Farewell: Top Preseason Performances of Those No Longer With Us

by Steven Schweickert on Sep 4, 2011 7:00 AM CDT in Notes

Robert Hughes capped off his preseason with a solid performance, but it wasn't enough to keep him on the roster. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

We'd be remiss if we didn't pay tribute to those players who didn't make the final cuts. Of course, most highlights are made by those who managed to scratch and claw their way to a roster spot (Kyle Adams, Dane Sanzenbacher, looking in your general directions), but once in a while preseason heroes arise only to be struck down.

So follow me across the jump as we remember the top performances of those cut in the making of our initial 53...

Week 4: RB Robert Hughes - 16 carries, 69 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 26 yards
For about as meaningless as a preseason game as there could possibly be, Hughes delivered a strong performance as the backup running backs were beset by injuries, with 95 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. This performance pushed him through to the final day of cuts.

Week 1: WR Kris Adams - 3 receptions, 58 yards
Adams performed well in training camp, but it was this performance alongside third string quarterback Nathan Enderle and Trever Vittatoe that put him on the Bears' map, including a nice deep reception.

Week 2: WR Onrea Jones - 3 receptions, 48 yards
Jones was another of the undrafted receivers looking to make a splash on the receiving corps. Played hard, looked good, just fell short and was cut Friday.

Week 4: DT Jordan Miller - 1 tackle, 1 sack
Miller pushed through for a sack, one of four allowed by Cleveland in the preseason finale.

Tied: Week 1: DB Mike Holmes - 1 INT and Week 4: DB Deron Minor - 1 INT
The Bears had two interceptions during the entire preseason. Neither of the players that made those interceptions are on the final roster.

And just because it's the final evidence as to why Chester Taylor was really, truly cut yesterday...

Whole Preseason: RB Chester Taylor - 16 carries, 37 yards - 2.3 YPC

So is there anyone that you were surprised was cut yesterday (or wasn't cut)? Do you have a favorite preseason moment? Sound off!

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Comments

I liked the effort...

Hughes put forth in the final PS game. He runs angry and will likely be on the PS; if he clears waivers, which may not happen. He has the potential to be in that 3rd RB spot and if Barber gets hurt running angry, this kid is a nice back-up plan. Either way, he had himself a hell of night last Thursday that no roster cut can take away.
Kris Adams is another young guy who distinguished himself. Again, if he clears waivers, he’s a sure PS guy. He could also be a PS promo guy in an emergency; say if RE Williams flames out and goes crazy (the bad way).
Holmes and Minor both showed flashes of potential and will also likely make the PS because they can contribute on ST. They both could use a year of PS duties to learn the defense and add some NFL size to their frames.
I’d like to see if the Bears can get a vet LB into Halas Hall because I’m not completely sold on Roach as a full-time starter and the Bears a one LB injury away from having a mediocre defense. DeCicco played hard, but was out of position and physically over matched far too often to be a legit back-up at MLB this year. He needs a year to develop his NFL mental and physical game.

"There's a fine line between stupid, and clever!"

by LostInSTL on Sep 4, 2011 9:50 AM CDT reply actions

Remember that one time that Vernon Gholston did something?

Oh wait, he didn’t do anything. My bad

by Chi-Fed on Sep 4, 2011 9:56 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Gholston had a couple of pressures, just not a lot to show for it.

Okoye got one sack off a Gholston pressure that I remember.

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 Sep 4, 2011 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Pffff, you and your facts…..

When I assume, I'm not "making an ass out of u and me"... I'm actually putting u between me and an ass.

by Spongie on Sep 6, 2011 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

via Chicago bears twitter

LM: #Bears have agreed to terms with ex-Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather on one-year contract.

by chiguy8506 on Sep 4, 2011 10:32 AM CDT reply actions

saw that

And was relieved we maynot have to rely on Major Wright

Cacti are prickly.

by crackedcactus on Sep 4, 2011 10:39 AM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Yeah

Major lost the starting job? lovie not happy with him?

by chiguy8506 on Sep 4, 2011 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Wow, I don't know about others

but I like this move.

by Midway Bully on Sep 4, 2011 10:40 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

I just looked on the Bears twitter and saw nothing like that.

by themacattack on Sep 4, 2011 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Wait nvm

The official website has it up: http://chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=8117

I agree with this move, but we need another linebacker, not another safety.

by themacattack on Sep 4, 2011 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

MW to LB i see it now

by chiguy8506 on Sep 4, 2011 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions

hmm . ..

I’m thinking Nick Reed might get moved to LB. He seemed exceptionally explosive on Thursday charging around the corners.

by themacattack on Sep 4, 2011 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Please no.

Let DMS die withit’s namesake’s departure. Please?

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Sep 4, 2011 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

don't worry man i was jokin i dont wanna see him at LB either

by chiguy8506 on Sep 4, 2011 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

The worst part of this?

I had literally just finished typing a post looking at the 53-man roster and spent a whole paragraph saying we wouldn’t do it and that he fits better on Mike Quade’s squad. Thank you Bears for making me waste a half hour of my Sunday.

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 Sep 4, 2011 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd still take a chance with him

1 year deals are great.

by Midway Bully on Sep 4, 2011 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Worth taking a chance on,

but I’d rather have done it earlier in the preseason like with Okoye and Gholston (except for the part where he was still a Patriot), instead of now having to maybe cut a guy you really like (and I really think they really like Venable).

I know it wasn’t possible to do that with Meriweather, just saying.

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 Sep 4, 2011 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm hoping they cut Steltz (sorry Dane).

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Sep 4, 2011 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

so who gets cut

Is this player # 54 on roster?

Watch the Ravens OL and CB cuts carefully

by BearDownIsrael on Sep 4, 2011 10:56 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

No move has to be announced yet

because he hasn’t put pen to paper on it.

Though for as much as the Bears like Venable, I think he’s the one to go. Steltz ain’t going anywhere, unless it’s either him or Conte to IR.

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 Sep 4, 2011 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

IDK.

As the fourth safety, the bears want ST ability and potential. Steltz has the ST ability, but his potential has been reached. Venable has potential, so I’m betting it comes down to his ST ability.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Sep 4, 2011 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions