Could Juaquin Iglesias Be the Bears #2 Receiver?

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 12:16 PM CDT Comment 51 comments

We all know the Bears wide receiver crew isn't going to strike fear into the hearts of any secondary just yet. They have a lot of promise and potential, but no real #1 yet.

It has been assumed with the Bears parting ways with veterans Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd, second-year receiver Earl Bennett would be given the role, leaving Dropapotamus and Know Knox to fight it out for the slot receiver spot.

This article has a pretty blunt one-liner about Bennett.

Earl Bennett (the projected No. 2 receiver) really hasn’t done squat yet.

Iglesias stayed in school longer, and he may have developed more before entering the pros, the article states.

While they go on to say Bennett will likely still start, it does say that the Bears are not locked on Bennett, and if Iglesias puts something together in camp and pre season he may have a shot at the number 2 spot.

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I'm hoping to see...

1- Hester
2- Bennett
Slot- Iglesias
Depth- Knox, ~~Davis~~, Kinder

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on May 12, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Kinder will....

Be PUPed this year so room for rideau or a vet.

I've officially adopted #94 Marcus Harrison!

by scespy12 on May 12, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So we bring a guy in and then let him rehab from injury for a year, banking on him recovering and being fully able to contribute the season after? Kind of like Kevin Jones… hopefully it’ll prove to have been a clever move – both have high-round talent…..

by Spongie on May 13, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't obvious?

There are no guarantees with the Bears WRs. Just like you said Bennett has to prove it in training camp, practice, then the games. I can see Iglesias pushing for a starting spot by the end of the year if Bennett doesn’t do well.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on May 12, 2009 12:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Another thing to consider...

I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest to see Iglesias as the Two, and Bennett as the slot. They did train him on all three positions.

by Sklz711 on May 12, 2009 1:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Bennet in the slot would shine

Sure hands, fast but not elite speed, and a connection w/ Cutler sound pretty nice for a slot guy.

"The phone's for you, I think it's the Devil."

by Acreman20 on May 12, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All this talk about who's going to be the #2 and who will be the slot is stupid.

All this is nothing but speculation, and anyone who says they know where any receiver on the Bears will wind up playing is just blowing smoke. All will be decided on the playing field. WR’s aren’t automatically assigned a position, it’s ultimately determined by performance. BTW, our coaches are notorious for being unwilling to play rookie offensive players, so the remarks about Earl Bennett not having done squat are uncalled for. IMO, he stands a good chance of having a break out season, being reunited with his college QB. At least the chemistry between them has already been demonstrated at Vanderbilt.

by BigGeorgeTX on May 12, 2009 1:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If you think that it is stupid, feel free to not participate.

A big portion of what we post on this blog is speculation… and you are right, no one can predict the future, but it is certainly fun to keep up with the development of our team, and discuss what we think is going to happen.

by Dane Noble on May 12, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I second that...

I was just about to respond, no offense dude but you’re on a Bears BLOG, you aren’t on their official website. Someone reports something of interest and then everyone chimes in with their opinion. 99% of comments on here are speculation and opinions, none of us claim to be on the Bear’s staff.

"One time I went to a social gathering, I brought a bottle of Tanqueray and a shotgun and showed those motherf&#@ers the best time they ever had!"- Kenny Powers (Eastbound and Down)

"Why give 100% when 35 can still get you paid and laid."- Kenny Powers

by gridiron_assassin on May 12, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right, poor choice of words.

Should have used silly instead of stupid. Really, our receiver positions are so up in the air we have to wait and see how it plays out on the field. I hope that the coaches put the best people in the right positions, disregarding draft position or salary. I realize they’re paying Devin Hester a lot of money, but if another receiver emerges as a true #1 I hope the coaching staff utilizes their abilities rather than just trying to prove a point with the Hester experiment.

by BigGeorgeTX on May 12, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not willing to play rookie offensive players?

