5 position battles that may interest you
Free Safeties Major Wright vs. Josh Bullocks vs. Craig Steltz
Chris Harris is most likely the starting SS unless Wright, Bullocks, and Steltz fail to impress the coaches in the battle for starting FS.The Favorite Major Wright: The Speed and athleticism that Wright showed at the FS position at Florida makes him the favorite to win the position. At Florida, Wright covered 180 feet of the field in the cover 1 (coverage shell that Florida mostly played in). In the cover 2 he will be asked to cover half of that. If Major can get a full grasp on the playbook then the job is his coming out of training camp. Least Favorite Craig Steltz: I think the coaches view Steltz as more of a in the box safety than FS because of his lack of recovery speed range. For Steltz to win the battle he will have to rely on his strength which is instincts to over shadow Wright and Bullocks athleticism.
Left Guards Josh Beekman vs. Lance Louis vs. Kevin Shaffer
One of the biggest question marks heading into mini camp is the Left Guard position where you have Josh Beekman (who lost his job last summer), Lance Louis (Inexperience at the position), and Kevin Shaffer (playing out of position). Favorite Josh Beekman: With the team moving to a more pass heavy offense in Martz version of the Air Coryell, Beekman strength which is pass blocking best compliments the scheme. If Tice can make Beekman a better run blocker than you got yourself a solid starting Left Guard. Least Favorite Kevin Shaffer: At this point in his career Shaffer is better suited with a move inside or at swing tackle. The Bears don't have anybody behind Williams and Omiyale that's capable of stepping up and starting which is why I say Shaffer is the least favorite to win the position.
Wide Receivers Devin Hester vs. Johnny Knox
A under the radar position battle could be brewing between Hester and Knox as the starting wide receiver alongside Devin Aromashadu. Favorite Devin Hester: What makes Hester the favorite in my opinion is his versatility. Hester can play outside as well as in the slot, while Knox is more of a outside receiver. Knox has a higher ceiling than Hester, but right now Hester is more ahead of the curve than Knox as far as route running and pass catching. Devin is the favorite at the moment, but if Knox take the next step this summer he will be the favorite to win the starting job and push Hester to more of a slot receiver role in the mode of former Rams Wide Receiver Az-Zahir Hakim.
Strong Side Linebacks Pisa Tinoisamoa vs. Nick Roach
Linebacker has a great chance of being one of the biggest strengths on not only the defense, but the whole team with the return of Urlacher, Briggs, and whoever wins the strong side linebacker position between Tinoisamoa and Roach. Favorite Pisa Tinoisamoa: The coaches love Pisa because he is instinctive, great tackler, and has speed to cover TE's. Roach also has those attributes to start at strong side linebacker, but Pisa gives something extra at that strong side linebacker position, and that's leadership.
Running Backs Matt Forte vs. Chester Taylor
The Bears beefed up their running attack signing Chester Taylor to come in and compete with a healthy Matt Forte. Favorite Chester Taylor: Both backs fit perfectly into Martz system, but Chester Taylor might be a tad bit better receiving back than Forte. For now I am listing Taylor as the favorite to win the position battle, but by the end of training camp I expect Forte to win this position battle. Chester Taylor might be the better receiving back, but when healthy Matt Forte is the better all around back.
This FanPost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member, and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.
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Martz made comments before about using Hester in the slot
which makes perfect sense. I believe he even compared him to Az-Hakim. So, of course, Lovie immediately shot it down and said Hester will be the number one. The fact that he has already started interfering with Martz’s offense really worries me. This needs to be like the Ditka/Ryan situation (without the antagonism) where they each run their respective team and stay out of each others way as much as possible. It reeks of Smith, and maybe Angelo, trying to justify the ridiculous contract they gave Hester by insisting he’s the number one regardless of performance. If Lovie was even half as smart as he is stubborn, we’d have at least two SB rings by now.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Now if we can only get Lovie...
to stay away from the defense, ST, draft and FA signings, we’d all be a lot happier!
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
This man speaks truth.
"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
Excellent!
" … half as smart as he is stubborn, … "
Stubborn precludes smart ever taking hold :(
You Hit The Nail On The Head JerBear50.
Lovie is like an undercover control freak and basically very insecure. Apparently Lovie the 1 Year wonder must think his 2009 season was a success. If I were Lovie Smith I would consider entertaining some other ideas going into 2010 because obviously his ideas do not work.
I'm curious about the D-line...
I think the starters are either set or at least there’s not much difference between #1 and #2 at most positions (obviously Peppers is excluded). The DTs worry me a great deal. Harris is such a huge question mark and Adams and Harrison seem only OK as rotational back-ups with neither showing much greatness at NT. If the interior D-line fails to play well, Urlacher will be much less effective; healthy or not. I think the Anderson will remain as the situational pass rusher and Izzy is the starting LE. I believe Wootton and Spicer are 2 names to remember for the camp. They could both have a big effect on the 53-man roster. Melton and Gilbert are the biggest unknowns and I wager at least one of them does not make the team.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
Nice post during these slow dayzzzz
FS- I was thinking it was a three-way battle, but between Wright, Bullocks and Manning. Am I wrong? Is DMS moving back to nickle? I figured Steltz at SS (not starting).
LG- Beekman probably does when this battle. Unless Louis can really wow Martz and Tice. And I’m in complete agreement with Shaffer staying at Tackle.
WR- I’m gonna reluctantly say Hester. I’m saying Hester only because of his pay. A possibility is DA and Bennett at the #1 & #2 with Hester and Knox working the slots. Regardless of who is penciled as the starters. I think all four of these guys will be very involved in Martz’s offense. I get excited just thinking about it!
Sam LB- I agree again. A healthy Pisa wins going away. But I do like the depth that Roach provides.
RB- I see the RB position much like I see the WR position. Really not sure who will be the #1 and I’m not sure it’s gonna matter much. Both of these guys will be very involved in the offense on gameday. When it comes down to the actual depth chart… I’m leaning towards Taylor being #1.
Solid post!
I really hope Harris and Wright can lock down the safety position. I think Beekman might be in for a good year. The Bears will shuttle their WRs’ in and out quite a bit. Pisa should win the job. And I think a healthy Forte brings more to the table as a starting back.
"When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." ~ Dick Butkus
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on May 18, 2010 8:41 AM CDT reply actions
I concur with others ... good post
The only thing missing would be the DT spot
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on May 18, 2010 12:28 PM CDT reply actions
Another solid post
I think Beekman wins the starting LG spot. And if he can step up his game and have his best year so far as a pro, then I think we make the playoffs.
I like Beekman to win the job too
Hopefully he shows some improvement in the run blocking game, but I feel Beekman athleticism in the good pass blocking department will be an asset in Martz pass happy offense.
by Dominique Blanton on May 23, 2010 4:34 AM CDT up reply actions

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