Post by JABF on Dec 27, 2016 12:14:36 GMT -6
Good to see something positive this morning written about the Chicago Bears. I'm happy for this kid.
LINK
Future bright for Bears' wide receiver Cameron Meredith
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Somewhat lost in the wreckage of the Chicago Bears' 3-12 season is the emergence of receiver Cameron Meredith, who has a team-high 62 catches for 827 yards and four touchdowns.
Without question, franchise wideout Alshon Jeffery's numbers (51 receptions, 811 yards, two touchdowns) declined in part due to the four-game suspension he served for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Lately, though, Meredith has evolved into Matt Barkley's preferred target in Chicago's passing attack -- even when Jeffery is active.
Meredith's growth is impressive.
Last season Meredith, an undrafted free agent out of Illinois State, had a meager 11 receptions for 120 yards in 11 games.
Talk about an impressive increase in production in a short period of time. Meredith's 135-yard game against Washington was the fourth time the 24-year-old went over 100 receiving yards this season.
"I didn't really foresee [that kind of success] immediately," Meredith said Monday. "But I knew if I put the work in, put the hours in out there in the offseason, get the knowledge from the other guys, pick their brains, eventually I could become one of those great players like they are.
"I'm a person who likes to set minimal goals, one at a time, make this catch, and make a certain amount of catches. I've definitely set my goals. One by one I'm just trying to checking them off. I wanted to become a starter in the league. I got an opportunity to do that, so I can check that off the list. A thousand yards, getting close there. There are little step-by-steps to take to being a great player in this league. I'm just trying to take one week at a time."
Meredith figures to play a central role in Chicago's offseason planning.
The Bears have a major decision to make with Jeffery, who enters free agency barring another use of the franchise tag. Kevin White, the Bears' top pick in 2015, has played in just four regular-season games since the Bears took him No. 7 overall. Veteran Eddie Royal, on injured reserve after another disappointing season, is out of guaranteed money and supposed to earn $5 million in 2017.
Right now, Meredith appears to be the only receiver the Bears can count on next summer.
"[To take the next step] I just take it one day at a time, getting better, building off the momentum, finishing off this year," Meredith said. "I definitely want to increase my play speed and stuff like that. I think with the experience taken from this year, I can carry it over in training camp and use that next year."
Future bright for Bears' wide receiver Cameron Meredith
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Somewhat lost in the wreckage of the Chicago Bears' 3-12 season is the emergence of receiver Cameron Meredith, who has a team-high 62 catches for 827 yards and four touchdowns.
Without question, franchise wideout Alshon Jeffery's numbers (51 receptions, 811 yards, two touchdowns) declined in part due to the four-game suspension he served for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Lately, though, Meredith has evolved into Matt Barkley's preferred target in Chicago's passing attack -- even when Jeffery is active.
Meredith's growth is impressive.
Last season Meredith, an undrafted free agent out of Illinois State, had a meager 11 receptions for 120 yards in 11 games.
Talk about an impressive increase in production in a short period of time. Meredith's 135-yard game against Washington was the fourth time the 24-year-old went over 100 receiving yards this season.
"I didn't really foresee [that kind of success] immediately," Meredith said Monday. "But I knew if I put the work in, put the hours in out there in the offseason, get the knowledge from the other guys, pick their brains, eventually I could become one of those great players like they are.
"I'm a person who likes to set minimal goals, one at a time, make this catch, and make a certain amount of catches. I've definitely set my goals. One by one I'm just trying to checking them off. I wanted to become a starter in the league. I got an opportunity to do that, so I can check that off the list. A thousand yards, getting close there. There are little step-by-steps to take to being a great player in this league. I'm just trying to take one week at a time."
Meredith figures to play a central role in Chicago's offseason planning.
The Bears have a major decision to make with Jeffery, who enters free agency barring another use of the franchise tag. Kevin White, the Bears' top pick in 2015, has played in just four regular-season games since the Bears took him No. 7 overall. Veteran Eddie Royal, on injured reserve after another disappointing season, is out of guaranteed money and supposed to earn $5 million in 2017.
Right now, Meredith appears to be the only receiver the Bears can count on next summer.
"[To take the next step] I just take it one day at a time, getting better, building off the momentum, finishing off this year," Meredith said. "I definitely want to increase my play speed and stuff like that. I think with the experience taken from this year, I can carry it over in training camp and use that next year."
