Chicago Bears 2011 Position Battles: Wide Receiver
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 11:00 AM CDT
in Roster Analysis
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PrintThe wide receivers for the Chicago Bears will put up better numbers with their familiarity in year 2 of the Martzfense and with better offensive line play. If Jay Cutler is kept upright more than last year expect a jump across the board, statistically, from the wide outs. The Bears have kept five WRs the last few years, but early odds have them leaning towards carrying a sixth. As of today the Bears have 10 on the roster, so unemployment for some is looming.
I think it's safe to assume that Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, and Johnny Knox are locks for the roster. I've called this a make or break year for Knox, and I think the Bears brass are happy with the way he's handled his demotion. He came into camp in the best shape of his life, and he's been working hard in camp. In my opinion the arrow is pointing up on his career. Bennett isn't the flashiest player, but he gets results. And Hester is Hester and he's ridiculous. I also think Sam Hurd is a lock to make the final 53 because of his special teams prowess. The Bears need the receivers near the bottom of the depth chart to excel on special teams, and that's Hurd's niche.
Notice I'm not counting Roy Williams as a lock... He hasn't stood out in camp, nor in the two preseason games. If (and this is a big if), but if Williams dosen't maintain his starting status, I think he'll be cut. No point having a diva-like wide out on the roster if he's on the bench. The Bears gave him a modest contract, so springing him wouldn't affect the bottom line, but keeping him around to work his way into game speed and shape could be a detriment to the morale of the team.
A quick tangent... I wasn't a huge proponent of finding a big receiver, in fact I think size at receiver is overrated, especially in an offense that is about quickness, technique, and timing. That's not to say all things equal in the quickness and technique aspects that I would prefer a 6'4" guy over a 5'10" guy, but you get the point.
I think undrafted Dane Sanzenbacher has the inside track at the final 53. He's running with the one's at the slot receiver on occasion and his skill set is a fit for the Mike Martz offense. If Dave Toub can utilize him on special teams that'll help his cause. Another reason I think the Bears will find a way to make him stick is that if hey expose him to the waiver wire I can see him being scooped up.
I think the Bears would like to keep Kris Adams (check out my interview with Adams) and/or Onrea Jones around on the practice squad. Adams is younger, 23 to 27, and may have more potential. A year on the p.s. and in an NFL weight room will do him good.
Former CFLer Andy Fantuz has been an invisible man on all the training camp reports. I'm not sure if that's because the beat reporters only have enough time to hype one unlikely receiver at a time, but it dosen't look good for his roster prospects. He's practice squad eligible, but with his CFL success he may go back there.
Jimmy Young's also in camp, and if anyone can fill us in on him that would be great. He's been more invisible than Fantuz. At least one draft publication had him listed as a possible 4th round pick.
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That pic is absolutely begging for a caption contest.
“How big Roy?”
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
good idea...
I’ll look at the schedule and get something up.
When ever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft the aircraft changes it's call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Photo-caption Extravaganza: Roy Williams and Sam Hurd
coming up today at 5pm Central!
When ever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft the aircraft changes it's call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Ok... So
Anyone else getting a Virus Threat found every once in a while on this site its weird its like out of nowhere like one day i’ll be on all day then, like yesterday I tried to get on here and the entire day my AVG said their was a virus exploit found and for me not to try to visit the site but, today its fine plz someone else answer its pissing me off. This is my bears news site :D
by ChicagoStyle on Aug 25, 2011 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, and not to completely steal the thread or anything
But everyone needs to remember to vote for WCG on the CBS thingy today!! Also, on a more related note, I’d be shocked if the Bears released Roy. It would be a huge admission by the coaching staff that they really screwed up big time. This staff isn’t exactly known for that. We like our receivers….
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
I've voted every day!
When ever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft the aircraft changes it's call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
can't vote from mobile
But just took part in a scorecardresearch poll and really gave wcg good grades
think Jay Cutler should hold out till he's satisfied with his OL
by BearDownIsrael on Aug 25, 2011 1:14 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
what poll?
Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
This one.
My team is on the floor. -Coach Norman Dale
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 25, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
from scorecardresearch
Asked how many times and duration surf the net from diff computers and mobile and how many times and duration for wcg website. Diff computers – home, friends, neighbors, internet cafe, work :-( and cell.
think Jay Cutler should hold out till he's satisfied with his OL
by BearDownIsrael on Aug 26, 2011 1:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
link?
Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 26, 2011 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmmm, it may come down to Williams being on Martz’ side of the ball (let alone being one of “Martz’ guys”). We were surprised, if not downright relieved, last season when they cut Mark Anderson early on for lack of production (as well as demoting Bowman after having all but anointed him the top CB)… there’s a chance that Jerry and/or Lovie could pull rank to make that decision on the offensive side of the ball, too. However, when it comes to reaching for a former player who’s done very little since (Manumaleuna)… you’re right, I’d be quite surprised if Roy Williams is demoted let alone cut.
When I assume, I'm not "making an ass out of u and me"... I'm actually putting u between me and an ass.
I'm not a huge fan of WIlliams, but I don't expect the Bears to cut him until after the season
You don’t bring in a big name receiver, put him #1 on the depth chart, and then cut him before the season. I hope Roy proves me wrong and plays like a 7th overall pick.
by NorthSideBearsFan on Aug 25, 2011 11:38 AM CDT reply actions
Big name receiver?
I guess…
When ever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft the aircraft changes it's call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Correct...
…but I wouldn’t be living up to my billing if I don’t point out that “affect” and “effect” can both be verbs and nouns. It’s possible to affect an effect. It’s also possible to effect an affect.
…keeping him around to work his way into game speed and shape could be a detriment to the moral of the team.
Never mind their morals, how about their morale? :-D
When I assume, I'm not "making an ass out of u and me"... I'm actually putting u between me and an ass.
wtf
When ever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft the aircraft changes it's call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
the moral of the story is...
When ever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft the aircraft changes it's call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I think you mean
the morale of the story. ;)
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Aug 25, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions
i do not think it means
what you think it means
Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...
by awfullyquiet on Aug 25, 2011 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
But you killed my father
prepare to die.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Tell you what, If Roy doesn't start catching passes soon my Moral is going to drop...
"I'm so fly, ya'll still at the terminal" -Lil Wayne
by Chitownproduct on Aug 25, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
How about the morel of the story?
If the story were about mushrooms.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
I found a patch of those last year
Super tasty! The moral: Yummy! The morale: High.
by Sound_Automatic on Aug 25, 2011 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
in all honesty,
I see Bennett as the go-to-guy for this offense
also, we should be keepin 6 receivers b/c of the loss of Olsen
I can buy RW not being guaranteed a spot
To me it seems like the front office and coaching staff has a bigger sense of urgency this year and isn’t messing around with keeping guys to avoid admitting mistakes. It really goes back to last year when they released Gilbert & Iglasias and continued this year by dumping the Manutee.
I think they keep 6 WRs and cut 1 spot from the TE/FB/HB spot or maybe even the RB spot. Unga hasn’t been in camp enough to show anything and last year we didn’t carry a FB, and Clark is rather buried on the chart so I think Martz would keep 6 WRs if he could, especially since his system relies on them very much.
Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost
by Sam Householder on Aug 25, 2011 11:40 AM CDT reply actions
6 WR's 3 TE's
Last year it was 5 and 4. Think that we keep the same amount of RB’s as last year 4. Still worried about the o-line, hope this year we actually do get off the bus running, and let that set up the pass game. Like most o-lines we rum block better than pass block and I don’t want us to step back from what was working for us at the end of last year.
Keep 'em all.
I’m sure we could find some use for them as linemen or cornerbacks.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Aug 25, 2011 12:30 PM CDT reply actions
I just noticed...
That this was my 500th front page post at Windy City Gridiron! Woo Hoo!
When ever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft the aircraft changes it's call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Congrats, Roy Wiltfong Jr.
Don’t drop it now and get back in the huddle. :)
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Aug 25, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
mazal tov
Well deserved!
think Jay Cutler should hold out till he's satisfied with his OL
by BearDownIsrael on Aug 25, 2011 1:18 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Who would celebrate something as silly as this... :)
My team is on the floor. -Coach Norman Dale
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 25, 2011 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
GEE I WONDER.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Aug 25, 2011 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions
No one is talking to you.
Get in the corner.
My team is on the floor. -Coach Norman Dale
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 26, 2011 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm shocked...
Before I start, yes, I know my screen name is out of date.
I’m shocked at the number of “Yes” votes in this poll. I don’t believe they will go with 6 WR’s, and personally hope they cut Williams. For him to be on first team based on pedigree instead of results is ludicrous. It proves that Martz’s offense is about his system, and not about the players. You’d think he would learn from last season, when the Bears had their best success by running the ball, and implementing quick-release passes. (I.E. – 7-step drop = pain for Cutler).
Go with 5, cut Willams.
Yes, I know my screen name is out of date...
by Fire Ron Turner on Aug 25, 2011 2:19 PM CDT reply actions
I am not a Roy Williams supporter by any means.
