the 5th most accurate kicker in NFL history, and plays home games on a terrible field. Podlesh is a top 7 punter in the game. And Mr. Bear, Patrick Mannelly is back for his 15th season as long-snapper.
Overall, a pretty strong roster. Maybe the best Bears team on paper since 1986. This team has no Tommie Harris or Mike Brown like the 2006 Superbowl team had, but that team did not have Cutler and Marshall.
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