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The Chicago Bears have one roster spot remaining after the release of Ray McDonald, but here are the 89 current players that will begin Phase 3 of the OTAs today.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jeremiah Ratliff DE/NT, Jarvis Jenkins DT, Ego Ferguson DE, Will Sutton DE, Eddie Goldman NT, Cornelius Washington DE, Terry Williams NT, Brandon Dunn DE, Olsen Pierre DE
What to look for: The Bears have to hope that rookie 2nd round draft pick Eddie Goldman can take control of the nose tackle position early. If he does that it frees up Ratliff to showcase his versatility all along the defensive line. Undrafted free agent Terry Williams has the size and skills to make the roster as a back up NT. Will Sutton was drafted to play as a 3 technique DT in a 4-3, so he'll need to prove his value in the new scheme.
LINEBACKERS
Pernell McPhee OLB, Lamarr Houston OLB, Jared Allen OLB, Willie Young OLB, Sam Acho OLB, Jon Bostic ILB, Mason Foster ILB, Christian Jones ILB, David Bass OLB, Shea McClellin ILB, DeDe Lattimore ILB, Jamil Merrell OLB, Kyle Woestmann OLB, John Timu ILB, Jonathan Brown ILB, Jonathan Anderson ILB
What to look for: There are still a few question marks in the linebacking unit. Will last year's 4-3 DEs make a seamless transition to 3-4 OLB? Can Houston and Young rehab their respective injuries in time for the season opener? Will McClellin and Jones be able to thrive as inside linebackers? Jon Bostic has the speed and athleticism to be an impact player, but can he put it all together in his 3rd season?
CORNERBACKS
Kyle Fuller, Tim Jennings, Alan Ball, Demontre Hurst, Al Louis-Jean, Sherrick McManis, Terrance Mitchell, Qumain Black, Bryce Callahan, Jacoby Glenn
What to look for: On paper Chicago's top 3 corners are Fuller, Jennings and Ball, but with a couple of nickelback options in the safety position group this year, will defensive coordinator Vic Fangio opt to go with a more physical option at NB? I thought Al Louis-Jean showed promise last year, but undrafted FA Jacoby Glenn had an outstanding 2 years in college and has the ball skills to stand out in OTAs.
SAFETIES
Antrel Rolle, Ryan Mundy, Brock Vereen, Adrian Amos, Malcolm Bronson, Anthony Jefferson
What to look for: Rolle is a lock for one of the safety spots, but Vereen, Mundy and Amos should all be in the mix for the other. Vereen and Amos are also options at nickel.
QUARTERBACKS
Jay Cutler, Jimmy Clausen, David Fales, Shane Carden, Patrick Devlin
What to look for: During his 4 years at Denver, head coach John Fox kept 3 QBs on the opening day roster 3 times. If the Bears do the same in 2015, the battle between Fales and Carden will be an interesting one. Winner breaks camp, loser probably goes to the practice squad.
RUNNINGBACKS
Matt Forte, Ka'Deem Carey, Jeremy Langford, Senorise Perry, Jacquizz Rodgers
What to look for: John Fox coached teams have never had a problem having backs that share the load, so don't be surprised to see Forte's touches come down significantly. But in order for that to happen the battle for the #2 and #3 RB spot will be an important one. The new regime has no ties to former draft pick Carey, so he has something to prove. Also keep in mind that offensive coordinator Adam Gase doesn't utilize a fullback.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, Kevin White, Marquess Wilson, Josh Bellamy, Marc Mariani, John Chiles, Rashad Lawrence, Cameron Meredith, Levi Norwood
What to look for: I'll be very interested to see how quickly top draft pick Kevin White can impose his will on the offense. Marquess Wilson, who was highly thought of by the previous regime, will probably need to battle for the 4th WR spot. I'm also curious to see how quickly Cutler and Royal can get some of their Denver mojo back.
TIGHT ENDS
Martellus Bennett, Dante Rosario, Zach Miller, Blake Annen, Bear Pascoe, Jacob Maxwell, Brian Vogler, Chris Pantale
What to look for: First thing to look for is Martellus Bennett. Will he ever come to OTAs? He's looking for some new money on his contract and until there are mandatory workouts, he's not contractually obligated to show up. Since Gase isn't fond of fullbacks, he'll be looking for a legit blocking TE threat and a TE that he can move around like an H-Back. Zach Miller was a star of last year's OTAs and, if he can stay healthy, he could slide into the Joker TE role for Gase.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jermon Bushrod LT, Matt Slauson LG, Kyle Long RG, Will Montgomery C, Jordan Mills RT, Michael Ola G/T, Vladimir Ducasse G, Charles Leno Jr. T, Hroniss Grasu C, Tayo Fabuluje T, Connor Boffeli G, Ryan Groy G/C, Chad Hamilton G, Cameron Jefferson T, Jason Weaver T
What to look for: If Matt Slauson is healthy, the only big question mark on the Bears' line is right tackle. Jordan Mills has to build off his rookie year promise and step his game up. Center will work itself out between veteran Montgomery and rookie Grasu. Gase's offenses has used a 6th offensive lineman from time to time, so look for the reserve tackles to battle it out for that.
SPECIALISTS
Robbie Gould K, Patrick O'Donnell P, Thomas Gafford LS, Rick Lovato LS, Jeremiah Detmer K
What to look for: Not much of a battle brewing at kicker or punter. Gould is one of the best and O'Donnell has a lot of upside after an up and down rookie year. The Bears could bring in an extra punter at some point, but unless O'Donnell gets a case of the yips, he'll be the punter. Gafford is a veteran free agent pick up and he should beat out the rookie Lovato.
What are some things you'll be looking for during this OTA?