Brad Biggs' Players Worth Keeping An Eye On
by Dane Noble on Jul 25, 2009 10:54 AM CDT
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It would be easy to start rattling off names that we would want to watch during training camp- Cutler, Harris, Hester, Urlacher. To strip down a roster from 80 players to 53 would be no fun task, but it does make you start thinking about some of the players who might not get as much media attention.
Brad Biggs has put together a list of "under the radar" guys to keep an eye on during camp. A couple of the players are ones that we have been wondering about here at WCG.
Safety Al Afalava. The Bears went into the draft knowing they needed a free safety but with their draft position, they didn't identify any that would fill their need in what was considered a weak class. They wound up grabbing Afalava in the sixth round, and he's a strong safety although the Bears have said he can play both positions. He's a serious hitter and should provide some exciting moments late in some preseason games that are otherwise not exciting. It could be an uphill battle to make the roster and just being a thumper won't get it done for him. He needs to show instincts first. Missing the bulk of the offseason program because of the rules for schools like Oregon State that are on the quarter system didn't help him.
Running back Garrett Wolfe. It looks like veteran Adrian Peterson will be pushed for a roster spot but after seven seasons he isn't going to go without a fight. Peterson has been a security blanket for coaches. They know he can handle any situation at any time, and you can't put a value on what that means. Wolfe was better on special teams last season but has yet to find a niche on offense. He's going to need to step forward and a real case can be made that his opportunity has not come yet.
Different people have different opinions of Afalava, and I really wonder if he'll have a shot at the final 53. My gut says he'll need a huge camp to find a spot.
Wolfe has been mentioned by Ron Turner and Jerry Angelo this offseason, and both of them made comments about wanting him to get worked into the game here and there. But if he isn't living up to his potential, with a healthy Kevin Jones and the always reliable Adrian Peterson, Wolfe might find himself as the odd man out.
Make sure you head over to Biggs' blog, Inside the Bears, and catch the rest of his list of players worth keeping an eye on. Who do you think has the most to prove during training camp? Someone on Biggs' list, or is there someone else that might be worth keeping an eye on?
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If I remember correctly..
didn’t Jamar Williams have a good OTA’s?
He should be added to that list
Jamar Williams started
one game in 2007 (I think).
Disqualifying him from this list, but certainly “Under the Radar” worthy.
but.
Bowman started the minnesota game, didn’t he?
"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka
I'm warming up to Afalava.
Hard hitting safeties have always been a favorite of mine and Steltz hasn’t brought the PAIN, as I once envisioned of him.
Oh, and the fact that the picture above reminds me of Tim “Tiny” Lester didn’t hurt.
Personally I think It’s gonna be Rideau’s coming out party this year.
My bad, Tommy "Tiny" Lister
or AKA, Zeus.
That's my bike Punk!
Why do you keep giving me ideas…. :)
I'm teaching fools some basic rules.- MR.T
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 25, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
same here
i still thought it was a mistake to let bobby gray go and keep mike green a few years ago. gray was a real thumper.
i hope rideau can at least sniff the field this year, been stashed away for way too long already.
by reefermadness3 on Jul 25, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Blast from the recent past (Bobby Gray).
My little prediction on Rideau: Only Devin Hester will have more receiving TD’s than Rideau. (excluding TE’s)
I agree with the Rideau comment
He is the only receiver with any size and he might become one of Cutlers favorite options because of his size
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jul 25, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Right on.
IMO, once they throw the pads on, only Bennett (and Cutler) will stand in his way of the #2 spot. Bennett is a little faster, but Rideau is considerably taller.
Regardless, with Cutler’s ability, it won’t take long to figure out who are the haves and have nots :-)
missing the cut
do any players go into the practise squad, and if so , do they step up if there are injuries
if they can clear waivers
(meaning theyre not signed by another team) they CAN be signed to the practice squad at the teams discretion. And yeah, sometimes they get added to the active roster due to injuries. See Zack Bowman for an example.
"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka
For me
I’m very curious to see if Brandon Rideau gets a shot this year. He’s been in the system for awhile and I’d like to see him step up and get a shot. I personally think Zack Bowman could have a stellar year, before he was injured he played well when he was in there.
I'm teaching fools some basic rules.- MR.T
Me too...
I think with him being so familiar with the offense, Rideau will make some plays this year
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 26, 2009 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Afalava
can hit like a truck…youtube him and you will see his illegal hit..it looks painful!
Bring back our honey bears...sick and tired of hearing about the dallas cowboy cheerleaders and the bars they go work at when they quit. cold weather + cheerleaders in skimpy outfits = lots of fun
That hit is pretty nasty...
But I like it. LINK
I'm teaching fools some basic rules.- MR.T
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 25, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I Liked It!
What a hit! That was a totally blown call as that hit was clean. Maybe this guy can emerge as the healthy replacement for Mike Brown. I like what I see. Thanks for the clip Ditkavsworld.
pretty sure
that he was on espn’s jacked up that week…it makes me smile everytime i see that huge nasty hit..just think he could be putting the hurt on percy harvin (who is injury prone) and taking out weapons on division opponents. I think he should get a shot at the roster if he can play like that in the pros. he should be able to contribute to special teams since i dont expect him to break the starting line up
Bring back our honey bears...sick and tired of hearing about the dallas cowboy cheerleaders and the bars they go work at when they quit. cold weather + cheerleaders in skimpy outfits = lots of fun
he'll break it...
none of us has heard squat out of glenn earl, plus, alfalava is a “special teams” junkie…
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
good to be back...
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jul 26, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
his name is also
very very cool…its pronounced alpha lava which means he is totally a bad a..
maybe its the tequila that is making it sound cooler than it is..
Bring back our honey bears...sick and tired of hearing about the dallas cowboy cheerleaders and the bars they go work at when they quit. cold weather + cheerleaders in skimpy outfits = lots of fun
Tequilla this early on a Sunday morning?
- Smudgers
"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
by David Taylor on Jul 26, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Its sunday morning here...
maybe it’s Sunday afternoon where he’s at. Or maybe he never went to sleep last night; which means he’s technically allowed to continue to drink and not be considered an alcoholic because the night ain’t over until you pass out. I call that my Vegas theroy.
I'm teaching fools some basic rules.- MR.T
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 26, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
very true
- Smudgers
"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
by David Taylor on Jul 26, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
it was actually
tequila from the night before…because it was morning yet i still felt it..ugh
Bring back our honey bears...sick and tired of hearing about the dallas cowboy cheerleaders and the bars they go work at when they quit. cold weather + cheerleaders in skimpy outfits = lots of fun
been there.
I'm teaching fools some basic rules.- MR.T
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 26, 2009 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Definitely a clean hit
cause he led with his shoulder, never made contact with his helmet, nor left his feet.
I think he makes the team as a leader on ST. He’s got good speed and size.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
likey likey
but afalava sucks, he didn’t even knock the ball loose. jk.
sweet clean hit, bad penalty. hope that happens to harvin or even better berrian
by reefermadness3 on Jul 25, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions
bring the pain
would love to see hines ward on his back after an afalava hit…wonder if he would still be smiling? haha
Waiting For Garrette Wolfe To SHow Me Something.
I liked this kid when we drafted him. I thought he was kind of small but he showed a nice speed burst and he reminded me of Warrick Dunn. I think this should be a make or break year for Wolfe. Show me some numbers baby!
Yes!!
I was a huge fan of Wolfe when he was in college at NIU. I hope that the Bears find a package of plays that works well with his abilities.
by Sam Householder on Jul 25, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions
You'll be waiting for awhile
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Afalava is worth keeping an eye on
From the prospective of Bourboonais, is their bus stops and keeping Afalava from running them over.
by Sam Householder on Jul 25, 2009 3:46 PM CDT reply actions
Why does this not surprise me
he’s a strong safety although the Bears have said he can play both positions.
I think we need a new telethon. We can have an updated “Jerry’s Kids” with Angelo replacing Jerry Lewis. They can raise money to help find a cure for young players afflicted with DMS (Danieal Manning Syndrome, for those unaware.) Hopefully WGN’s star-studded lineup of Andy Griffith, America’s Funniest Videos, and Milton Bradley grounding out to second won’t stand in the way of helping these poor kids.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay
Couldn't agree more...
Why can the Bears not seem to get a true FS? On a defense where Jerry/Lovie tend to go with lighter and faster, a FS should be easy to find among the DBs. Especially, in a tightly controlled “system” defense like “Cover Who” “Cover 2”, there was not a single DB (or actual FS) anywhere in the draft that wasn’t worth a 3rd or 4th round choice that had some potential at FS? I am high on DJ Moore being that draft steal at CB, if he sees the field, but he is not a FS (even with the DMS).
