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Depth Added: Bears Land Defensive Tackle Price From Tampa Bay

26th July 2012 by under Bears News     

The Bears reportedly acquired defensive tackle Brian Price today from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 2013 seventh-round draft pick. The trade is pending a physical, of course.

Price was a second-round pick out of UCLA in 2010. He appeared in 20 games, making 14 starts in two seasons with the Buccaneers.

He made 24 tackles and three sacks last season as a starter at defensive tackle.

At 6’1″ and 303 lbs, Price becomes the 90th player on the Bears’ roster.

He could earn a roster spot due to his experience with a similar defensive scheme in Tampa Bay.

DT Matt Toeaina from before practice: ‘I feel confident with what we have, [but] we might need a little more depth at defensive tackle.’

— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) July 26, 2012

Price reportedly has somewhat of a mean streak. During an offseason program in June, Price punched rookie safety Mark Barron multiple times in the face.

Barron was bleeding after teammates broke the altercation up, and Price was excused from Bucs minicamp a couple weeks later because of it.

His older sister died in a car accident in May, and his two brothers were killed during his childhood as well. So, he’s dealt with some serious issues, and his agent, Charles Price (no relation to Brian), said it took a toll on him [Price] this offseason.

The other issue that is lingering with Price is his health. He had two offseason surgeries aimed at keeping his hamstrings attached to his pelvis, according to the LA Times.

His agent said this about his health a couple of days ago:

Physically, he’s ready to go. He is still working through tremendous amounts of scar tissue that, when they bump up against the sciatic nerve, send sensations throughout the body. For at least another year, there are always going to be lingering issues from the procedures that he’s had to have done.

Could the fresh start in Chicago help Price get back to his steady play? We’ll just have to wait and see.

The move is certainly not a big risk. Trading away a late-round pick for a guy who is filled with potential is a no brainer.

If anyone can get the best out of Price, it would be the Bears defensive coordinator, Rod Marinelli.

Marinelli continues to help the Bears defensive line improve each season he’s been in town.

Price will have to stay healthy to have a shot at the 53-man roster come late August.

Jake Perperis the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Training Camp Thoughts: Hester, Knox, Urlacher and Cutler

25th July 2012 by under Bears News     

Today Bears players went through physicals and conditioning tests in Bourbonnais.

WR/KR Devin Hester had lots to say about his plans for the upcoming season with the offense.

The speedy return man and receiver will have a package geared towards his strengths this season in Mike Tice’s offense.

My biggest thing is when I catch the ball, (I want to) accelerate and make guys miss, Hester said via ESPNChicago.com. That’s my biggest goal this year: when I get my hands on the ball I want to just explode out and I want to make two or three guys miss before I go down. If it’s only two out there, then I want to score.

WR Johnny Knox wasn’t expected to contribute this season due to the devastating vertebra injury he suffered last year. The Bears announced today that Knox will start training camp on the active physically-unable-to-perform list.

While being on the active the PUP, he can be activated at any time to start camp. If he starts the season on PUP, which seems likely as of now, he will have to miss the first six weeks.

Honestly, (there have) been days where I’ve been down, Knox said via ESPNChicago.com. But for the most part, I always stay positive, stay motivated. That’s why I’m out here today getting better. It means a lot to me (to be around teammates). Even though I’m injured, I’m so excited to come down here and be around the guys all day, every day, and just focus on just strictly rehabbing.

LB Brian Urlacher is making it known that he is ready to go this season and that his knee won’t be a problem. He seems to be excited for what’s to come this season.

I think we have the talent now to reach our expectations, he said via Chicagotribune.com. We always say it, but I really think we can do it this year.  We added Brandon Marshall, Michael Bush. Our defense is healthy again, which is a big deal for us. Jay (Cutler) is back healthy.

Lastly, QB Jay Cutler feels very comfortable with Mike Tice and Jeremy Bates running the show.

The addition of WR Brandon Marshall and the return of a healthy and happy RB Matt Forte will only help the entire offense.

Tice’s sole objective is to put guys in position to be successful, Cutler said via Chicagotribune.com. He wants to attack defenses and do it smartly, but find ways where we can put our best player against one of their worst players. And that’s something we’re going to strive to do week-in and week-out.

Everyone’s comfortable, Cutler said. Obviously, there’s still a lot of work to do with training camp. We need to take that next step as an offense.’

More news to come Thursday when the Bears practice for the first time this training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbannais.