But even with that said, I still do not believe they will go through all the trouble of bringing him in and annointing him the starter and then cutting him without even seeing what he does in the regular season. The Bears just don’t strike me as that type of organization, now if he drops balls in the regular season he will probably be in the doghouse but I don’t see them cutting him.
"I'm so fly, ya'll still at the terminal" -Lil Wayne
by Chitownproduct on Aug 25, 2011 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I like Jones
I think he’ll get lost in the shuffle
Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 29, 2011 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Roy is a douch
But that is a bit to far…if he average it can help us spead the ball
We Are Guardian Force...READ IT!...BAM!!!
Slow down, read the poll question...
We’re not being asked to vote if they should keep 6 WRs. We’re voting on if we think they will. Essentially I suspect it comes down to Williams – if they keep him, it’ll most likely be 6 and that’s what I expect them to do.
Should they? That’s a different kettle of fi question.
When I assume, I'm not "making an ass out of u and me"... I'm actually putting u between me and an ass.
OK, that's a valid point.
Yes, I know my screen name is out of date...
by Fire Ron Turner on Aug 25, 2011 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions
you can never fire Ron Turner too many times.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
just testing the iPhone app commenting
Not too bad. If u haven’t used it, the app is better than mobile web. Just FYI.
by Mike Mueller on Aug 25, 2011 2:58 PM CDT via iPhone app reply actions
Selling out to the man I see....
You know not all of us have IPhones….
My team is on the floor. -Coach Norman Dale
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 25, 2011 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions
It’s meh…
Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 25, 2011 5:04 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions
BB
Any SB app for them?
think Jay Cutler should hold out till he's satisfied with his OL
by BearDownIsrael on Aug 26, 2011 1:11 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
its an iphone app
…downloading now
I respect your OPINION but i also value the FACTS, To save time, lets just ASSume IM NEVER WRONG
by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Aug 26, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
WR depth chart
Hopefully Hurd’s injury is not serious, really need him for the ST, and as much as I don’t like the Roy Williams move, I can’t see him being waived at final cuts, if he hasn’t turned it around by midseason, you cut him and promote the young talent, someone like Kris Adams from the PS. The defense is getting older, you can’t waste a year waiting for the big FA acquisition to turn things around.
Hurd a keeper.
Excells on special teams (a big need suddenly) and until he got knicked-up was catching the ball well. He should stick.
pbanachi
I am curious about Knox and Hester...
IMO, they are the same guy with Knox being a better WR and Hester being the better return guy. If Sanzenbacher can make this roster and have a measure of success, it could make sense to look to trade Knox next season and get a 2nd or 3rd round pick. For once the Bears can get a guy in the 5th and trade up for a additional guy. Unlike Olsen where the Bears got a 3rd round pick for their first round guy. I think Hurd and Bennett are solid locks for the team as each fits a specific need; Bennett is the solid #2/possession WR and Hurd is the ST star with the ability to be a spot starter and 5th WR/depth. That leaves Williams, who should be all world and rack up most/all the Bears significant WR numbers, but who I suspect will be barely good enough not to get cut. We’ll all likely be talking about the one great game he had in, say, October against Carolina, and wondering the rest of the season why he cannot match that production as Knox gets more significant playing time. K Adams and O Jones are PS guys, but such is life.
"There's a fine line between stupid, and clever!"
knox and hester are far from the same guy...
knox is a receiver to throw the deep ball to…
hester, on the other hand, can take a screen pass, and take it the distance, embarassin half the D on his way there
Knox should nto be traded…he fits the scheme surprisingly well, he just needs to grow as a receiver
nah...he's mainly a straight-line-speed guy
he can pull out moves, but Hester’s sheer ability is all-world
Well said.
And Onrea Jones is one of the few guys to actually have operated well in game situations. We should cut some one else and send a message.
I'd keep
Knox, Hester, Bennett, Sanzenbacher, Hurd (mostly for ST), and Adams. Let Williams go to the elephant graveyard.
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
Hakuna Matata
And don’t let Roy Williams near your footballs.
This has been a public service announcement from the Matt Millen’s Drafts Suck Society.
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
by NobodySpecial on Aug 25, 2011 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Hopefully Adams does clear waivers
Agree that a year in the weight and film room would do him good. I honestly think his best position might be X rather than the Z.
by Dominique Blanton on Aug 25, 2011 11:00 PM CDT reply actions
roy williams is a band-aid
He was brought in to cover up for the O-line deficiencies. Heser and Knox’s speed is irrelevant w/o protection, so RW was a big need. If o-line continues coming together, and RW doesn’t produce, he’s a goner.
think Jay Cutler should hold out till he's satisfied with his OL
by BearDownIsrael on Aug 26, 2011 1:22 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
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