Sep 1 2010 - Edwin Williams OL Edwin Williams was claimed off waivers from the Redskins by the Bears. Williams started two games at right guard for the Redskins last season.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Chris Williams OT Chris Williams, the first-round pick in 2008 was expected to take over at left tackle and lock down that side for the next decade. But he was beaten for three sacks by Kamerion Wimbley -- in the just the first half -- during the second preseason game.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Desmond Clark TE Desmond Clark was thought to be the odd man out entering his 12th season, but he had an excellent camp and is the best mix of blocker-receiver in the group. The Bears have listed him as an H-back on the depth chart, sometimes lining him up in the backfield.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Greg Olsen TE Greg Olsen has the skill set of a big wide receiver and, if he continues to work on his blocking, he will have a major role in the offense, even though Martz has usually not utilized the tight end as a major weapon in the past. Olsen has the speed to stretch the middle of the field and the size to be a factor in the red zone.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Devin Aromashodu WR Devin Aromashodu provides the big target (6-foot-2, 201 pounds) that is missing with Devin Hester and Johnny Knox, and he is also a down-the-field threat. Aromashodu could be on the field as much as anyone given the amount of three-WR sets the Bears will use.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Dan LeFevour QB Dan LeFevour showed amazing improvement in third preseason game after poor outings in first two contests but looks like practice squad for him.
|
Sep 1 2010 - J'Marcus Webb OT J'Marcus Webb is a raw talent who is worth developing but remains a project for now.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Joshua Moore CB Joshua Moore, for now, will only have a chance to make an impact on special teams.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Corey Wootton DE Corey Wootton has flashed some pass-rush skills but is in danger of getting lost in the shuffle at a crowded position.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Major Wright S Major Wright was on pace to challenge for starting job until finger surgery after preseason opener. Back at practice and still could be starting by early in the season. Has shown willingness to hit and ability to make plays on the ball.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Todd Collins QB Todd Collins, who did not take a snap until the final preseason game, could be the No. 2 behind Jay Cutler for the season opener if Caleb Hanie has not recovered fully from a sprained shoulder.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Lance Briggs LB Lance Briggs (ankle) is expected to start the season opener, but he did not play in the final preseason game and did not practice in the week after suffering the injury in the third preseason game.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Pisa Tinoisamoa LB Pisa Tinoisamoa will be the starter on the strong side opening day, barring injury. He was battling Nick Roach for the spot, but Roach had arthroscopic knee surgery on Aug. 24 and is not expected back until the season opener at the earliest.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Nick Roach LB Nick Roach had arthroscopic knee surgery on Aug. 24 and hopes to be back for the regular-season opener, but his current absence from practice ends the competition between him and Pisa Tinoisamoa for the starting spot on the strong side.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Corey Graham CB Corey Graham is still in the running for the No. 1 nickel back job, even though D.J. Moore played there in the third preseason game. Graham has played corner, nickel and safety for the Bears.
|
Sep 1 2010 - D.J. Moore CB D.J. Moore was the No. 1 nickel back in the third preseason game, but the Bears' pass defense was suspect, allowing four third-down conversions of seven yards or longer, and Moore was credited with just two tackles.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Caleb Hanie QB Caleb Hanie's hold on the No. 2 job is tentative because he hasn't played since suffering a sprained shoulder in the preseason opener. He's back at practice on a limited basis and hopes to be ready for the start of the regular season, but that's iffy.
With 16 years in the league, including several in offenses similar to Mike Martz's, Todd Collins might be forced into the top backup spot if Hanie isn't ready to roll.
|
Sep 1 2010 - Matt Forte RB Matt Forte slumped last year, when he was playing with a sprained knee most of the season after a hamstring cost him much of the offseason. He's healthy now and has regained the quickness and long speed he lacked last season, which was evident on an 89-yard touchdown run in the preseason. Forte is also a very good receiver (120 catches in his first two seasons), which makes him even more valuable in Mike Martz's offense.
|
Aug 31 2010 - Will Ta'ufo'ou FB Will Ta'ufo'ou was waived/injured with a sprained MCL in his right knee. He suffered the injury in Saturday's preseason game against Arizona. If he clears waivers, he'll be on injured reserve with the Bears.
|
Aug 29 2010 - D.J. Moore CB D.J. Moore got all the first-team reps at nickel back Saturday night, playing ahead of Corey Graham.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Nick Roach LB Nick Roach (arthroscopic knee surgery) hopes to be back by the start of the regular season but probably not soon enough to win the No. 1 job on the strong side, which he was competing for with Pisa Tinoisamoa.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Pisa Tinoisamoa LB Pisa Tinoisamoa got all the first-team reps on the strong side because Nick Roach, who was battling him for the starting job sat out following minor arthroscopic knee surgery.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Brian Urlacher MLB Brian Urlacher, who missed the last three practices last week, also sat out Saturday's game with a calf injury.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Brian Iwuh LB Brian Iwuh saw extensive playing time with the first team after Lance Briggs left with an ankle injury.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Will Ta'ufo'ou FB Will Ta'ufo'ou suffered a knee injury and did not return.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Lance Briggs LB Lance Briggs suffered an injury to his left ankle in the second quarter and did not return.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Lance Briggs LB Lance Briggs suffered an injury to his left ankle in the second quarter and did not return.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Dan LeFevour QB Dan LeFevour finished Saturday's game at quarterback after taking over for Jay Cutler following the first possession of the second half, and the sixth-round pick from Central Michigan completed 10 of 12 passes for 100 yards, a 3-yard TD pass to Juaquin Iglesias and a passer rating of 129.2.
Even with No. 2 quarterback Caleb Hanie out with a shoulder injury, Matt Gutierrez did not see any playing time for the second straight week, nor did Todd Collins.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Chester Taylor RB Chester Taylor has backed up Jamal Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens and Adrian Peterson with the Minnesota Vikings so his role behind Matt Forte isn't foreign. "I know how to work with another back," he said. "You have to have depth in the backfield because it's going to be a long season."
Taylor had just eight carries for 11 yards in the first two preseason games. But he picked up 34 yards on his first carry Saturday night with a nifty cutback move at the line of scrimmage and a couple jukes in the open field.
In his only season as a full-time starter, Taylor rushed for 1,216 yards and caught 42 passes in 2006 with the Vikings.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Julius Peppers DE Julius Peppers' pass-rush prowess is common knowledge. He's hit double figures in sacks in six of his eight NFL seasons. But Peppers demonstrated his dominance against the run in last week's game when he had 2 huge tackles near the line of scrimmage with the Raiders inside the Bears' five-yard line.
"He's about as complete of a defensive end as you'll see," coach Lovie Smith said. "A 300-pound man with DB-type speed, plays with leverage, plays the run, plays the pass, all situations. We have a lot of things in store as far as what we're going to do with him this year. He plays as hard as anyone, pursues ... should I stop? We could keep going for a while.
"He's a scholarship player that we're going to keep around here for a while."
|
Aug 29 2010 - Frank Omiyale OT Frank Omiyale, who was unimpressive at left guard last year, was called for two holding penalties Saturday night. Left tackle Chris Williams was responsible for three of the four sacks by Raiders defensive end Kamerion Wimbley in the second preseason game, and Saturday night he was beaten by Calais Campbell for another that led to a Cutler fumble, which the Bears recovered.
|
Aug 29 2010 - Jay Cutler QB Jay Cutler has been sacked 10 times in the preseason. He's also been picked off twice, both in Saturday night's third straight preseason loss, in which the first-team offense failed to score despite playing into the third quarter.
"We have a lot to improve on," center Olin Kreutz said. "We're nowhere near where we want to be."
|
Aug 27 2010 - Eric Peterman WR Eric Peterman (thumb) was waived from injured reserve by Chicago.
|
Aug 26 2010 - Brian Urlacher LB Brian Urlacher has been ruled out of Saturday's game against Arizona with a sore left calf. He suffered the injury last week against the Raiders.
|
Aug 26 2010 - Eric Peterman WR Eric Peterman (thumb) was placed on injured reserve by Chicago.
