Hey Lovie, looks like Devin Aromashodu showed you
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Dec 15, 2009 10:00 AM CST
in Notes
51 comments
Is week 14 really the time to discover this "new" player? Only after being the surprise of training camp and the OTA's, after getting his name mentioned in nearly every interview by nearly every offensive player or coach in preseason, after winning the #3 WR job before week 1 (only to have an injury setback give Johnny Knox a chance), after Jay Cutler continually mentioning him as a guy that he'd like to see get some more snaps in recent weeks, and after Devin Hester is inactive for the game, does Devin Aromashodu finally get some extended playing time. D.A. was targeted 12 times, making 8 grabs for 76 yards and a TD, a really athletic TD.
At first I thought Cutler was just targeting D.A. so often to make a point, but then I realized he was getting open. He was running good routes and he was making good catches. After spending time in the Colts system, it makes sense that he'd be the most polished WR on the team. And it took until game 13 and an injury to Hester to get him on the field for more than a token snap or two. Sad...
After Kahlil Bell was elevated from the practice squad and had that storybook debut run, word from the coaches was that he always looked good in practice, but you never know until you get on the big stage. And you'll never know if you don't have the cojones to get said player on the big stage. Can Jarron Gilbert or Gaines Adams be any worse then what the Bears are putting out there on the D-Line now? Get them some extended time. It's not like you have Dan Hampton manning the trenches, get some new blood in there. Did the Corey Graham to free safety experiment go so horribly wrong that is just ended without any game time?
I'm not lauding Aromashodu as the second coming of Marcus Robinson... I'm just saying that the kid should have been given an opportunity. The Packers did seem to make more of an effort in locating D.A. as the game wore on, but Johnny Knox was able to have a career day. Two career days for two Bears receivers, who'd a thunk it?
0 recs |
51 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Exhibit A in the firing of the coaching staff
D.A. was targeted 12 times, making 8 grabs for 76 yards and a TD, a really athletic TD.
Occurs in Week 14 and not week 3,4, or 5.
Who Would Have Thunk It?
Not Lovie Smith, that’s for sure. I hope we see a lot more of the players on the roster get a chance to play while Lovie does his swan song. Who names their kid Lovie anyway? Just something I always wondered.
At first I thought Cutler was just targeting D.A. so often to make a point
I started a post about this earlier, but deleted it pre-publishing. While I agree with you that he still had to get open, I think the quote above holds a lot of water.
-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox
time
It’s been evident for some time now that our current coaching staff can’t evaluate or develop talent very well. Looking forward, now is the time to see what we’ve got and put it to the test in live game situations. It remains to be seen what our coaching staff will do – or what their throwing of darts at a board will select – or the magic ball that gives you an answer if you flip it over – or the reading of chicken entrails to divine the next move.
Good post Wilt
Bear Down!
"I am not an animal!" - Merrick
Hmm,
The Packers did seem to make more of an effort in locating D.A. as the game wore on
This sounds like those elusive game adjustments that I’ve been looking for.
Dont talk about game adjustments around here
They are unheard of, and thought to be the Devil
Well you might not find them til 2011
So good luck with that.
Maybe not,
but I hope they show up eventually. I really think that the main reason that we are losing games, especially the close ones, is our inability to make adjustments during games. We have a lot of talent, albeit a little rough in certain areas, on this team.
I agree
plus the fact that when they play with some fire they look like the old Bears. But fire and passion are unheard of around here. So while your out hunting see if you can find some please.
Fire and passion shown by the players..
is rewarded by calling the wide receiver screen, the Wildcat, and the “prevent” defense. Hence, no more fire and passion.
There has to be more to this
D.A. is in what, his fourth or fifth season? He’s spent time with I believe 4 organizations including the one who might be the best at developing talent and finding it in unknown players; The Colts. And all of these teams couldn’t find a spot for him or didn’t like what they saw. The Bears give him a shot, finally and he does really well. Good for us, we might have a player for the future.
My point is, there has to be a reason he never caught on with another team and why the Bears were reluctant to give him a shot until now. Inconsistent hands? Not good getting out of breaks? Can only run certain routes well? I hope it’s none of these and that he just needed some time to break into the NFL, but you have to wonder.
by GallopingGhost on Dec 15, 2009 10:57 AM CST reply actions
Wondered about that too,
the Colts did like him. I think he has been hired off of their practice squad at least twice now. Which is promising I think. I suspect some of it has to do with being a late draft pick. Hard to get on the field as WR if there is a higher pick above you. The notable exception really being the Colts.
The Colts seem to put a higher import on Wonderlic testing and IQ at the WR position. I hear this is exactly why they have Pierre Garcon. Seems to be working out for them. From what little I heard DA talk, seems like he has a good head on his shoulder. I expect he must if the Colts were interested in bringing him to the team more than once.