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Memories Of A Star: Happy 58th Birthday To Bears Great Walter Payton

25th July 2012 by under Bears News     

Bears great Walter Payton would have turned 58 today.

Unfortunately he was lost too soon 12 years ago at age 46. He lost his battle to bio-duct cancer.

He spent all of his NFL seasons (13) with the Chicago Bears and missed only one game.

He was a star on and off the field. The Bears haven’t had a consistent runner since Payton.

Neal Anderson (1986-1993), Thomas Jones (2004-2006) and Matt Forte (2008-present) have had their moments.

Forte could be the longest tenured running back with the Bears since Payton if he stays healthy over the next four years.

Payton was ranked as the fifth best player of all-time by NFL.com.

Author Jeff Pearlman wrote Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton last November. A lot of controversy came from the book.

It was a great read in my mind. If you have any time to pick up a book this summer make sure you read Pearlman’s Sweetness.

Pearlman thinks Payton should be remembered exactly like this.

Iconic. Strong-willed. Determined. Stubborn. Mostly, human. He had tough times, like we all do. But he fought and fought through them. I like to think of him at the end of his life, when he was dying but refused to tell people how dire it was. He convinced people he was holding a pager, one buzz away from a new liver. Was never true—he had cancer, and the liver would never come. Yet the man continued to do public service announcements about organ donations, because he understood the different he could make. To hell with Jim Brown or tearing up the Vikings for 275—that’s courage. I don’t think it’ll change perceptions, so much as educate and, hopefully, enlighten.

When asking Pearlman why he chose to write a book about Walter Payton, he had this to say to me.

When Walter was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, he talked about placing fourth in the 1975 Heisman voting. He placed 14th. He had the most famous nickname in football (Sweetness), yet nobody knew where it came from. Just a riveting, unique, enigmatic man.

We should all remember Walter as the great player and person he was.

Lets celebrate his 58th birthday the way he would want to, in Bourbonnais at the start of training camp.

 

Otis Wilson talks about the 85′ Bears and the trip to the White House last year.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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2012 Bears Training Camp Preview: Secondary

24th July 2012 by under 2012-2013 Schedule, Bears News     

The Bears’ secondary stayed relatively healthy last season. Charles Tillman was voted to his first Pro Bowl after posting yet another solid season.

Tim Jennings proved to be a consistent tackler and tough coverage man. He let a couple of interceptions slip out of his hands.

That’s something that he has to improve in order to keep his starting job.

D.J. Moore posted his second straight season with four interceptions, despite only appearing in13 games due to an ankle injury.

Corey Graham signed with Baltimore this off-season, so the Bears brought in veterans Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite.

Major Wright and Chris Conte performed pretty well as starters in the secondary. Conte will have to learn to be even more consistent in his second season.

The Bears added Brandon Hardin in the third round out of Oregon State. Don’t be shocked if he is a starter at some point this season.

Veteran Craig Steltz was signed back for his contributions on special teams and for stopping the run. Anthony Walters will have to hold off undrafted rookies Jeremy Jones and Trevor Coston to stay on the team once again.

Here are the career stats for each cornerback on the Bears’ current roster.

Charles Tillman: (130 games, 126 starts), 731 tackles, 30 interceptions, 28 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and three sacks.

Tim Jennings: (85 games, 49 starts), 294 tackles, seven interceptions, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

D.J. Moore: (32 games, one start), 86 tackles, eight interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack.

Kelvin Hayden: (85 games, 47 starts), 322 tackles, 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Jonathan Wilhite: (53 games, 15 starts), 121 tackles, four interceptions, one fumble recovery and two sacks.

Cornelius Brown: 10 games and 24 tackles.

Isiah Frey, Greg McCoy: n/a.

Here are the career stats for each safety on the Bears’ current roster.

Major Wright: (23 games, 10 starts), 81 tackles and three interceptions.

Chris Conte: (14 games, nine starts), 30 tackles and one interception.

Craig Steltz: (48 games, seven starts), 87 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles and one sack.

Anthony Walters: four games and one tackle.

Brandon Hardin, Jeremy Jones, Trevor Coston: n/a.

Major Wright has to stay healthy in order for this secondary to live up to its potential. Chris Contemissed a couple games at the end of the last season as well.

Regardless, he just needs to add some muscle. Hardin is a bigger body at 6’2″, so he could replaceConte or Wright at any point if one or the other struggles.

Craig Steltz will be used sparingly as a safety in the box to stop the run.

Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings and D.J. Moore again project as the starters at cornerback. Kelvin Hayden needs to stay healthy to earn a roster spot.

Jonathan Wilhite will need to show more consistency, because during his time in New England and Denver, he was all over the place.

Cornelius Brown and rookies Isiah Frey and Greg McCoy will likely battle for one or two spots on special teams.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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2012 Bears Training Camp Preview: Defensive Line

23rd July 2012 by under 2012-2013 Schedule, Bears News     

The Bears‘ defensive line was pretty solid at times last season. They didn’t get consistent pressure, but they were one of the better units in the NFL.

Defensive end Julius Peppers racked up 11 sacks, while defensive tackle Henry Melton added seven sacks in his first season as a starter.

Defensive end Israel Idonije contributed five sacks. Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye recorded four sacks, but was not re-signed this offseason.

Rookie Stephen Paea added two sacks and will likely take over the role that Okoye had in 2011.

Chauncey Davis appeared in six games adding one sack after signing halfway through the season.

No defensive tackles were added through the draft and to be honest the depth isn’t great at the position.

Shea McClellin was chosen out of Boise State in the first round by the Bears and should make an instant impact for this defense.

The entire line should be better with the addition of McClellin and maturation of Melton and Paea.

Here are the career stats for each defensive lineman on the Bears’ current roster.

Defensive end:

Julius Peppers: (154 games, 152 starts), 391 tackles, 100 sacks, eight interceptions, 37 forced fumbles.

Israel Idonije: (118 games, 39 starts), 167 tackles, 21 sacks, seven forced fumbles.

Shea McClellin: N/A.

Corey Wootton: 13 games, six tackles, one sack.

Chauncey Davis: (102 games, 25 starts), 148 tackles, 11 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries.

Thaddeus Gibson: Four games.

Cheta Ozougwu: N/A.

Projected starters: Peppers, Idonije.

Projected bench: McClellin, Wootton, Davis

Defensive tackle:

Henry Melton: (31 games, 15 starts), 28 tackles, 9.5 sacks.

Matt Toeaina:  (34 games, 22 starts) 28 tackles, two sacks.

Stephen Paea: 10 games, eight tackles, two sacks.

DeMario Pressley: Eight games, 18 tackles.

John McCargo: (44 games, one start), 34 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble.

Nate Collins: 13 games, 0.5 sacks.

Ronnie Cameron, Jordan Miller: N/A.

Projected starters: Melton, Toeaina.

Projected bench: Paea

The good thing about this line is that their versatile. Starters Melton, Idonije and Peppers can play multiple positions.

Peppers moved inside on many occasions a season ago. Melton moved outside often as well.

With the addition of McClellin expect to see Idonije move inside, especially on the third downs.

The depth at defensive end is better than last year. Davis proved to be a solid end in his short time with the team.

Wootton is back and healthy and has much to prove. Peppers, Idonije and McClellin could be one of the better trios in the league.

At defensive tackle, Henry Melton leads the way once again, with nose tackle Matt Toeaina alongside him.

Stephen Paea will be asked to contribute often. It will be interesting to see if the Bears decide to keep a fourth defensive tackle.

Veterans McCargo and Pressley were signed to one-year deals. The Bears could opt to keep one of them or go with a younger tackles like Miller or Cameron.

Training camp will help sort out the depth at both defensive tackle and defensive end.

Next Up: Linebacker Position

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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2012 Bears Training Camp Preview: Offensive Line

21st July 2012 by under 2012-2013 Schedule, Bears News     

The Chicago Bears‘ offensive line certainly hasn’t been steady the past couple of seasons.

ESPN analyzed that the Bears allowed a sack every 10.5 dropbacks over the past two seasons. The Arizona Cardinals were second worst with one sack every 12 dropbacks.

The line also ranked 30th in the league when it came to runs up the middle. They averaged only 3.3 yards per rush up the middle.

They had success running to the left or right side, averaging 5.0 yards per rush.

Despite all the criticism against the unit, they weren’t as bad in 2011 as you may think. In Jay Cutler‘s final five games of the season, he was sacked only five times.

They were on pace to allow 37 sacks for the season, which isn’t fantastic, but is a big improvement over the 56 sacks allowed in 2010.

With Cutler out, the line struggled. J’Marcus Webb had problems with penalties and protection. Lance Louis was up and down. The season-ending injuries to Chris Williams and Gabe Carimi really plagued the offense.