|
Aug 25 2010 - Brian Urlacher LB Brian Urlacher, who strained his left calf muscle in Saturday's preseason game, missed his third straight practice Wednesday. He will play in the final two preseason games if he's ready, coach Lovie Smith said.
|
Aug 25 2010 - Eric Peterman WR Eric Peterman (injured/thumb) was placed on waivers by Chicago.
|
Aug 24 2010 - Brian Urlacher LB Brian Urlacher, who strained his left calf muscle in Saturday's preseason game, will play in the final two preseason games if he's ready, coach Lovie Smith said.
|
Aug 23 2010 - Todd Collins QB Todd Collins has had a change of heart and has signed with the Bears, agreeing to a one-year contract. Terms weren't disclosed.
Collins, 38, is the veteran the Bears have been seeking with Jay Cutler's backup, Caleb Hanie, spraining the AC joint in his right shoulder. Chicago signed Matt Gutierrez after being turned down by Trent Green, twice, Damon Huard and Josh McCown. The team wasn't comfortable with struggling rookie Dan LeFevour potentially not even making the final roster.
|
Aug 22 2010 - Joshua Moore CB Joshua Moore has gotten some snaps with the second team but is not going to challenge for playing time either at cornerback or nickel.
|
Aug 22 2010 - Corey Wootton DE Corey Wootton has impressed coaches with his work ethic and attitude, but his technique needs work, especially his habit of standing up at the snap of the ball and not bending his knees.
|
Aug 22 2010 - Brian Iwuh LB Brian Iwuh, who was signed as a free agent in May after being cut by the Jaguars, is expected to be a major contributor on special teams. He missed several early training camp practices but came back with a bang last week when he picked off two passes in his first day back on the field.
"He's really played well since we've got him," coach Lovie Smith said. "He's a good football player, you notice him when he's out there."
|
Aug 22 2010 - Pisa Tinoisamoa LBs Pisa Tinoisamoa and Nick Roach continue fighting it out for the starting job at strong-side linebacker, although Tinoisamoa had more reps with the first team during the final week of training camp practices.
"They're both playing well," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said, "they're coming after it."
|
Aug 22 2010 - Nick Roach LBs Nick Roach and Pisa Tinoisamoa continue fighting it out for the starting job at strong-side linebacker, although Tinoisamoa had more reps with the first team during the final week of training camp practices.
"They're both playing well," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said, "they're coming after it."
|
Aug 22 2010 - Garrett Wolfe RB Garrett Wolfe has unique speed and quickness, which is imperative for a 5-foot-7, 185-pound player in the NFL. He also brings the added dimension of being a standout special-teams player, where he had eight solo tackles last season, fifth best on the team, even though he played just eight games before a lacerated kidney ended his season.
"I most definitely bring something different," Wolfe said. "I'm smaller than everybody, but I'm quick and fast. I think I create a major match-up problem, as do some of our other guys. We have a very talented group of guys that can do a multitude of things. But at the end of the day, I still feel like I'm different and I think it kind of stands out."
|
Aug 22 2010 - Kahlil Bell RB Kahlil Bell doesn't possess great speed, but his 72-yard run last year on his first carry in the NFL was the longest of the season for the Bears and the longest by a rookie in franchise history.
"He's a good inside runner, between the tackles, and he can get outside," RB coach Tim Spencer said. "He has enough quickness. He doesn't have the long speed like a couple of our guys. But he does have very good quickness. If he gets caught (after 72 yards), so what? Seventy-two yards we'll take."
|
Aug 22 2010 - Earl Bennett WR Earl Bennett still has not played in a preseason game because of a hamstring injury suffered a week into training camp.
|
Aug 22 2010 - Craig Steltz S Craig Steltz, who started at strong safety in place of injured Danieal Manning in the preseason opener, suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and is not expected back until the final preseason game at the earliest.
|
Aug 22 2010 - Brian Urlacher LB Brian Urlacher suffered a calf injury on the first defensive series of the game and did not return, but both he and coach Lovie Smith said the injury was not serious.
|
Aug 19 2010 - Hunter Hillenmeyer LB Hunter Hillenmeyer (foot) returned to practice. He went out in Saturday's game against the Chargers and hasn't practiced since.
|