2018 Positional Battles at Bourbonnais
Jul 12, 2018 3:53:28 GMT -6
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Post by GrizzlyBear on Jul 12, 2018 3:53:28 GMT -6
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Positional Battles at Bourbonnais
By Alec Lifschultz - July 8, 2018
Hello Bears fans,
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me aside from the podcast. I’ve been taking it slow, waiting for this roster to build and also reading up on the undrafted free agents and veteran pick ups. Bears have done some serious overhauling of the roster, and with these kind of changes it creates positional battles to look for in camp. I will go over some of the battles that I am intrigued to begin seeing in a couple weeks when I head over the Bears camp in Bourbonnais IL.
Last year Mitch Unrein started opposite Akiem Hicks at the 3-4 defensive end spot in Vic Fangio’s defense. The departure of Unrein leaves a wide open opportunity for one of the younger guys on the roster to secure the starting role. Jonathan Bullard, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Bilal Nichols should have an intense battle for that position. Bullard has a very quick get off at the line of scrimmage, and that trait is what persuaded Ryan Pace draft him in the 3rd round out of Florida – the same year he chose Leonard Floyd in the first.
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me aside from the podcast. I’ve been taking it slow, waiting for this roster to build and also reading up on the undrafted free agents and veteran pick ups. Bears have done some serious overhauling of the roster, and with these kind of changes it creates positional battles to look for in camp. I will go over some of the battles that I am intrigued to begin seeing in a couple weeks when I head over the Bears camp in Bourbonnais IL.
Last year Mitch Unrein started opposite Akiem Hicks at the 3-4 defensive end spot in Vic Fangio’s defense. The departure of Unrein leaves a wide open opportunity for one of the younger guys on the roster to secure the starting role. Jonathan Bullard, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Bilal Nichols should have an intense battle for that position. Bullard has a very quick get off at the line of scrimmage, and that trait is what persuaded Ryan Pace draft him in the 3rd round out of Florida – the same year he chose Leonard Floyd in the first.
I thought Bullard would ascend into a starting role last season but Mitch Unrein kept him at bay. The 3rd season is typically when a mid round draft pick shows if they are going to be a starter in the league or just a special team or back up player.
Roy Robertson-Harris was always an interesting player to me because he was initially brought in to play outside linebacker for Vic Fangio. An undrafted player from UTEP, he was red shirted his first year in the league. Robertson-Harris came into camp last year with a significant amount of added weight to help to make the switch from outside linebacker to 3-4 defensive end.
Roy Robertson-Harris was always an interesting player to me because he was initially brought in to play outside linebacker for Vic Fangio. An undrafted player from UTEP, he was red shirted his first year in the league. Robertson-Harris came into camp last year with a significant amount of added weight to help to make the switch from outside linebacker to 3-4 defensive end.
He played impressively enough in the preseason to earn a final spot on the 53 man roster. Can Roy take the next step in year two at his new position?
Bilal Nichols was a player a lot of us didn’t see a lot of because Delaware games weren’t nationally televised or hyped up. I’ve watched Nichols in the East-West Shrine Game and he is very disruptive. Ryan Pace selected Bilal Nichols in the 5th round of the 2018 draft, and ironically him and Head coach Matt Nagy share the same alma mater.
Bilal Nichols was a player a lot of us didn’t see a lot of because Delaware games weren’t nationally televised or hyped up. I’ve watched Nichols in the East-West Shrine Game and he is very disruptive. Ryan Pace selected Bilal Nichols in the 5th round of the 2018 draft, and ironically him and Head coach Matt Nagy share the same alma mater.
Chicago Bears area scout Chris Prescott says Nichols is capable of playing every position in Fangio’s defensive line so we may see him spell nose tackle Eddie Goldman. But, Nichols earned his stripes playing defensive end at Delaware. I will look to see how he matches up against pro level offensive linemen, where he lines up most often and has the most success.
Matt Nagy has preached, “Every spot will be earned in camp.” That wasn’t gospel for the previous head coach. If John Fox had followed that approach the Chicago Bears probably would’ve won a few more games.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage there will be a battle at the left guard position. Eric Kush, James Daniels, and Jordan Morgan are the three players I will focus on. Kush was a Bears free agent acquisition after being cut by the Rams final 53 man roster a couple seasons ago. With the Rams he became well known on the HBO series Hard Knocks for his aggressive play and love of tank tops.
Matt Nagy has preached, “Every spot will be earned in camp.” That wasn’t gospel for the previous head coach. If John Fox had followed that approach the Chicago Bears probably would’ve won a few more games.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage there will be a battle at the left guard position. Eric Kush, James Daniels, and Jordan Morgan are the three players I will focus on. Kush was a Bears free agent acquisition after being cut by the Rams final 53 man roster a couple seasons ago. With the Rams he became well known on the HBO series Hard Knocks for his aggressive play and love of tank tops.
In 2016 he started a career-high four games and appeared in eight while relieving Kyle Long and Josh Sitton. His play earned him a two-year deal. Unfortunately, last August he tore his hamstring and was placed on Injured Reserve for the season.
Jordan Morgan is an interesting name to me because it appears every media outlet has him on the “pay no-mind” list. He’s like an enigma. I’ve often thought of his situation like the Roy Roberton-Harris one. Jordan Morgan was drafted in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft after playing for Kutztown University. He held his own in the Reese’s Senior Bowl with some of the nations best pass rushers.
Jordan Morgan is an interesting name to me because it appears every media outlet has him on the “pay no-mind” list. He’s like an enigma. I’ve often thought of his situation like the Roy Roberton-Harris one. Jordan Morgan was drafted in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft after playing for Kutztown University. He held his own in the Reese’s Senior Bowl with some of the nations best pass rushers.