No additions were made through the draft, but the Bears added veteran guard Chilo Rachal. Rachal adds depth at the interior position.

The Bears allowed 49 sacks a year ago, but the unit did help pave the way for the running backs leading to over 2,000 yards rushing.

Here are the career stats for each offensive lineman on the Bears’ current roster.

Tackles: J’Marcus Webb (30 games, 28 starts), Chris Williams (47 games, 38 starts), Gabe Carimi (two games, two starts), Cory Brandon (n/a), James Brown (n/a), A.J. Greene (n/a), Tyler Hendrickson (n/a).

Guards/Centers: Roberto Garza (162 games, 132 starts), Chris Spencer (96 games, 84 starts), Edwin Wiliams (17 games, five starts)

Guards: Lance Louis (30 games, 17 starts), Chilo Rachal (55 games, 38 starts), Ricky Henry (n/a), Nick Pieschel (n/a).

Projected starting line: LT J’Marcus Webb, LG Chris Spencer, C Roberto Garza, RG Lance Louis, RT Gabe Carimi.

Projected bench: T Chris Williams, G Edwin Williams.

Twelve-year veteran Roberto Garza anchors the offense at center for the second straight season. He did a solid job of taking over for longtime Bear Olin Kreutz.

Chris Spencer should man the left guard position, while Louis will fight off Edwin Williams and Chilo Rachal at the right guard position.

Gabe Carimi started two games a season ago as a rookie before being lost for the season with a knee injury. He is back and healthy, so he should be one of the better linemen on the team.

Offensive coordinator Mike Tice made it a point to give LT J’Marcus Webb competition this offseason. He moved Chris Williams from left guard back to the position the Bears drafted him at, left tackle.

The battle between Webb and Williams should go well into training camp. Don’t be surprised if Williams wins the battle. Tice just wants to get Webb inspired in his third season in the league.

Tim Holt was hired to coach the offensive line, so expect him and Tice to aim to improve consistency on the line.

Will they allow more or less than 49 sacks?

It’s too early to know, but one thing is for sure: The return of a healthy Gabe Carimi and Chris Williams will only help.

Expect the Bears to stash away T James Brown on the practice squad this season. He was ranked as the second highest undrafted rookie by ESPN’s Mel Kiper.

The 2012 season could come down to the success up front with the offensive line. If Jay Cutler is running for his life, the Bears could be in for a long year.

We’ll find out rather quickly if this line has what it takes to be good enough.

Next Up: Defensive Line

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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2012 Bears Training Camp Preview: Tight End Position

20th July 2012 by under 2012-2013 Schedule, Bears News     

The Bears‘ tight end production dropped last season after the departure of former first-round pick Greg Olsen.

Olsen fell out of favor in Mike Martz’s offense. Despite Martz being replaced by Mike Tice this offseason, Olsen would have likely demanded a contract with an annual salary of $6 million-plus.

He was a nice weapon for Cutler, but the Bears likely couldn’t afford him. Maybe it was a good idea to get something in return when they traded him to Carolina last offseason.

Kellen Davis led the team with five touchdowns. He also led all Bears tight ends with 206 yards. He proved to be a very dangerous red-zone threat.

Matt Spaeth was a solid blocker in his first season in the Windy City. He also added two receiving touchdowns.

Undrafted rookie Kyle Adams appeared in eight games, but suffered a season-ending hamstring injury on Nov. 9.

The Bears selected Evan Rodriguez in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He compares himself to Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. If he can play anything like Hernandez, that would be a big boost for the Bears.

Here are the career stats for each tight end on the Bears’ current roster.

Kellen Davis: 64 career games (20 starts), 28 receptions, 300 yards, nine touchdowns, 10.4 YPR

Matt Spaeth: 75 career games (47 starts), 43 receptions, 325 yards, seven touchdowns, 7.6 YPR

Kyle Adams: eight career games.

Evan Rodriguez, Draylen Ross, Brandon Venson: N/A.

With Mike Tice running the offense, the tight end production will likely increase, but can Kellen Davis improve his game? He improved as a blocker last season—that was evident.

The former college defensive end has the size and strength to be a very solid No. 1 tight end. He re-signed this offseason even after the Steelers and Cowboys looked at him.

Will he be able to join the elite? That remains to be seen.

Spaeth will continue to be the Bears’ top blocking tight end. He will have certain plays designed for him in goal-line packages.

