The Bears 53-Man Roster Jigsaw Puzzle - Armando Allen

Armando Allen is an interesting player. He brings more of a pure speed dimension that isn't really seen with any of the other running backs on the roster, but he's in a position with two established players ahead of him, meaning his shot of breaking the roster comes via the third (or potentially fourth) running back spot, depending on how Kahlil Bell and Lorenzo Booker fare.

So what will it take for Allen to make the 53-man roster? Let's hit the jump and see what would happen if he made it...

If the Bears were to break camp with four running backs, I'm pretty sure Allen would make the team; as a pure runner, he's not a bad third option. I don't see the Bears keeping any more than three running backs though, so I think it's a three-man competition for the third spot. Booker and Bell both have the advantage of working on special teams, but with only three running backs, the team would be able to carry another special teams player deep at another position, such as the fourth tight end (Evan Rodriguez, for instance) or sixth receiver.

That might be enough to push a player that isn't as good in the special teams phase - like a Dane Sanzenbacher, Terriun Crump or Chris Summers - off the roster, in favor of a Rashied Davis.

Three running backs offers the four tight ends possibility more so than ever, and I definitely see the team as breaking this way, with how much they like Kyle Adams and Evan Rodriguez playing well so far in camp. I just wish we'd gotten to see what Rodriguez could do in a game...

Kahlil Bell looked pretty slow on his feet in Thursday's preseason contest - albeit with the caveat that with the way the offensive line performed, no running back was really able to do much. But unless Bell completely falls apart, I don't think Allen unseats him unless the team really wants his different skillset on the roster.

What do you guys see in Armando Allen's chances to make the roster?