Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2016 16:14:53 GMT -6
Bears receivers fighting for their livelihoods as preseason concludes
Dan WiedererContact ReporterChicago Tribune
When the Bears reported to training camp five weeks ago in Bourbonnais, Josh Bellamy cruised onto campus on a hoverboard, flashing his effervescent smile and wearing, yes, a Josh Bellamy T-shirt.
No, Bellamy insisted, this wasn't some egocentric stunt from a player seeking camera time. It was merely an infusion of fun, a display of confidence from a young receiver celebrating the arrival of "sauce season."
Wait … Sauce season?
"Sauce season is swag season, man," Bellamy explained. "It's turn-up time. It's time to take it to another level. Basically, it's time to swag out."
The Gregorian calendar doesn't offer a date range for sauce season. But it's safe to say Thursday night's preseason finale against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland will offer a taste test.
As major roster decisions loom for the Bears, Bellamy finds himself in the middle of one of the most intriguing subplots.
By 3 p.m. Saturday, the Bears will cut their roster from 75 players to 53. In all likelihood, general manager Ryan Pace will keep a half-dozen receivers. And with Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White already Sharpied into the depth chart, that leaves eight other receivers competing for four spots.
The competition has been energized for much of the summer, with Eddie Royal and Marc Mariani insisting this has been the most talented, competitive and cohesive group of receivers they've been a part of.
If only they all could stick around …
"I'm encouraging Mr. Pace to keep nine or 10 of us," Mariani cracked. "But none of us are naive to the situation."
That's part of what will give Thursday night its edge with so many players fighting for their livelihoods.
Second-year receiver Cameron Meredith acknowledges the stakes, with pressure so intense it can prove distracting. Two weeks ago, Meredith admits, he found himself pushing so hard to make every snap count that he wasn't playing within himself. Then last weekend, he found his groove against the Chiefs, recorded four catches and 64 yards and scored the Bears' only touchdown.
"I try to make plays when they come my way," Meredith said. "I was in this position last year, fighting for my spot. From here, the ball is in God's court."
Now comes one last exam in Cleveland, one last chance for players to deliver closing arguments on their August performances.
"This game is so physically challenging. But what people forget is how mentally exhausting it is as well," Mariani said. "We're constantly being evaluated. And now with every team in the league, it's crunch time."
Royal seems probable to make the team, even after suffering a concussion Aug. 1 that prevented him from playing in the first three exhibition games.
Marquess Wilson? He's likely to retain his physically-unable-to-perform designation into the regular season as he recovers from a summer foot injury.
Daniel Braverman? The diminutive rookie turned heads with his competitiveness and savvy over the last month but still seems destined for the practice squad.
Bellamy has a team-high 10 receptions this preseason. And that doesn't include a saucy 6-yard touchdown grab against the Chiefs that was negated by a Braverman penalty.
Still, Bellamy is in his fifth season and has been on the roster bubble for five straight Augusts.
In 2012, as an undrafted rookie with the Chiefs, he was out to eat with teammate Dwayne Bowe when the final cut deadline passed. Bellamy's phone had stayed splendidly silent.
"Bowe was like, 'Hey man, you made it! They haven't called you. It's 6:30 (p.m.)'" Bellamy said. "Then I get a call at 6:35."
After being cut, Bellamy found his safety net on the Chiefs practice squad but later bounced through San Diego and Washington on the way to Chicago. So it's no wonder he always appreciates the magnitude of the preseason finale.
"A lot of emotion goes into this game," Bellamy said. "And for so many guys, this could be their make-it game or their break-it game. But sometimes, guys can let the emotions get the best of them."
Focus, Bellamy has learned, remains paramount. Two years ago, in fact, right there in Cleveland, he shined, making four catches for 78 yards and convincing then-GM Phil Emery to keep him.
Bellamy seems positioned to win a roster spot again this weekend. But Thursday night, he knows, he'll need to get cooking.
