Thread: Will the Bears Keep a Fullback This Year?

An interesting question and one I'd like to see us discuss. Do we go the route or the Power Blocking FB; Ta'ufo'uo, the Pass Catcher; Williams or the combo type H-Back; Adams. I really haven't seen enough of any of these guys to know but I thought I heard the announcers giving kudos to Adams and Andre Smith for their run blocking against the Bills.

What do you guys think?

I strongly feel we need a FB instead of this TE in the backfield and sub standard blocking to improve near the GL. With the O line still a train wreck it only makes sense. I've liked Tu'ufo'ou last season and like his pass catching ability. Put the runner up on PS

Ok, that's one for the guy with the funny name, LOL.

Ta'ufo'uo = 1

Williams = 0

Adams = 0

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I was a HELL of a lot more impressed with Andre Smith than Kyle Adams. That block on the Unga sweep was epic and he was locking his man up with relative ease all day. Factor in his 6'4" 270 frame and you really have something to consider. He and Reed were the most impressive fringe potential first-year guys to me last week, and it's really not even close how far ahead of the other guys in that category. Wasn't impressed with either Adams or Addison, who are apparently getting all the attention at their respective positions.

I kinda thought that too as far as Adams and Smith were concerned so it makes you wonder what's going on in camp and who's sucking on Martz's nuts to be the class favorite besides RWill. That guy is shameless. Addison got the sack on Saturday but I thoughtit was more of a gift than a great effort on his part. Nobody even picked him up. We should all feel good about Reed though. According to some tweets he was blowing by OMG in practice like he was invisible. Anyone that can make that useless piece of crap look bad enough so that they don't even think of using him is my hero.

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I was a HELL of a lot more impressed with Andre Smith than Kyle Adams. That block on the Unga sweep was epic and he was locking his man up with relative ease all day. Factor in his 6'4" 270 frame and you really have something to consider. He and Reed were the most impressive fringe potential first-year guys to me last week, and it's really not even close how far ahead of the other guys in that category. Wasn't impressed with either Adams or Addison, who are apparently getting all the attention at their respective positions.

Sox, here's more on the Kyle Adams thing and maybe why they're so high on him. More on Bell's and Sanzenbacher's likelihood of making the roster as ST contributors.
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Adams among those to get special look

August, 19, 2011Aug 19
4:55
PM CT

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By Jeff Dickerson


[+] EnlargeAP Photo/M. Spencer GreenBears special teams coordinator Dave Toub is going to take a close look at guys trying to make the roster on Monday.




BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Generally speaking, if a player hopes to make the Bears' 53-man roster as a reserve, he must have value to special teams coach Dave Toub.

Monday night's game against the Giants gives Toub another opportunity to evaluate a handful of backups fighting to stick on the final roster. Undrafted rookie tight end turned fullback Kyle Adams is expected to receive significant playing time both on offense and special teams, where Toub plans to give the former Purdue Boilermaker a shot to impress on every phase.

"Kyle is going to be a four-phase player for us Monday night," Toub said. "We're going to get a good, hard look at him."

Toub will also being paying close attention to linebacker Dom DeCicco, who is battling to earn one of the last linebacker positions on the club. In addition, linebackers J.T. Thomas and Chris Johnson will see their first preseason action after missing time in camp with injuries.

After an impressive outing last weekend versus Buffalo, running back Kahlil Bell appears to have the inside track to secure the No. 3 spot in the Bears backfield. Strengthening Bell's case is the fact Toub can use him in a variety of roles on special teams, including in the return game.

"We really want to get a good look at Kahlil Bell," Toub said. "I know he dropped one (a kickoff return against Buffalo) in the endzone, but he needs to get two at least in this game. He's a personal protect on punt, and we're going to try him out in the slot this week. He's probably going to be a 3-4 phase player for us. "

Finding a role for Dane Sanzenbacher, on the other hand, could be tricky. Barring an injury or unforeseen dropoff in play, Sanzenbacher probably makes the 53-man roster as the sixth wide receiver. But because there's no guarantee Sanzenbacher will see a ton of snaps at wideout during the regular season, the Ohio State product must prove he can handle the load on special teams.

"We're trying to find a spot for him," Toub said. "He plays hard, he's a great football player, but the big problem with him will be size on special teams. There are some spots we might be able to use him."

Veteran punter Adam Podlesh kicked the ball well in practice this week, and Toub anticipates a better night in the kicking department when the club travels to New York.

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I was just really blown away with Smith's blocking. He was bar none the best blocking rookie TE I've ever seen in a Bears uniform. He was Va Tech's go-to blocker in every phase of the game, and now he's showing it will translate to the pros. Kid is a sure-fire NFL player, IMHO. Maybe not anything more than a blocking specialist or 2 TE ceiling guy, but I'd bet good money on him making it in this league.

I just didn't see anything spectacular from Adams, and Smith showed up in a big way. Not to mention he was simply a better prospect in college and still is as a pro, IMHO.

The trouble is the 3 year deal they gave Spaeth had a $1mil SB so even if they decided to keep Smith in his place (which we both know they won't) they're out the $$$. From what this article is saying they've made Adams into a FB/HB and plan to use him on ST so there's a chance they maybe able to protect Smith if they keep 4 TE's again and only 3 RB's.

With Unga missing even more time his chances of making the final 53 are lessening so maybe it comes down to ST play. The problem is that if Smith is really that good a blocker there's always the risk that he get signed away of you put him on the PS. There may be less chance of that with Unga.

Williams was on the field with the first team and was a dominant blocker at the point-of-attack. I think that answers your question.