Da Bears 2011 Thread
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First depth chart of the year....
OFFENSE:
WR: Roy Williams, Johnny Knox, Dane Sanzenbacher, Onrea Jones.
LT: J'Marcus Webb, Frank Omiyale, Josh Davis
LG: Chris Williams, Edwin Williams, Johan Asiata, Mike Lamphear
C: Roberto Garza, Chris Spencer, J.C. Brignone, Alex Linnenkohl
RG: Lance Louis, Levi Horn, Johan Asiata, Ricky Henry
RT: Gabe Carimi, Josh Davis, Levi Horn
TE: Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth, Desmond Clark, Kyle Adams / Andre Smith
WR: Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Sam Hurd, Kris Adams
QB: Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie, Nathan Enderle, Trevor Vittatoe
RB: Matt Forte, Chester Taylor, Marion Barber, Kahlil Bell
FB: Eddie Williams, Will Ta'ufo'ou.
Damn it, they still have Hester as #2, Knox should be the #2. Hopefully that changes soon.
Here's the link to the rest of the depth chart.
http://chicagobears.com/team/depthchart.asp
OFFENSE:
WR: Roy Williams, Johnny Knox, Dane Sanzenbacher, Onrea Jones.
LT: J'Marcus Webb, Frank Omiyale, Josh Davis
LG: Chris Williams, Edwin Williams, Johan Asiata, Mike Lamphear
C: Roberto Garza, Chris Spencer, J.C. Brignone, Alex Linnenkohl
RG: Lance Louis, Levi Horn, Johan Asiata, Ricky Henry
RT: Gabe Carimi, Josh Davis, Levi Horn
TE: Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth, Desmond Clark, Kyle Adams / Andre Smith
WR: Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Sam Hurd, Kris Adams
QB: Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie, Nathan Enderle, Trevor Vittatoe
RB: Matt Forte, Chester Taylor, Marion Barber, Kahlil Bell
FB: Eddie Williams, Will Ta'ufo'ou.
Damn it, they still have Hester as #2, Knox should be the #2. Hopefully that changes soon.
Here's the link to the rest of the depth chart.
http://chicagobears.com/team/depthchart.asp
yeah I wouldn't take the depth chart too seriously as of now. Knox definitely deserves to be #2. Also I bet Chris Spencer will start as center when the season kicks off. I think Tice is just trying to say "there are no free passes here you have to earn it." No way they go out their way to sign Spencer, release kreutz, and not start him. There are some names there I never heard
When the Bears signed free agent Chris Spencer, many assumed that he would start at center. But that’s not necessarily the case—and it’s not a knock on the veteran.
Offensive line coach Mike Tice is impressed with the way the No. 1 unit has performed in training camp and intends to stick with J’Marcus Webb at left tackle, Chris Williams at left guard, Roberto Garza at center, Lance Louis at right guard and rookie Gabe Carimi at right tackle.
Tice revealed after practice Sunday night that those five players will start Saturday’s preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field.
“Chris Spencer’s coming along nicely,” Tice said. “[But] I think what we’ll do right now is we’ll get through that first [preseason] game, we’ll leave everybody be, we’ll evaluate that first game and see if we need to split some reps with Roberto and Spencer. But right now they’re improving every day and all the good things I’ve seen I’m not really in the sense that I need to change anything right now.
“I’m not looking at anything except I’ve got I think right now the five best guys on the field and we’re going to stay that way until something proves me I’m wrong.”
In response to repeated questions from reporters about the possibility of inserting Spencer at center and moving Garza to guard, Tice said: “Let’s get something straight. I have the five starting linemen right now. Unless the five starting linemen falter, there’s no changes.
“There’s not a competition, so don’t write that. We have five guys in there and they’re the starters. If they falter in games … then we’ll have to create something, some kind of competition, maybe some kind of movement. Roberto Garza’s one of our best five linemen. He’s going to be on the field at the end of the day. We’ve identified that. But there is no competition. So I don’t know that I would write that.
“I have five guys in there starting. Unless they falter, that’s who’s opening the season against Atlanta. Right now I’m not seeing that falter. What I’m seeing right now is improvement every day. That’s what I’m looking for. If I see improvement each day, then we’re right on track for Atlanta, and I see that.
“Now if something happens in the game against Buffalo—somebody doesn’t step up to the plate because of the added pressure of a game—then we have to create something. But right now I don’t see that."
Offensive line coach Mike Tice is impressed with the way the No. 1 unit has performed in training camp and intends to stick with J’Marcus Webb at left tackle, Chris Williams at left guard, Roberto Garza at center, Lance Louis at right guard and rookie Gabe Carimi at right tackle.