I will take the inconsistency he has shown this far, then.
Good golly, he makes ridiculous catches sometimes.
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
I want and/or need followers. http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
He probably just couldn't break through the group that the Colts have in place
I’m sure they have a lot of depth at the position.
"Yes, risk taking is inherently failure-prone. Otherwise, it would be called sure-thing-taking." - Jim McMahon
Development & Drive
Undrafted players that couldn’t catch on :
Chris Carter (Supplemental Draft 4th round) cut by Philly
Warren Moon
Kurt Warner
John Randle
Rod Smith
Antonio Gates
Priest Holmes
Tony Romo
Wes Welker
Jeff Saturday
For some reason or another player like the ones above side throw the crackers for numerous reasons. Maybe that team had a stud in place and had no need to fully evaluate these guys fully. Or maybe the players on this list had to work a little hard than the special gifted players, who just had to show up a let their athleticism take over like a Randy Moss. Perhaps, Aromashodu found how important it is to prepare himself for the NFL level sort of like Benson.
However, I’m not say that Aromashodu will be one of the guys on this list, but the Colts didn’t have a need for him considering their (quality) depth at the WR position. In 2006-07, Colts had Harrison Wayne and a bunch of guys Aromashodu had to step his game up to beat out. But it is safe to say the Colts knows how to pick offensive guys especially WR. Polland never missed a beat when Marvin Harrison retired. Nevertheless, to bring Aromashodu in to their camp Colts coach unlike Angelo saw potential in this kid. Remember this is DA second team; 2 seasons with Colts learning under quality WRs and HOF QB. So DA should be considerable playing time here on out regardless of Hester’s contract. Shamefully, Bears QB can evaluate talent better than the coaches.
Going back a little farther,
Wasn’t Johnny Unitas drafted by Pittsburgh and then cut shortly thereafter?
Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Dec 15, 2009 1:00 PM CST up reply actions
A little further.
I’m talking about last years defensive player of the year.
Good point.
Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Dec 15, 2009 10:58 PM CST up reply actions
And that DPOY is a good reason the Steelers won the Super Bowl last year.
Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Dec 15, 2009 11:28 PM CST up reply actions
I would like to more of Aromashadu and Knox for the rest of the season
It looks like Cutler is more comfortable with DA and Knox starting with Bennett in the slot. I like Hester and all, but I hope the next offensive staff (because I’m certain this staff not) uses Hester the same way Reggie Bush and Percy Harvin is being used on their respected teams.
Same here.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
Yeah, I agree.
I hate when I see people on this site trash Hester, or want to trade him for a draft pick or two because “he’s not a #1 WR.” The fact of the matter is that he doesn’t have to be. He can be an extremely effective player that has the ability to change games in ways other than traditional. And he is worth WAY MORE than a 3rd rounder. Especially if it’s JA picking said 3rd rounder. Remember when we would throw him in the slot, tell him to run a go, and Griese would hurl it as far as he could to him? Or when every time he was back returning a punt or kickoff you got more goosebumps than our offense could ever provide? THAT was the Hester that could still be. A game changer, and anything but a traditional wideout.
Probably not
Welker’s worth a ton to New England. But that doesn’t mean he’s a #1!! The point was you can be extremely effective as a WR when you’re not a #1!!
Conversely, a player can be ineffective when they're a #1.
Hester is an amazing talent, but needs to compliment the passing game, not be the focus.
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
I agree 100%
I should have clarified that by saying that Hester should be in the slot!! He’s not a #1 by any means, but he’s damn good in space!! Welker’s so effective because the Patriots put him in position to be effective. If Welker came here, he’d be just another Pro Bowl offensive player reduced to garbage by this team!! Hester needs to be used like Welker and Harvin are being used. Get them to run routes where they find the weakness in the zone and get crazy YAC.
Harvin’s a perfect example of how shitty the Bears are at coaching!! Harvin was just like Hester in college. He did everything. He returned kicks, he played WR, RB, everything outside of defense which Hester did do. Harvin is having an unbelievable season in his 1st year and looks like a stud veteran already. Hester has similar skill set and looks pretty average as a WR. Difference? The Vikings knew how to maximize Harvin’s ability. The Bears’ idea of maximizing Hester’s ability is the bubble screen!!!
Lol, the bubble screen.
Memo to ron turner: when we have no deep threat, no running game, and have already run 4 bubble screens earlier in the game, the next one isn’t going to be effective. They will be expecting it.
right on
hester is a pretty good WR. people who trash him are idiots. he’s still learning the position, and almost certainly has the worst coaches in the league teaching it to him. he should definitely start, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work the others in. DA should start as well, and we should bring in bennett and knox, too. we actually have a nice set of receivers. a good OC finds ways to use all of them effectively, which may be in the slot for hester. of course, we have the worst OC in football. you give weiss or martz or kubiak or anyone who has an ounce of creativity in their body and knows offense, this group on offense, i guarantee they’d find a way to make this a top 15 offense immediately.
by guy incognito on Dec 15, 2009 5:34 PM CST up reply actions
Sorry let me clarify.