Rookie Evan Rodriguez will contribute at fullback, tight end and even wide receiver. He is the most athletic tight end they’ve had since Greg Olsen. Expect him to surprise some people around the league by season’s end.

The Bears were high on Kyle Adams a season ago, but he might not be able to stick with three tight ends ahead of him. It all depends on if the Bears view him as a valuable asset to the team.

The tight end group isn’t great, but the Bears are a running team and Davis and Spaeth are solid blockers. Tice will help boost the production with these tight ends.

Next Up: Offensive Line

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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2012 Bears Training Camp Preview: Wide Receiver Position

19th July 2012 by under 2012-2013 Schedule, Bears News     

The Bears have struggled to find talent at the wide receiver position lately. The team hasn’t had a receiver record 1,000 yards receiving since Marty Booker posted 1,000+ yards in 2002.

Running back Matt Forte led the team in receptions with 52, while Johnny Knox and Roy Williams tied for second on the team with 37.

Neither Knox or Williams will be on the Bears roster this season. Williams wasn’t re-signed and Knox is still recovering from a vertebra injury that he suffered in Week 15 last season.

Knox will likely spend the season on the injured reserve hoping to recover from that devastating injury.

Earl Bennett reeled in 381 yards and one touchdown, while Devin Hester added 369 yards and one touchdown.

Undrafted rookie Dane Sanzenbacher led all Bears receivers with three touchdowns, while reeling in 276 yards on 27 receptions.

The unit was definitely inconsistent a season ago, but, with the additions of Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffery, they could be much improved.

Here are the career stats for each wide receiver on the Bears current roster.

Brandon Marshall: 91 career games (75 starts), 494 receptions, 6,247 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12.6 ypr.

Earl Bennett: 51 career games (22 starts), 124 receptions, 1,659 yards, six touchdowns and 13.4 ypr.

Devin Hester: 60 career games (41 starts), 194 receptions, 2,565 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13.2 ypr.

Eric Weems: 54 career games (six starts), 24 receptions, 205 yards, two touchdowns and 8.5 ypr.

Devin Thomas: 55 career games (11 starts), 43 receptions, 482 yards, three touchdowns and 11.2 ypr.

Dane Sanzenbacher: 16 career games (one start), 27 receptions, 276 yards, three touchdowns and 10.2 ypr.

Alshon Jeffery, Brittan Golden, Terriun Crump, Joseph Anderson, Chris Summers: N/A.

Marshall has five straight seasons with 1,000+ yards and his two best seasons (07, 08) came in Denver with Cutler leading the offense.

He will be looked upon to be the go-to receiver for the Bears. Cutler and him have always had great chemistry together so that will only help.

Earl Bennett could have his biggest season with the focus on Marshall in the passing game.

Hester will be used mainly on punts and kicks, but he will be utilized in his own package on offense.

Rookie Alshon Jeffery won’t come in right away and be a stud wide receiver, but he will progress as the season goes on. He will likely learn a lot from Marshall who has a similar frame.

Eric Weems will contribute mostly on special teams, but could see time in the slot.

Like mentioned Wednesday with the running backs, it could be a numbers game here at wide receiver.

Dane Sanzenbacher, Devin Thomas and Brittan Golden will likely battle for the sixth receiver spot if the Bears opt to keep six.

Sanzenbacher was impressive at times last season, but isn’t a special teams player. Thomas has been up and down so far through his career at receiver, but is a big target and can contribute on special teams.

Golden is an undrafted receiver from Texas A&M who is a longshot to make the roster, but he has the speed and hands to be a legitimate threat on any NFL team. He could be stashed away on the practice squad.

The Bears should be excited about the wide receiver position they have in place. The offense has improved its talent on the field greatly.

Next Up: Tight End Position

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Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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2012 Bears Training Camp Preview: Running Back Position

18th July 2012 by under 2012-2013 Schedule, Bears News     

The Bears have always had a good core of running backs. Last season, Matt Forte put up impressive numbers until his Week 13 season-ending injury.

He rushed 203 times for 997 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 4.9 ypc. He also reeled in 52 receptions for 490 yards and one touchdown in 12 games.

He was re-signed to a four-year deal on Monday and now the Bears training camp can start next week with no big distractions.

Veteran back Marion Barber added six touchdowns and 422 yards as the No. 2 back last season. But he made too many mistakes in a big game against Denver to stick around.

He decided to retire this off-season, so the Bears replaced him with Michael Bush.

Bush was signed to a four-year deal worth $14 million with $7 million guaranteed back in March when free agency opened up.