He has good feet and long arms which served him well at the left tackle position. Harry Hiestand might earn a bonus on his paycheck if he can help Morgan with the transition from a Saturday small school dominating force to a big-time Sunday starter. Ryan Pace red shirted Jordan Morgan his rookie season with a “shoulder” injury.
There was a great debate in the BearsBarroom that caused a lot of divide and tension leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft. A lot of us were set on Quenton Nelson, the guard from Notre Dame with the 8th overrall pick. With Nelson off the board, Pace took arguably the best defensive player in the entire draft Roquan Smith. With the first of the two selections in the second round of the draft Pace went with offensive lineman James Daniels out of Iowa.
There was a great debate in the BearsBarroom that caused a lot of divide and tension leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft. A lot of us were set on Quenton Nelson, the guard from Notre Dame with the 8th overrall pick. With Nelson off the board, Pace took arguably the best defensive player in the entire draft Roquan Smith. With the first of the two selections in the second round of the draft Pace went with offensive lineman James Daniels out of Iowa.
Daniels possesses the talent and the upside to have been a mid first round pick. Iowa is as well known as any school to produce great offensive lineman for the NFL. The unique thing about Daniels is the fact he’s only 20 years old (will be 21 on 9/13/97) and was the best player at his school. He shows elite athleticism when getting to the second level and blocking linebackers, while also having great footwork holding his own at the interior lineman spot. He started at center for the Iowa Hawkeyes which is pretty unique for the best athlete on the offensive line. He runs well and finishes aggressively with blocks. It will be interesting to see him battle it out for the starting left guard position with the Chicago Bears.
My have the tables turned for the Chicago Bears with the wide receiver position. Last year, Cam Meredith was the best player in the receivers’ room last summer. No offense to Meredith, but he’s not a true number one wide receiver. The team would’ve looked a lot different last season if he was healthy, yes, but only because the next best receiver was Kendell Wright.
Pace aggressively attacked the position by signing Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel. Pace didn’t stop there, he traded back into the 2nd round to take Anthony Miller who was a favorite here at the Barroom. Javon Wims, the leading receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs was drafted in the 7th round. Last season un-drafted free agent Tanner Gentry struggled with getting off press coverage when playing under the lights, but the guy has talent which he displayed in camp last preseason. Josh Bellamy was brought back, but if he is anything aside from a special teamer than we are in serious trouble this year. Kevin White is back in the fold as well, a lot of people automatically throw him out because of his bad luck with injuries but he has the athleticism and upside to be a very serviceable starter in the NFL.
Allen Robinson is the clear cut number one wide receiver on the roster, and the only thing that can possibly change that is injury.
My have the tables turned for the Chicago Bears with the wide receiver position. Last year, Cam Meredith was the best player in the receivers’ room last summer. No offense to Meredith, but he’s not a true number one wide receiver. The team would’ve looked a lot different last season if he was healthy, yes, but only because the next best receiver was Kendell Wright.
Pace aggressively attacked the position by signing Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel. Pace didn’t stop there, he traded back into the 2nd round to take Anthony Miller who was a favorite here at the Barroom. Javon Wims, the leading receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs was drafted in the 7th round. Last season un-drafted free agent Tanner Gentry struggled with getting off press coverage when playing under the lights, but the guy has talent which he displayed in camp last preseason. Josh Bellamy was brought back, but if he is anything aside from a special teamer than we are in serious trouble this year. Kevin White is back in the fold as well, a lot of people automatically throw him out because of his bad luck with injuries but he has the athleticism and upside to be a very serviceable starter in the NFL.
Allen Robinson is the clear cut number one wide receiver on the roster, and the only thing that can possibly change that is injury.
He’s coming off an ACL tear but, reportedly, he is ahead of schedule and will be a hundred percent the first day of Training Camp. The battle comes in with the second and third receiver spots on the roster. Miller and White will probably be the guys who battle it out for the second spot. These two players have faced adversity faced plenty of adversity. Miller went from a walk on at Memphis to All-American wideout. There is not much he can’t do on the field at the position. He lined up all over the field and ran very crisp routes with sure hands and aggressiveness.
White is intriguing because he has the size and speed that fits in well with any NFL offense. If he’s been in the playbook and working as hard as his Instagram suggests, I see him coming into camp hungry and ready to earn a starting role.
Taylor Gabriel is exceptionally fast and a damn good route runner. He doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because last year the Falcons tried out a new offensive coordinator who must’ve been Dowell Loggains cousin or something. Matt Nagy will have a field day using Gabriel all over the field. A common misconception with Gabriel is that he’s just a “slot” receiver which couldn’t be further than the truth.
It would be a crying shame if he wasn’t split out wide and told to run a “go” route at least two to three times a game just to keep the safeties out of the box for Jordan Howard. I need to see some wide receiver screens and a Jet sweep or two just for this dynamic player.
Javon Wims, Tanner Gentry, and Josh Bellamy will battle it out for roster spots in the back end. Wims and Gentry could make Bellamy dispensable with good special teams play.
These Bourbonnais battles have me am very excited to see how things shape up. These will be fiery competitions and we’ll be reporting about them here at the Barroom.
Javon Wims, Tanner Gentry, and Josh Bellamy will battle it out for roster spots in the back end. Wims and Gentry could make Bellamy dispensable with good special teams play.
These Bourbonnais battles have me am very excited to see how things shape up. These will be fiery competitions and we’ll be reporting about them here at the Barroom.
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