Matt Forte, Greg Olsen, and Chris Williams was set to play a bunch before his injury

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 12, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kyle Orton

Mark Bradley, Craig Krenzel, Bernard Berrian, Cedric Benson, Garrett Wolfe are all players that have played their rookie season…

(Asshole Sr) "If you learn one thing here, NEVER pass out in Ohio."

by ThorCo on May 12, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you, but

Orton was only in there because of necessity after Grossman got hurt and Hutchison got cut. That being said, I don’t think “playing” rookies has been a problem with this coaching staff.

by BearFan611 on May 12, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

But they chose Orton to start over Jeff Blake, playing rookies isn’t a problem with this staff, just how they play them and in what situations

(Asshole Sr) "If you learn one thing here, NEVER pass out in Ohio."

by ThorCo on May 12, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They didn't have to learn 3 positions either. Orton and Krenzel were pressed into duty due to...

injuries, not because of what they showed in practice. I think a lot of fans forget Bennett was a second day pick, so he wasn’t likely to make it on the field much even if he just had to learn the slot position. If he had been a 1st or 2nd rounder I’d agree last season was disappointing. The point I was trying to make was Earl Bennett couldn’t just insert himself in a game in order to get some receptions. I hope (and expect) he’ll kick ass this year, if for no other reason than to show how clueless this coaching staff is in evaluating players.

by BigGeorgeTX on May 12, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excited about Bennett

I’m hoping that he will do well this year too. I really think competition with Iglesias, who I also like, and being reunited with Cutler will bring out the best in him. Wherever they end up putting him.

by Fridge72 on May 12, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We need definitions

I’m not sold that we have any #1’s at this point. What criteria are we using to determine #1 vs. #2 vs. #3? I’m still of the opinion that we shouldn’t be designating Hester as #1 yet and if Iglesius shows the ability he showed in college, what’s to say he wouldn’t be our #1 by mid-season. Just being the fastest guy doesn’t automatically make you the #1 receiver and Hester is a long way from being “the guy”, in fact if it weren’t for his past KR/PR exploits, it’s a good bet he’s be fighting for a roster spot at this point, if you just went by his other contributions to the team.

by BearFan611 on May 12, 2009 2:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Half the reason Hester is labeled a #1 is probably

because of the money we paid him. We can’t have a #2 two making that much money. After that, I’m not sure. I know we had a debate some time back about what criteria makes a #1, maybe we should revisit that.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Point

I was only thinking of the designation from a productivity standpoint, but the $$ do come into play. For what it’s worth, my definition of a #1 Receiver is the guy you go to consistantly and you can count on in important situations. The actual position on the field (Wideout, Slot, Tight End) is not as important as what he brings to your offense week in and week out. He should have reliable hands, get open consistantly, know where the 1st down marker is, and be able to fight the DB for the passes that can go either way. Most people think of WR first, but Tony Gonzalez, Shannon Sharpe, etc. in their prime would have to be considered the #1’s on their teams and Steve Largent was more or less a slot receiver when he was with the Seahawks.

by BearFan611 on May 12, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was a very delicate situation...

Hester was all-world at KR/PR, and before the 2008 season, said that there was no way he could play with his rookie contract numbers. He even sat out of a couple of days of camp. The Bears hands were tied… they had to pay the man, but no way they could let a returner earn 30mil.

Now, we have to have our fingers crossed that Hester can live up as a WR to that new contract.

by Dane Noble on May 12, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hester's contract has,

$18.939 million in performance based escalators. Does anyone know what he has to reach to trigger them?

Link goes to $ breakdown of Hester’s contract

Does anyone know if he did enough last year at the receiver position to get any of it?

by Fridge72 on May 12, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

http://www.rotoworld.com/CONTENT/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=NFl&id=3675

by Fridge72 on May 12, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In Ron Turner's offense, does he use X, Y, Z

to designate receiver positions? and which is Hester, Rashied, etc?

by MuleTrain on May 12, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Rashied is option DD

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno, but they do in Madden

And that’s what matters.

And the prevailing wind happens to be blowing from Vichy.

by xarker on May 12, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have heard the coaches call the positions X,Y, and Z

I’m no expert on this but my understanding is the X(or split end) will line up wide outside and on the LOS. The X is typically a bigger, possession type.
The Z(or flanker) will lineup wide on the other side and off the LOS, allowing him to be in motion. Hester( though shorter than ideal) seems to make sense as the “Z” to take advantage of his speed, quickness, and possible “reverse” potential.
The “Y”(can be TE or SlotWR) will line up on the strong side end of LOS. This is the positon the Bears have said Davis will return to this year. Typically your small, quick, and tough over the middle WRs with good hands used mostly on 3rd downs.
My guess is the Bears will mainly use:
“X” Iglesias backed up by Bennett
“Y” Davis backed up by Bennett(although much more TE sets)
“Z” Hester backed up by Rideau(makes a lot of sense to use Rideau instead of Hester in redzone situations).