Last season, Bush excelled, appearing in all 16 games and making nine starts. He carried the ball 256 times for 977 yards and seven touchdowns.

He will be a perfect complement to Forte. Bush is a hard nose runner who will definitely get his chances in red zone situations.

Don’t be shocked to see both Forte and Bush on the field more often than not.

Forte tweeted this the day Bush was signed: “for the record I’m not mad at the signing of another running back. This is the 4th time that’s happened. I embrace competition as well as help.”

Kahlil Bell flashed some promise in three starts at the end of the season, rushing for 240 yards and reeling in his first career touchdown pass.

Even rookie Armando Allen got a chance to showcase his abilities. He added 40 yards on 11 carries in a Week 16 matchup with Green Bay.

Here are the career stats for each running back on the Bears current roster.

Matt Forte: 60 career games (all starts), 4,233 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns, 4.2 ypc,  1,985 receiving yards, eight touchdowns and 8.9 ypr.

Michael Bush: 61 career games (16 starts), 2,643 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns, 4.2 ypc, 879 receiving yards, one touchdown and 9.7 ypr.

Kahlil Bell: 20 career games (three starts), 557 rushing yards, 4.7 ypc, 137 receiving yards, one touchdown and 7.0 ypr.

Armando Allen: Two career games, 48 rushing yards, 3.2 ypc.

Lorenzo Booker: 36 career games (two starts), 230 rushing yards, 3.8 ypc, 362 receiving yards and 7.7 ypr.

Harvey Unga: N/A

Tyler Clutts (FB): 15 career games (seven starts), 48 receiving yards, 6.0 ypc.

The running back position was certainly not a position of weakness for the Bears last season. But this season their core could be one of the best in the league if they stay healthy.

Forte, Bush and Bell project as the top three backs while it’s a question mark if the Bears decide to keep four backs.

Will they keep promising speed back Armando Allen or will they opt to go with recently signed Lorenzo Booker whose a solid receiver out of the backfield.

They could also decide to keep former seventh-round supplemental draft pick Harvey Unga or Tyler Clutts.

Clutts is purely a fullback, while Unga could play both running back and fullback.

It will be interesting to see who they keep. It could come down to how many players they keep at wide receiver and tight end.

Don’t expect the Bears to keep more than three running backs this season. If they do I’d say Allen or Unga have the best chance to take the fourth spot.

This should be a good position to watch all through training camp. Bears running back coach Tim Spencer should be pleased with the 2012 talent in the backfield.

Next up: Wide Receiver Position

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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2012 Bears Training Camp Preview: Quarterback Position

16th July 2012 by under 2012-2013 Schedule, Bears News     

The Bears quarterback depth was shaky to say the least last season.

Jay Cutler suffered a season-ending thumb injury in Week 11 against San Diego and their wasn’t much help behind him.

Caleb Hanie was pretty awful and Josh McCown did okay considering he was coaching high school football for most of the season prior to coming to Chicago.

The question every year at each position is did the team improve its depth behind its star players.

This year the Bears went out and got a very good No. 2 quarterback in free agency.

Jason Campbell signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million back in March. He provides the Bears with a great option off the bench just in case Jay Cutler suffers an injury.

The 30-year old Campbell could easily be starting in the NFL right now.

They also re-signed Josh McCown who showed poise in some games late in the season. He will make roughly $825,000 for the season.

Here are the career stats for each quarterback on the Bears current roster.

Jay Cutler: 78 career games (all starts), 18,283 yards, 117 touchdowns, 86 interceptions, 84.9 QB rating and a 61.1 completion percentage.

Jason Campbell: 71 career games (70 starts), 14,417 yards, 74 touchdowns, 50 interceptions, 82.8 QB rating and a 60.6 completion percentage.

Josh McCown: 52 career games (33 starts) , 6.998 yards, 37 touchdowns, 44 interceptions, 71.2 QB rating and a 58.0 completion percentage.

Also, undrafted rookie Matt Blanchard from Wisconsin-Whitewater is listed on the roster. He could make the team through the practice squad.

Overall the Bears should be happier this year about their depth at the quarterback position. They haven’t been this talented since arguably 2006, when they had Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton and Brian Griese under center.

The Bears should feel comfortable starting any one of the quarterbacks above.

Cutler has shown some durability issues the past two seasons, but with legitimate competition it could push him to be in the best shape of his career.

Next up: Running Back Position

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

 

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