Yeah, Moore seems like a nickel guy.
At least that’s my impression. I think he’s too short to be an every-own CB.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
backfield
i would like them to keep wolfe over peterson, if it came to it. you always need a change of pace or if someone takes a knock during a game.
then that automatically makes peterson more valuable...
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
Question...
In a copycat league, does Wolfe’s value increase because of Sproles? Is Sproles the “measuring stick?” Or do they keep him strictly for his ST contribution? Although Peterson isn’t a superstar, he is, as the article says, versatile. With Wolfe, its a matter of developing situations to utilize his quickness. With Peterson, you just plug and go! Touch decision!
Getcha Beernuts Ready!
doesn't seem like it should be...
and the way RT and JA talk about wolfe, one would think that they know some “super-secret” that they’re not sharing with the rest of the world… i always show players love when they come out of an IL school, but i don’t see the purpose of keeping him around,although, as i mentioned earlier, and times before, they seem to have plans for him…
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jul 26, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
they seem to have plans for him
Wolfe at free safety!
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
lol.
I’m a sucker for a DMS joke every time.
My favourite is still the comment by someone on WCG, on seeing the salary details of one of our new offensive linemen (Omiyale, I think):
“Holy crap, he’s making almost as much as T.O.! Can he catch?”
It’d be sigworthy if I wasn’t having to point to my current one with disappointing regularity :-D
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
I hear you.
“Wolfe at FS” I read that one earlier :-)
Maybe if we could get the Bears to channel their creativity towards the playbook, instead of the positions, it would put an end to DMS.
Gilbert's my guy!
I’m waiting to see Gilbert in camp and in the rotation! With the question marks surrounding Tommie Harris’ left knee, this pick will be as vital as any! His YouTube video, overrated or not, shows the athleticism we expect from Harris. Are his instincts comparable? Especially with Marinelli’s tutelage from jump? We’ll see!
Getcha Beernuts Ready!
Wolfe
Wolfe has been mentioned by Ron Turner and Jerry Angelo this offseason, and both of them made comments about wanting him to get worked into the game here and there.
I’ve heard this before, and nothing will change anyone’s mind until it actually happens. Regardless, the Bears never had a real plan on how to utilize GW when they drafted him.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
exactly
he was a novelty back for an offense that didn’t do enough right to set up anything for him
maybe they should just draft guys who can play on every down.
Definitely
but they should have a vague idea on how to use, especially when they’re a 3rd round pick.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
"use him"
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Just like the FS position...
I have no problem drafting Wolfe, and using him wherever he is useful. My concern is the same concern I had with Dan Bauzin (sp?). Why draft either of these 2 in the 2nd/3rd/4th rounds? Both of these guys would have easily been available in the 6th/7th. I agree RT had no idea what to do with this guy and besides:
maybe they should just draft guys who can play on every down.
Maybe they should draft guys who have already played the position on every down
Perhaps common sense is not so common?
“It’s a fine line between stupid, and clever”
Sure
But it has nothing to do with how he’s utilized.
Why draft either of these 2 in the 2nd/3rd/4th rounds? Both of these guys would have easily been available in the 6th/7th.
GW had a draft grade of 4th-5th round. I’m not sure about Bauzin though.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
It's kind of hard for a small RB like him to succeed
when youre line play is not so good.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Hopefully we see Wolfe contribute on offense this season and take some of the work load off Forte and Jones.
by Dominique Blanton on Jul 26, 2009 8:59 PM CDT reply actions
bears should keep an eye on cutler
make sure he is not partyin too much in the city
GO BULLS
by FAN of the BULLS on Jul 26, 2009 11:55 PM CDT reply actions
Wolfe
probably not good for Wolfe, i went to HS with the kid, and he has Blazing football speed, like Devin Hester fast, he can hit a hole, and the next thing you know, he’s in for 6.
I just dont know that he’ll have the opportunity on the Bears with Forte/Jones. if he can stick around a little bit, i think he will be much more valuable to us, rather than seeing him in Purple or Green
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
by BearNecessities on Jul 27, 2009 6:48 AM CDT reply actions
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