by gillrowdy on May 14, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hester best fit

is the slot probably, its fine to pay the guy the money he has if he produces. KEY is he has to produce. which means coaches putting him in the best position to succeed. NOT just saying “Oh we cant pay the slot/KR/PR that kinda money”…… um yes you can if he produces and is the best guy in the NFL doin what he does. Biggest problem nowadays is not paying or paying a player, its paying a guy who is a circle, then making him fit into a square peg and then berating him when he doesnt fit. We all learned it in kindergarten circles go in circle holes and squares in square holes it worked then and it still works, someone needs to tell coaches to quit trying to reinvent the wheel, just do what works.

by Chisportfan on May 12, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As of this point, Hester's value to us

is as the deep threat and in open space. I don’t know if those 2 things equal a #1. I am sure Cutler can get him the ball, but is he able to be the go to guy like a Steve Smith, I don’t know. He doesn’t have the size to bang with the corners, but he should be able to outrun the majority of them at least enough for Cutler to deliver.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

youre right about hester in open space

and I for one am much more excited about our receivers this year than I was last year. I think Hester in the slot and not as the number 2 guy is probably the best for him. Think a newer and improved Denis Gentry or Eric Metcalf. There is no reason with his talents that we cant get creative and find ways to get him the ball in space. And I think this year it might not be a problem taking him away from the outside receiver position to do so. To me it just seems like making him a “receiver” handcuffs him and his capabilities. If we define it early that say Bennett and Iglesias are our two outside guys and work hester inside and on quick hit reverses from the slot position we can take better advantage of his gifts.

"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. "---George S. Halas

by Halas is God!!!!! on May 12, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know that this might be considered blasphemus...

Is it just me or does anyone else think that Hester, even with all his success as a KR/PR, rarely makes people miss? I just think that he did an excellent job of getting to holes and accelerating, but I can’t remember many times where his “moves” got him free. For that reason, I think his greatest value (since they’re obviously not going to return him to Return duties) is as a deep threat. I don’t see the slot as the right place for him.

by BearFan611 on May 12, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do recall a number of times he has made somebody miss

I don’t know if those times versus times he hasn’t is a small amount.

Speed plus getting to the whole equals guys missing. Maybe he was so good at it that nobody could get close.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand your point

but I’m referring to making guys miss like a Sayers/Payton/Sanders when there isn’t a lot of space. I know the guys I mentioned are Hall of Famers, but a lot of fans refer to Hester as the “best ever”, we need to keep it in perspective that it’s a stat thing only based on the TD’s in a given number of attempts. I just think that in the slot, you need someone who can turn nothing into something and he gets tackled pretty easily once someone has a hand on him. Just my opinion.

by BearFan611 on May 12, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not aruging, just saying

maybe he is just so good other guys rarely get close to him.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not what?

I'M A MAN! I'M 23!

by ChiFan13 on May 13, 2009 5:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry, I let my Canadian Cajun come out again.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 13, 2009 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are putting Hester in the slot

The Bears don’t consider him a slot receiver. They want him to be their number 1. Slot does not equal the amount of money we gave him.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just replying to Halas Is God and Chisportfan

I don’t think he should be in the slot.

by BearFan611 on May 12, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, yes I am

I think with his lack of experience as a Receiver that our other options would be better suited on the outside and that they can be more creative with the play calling for Hester if hes in the slot.

"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. "---George S. Halas

by Halas is God!!!!! on May 12, 2009 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and no matter how much they pay him

hes not a number 1 on any other team in the league but ours. That being said he could still lead the team in yards and receptions from the slot. And isnt that what makes the number one receiver.

"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. "---George S. Halas

by Halas is God!!!!! on May 12, 2009 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

RE: "Slot does not equal the amount of money we gave him."

True, but thus far his abilities don’t match being a flanker or split end. I hope he proves me wrong, but I think there’s a better than average chance that we have an extremely well-paid KR/PR, and not much more.