I do agree with you that Hester should be moved back to the slot.
I don’t like it when others discount his value because he isn’t what Lovie wants him to be. He can give us more value in other areas.
Great post Wilty...
I could not agree more! IMO, the big key for DA is his ability to get separation. Knox will learn it, if the proper coaches are brought in. Hester is a gimmick and should be used as such, again IMO. A few wildcat type plays, reverses and end-arounds, 4-5 WR fly patterns. Other than that, Hester needs to be the KR/PR he is best at.
To me, this is simply another in a long list of massive personnel FAILS JA and Lovie are accountable for making. It’s tragic to see what Lovie has done to our Bears. Why he is still employed is utterly beyond me!
When you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!!!
I just want to see some shuffling here..
Get the new guys in, see what they can do so we can fill some gaps and get rid of some bad talent for next year. We’re stuck with Lovie no matter what, doesn’t mean Angelo can’t put his foot down and use Hester/Harris/Manning as trade fodder to recoup a few draft picks. They might not bag too much, but some 3rd-4th rounders would help immensely with Angelo’s luck in the later rounds. Knox and Aromashodu show that we got really lucky this year on team WR adds..so use them with a mix of the other guys. Hester would bag a high pick and I would have no problem seeing him leave since he forgot how to run N-S with his speed on punt returns instead of E-W.
With Hester's production the last two years and that contract, why would a team
give up a high pick?
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
Can Jarron Gilbert or Gaines Adams be any worse then what the Bears are putting out there on the D-Line now?
Gaines Adams, hell yes! There’s a reason why he’s not getting any playing time. Gilbert, I have no idea. Don’t forget Juaquin Iglesias. There’s been a report that he is doing really well in practices, but I don’t think he’s ever been active this season.
by braziliancubsfan on Dec 15, 2009 3:50 PM CST reply actions
Adams and Gilbert have potential.
Adams is still young, and we haven’t given him much of a chance yet. And he is just 2 years removed from being a 4th overall pick.
Gilbert is out of position and DT. I really think he has Pro Bowl potential at defensive end. He seems really athletic.
6 to 1 - half dozen the other
Definitely happy about what Aromashodu did on the field last Sunday. If we had played him, then we wouldn’t know anything about Johnny Knox.
DA can play
his success, along with decisions like not playing williams much after getting 20 tackles, not playing bell at all the week after his huge run, never playing gilbert or adams, should be the axe for most of our coaching staff. so should the success bears have after leaving the team. not just benson (i think he might have really needed a change in scenery, or at least a mediocre o-line), but guys like gage and wade. this also makes judging angelo harder. yeah, he’s definitely screwed up a few picks (bauzin, okwo, wolfe, haynes were all huge reaches, even at the time), but if his coaches do such a lousy job developing his players, and getting them PT when they deserve it, it makes it pretty damn hard to accurately judge JA. at the very least, DA et. al. this year will lead to many of our coaches being fired, and if lovie stays, the bears seriously scaling back his power (i.e. he has to bring in a DC and can only be the HC, nothing more).
HESTERS TRUE JOB
Hester should be lined up in the slot on every play, with his speed and yac ability that is the spot for him, and he needs to go back to returning punts and kickoffs and stop worrying about not getting hurt cuz he wants wr money if the bears had any intelligence they would see this give him the money to be the game changer he once was. Then sign or trade or pick up a good to great db, one good oline man to replace future hall of famer pace and put him on the shelf. Sorry but hes done. Maybe icognito why not him and kruetz would be killer on the same line. maybe get one vet wr to help out and i dont mean and old one, and i dont mean an expensive one either just one who can be consistent. That being said with maybe a couple of decent draft picks to fill in and maybe get a surprise player 3rd round or later to help out on defense line the bears might not look to bad next year. Oh yea and a new head coach with some balls and intensity and a agressive offensive corrdinater cuz face it when we gave the farm for cutler we got and agressive qb. Just a thought just tired of our major market bears team being run and playing like a team with no money and no fan base. The owners need to get out the check book and make this team a winner how embarrasing to have one super bowl win in the last 20 years.
I'm Sorry WINGDING4
This concept is too simple for some of the fans to agree on. Put Hester back to returning Kick Offs and Punts, you big kidder.
how embarrasing to have one super bowl win in the last 20 years
We’ve won one since 1989?
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy
After reading his comment, did you expect
the math to be right?
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on Windy City Gridiron
Related FanShots on Windy City Gridiron
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
