Chicago Bears Release Jason McKie
by Adam T on Mar 16, 2010 6:43 PM CDT
34 comments
To make room for the Tim Jennings signing the Bears have released FB Jason McKie.
McKie, an undrafted free agent out of Temple, spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys before joining the Bears in 2003. He began his Bears career as a member of the practice squad before being elevated to the active roster on Nov. 21, 2003
"I just want to thank the Bears organization and the fans here in Chicago, it's been a great run," McKie told ESPNChicago.com. "I pretty much knew when Mike Martz was named offensive coordinator that there wasn't going to be a high priority placed on the fullback position.
"But I'm glad the Bears did this now, as opposed to after mini-camp or during training camp."
Most think the move was because McKie doesn't fit the Mike Martz system. I think it was to show fans that they are really done with the fullback dive.
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on the subject of FBs
McKie aside, I’m disapointed that most NFL teams are heading in this direction. Seems to me that the FB position is slowly dying out. This has always been my favorite position to watch, and I grew up idolizing Mike Alstott (he’s from Joliet, went to my Grandmother’s high school). Jim Brown, Czonka, Franco Harris and my other childhood fav Ironhead Heyward all made awesome contributions at that position (although I think Ironhead was a RB most of the time). LeRon McClain is proving good FBs can be vital asset. Is it that there aren’t any good FB prospects coming out? Is it that modern strategists just don’t like the position?
I only played in HS but our team ran FB and RB on nearly every play and I thought we had decent success with that. Most teams in our conference ran an extra reciever or a TE, but having that blocking back really helped us run.
Agreed
Living out in the Pacific NW and getting a lot of the Seahacks on the TV machine – Mike Holmgren is the only coach that I’m aware of that actually used the fullback. I’m with you though – the fullback as an opportunity of better vision and blocking angles.
Having said that I’m not sure McKie was the best athlete for the position. Didn’t the Bears just sign that fullback from Washington?
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Mark Twain
Well...
Let’s see in camp and the pre-season what Ta’fa’tu…ah I give up on the spelling…let’s see if the practice squad FB gets a chance…if not, maybe Clark stays and we have 4 TEs without having to worry about the FB spot being filled/taking up space.
by MetalGearPeaceWalker on Mar 16, 2010 7:19 PM CDT reply actions
Ta'ufo'ou may not be around either
Martz likes to line up H-Backs at the FB position. Look for Manumaleuna to start at H-Back, and Olsen to start at TE
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 17, 2010 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know Lester...if Martz only keeps around 3 TEs
and no FB…where would the extra roster spot go towards? Hell, unless something more shakes out from the draft or FA…why not keep 4 decent TEs (especially if you can’t get great trade value from them). Sure Martz isn’t a TE lover (in terms of the passing game)…but why dump guys on a position of the Bears offense that have been somewhat productive.
But hey, like I said before, if we can get decent trade bait for either Clark or Olsen I’d be all for it…and I’m talking about more than just a 5th round for Olsen (though that might not be realistic at this point).
by MetalGearPeaceWalker on Mar 18, 2010 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I couldn't be happier that McKie is gone...
Unless of course it was Droppapotamus getting cut…
McKie is a class act, but hadn’t really got it done either running or blocking the last few years.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com
I meant short
..I’ve seen short corners burned on more than one occasion by a taller WR. My deeper meaning is I don’t see how acquiring Jennings improves the Bears defense, given that Jennings seems pretty mediocre in his own right. I might be missing something here.
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
I can see strictly Special Teams guy...nothing more, nothing less
…if Jennings doesn’t get cut in camp.
by MetalGearPeaceWalker on Mar 16, 2010 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I doubt that.