Tice revealed after practice Sunday night that those five players will start Saturday’s preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field.
“Chris Spencer’s coming along nicely,” Tice said. “[But] I think what we’ll do right now is we’ll get through that first [preseason] game, we’ll leave everybody be, we’ll evaluate that first game and see if we need to split some reps with Roberto and Spencer. But right now they’re improving every day and all the good things I’ve seen I’m not really in the sense that I need to change anything right now.
“I’m not looking at anything except I’ve got I think right now the five best guys on the field and we’re going to stay that way until something proves me I’m wrong.”
In response to repeated questions from reporters about the possibility of inserting Spencer at center and moving Garza to guard, Tice said: “Let’s get something straight. I have the five starting linemen right now. Unless the five starting linemen falter, there’s no changes.
“There’s not a competition, so don’t write that. We have five guys in there and they’re the starters. If they falter in games … then we’ll have to create something, some kind of competition, maybe some kind of movement. Roberto Garza’s one of our best five linemen. He’s going to be on the field at the end of the day. We’ve identified that. But there is no competition. So I don’t know that I would write that.
“I have five guys in there starting. Unless they falter, that’s who’s opening the season against Atlanta. Right now I’m not seeing that falter. What I’m seeing right now is improvement every day. That’s what I’m looking for. If I see improvement each day, then we’re right on track for Atlanta, and I see that.
“Now if something happens in the game against Buffalo—somebody doesn’t step up to the plate because of the added pressure of a game—then we have to create something. But right now I don’t see that."
bears looked like shit yesterday. They need to get it together quick. O-line looks a littel better though. Still suck on short yardage situations and redzone. Sanzenbacher looked like he could be a good pick up. Marion Barber as well. What's up with the defense though? Looked weak. Hopefully that's just pre-season stuff but pretty alarming when that's supposed to be the strong part of the team.
Roy Williams hasn’t caught a pass in the Bears’ first two preseason games. But quarterback Jay Cutler isn't concerned about the veteran receiver not making an impact this season.
“He’s got a great understanding for this offense and what Mike [Martz] is trying to accomplish,” Cutler said Wednesday. “He’s a big guy. He’s physical and he uses that as one of his strengths.
“It’s just going to be a matter of time with him of getting more reps and getting comfortable with us and me getting comfortable with him and the spots where he’s going to be. I see nothing wrong with Roy and where he’s at right now. I think by the [season opener], he’s going to be right where we need him.”
Williams made the Pro Bowl in 2006 while playing in Martz’s offense with the Detroit Lions, catching a career-high 82 passes for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns. But the 6-3, 215-pounder had not caught a pass from Cutler until Aug. 4 when he practiced with the Bears for the first time.
“It’s coming along good,” Williams said of working with Cutler. “I think everybody wants us to just click right now and it’s going to take a little time. We’re progressing day-by-day and trying to get to Sept. 11, so when the bullets fly we’ll be ready to go.”
Williams knows there’s no magic formula to earning Cutler’s trust.
“It’s just all about making plays,” said the veteran receiver. “He’s going to make the throw. I’ve got to make the grab. His throws aren’t going to be perfect every time and that’s what I get paid to do is try to catch everything that’s in my radius. We work hand-in-hand and we’ll see what happens.”
Williams feels that a comment he made last week about getting back into football shape was blown out of proportion and insists that his conditioning isn’t a problem.
“I’m fine, man. I’m fine,” Williams said when asked to assess the shape he’s in. “I played last week [in a preseason loss to the New York Giants], played a half. I’m good to go.
“I’ve got to clean up some things detail-wise. Other than that, I’m good. I feel like I’m running the way I need to run and doing the things I need to do. I just have to clean them up and be a little bit better.”
While Williams has recorded 36, 38 and 37 receptions the past three seasons, Martz said earlier this month that he expects the veteran receiver to catch 70-80 passes this year.
Asked Wednesday about trying to live up to such high expectations, Williams said: “I love it. I’ve been in that situation all my life. Here I actually have a chance to put my name on something. It’s in my hands and I just have to stay ready so I can get ready.”
Cutler, though, knows that the Bears passing game is designed to spread the ball around to an array of receivers based on what type of coverage the defense is playing.
“I don’t think we expect Roy to be the greatest receiver ever,” Cutler said. “He’s going to come in here, he’s going to fill a role, he’s going to catch balls and Roy has just got to understand that he can’t do too much out there on the field.
“With this offense, you don’t really know where the ball is going to go from week-to-week. He might have 10 catches one week and two or none the next week. It just depends on the defense, and I think Roy has been in the league long enough to understand that.”
