Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 12:23:03 GMT -6
3 reasons why Alshon Jeffery's suspension is actually good for the Bears
By: Bryan Perez | 59 minutes ago
Not all suspensions are created equal. In the case of Alshon Jeffery, his four-gamer will not hurt the Bears nearly as much as if a player of his caliber was on the shelf for a contender entering a do-or-die part of their schedule.
Instead, Chicago is wallowing in the cesspool of a 2-7 season where the most important goal for the rest of the year should be to develop young talent for a 2017, a season that will likely include a new head coach and starting quarterback.
Jeffery is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and while the Bears have the right to slap him with the franchise tag again, it’s highly unlikely that they will. The fifth-year pass-catcher wants to be paid like one of the NFL’s elite receivers, but his production this season has been more like a fringe go-to-guy than a truly special talent. Whether you want to blame the quarterback injuries or offensive play calling, his production is what it is.
Now comes the suspension, which when added to a year of sagging production combines for a worst-case scenario entering an offseason that was supposed to break the bank. Jeffery could be facing the reality of taking a one year prove-it deal from another team or a team-friendly multi-year deal from the Bears.
Ryan Pace’s strategy to use the franchise tag has paid off.
Cameron Meredith has a chance to prove he can be a go-to-guy
Without Jeffery in the lineup, second-year receiver Cameron Meredith now has a chance to be featured in the Bears’ passing game. He exploded after Kevin White’s ankle injury but has drifted back to insignificance the last three weeks (sans his hail mary catch).
Jeffery’s suspension will give the Bears an extended look at Meredith as one of the key starters. In theory, 2017 would include Meredith and White as the starting pass-catchers assuming Jeffery signs elsewhere. For the next four games, Chicago will get a rare opportunity to see into the future. If Meredith responds with some big games, Jeffery’s time as a Bears is all but over.
Will a sleeper rise to the occasion?
It usually takes an injury or suspension to give a back-end-of-the-roster guy a chance to get reps, and in this case, that player could be Josh Bellamy. He’s been productive when given the chance to play and his reps should drastically increase over the next month.
Jeffery’s absence may allow for rookie Daniel Braverman to get his first live action of the season, too. After being drafted in the seventh round, Braverman has spent his entire first year on the practice squad.
As the Bears’ front office starts looking toward 2017, Jeffery’s suspension gives them an advanced scouting report on the team’s ability to perform without him. As a result, the Bears will be able to make a smarter and more informed decision about his future this offseason.
