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Chicago Bears Wide Receiver Roulette - The Aftermath

"As they speed through the finish, the flags go down. The fans get up and they get out of town. The arena is empty except for one man. Still driving and striving as fast as he can"

It's almost all said and done, our starting six have all been chosen by the fans in the following order as the guys they wanted to see on the Bears this season. Devin Aromashodu, Johnny Knox, and Devin Hester got nods as the first three off the board, and the final trio consisted of Earl Bennett, Juaquin Igleasis, and Freddie Barnes. Not a bad player in the bunch in my opinion, and we'll take a quite look at the ones we've already mentioned, as well as the final additions below the fold. However, first things first, who is going to fill that mythical seventh wide receiver slot? Which special teams focused player is going to be something special for the Bears this year?

It's time for the final showdown between Eric Peterman, and Rashied Davis. Two men enter, and one Bear remains standing. Choose your sides folks, and join us in the comments to offer your feelings about the Bears receiver group this year.

Star-divide

First to bring us up to speed, we'll throw a few links to the previous breakdowns on the first three before we talk about the last three that made the team.

Devin Aromashodu - Tall receiver, with good hands. Known chemistry with franchise quarterback. Has spent a lot of time learning different playbooks over the years with various teams, so should be able to make a quick study of the new Martzfence.

Johnny Knox - An absolute burner at receiver with not only amazing straight-line speed, but well above-average quickness as well.  Good vision, good hands, and has the drive to fight for the ball and be a scrapper despite his size disadvantage at times. Makes good use of his natural athleticism.

Devin Hester - The man, the myth, the Windy City Flyer. Hester is essentially a faster, quicker version of Johnny Knox, but without the polish or fire that Knox seems to have. Hester seemed to find a bit of that grit toward the middle of last season, but it remains to be seen if he can carry it over. If he can, look to see that spark stoked into an inferno and burning down defenses in the league this coming season.

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With 62% of the vote, and almost 600 votes in total Earl Bennett comes in as a solid number 4.

Earl Bennett - This guy is the real deal when it comes what he does well, and he'll either be a name by the end of the year, or he'll be fighting to remain on the team next season. Earl Bennett is a route-running phenom, known very well for his extremely crisp routes, and ability to change directions on a dime. A distinct lack of elite-level speed, but his velvet hands, and high-level awareness make him a monster in traffic. Well-versed in using his body to protect the ball and make the catch, and has shown the knack to shake the defender loose if the make the mistake of trying to do anything but bring this workhorse down immediately. If there was a wide-receiver on this team made for Martzfence it's Earl Bennett, so here is hoping he shines.

With 16% and 14% of the vote respectively, Juaquin Igleasis, and Freddie Barnes are very much the developmental players you would expect, but there are known unknowns, and unknown unknowns, and Juaquin Igleasis is a known unknown.

Juaquin Igleasis - In my opinion a very similar player to Earl Bennett, just with a slightly different focus. Earl Bennett is a bit more of a possession guy and his routes are quite a bit more exacting, whereas Juaquin Igleasis wouldn't look out of place as a KR or PR in the stylings of Daniel Manning. You might see Earl Bennett fight out a yard or two on just about every play, but Igleasis has the ability to break one for an extra ten or twelve every now and then. Very similar players, and since I really like Earl Bennett, I definitely have room for Juaquin Igleasis on our team.

Freddie Barnes - And here he is, an award winning wide receiver with amazing hands, not to mention tough as nails, but is downplayed more often than not because he just doesn't have that NFL #1 WR speed. He runs his routes well, and again has hands many quarterbacks would give a couple of million to throw to because if you can get it anywhere near him, he's probably going to end up with the ball. This guy is definitely a developmental guy, because while you can't develop speed, you can develop the ability to create separation which is going to a must if Barnes wants to stick on the roster as a back up, or eventually even getting some in-game playing time.

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So with all of that said, I'm really excited about our group of wide receivers. I think we've got the exact kind of skill sets across the various guys that can make a Martz offense run like a well oiled machine. A lot of good route runners, as long as they know their routes, a lot of guys that can make those hard catches over the middle, and some guys with all world speed that can just burn you to a crisp. Throw in some very talented tight ends, and a pair of running backs with fantastic hands and there is a 95% chance of it raining touchdowns in Soldier Field this year.

Poll
It's the ultimate showdown of ultimate destiny, special teams edition. Peterman or Davis, make your choice now.
Eric Peterman
203 votes
Rashied Davis
400 votes

603 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 21 comments |

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Just couldn't stand...

that Davis beat out Peterman the first time, so you had to go and Al Gore it. Nice.

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Stupid babies need the most attention!

by David Taylor on Jul 27, 2010 7:09 PM CDT reply actions  

Seems like a bit of justice shall be served Mr. Taylor.