“He’s got a great understanding for this offense and what Mike [Martz] is trying to accomplish,” Cutler said Wednesday. “He’s a big guy. He’s physical and he uses that as one of his strengths.
“It’s just going to be a matter of time with him of getting more reps and getting comfortable with us and me getting comfortable with him and the spots where he’s going to be. I see nothing wrong with Roy and where he’s at right now. I think by the [season opener], he’s going to be right where we need him.”
Williams made the Pro Bowl in 2006 while playing in Martz’s offense with the Detroit Lions, catching a career-high 82 passes for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns. But the 6-3, 215-pounder had not caught a pass from Cutler until Aug. 4 when he practiced with the Bears for the first time.
“It’s coming along good,” Williams said of working with Cutler. “I think everybody wants us to just click right now and it’s going to take a little time. We’re progressing day-by-day and trying to get to Sept. 11, so when the bullets fly we’ll be ready to go.”
Williams knows there’s no magic formula to earning Cutler’s trust.
“It’s just all about making plays,” said the veteran receiver. “He’s going to make the throw. I’ve got to make the grab. His throws aren’t going to be perfect every time and that’s what I get paid to do is try to catch everything that’s in my radius. We work hand-in-hand and we’ll see what happens.”
Williams feels that a comment he made last week about getting back into football shape was blown out of proportion and insists that his conditioning isn’t a problem.
“I’m fine, man. I’m fine,” Williams said when asked to assess the shape he’s in. “I played last week [in a preseason loss to the New York Giants], played a half. I’m good to go.
“I’ve got to clean up some things detail-wise. Other than that, I’m good. I feel like I’m running the way I need to run and doing the things I need to do. I just have to clean them up and be a little bit better.”
While Williams has recorded 36, 38 and 37 receptions the past three seasons, Martz said earlier this month that he expects the veteran receiver to catch 70-80 passes this year.
Asked Wednesday about trying to live up to such high expectations, Williams said: “I love it. I’ve been in that situation all my life. Here I actually have a chance to put my name on something. It’s in my hands and I just have to stay ready so I can get ready.”
Cutler, though, knows that the Bears passing game is designed to spread the ball around to an array of receivers based on what type of coverage the defense is playing.
“I don’t think we expect Roy to be the greatest receiver ever,” Cutler said. “He’s going to come in here, he’s going to fill a role, he’s going to catch balls and Roy has just got to understand that he can’t do too much out there on the field.
“With this offense, you don’t really know where the ball is going to go from week-to-week. He might have 10 catches one week and two or none the next week. It just depends on the defense, and I think Roy has been in the league long enough to understand that.”
While others in the organization have expressed confidence that it will be only a matter of time before Roy Williams starts producing on the field, Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake cautioned that it better happen sooner rather than later or Johnny Knox could reclaim the starting job.
“Roy understands that Johnny’s there, and Johnny’s hungry and Johnny wants his spot back,” Drake said. “If things don’t start changing, then Johnny’s going to be in there. You heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
“I understand Roy’s got some things to do as far as getting himself in shape, but that’s not my fault and that’s not my concern. My concern is making sure that when we play Atlanta [in the season opener], we’ve got the best guys out there that are going to give us the best chance to win, and if Johnny Knox is that guy, then he needs to be out there.”
Williams hasn't caught a pass in the Bears’ first two preseason games. Knox has three receptions for 32 yards in the preseason. Last season he tied for the team lead with 51 catches and five touchdown receptions and his 960 receiving yards were the most by a Bears player since 2002 when Marty Booker had 1,189.
“The bottom line is being productive and doing what you’re supposed to do,” Drake said. “I know a lot has been made about Johnny not being there, but this has helped Johnny. This has helped Johnny become a better student of the game. Johnny has improved tremendously. I’m very proud of what he’s done.
"He needs to continue to do that because there were some things that he needed to do. As long as he continues to do those things and make the strides that he’s making, he’s going to be fine.”
Drake feels that Williams should have caught the first pass thrown to him Monday night against the Giants.
“[Cornerback] Aaron Ross made a great play and knocked it out,” Drake said. “But you can’t let Aaron Ross knock that ball out. That’s the bottom line. The ball hit him in the hands. It was a great throw and he let the DB knock it out.”
Williams apparently didn’t run a precise enough route on the play.
“That’s the nature of the offense,” Drake said. “Because he was right on the numbers instead of the inside edge of the numbers, it gave Aaron Ross a chance to come in and knock the ball out. That’s the difference in that play, bang-bang, just one step, two steps, which allowed Aaron Ross to get his hand in there. But no matter what, you can’t let him get that ball out, and Aaron Ross outplayed us."
