:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4597435/gyi0061363071.0.jpg)
Who remembers Kevin Malast? He was an undrafted rookie from Rutgers whom the Bears picked up in 2009, but having an overload of linebackers on the roster caused a huge wave of cuts before the 2010 season.
Malast is big (6'2, 235), fast 4.6 40-yard dash, and showed spurts of insane athleticism during his camps with the team. Unfortunately, Malast was a victim of roster overload at that position, and was released along with Tim Shaw and Kelvin Smith.
At that point, Chicago had Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Pisa Tinoisamoa, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Nick Roach, and Brandon Iwuh.
Hillenmeyer was placed on Injured Reserve for a concussion after the season opener, but by that point, Malast was long gone. Rod Wilson was also later added to the 53-man roster.
But enough of the 2010 linebacker history -- Malast was cut, spent some time on the Titans and Jaguars practice teams, and added to Tennessee's active roster last season.
Technically, he's under contract through 2013, but I spoke with the blogger over at Music City Miracles, and he's not convinced that Malast will stick after this season.
"They (the Titans) love Colin McCarthy in the middle and have Tim Shaw as his back-up. Shaw isn't much of a linebacker, but he is really good on special teams. They actually have quite a bit of young talent at linebacker..."
With that said, we know the Bears will be looking for depth at their linebacker positions, and with Urlacher's future in a state of flux, it wouldn't surprise me if the team started looking at familiar faces.
Your thoughts on Malast, or anyone else? This is your weekly chat with WCG staff... Sound off!