"Baby, I don't know what kind of sauce we're boiling up," Bellamy said. "But it's going to be good. It has to be big."
dwiederer@chicagotribune.com
Dan WiedererContact ReporterChicago Tribune
When the Bears reported to training camp five weeks ago in Bourbonnais, Josh Bellamy cruised onto campus on a hoverboard, flashing his effervescent smile and wearing, yes, a Josh Bellamy T-shirt.
No, Bellamy insisted, this wasn't some egocentric stunt from a player seeking camera time. It was merely an infusion of fun, a display of confidence from a young receiver celebrating the arrival of "sauce season."
Wait … Sauce season?
"Sauce season is swag season, man," Bellamy explained. "It's turn-up time. It's time to take it to another level. Basically, it's time to swag out."
The Gregorian calendar doesn't offer a date range for sauce season. But it's safe to say Thursday night's preseason finale against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland will offer a taste test.
As major roster decisions loom for the Bears, Bellamy finds himself in the middle of one of the most intriguing subplots.
By 3 p.m. Saturday, the Bears will cut their roster from 75 players to 53. In all likelihood, general manager Ryan Pace will keep a half-dozen receivers. And with Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White already Sharpied into the depth chart, that leaves eight other receivers competing for four spots.
The competition has been energized for much of the summer, with Eddie Royal and Marc Mariani insisting this has been the most talented, competitive and cohesive group of receivers they've been a part of.
If only they all could stick around …
"I'm encouraging Mr. Pace to keep nine or 10 of us," Mariani cracked. "But none of us are naive to the situation."
That's part of what will give Thursday night its edge with so many players fighting for their livelihoods.
Second-year receiver Cameron Meredith acknowledges the stakes, with pressure so intense it can prove distracting. Two weeks ago, Meredith admits, he found himself pushing so hard to make every snap count that he wasn't playing within himself. Then last weekend, he found his groove against the Chiefs, recorded four catches and 64 yards and scored the Bears' only touchdown.
"I try to make plays when they come my way," Meredith said. "I was in this position last year, fighting for my spot. From here, the ball is in God's court."
Now comes one last exam in Cleveland, one last chance for players to deliver closing arguments on their August performances.
"This game is so physically challenging. But what people forget is how mentally exhausting it is as well," Mariani said. "We're constantly being evaluated. And now with every team in the league, it's crunch time."
Royal seems probable to make the team, even after suffering a concussion Aug. 1 that prevented him from playing in the first three exhibition games.
Marquess Wilson? He's likely to retain his physically-unable-to-perform designation into the regular season as he recovers from a summer foot injury.
Daniel Braverman? The diminutive rookie turned heads with his competitiveness and savvy over the last month but still seems destined for the practice squad.
Bellamy has a team-high 10 receptions this preseason. And that doesn't include a saucy 6-yard touchdown grab against the Chiefs that was negated by a Braverman penalty.
Still, Bellamy is in his fifth season and has been on the roster bubble for five straight Augusts.
In 2012, as an undrafted rookie with the Chiefs, he was out to eat with teammate Dwayne Bowe when the final cut deadline passed. Bellamy's phone had stayed splendidly silent.
"Bowe was like, 'Hey man, you made it! They haven't called you. It's 6:30 (p.m.)'" Bellamy said. "Then I get a call at 6:35."
After being cut, Bellamy found his safety net on the Chiefs practice squad but later bounced through San Diego and Washington on the way to Chicago. So it's no wonder he always appreciates the magnitude of the preseason finale.
"A lot of emotion goes into this game," Bellamy said. "And for so many guys, this could be their make-it game or their break-it game. But sometimes, guys can let the emotions get the best of them."
Focus, Bellamy has learned, remains paramount. Two years ago, in fact, right there in Cleveland, he shined, making four catches for 78 yards and convincing then-GM Phil Emery to keep him.
Bellamy seems positioned to win a roster spot again this weekend. But Thursday night, he knows, he'll need to get cooking.
"Baby, I don't know what kind of sauce we're boiling up," Bellamy said. "But it's going to be good. It has to be big."
dwiederer@chicagotribune.com