_____________________
Would rather have Knox take Hester's spot. But if Williams continues to play like doo-doo, then demote him.
“Roy understands that Johnny’s there, and Johnny’s hungry and Johnny wants his spot back,” Drake said. “If things don’t start changing, then Johnny’s going to be in there. You heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
“I understand Roy’s got some things to do as far as getting himself in shape, but that’s not my fault and that’s not my concern. My concern is making sure that when we play Atlanta [in the season opener], we’ve got the best guys out there that are going to give us the best chance to win, and if Johnny Knox is that guy, then he needs to be out there.”
Williams hasn't caught a pass in the Bears’ first two preseason games. Knox has three receptions for 32 yards in the preseason. Last season he tied for the team lead with 51 catches and five touchdown receptions and his 960 receiving yards were the most by a Bears player since 2002 when Marty Booker had 1,189.
“The bottom line is being productive and doing what you’re supposed to do,” Drake said. “I know a lot has been made about Johnny not being there, but this has helped Johnny. This has helped Johnny become a better student of the game. Johnny has improved tremendously. I’m very proud of what he’s done.
"He needs to continue to do that because there were some things that he needed to do. As long as he continues to do those things and make the strides that he’s making, he’s going to be fine.”
Drake feels that Williams should have caught the first pass thrown to him Monday night against the Giants.
“[Cornerback] Aaron Ross made a great play and knocked it out,” Drake said. “But you can’t let Aaron Ross knock that ball out. That’s the bottom line. The ball hit him in the hands. It was a great throw and he let the DB knock it out.”
Williams apparently didn’t run a precise enough route on the play.
“That’s the nature of the offense,” Drake said. “Because he was right on the numbers instead of the inside edge of the numbers, it gave Aaron Ross a chance to come in and knock the ball out. That’s the difference in that play, bang-bang, just one step, two steps, which allowed Aaron Ross to get his hand in there. But no matter what, you can’t let him get that ball out, and Aaron Ross outplayed us."
_____________________
Would rather have Knox take Hester's spot. But if Williams continues to play like doo-doo, then demote him.
Briggs tells Bears he wants more money
Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, who signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the team in 2008, now wants to rip up the final three seasons of the deal.
Briggs confirmed to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune that the veteran linebacker has approached the team regarding a raise. G.M. Jerry Angelo declined to comment.
The player’s desire for more money apparently arises from the wave of new deals given to linebackers in recent weeks.
It’s not the first time Briggs has been unhappy with a contract that he signed. He complained about a one-year, $7.2 million franchise tender in 2007, at one point claiming he’d never again for the Bears. He then signed his current contract with the Bears after becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2008.
Along the way, the Bears talked to the 49ers about a possible trade. The Bears accused the Niners of tampering when San Fran launched contract talks with Briggs. The league eventually agreed with the Bears, a rare case of the NFL acknowledging a common (but largely ignored) phenomenon.
Though Briggs has no legitimate basis for complaining about the back end of a veteran contract that he signed after hitting the open market (unlike a guy who is strapped with a slotted rookie deal), the Bears have only themselves to blame for signing Briggs to a six-year deal. They surely knew that, at some point, other linebackers would be getting larger contracts. And they should have realized that, at some point, Briggs was going to want more, again.
Birggs has missed the two most recent preseason games, with a bruised knee. He says that the injury and his desire for a new contract aren’t related.
Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, who signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the team in 2008, now wants to rip up the final three seasons of the deal.
Briggs confirmed to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune that the veteran linebacker has approached the team regarding a raise. G.M. Jerry Angelo declined to comment.
The player’s desire for more money apparently arises from the wave of new deals given to linebackers in recent weeks.
It’s not the first time Briggs has been unhappy with a contract that he signed. He complained about a one-year, $7.2 million franchise tender in 2007, at one point claiming he’d never again for the Bears. He then signed his current contract with the Bears after becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2008.
Along the way, the Bears talked to the 49ers about a possible trade. The Bears accused the Niners of tampering when San Fran launched contract talks with Briggs. The league eventually agreed with the Bears, a rare case of the NFL acknowledging a common (but largely ignored) phenomenon.
Though Briggs has no legitimate basis for complaining about the back end of a veteran contract that he signed after hitting the open market (unlike a guy who is strapped with a slotted rookie deal), the Bears have only themselves to blame for signing Briggs to a six-year deal. They surely knew that, at some point, other linebackers would be getting larger contracts. And they should have realized that, at some point, Briggs was going to want more, again.
Birggs has missed the two most recent preseason games, with a bruised knee. He says that the injury and his desire for a new contract aren’t related.
Cutler didn't get sacked. O-line improving, little by little. War Mike Tice! lol
-Bears to release RB Chester Taylor
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...se-rb-chester-taylor-20110829,0,5799182.story
-Bears to release RB Chester Taylor
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...se-rb-chester-taylor-20110829,0,5799182.story
maybe. Still pre-season. I don't know who else at WR was out there available to them and if there were better choices or not for what they paid (which wasn't much), but time will tell. I know why they got him - williams knows mike martz system. we'll see how it plays out.
I agree with cutler putting up big numbers. One thing I've noticed this pre-season is he looks very comfortable in the pocket. He's not panicky like he sometimes was in the past. Very poised. That must mean he's trusting his o-line more.
I agree with cutler putting up big numbers. One thing I've noticed this pre-season is he looks very comfortable in the pocket. He's not panicky like he sometimes was in the past. Very poised. That must mean he's trusting his o-line more.
The Chicago Bears have waived defensive end Vernon Gholston(notes) and four other players.
Drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in 2008, Gholston was released in March after failing to record a sack in three seasons. He appeared in three preseason games with the Bears.
Also released on Monday were defensive tackle Tank Tyler(notes) and three undrafted rookie free agents—quarterback Trevor Vittatoe(notes), center J.C. Brignone(notes) and linebacker Tanner Antle(notes). With those moves, the Bears reached the roster limit of 80 ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. They must cut 27 more players by Saturday.
Running back Chester Taylor(notes) was still officially on the roster. His agent Ken Sarnoff did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in 2008, Gholston was released in March after failing to record a sack in three seasons. He appeared in three preseason games with the Bears.
Also released on Monday were defensive tackle Tank Tyler(notes) and three undrafted rookie free agents—quarterback Trevor Vittatoe(notes), center J.C. Brignone(notes) and linebacker Tanner Antle(notes). With those moves, the Bears reached the roster limit of 80 ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. They must cut 27 more players by Saturday.
Running back Chester Taylor(notes) was still officially on the roster. His agent Ken Sarnoff did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
NFL Lines For Week 1 - NFL Football Line Week One NFL Line 9/8 - 9/12, 2011
Date & Time Favorite Line Underdog Total
9/8 8:30 ET At Green Bay -4 New Orleans 47
9/11 1:00 ET At Baltimore -2.5 Pittsburgh 36.5
9/11 1:00 ET At Tampa Bay -2 Detroit 41
9/11 1:00 ET Atlanta -3 At Chicago 41
9/11 1:00 ET At Kansas City -6.5 Buffalo 40.5
9/11 1:00 ET At Houston -3 Indianapolis 46
9/11 1:00 ET Philadelphia -4.5 At St. Louis 43.5
9/11 1:00 ET At Cleveland -6.5 Cincinnati 36
9/11 1:00 ET At Jacksonville -3 Tennessee 38.5
9/11 4:15 ET NY Giants -3 At Washington 38
9/11 4:15 ET At Arizona -7 Carolina 36.5
9/11 4:15 ET At San Francisco -5.5 Seattle 38.5
9/11 4:15 ET At San Diego -9 Minnesota 41
9/11 8:25 ET At NY Jets -4.5 Dallas 41
Monday Night Football Line
9/12 7:00 ET New England -7 At Miami 45.5
9/12 10:15 ET At Denver -3 Oakland 40
Date & Time Favorite Line Underdog Total
9/8 8:30 ET At Green Bay -4 New Orleans 47
9/11 1:00 ET At Baltimore -2.5 Pittsburgh 36.5
9/11 1:00 ET At Tampa Bay -2 Detroit 41
9/11 1:00 ET Atlanta -3 At Chicago 41
9/11 1:00 ET At Kansas City -6.5 Buffalo 40.5
9/11 1:00 ET At Houston -3 Indianapolis 46
9/11 1:00 ET Philadelphia -4.5 At St. Louis 43.5
9/11 1:00 ET At Cleveland -6.5 Cincinnati 36
9/11 1:00 ET At Jacksonville -3 Tennessee 38.5
9/11 4:15 ET NY Giants -3 At Washington 38
9/11 4:15 ET At Arizona -7 Carolina 36.5
9/11 4:15 ET At San Francisco -5.5 Seattle 38.5
9/11 4:15 ET At San Diego -9 Minnesota 41
9/11 8:25 ET At NY Jets -4.5 Dallas 41
Monday Night Football Line
9/12 7:00 ET New England -7 At Miami 45.5
9/12 10:15 ET At Denver -3 Oakland 40