We’re looking at depth here, he probably will play ST like every other reserve but I don’t see him getting cut.
by PolishSausage.Ditka.Bears. on Mar 16, 2010 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey if Josh Bullocks could make it last year
why not? But do you remember Rod Hood?
by MetalGearPeaceWalker on Mar 17, 2010 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions
R. Hood
Rod Hood vs. the Cleveland Browns passing game (in the preseason) if that jogs your memory.
by MetalGearPeaceWalker on Mar 17, 2010 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions
From the Bears site
Jennings, 26, arrives after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Colts. He was selected by Indianapolis in the second round of the 2006 draft with the 62nd pick, five spots after the Bears chose Devin Hester.
Jennings appeared in 53 career games with 21 starts for the Colts, registering 157 tackles, four interceptions, 25 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 29 special-teams stops.
Last season the 5-8, 185-pounder played in 15 games with five starts, recording 56 tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed. Jennings was due to become a restricted free agent, but he did not receive a tender offer from the Colts.
Link
We definitely like our CBs short.
Who's this jennings guy?
Someone should post something about him…
Do or do not there is not try-Master Yoda
Or you could look him up.
Do you have the internet? :)
by PolishSausage.Ditka.Bears. on Mar 16, 2010 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions
or
i could just sit around until someone posts something about him
eh ? eh?
yeah
i’ll take my route
Do or do not there is not try-Master Yoda
I believe he went to Georgia, and was pretty good there.
Short, but a good tackler. We could use good tacklers!
FB dives will never be the same
If you’re reading this Jason, good luck in all your endeavors!
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
by propheteer on Mar 16, 2010 9:46 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Great guy... Gonna miss him... Class act!
this is what it said on his 2 part twitter account (@JMack37) about his release:
I want to thank the Chicago bears for the oportunity of playing for one of the best organizations in the NFL…and I also want to thank all
Cont…..
Thank all of the bears fans for their support it’s truly been a blessing…Bear Down and God Bless!!
God bless YOU JMack!
GO BEARS!!!!
by ChiTownSounds on Mar 17, 2010 1:49 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Definetly a class act.
Glad we are going in a different direction though. Hope Mckie lands on another team and has a great career.
RIP Fullback Dive
"If I were a food critic being asked to write about the meal and experience at Waffle House, I would provide a drawing of two happy fat people giving each other a high five."
by BearNecessities on Mar 17, 2010 4:11 AM CDT reply actions
Dispite everything
I thought Jmack was a very soild player for us. Yes he is going to be 30 this season. I think alot of us saw this coming but still. God Bless Jmack and BEAR DOWN EVERYONE!!!!.
Good riddance
Does anyone remember a single play where he pancake blocked a defender? Seriously, rack your brain. He has NEVER blocked anyone particularly well. That is the #1 reason a fullback is on the field. He was quite possibly the worst lead blocker in the history of the sport.
How many times has he brocken a tackle? Anyone remember a single play where he broke a single tackle? That is the #2 reason to put a fullback on the field.
Do you remember all those times his key block in the backfield allowed Cutler that extra half second to throw a TD pass? No? Huh, that’s the #3 reason to put a fullback on the field.
Now that this particular fullback is not on the field I think we become a better football team, necessarily.
he's a serviceable FB
He’ll find work on another team. But the Bears will be just fine with Brandon Malanuama (sp?)
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 17, 2010 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Manumaleuna…i spent a solid 15 minutes on this alone, and now i’ll never forget it, it’s like mississippi
"If I were a food critic being asked to write about the meal and experience at Waffle House, I would provide a drawing of two happy fat people giving each other a high five."
by BearNecessities on Mar 17, 2010 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Or maybe we'll see more Forte?
I could see the team putting Forte in as that blocking FB at times. Despite the (inaccurate) point that many are making about Taylor being a better blocker than Forte, Matt was a top 5 rated blocking back in the league in ’08. in 09, his number fell, but given the nature of his injuries to his knee and hamstring, that would be the first place you would expect to see decline.
I would not be surprised to see Matt filling that role when the Bears would have put a FB on the field, and doing so better than McKie would have.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The act of doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.
those 2 may play together
but Forte will rarely if ever be a lead blocker for Taylor
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 17, 2010 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Best for both
Bears do not need his services but released him before camp like he said. Good luck in the future McKie.
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