If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.

by Ditkavsworld on Jul 27, 2010 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

seems like it has.

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Stupid babies need the most attention!

by David Taylor on Jul 31, 2010 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

*laughs*

Actually, it was more about us probably carrying seven WR this year, and the fact I don’t see a way in hell we don’t keep one of the two :D

Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com - Artist formerly known as Sklz711

by Jacob Hayes on Jul 27, 2010 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'll give Davis the slight nod because of his ST skills.

And the fact that he was an AFL MVP. Gotta count for something, right?

"Sometimes a player's greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team." -Scottie Pippen

by owenjs on Jul 27, 2010 8:00 PM CDT reply actions  

Davis , his special teams work is too good .

" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson

by MidWayMonster54 on Jul 27, 2010 8:53 PM CDT reply actions  

Ditto on the ST

Davis of more value on the roster.

by pbanachi on Jul 28, 2010 1:49 AM CDT reply actions  

Davis is a better football player

and he might be the most accomplished receiver on the roster

huh?

In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 28, 2010 9:01 AM CDT reply actions  

As anyone who has ever read any of my comments about Rashied knows, I'm not a fan.

It’s not that I hate the guy the way a lot of people feel about Benson, Rex, etc. but it is amazing to me how a better than average ST performance forgives all of his other drawbacks. Has he ever made the Pro Bowl as a ST player, or even been in consideration for that matter?

Look, I applaud the fact that he has gone down a tough road to get here and he seems like a nice person without any off the field baggage but I can’t believe there wouldn’t be a younger, more upside, WR who couldn’t do almost, if not as well, on ST as he does. I’ve said it in other posts, he’s not exactly Steve Trasker so things need to be put into perspective. I’m not advocating just cutting him, but I really hope they look at the entire picture when it comes down to putting the final roster together. Rashied Davis does not, in my opinion, make enough of a difference to keep a roster spot from a more promising player at any position.

by BearFan611 on Jul 28, 2010 9:21 AM CDT reply actions  

Same boat as you brother

I’ve been furious over the drops, and I don’t think he’s unexpendable on ST as say a Tim Shaw or even Corey Graham (who I believe ranks second behind Shaw on Dave Toub’s point system).

But we have a new and dynamic OC…who made Mike Furrey look decent in Detroit in of all places, so I’m willing to give ‘shied another look. Hmmm…now I’m really debating in my head if I should just go down to Bourbannis (sp) to watch the competition between Freddie Barnes and Davis.

by MetalGearPeaceWalker on Jul 28, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

+0.99...

I almost completely with you on this one BF611. However, I would feel better about the argument you make here if one or more of the WRs ahead of him were pro-bowl WRs (or at least top 10 in the conference). I still agree that while his ST contributions are laudable it isn’t enough to merit taking away work on developing a younger guy with better upside. But since there isn’t an established WR in the 1-6 slots, most of the practice reps are as much about development as they are about the minutia of QB-WR rapport. I guess what I’m trying to say is that while we agree that R Davis is more of a luxury than an asset to the 2010 Bears, he’s not going to take away many developmental reps because the rest of the corps is still getting OJT anyway.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!

by LostInSTL on Jul 28, 2010 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

I understand what you're saying, but where I disagree with you is

he is not one of your top 2-3 receivers anyway. Since he will be limited in his reps compared to Hester, Knox, DA, Bennett, and Iglesias (I’m assuming this since he was a high draft choice for them last year and they have to find out what he’s about) he DOES take reps away from a younger prospect like Barnes, Peterman, Matthews, and Robinson who could be diamonds in the rough.

Again, I’m not saying just cut him but let’s be realistic about his possible contributions to the team. Whatever the case, I’m just happy that camp starts Friday so we can get an actual look at these youngs guys.

by BearFan611 on Jul 28, 2010 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

I believe...

I am sick of the offseason as well. I needs me some football!

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!

by LostInSTL on Jul 28, 2010 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

LOL

Agree +1,000,000

WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!

by Acreman20 on Jul 29, 2010 2:21 AM CDT up reply actions  

Rashied vs. Peterman

I think both of these guys will make the 53. At the very least, I think Peterman will be on the PS if he doesn’t make the team. ST is a very valuable part of the game and that’s why I think it’s Rashied.

by walterfan34 on Jul 28, 2010 2:28 PM CDT reply actions  

This has been a really good series

In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 28, 2010 4:24 PM CDT reply actions  

Indeed

WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!

by Acreman20 on Jul 28, 2010 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

I chose Peterman because I'm tired of having easy Rashied jokes to fall back on.

I need a creative challenge. Also because
He’s going the distance
He’s going for speed…

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Jul 29, 2010 5:17 AM CDT reply actions  

Rashied is

reluctantly crouched at the starting line. And thinking “I will survive” on his italian leather sofa.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.

by Just Dave on Jul 29, 2010 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

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