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay

by JerBear50 on May 13, 2009 2:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It comes down to Cutler

Look at what happened in Denver, early on no Marshall so Royal was the “go-to-guy”, then Marshall came back and had a couple big games and Royal was still doin well, but had a couple injuries here and there mid season, and in a handful of games Scheffler had some big mismatch problems for other teams and Cutler took advantage of it. I dont think this team is gonna have a clear #1, but the inside track goes to Bennett, for the simple reason Cutler trusts him, knows him, and most likely they will be on the same page if a play breaks down. Then you throw in Forte or the other backs and the fact we have Olsen and Clark at TE along with maybe one other and it becomes obvious that if a Bear WR hits 80 cathces/ 1000+ yds/ 10+ TDs and I am not saying all 3 just one stat I would be highly surprised, expect the ball to be distributed in a smart way as to take advantage of what weekly defenses are willing to give and what matchups are in the Bears favor. This team is gonna be run heavy, Cutler using play action bombs to Hester to keep Ds honest, and a matchup pass game to keep Ds off balance….. if this happens the Bears go deep in the playoffs and make their own Defenses job easier and healthier… if not then welcome to another .500 season maybe playoffs maybe not and a wasted opportunity.

by Chisportfan on May 12, 2009 3:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Excellent observations, especially with Bennett having the inside track to #1.

One thing people haven’t realized is that he’s been working out with Jay Cutler since returning to Vanderbilt to complete his degree back in January. Of course that was before Jay was traded to the Bears, but it’s still great that they have a 3 month leg up on working with each other and regaining their chemistry this season.

by BigGeorgeTX on May 12, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh... who knows?

We start out with a prospect in Hester and a bunch of questions. Sure would be nice if Bennett or Iglesias were the answer to one of those questions. And yep, Hester’s going to have to continue the progress he showed last year — because there’s just not a veteran WR who looks like a sure thing now that Holt’s gone and I don’t see a trade that fits us now.

But let’s not leave tight end out of this picture. Greg Olsen and Dez Clark are pretty good contributors. If Olsen is productive this year and Cutler forces defenses to honor the long ball when Hester’s on the field, then the No. 2 WR might not have to be the second-coming of Jeff Graham (there’s a quasi-obscure No. 2 WR reference fer ya) to be OK.

And the prevailing wind happens to be blowing from Vichy.

by xarker on May 12, 2009 4:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Golden Age

of the Bears’ passing attack. 1995. Erik Kramer. Curtis Conway. Jeff Graham. Makes me tear up a little bit.
Turner was the O Coordinator then, too.

by uli on May 13, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The thing is

Hester would really be best at the slot, most likely. However, that will probably NOT happen so then yeah I would rather see anyone else on the roster at the slot over Dropopatomous.

by GallopingGhost on May 12, 2009 7:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So who wont be be there on the 53 man roster

i am guessing:

McKie
Kinder
Baldwin
kellen davis

who else?

by Bears-Bullsfan on May 12, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You can scratch Mckie off

One thing about Ron Turner is he is set in his ways with certain people. I see Gaines replacing the backup fullback or Kellen Davis before Mckie gets replaced.

As far the receiver positions. I did not get to see Bennett play at Vanderbilt, but i did get to see Iglesias play at Oklahoma and one thing that stood out to me for sure is he is not a slot receiver. He does all the things indicitive of a number 1 or number 2. He makes the routes and although i didn’t see him in bump and run siutiations often, he did seem to get off the bump farely well when i did see it.

I have watched Hester also since he made the switch to receiver and i don’t think the slot is the best position for him. He has the speed, but he seems very timid when going over the middle. He just doesn’t take contact as well as other slot receivers and has been banged up and not finish some games even from last season, and has had problems with holding on to the ball also. I just don’t think we want Hester going over the middle much at this point.. So if i were to take a stab i would say Hester/Iglesias #1 and #2 respectively and bennett into the slot. I think that could be a good recipe for success.

by Chitownproduct on May 13, 2009 1:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does anybody know much about Hester's offseason?

Because the more I think about it, the more I think the kid needs some special conditioning. I guess when people used to write about “concentrating” on PR/KR I thought of it in terms of mental preparation, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder if it’s not just the difference between stepping on the field six or seven times a game, totally fresh, and going back to return kicks in the middle of running 40 downfield sprints of 10 to 50 yards.

If your conditioning isn’t super, you’re just not going to have the same pop. And the difference between Hester last year and Hester two years ago was really just quicksilver.

Also, how is his blocking? I don’t really have a sense of how he fits in as a complimentary player.

And the prevailing wind happens to be blowing from Vichy.

by xarker on May 13, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs