Training Camp Unveils Another Bears Deep Threat...........

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08-21-2011, 11:49 AM
soulman

Training Camp Unveils Another Bears Deep Threat...........
WR Kris Adams giving Bears’ offense deeper meaning
By SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com August 20, 2011 8:24PM
- Updated: August 21, 2011 2:25AM
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Overall, the Bears’ defense outplayed the offense at training camp. But the offensive player wearing No. 84 was among those who generated the most raves.
Kris Adams, an undrafted receiver from UTEP, regularly hauled in deep passes, and he led all players in last Saturday’s 10-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills with three catches for 58 yards.

‘‘He can go get it,’’ Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie. ‘‘I’ve hit him on a couple. He looks impressive going to get the deep ball.’’

After the additions of Roy Williams and Sam Hurd, the Bears have a lot of depth at receiver, unlike last year. But undrafted rookies Adams and Dane Sanzenbacher have distinguished themselves.

‘‘I just want to come out and practice hard,’’ Adams said. ‘‘I’m trying to make a spot on the team. I know with the number of receivers they’re going to keep and the number of veteran guys, it’s going to be hard. So I just want to show what I can do and move up on the depth chart and play well in the preseason games. So if I don’t get a shot here, it will open up other opportunities.’’

Adams said the playbook was difficult at first, but he’s gotten used to it. Currently, Adams plays the same position (flanker) as Devin Hester. Sanzenbacher has an edge because he plays in the slot, behind Earl Bennett.

But both Adams and Sanzenbacher need to assert themselves on special teams.
‘‘I’m on kickoff return, and I’m a gunner on punts,’’ Adams said. ‘‘I’m trying to get some opportunities there in the preseason games.’’
08-21-2011, 12:03 PM
soulman

No one can argue that we aren't far better off at WR than we were a year ago with the acquistions of RWill and Hurd alone but the performance of both Adams and Sanzenbacher make this whole thing very interesting as cut downs begin. At most there's probably only room for 6 of these guys on the 53 man roster and right now we have seven competing hard for those spots. Hester, RWill, Knox, Hurd, Bennett, Adams and Sanzenbacher. It's pretty plain that one of them will have to be resigned to playing on the PS.

It probably comes down to which of the rookies performs best on ST's, Adams or Sanzenbacher. I'm actually hoping that it's Sanzenbacher since we already have significant deep ball threats in Hester and Knox and a lot of flexiblility in Hurd who can play all three WR postions according to Martz. What we do seem to lack is that slot guy to play behind Bennett. The guy who can get open on those key third and long plays and catch any thing that's within his reach. Another Mr. Clutch and Sanzenbacher appears to fit that description.

I guess I'm not exactly rooting against RWill but if he isn't all he thinks he is and more it wouldn't break my heart to see him go. Of course we all know THAT won't happen as long as he has Martz to protect him. Nonetheless we do have a WR core than at least comes closer to matching that Pack's than we had before.

It's just too bad we can't boast of the same quality depth on the Oline.
08-21-2011, 12:31 PM
motownbear

I wonder with hindsight in play do we go after guys like Hurd spaeth paea if we knew guys like okoye ds Adams and I believe we have a ufa te blocking impressively were meshing so well in our system
08-21-2011, 12:32 PM
lklrlolnlilklsox

I was surprised when we signed Adams that it wasn't bigger news. Hell, even when I posted it here I don't think anyone cared. He is the big, athletic guy a lot were begging for this offseason, so I was kind of baffled how the media did not and has not played that up. He got an absolute ton of separation all game, and if he keeps that up, there's a great competition to watch between him and Dane.
08-21-2011, 01:36 PM
soulman

Quote:

Originally Posted by motownbear

I wonder with hindsight in play do we go after guys like Hurd spaeth paea if we knew guys like okoye ds Adams and I believe we have a ufa te blocking impressively were meshing so well in our system

I still think Hurd and Paea were good players to bring in. With Paea we were in a spot where we didn't know whether or not AA would come back and that would have left us with only "Toe" and a hope and prayer that either Harrison or Tyler could step up in the rotation. To me that wouldn't have been all that comforting since both have been failed at that up to that point. As it is we got a guy who can play both NT and UT and because of Omoye we can allow him to get rid of some bad habits and move him into the rotation slowly. He'll be nice depth to have if one of the others goes down.

Hurd and Podlesh were guys who were at the top of their list because they new we were losing a ton of strength and experience on ST's and there was no guarantee that Graham would return either. Now we have two all star gunners instead of one and maybe a backup if Adams makes the team. Combine that with guys like Bell, Steltz, Bowman and some of the rookies and it looks like we've done a good job of restocking the ST's on the fly.

The only real questionable move was signing Spaeth to the kind of deal we did but once again at the time there was no certainty that we'd even get the two rookies we got let alone get the kind of blocking we've gotten out of them. The depth we now have at DT, TE and WR far surpasses what we had last year going into the season and I'm sure than we'll have some decent talent on the PS if a couple of these guys can't make the final cut. Slowly but surely we are getting a little younger and better at certain positions.
08-21-2011, 01:46 PM
soulman
Quote:

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I was surprised when we signed Adams that it wasn't bigger news. Hell, even when I posted it here I don't think anyone cared. He is the big, athletic guy a lot were begging for this offseason, so I was kind of baffled how the media did not and has not played that up. He got an absolute ton of separation all game, and if he keeps that up, there's a great competition to watch between him and Dane.

His scouting report explains why he was probably overlooked in the draft. Kind of a one trick pony who can get it done downfield in the vertical game but lacks pure route running skills other wise. What he's been touted as having done so far is exactly what he's best at. Catching the long ball. He's the kind of guy you usually see playing in silver and black.

I thought the comment about his being a poor man's DA was appropriate. Maybe Martz will like this version better.

KRIS ADAMS WR, UTEP
- 2011 GRADE: 5.5 T HT: 6-3 WT: 195
- Overview
ReceivingRushingYearGamesRECYDSYPRYPGTDRUSHYDSYPCY PGTD201013471070 22.8 82.314000.00.0020091242580 13.8 48.32000.00.00
- Scouting Report
A tall, lean wide receiver prospect who lacks ideal girth through his upper body and doesn't have a real physical build. Is a strider in every sense of the word. Isn't a real gifted initial starter and it takes him a bit to get going. However, the further down the field he's asked to go the tougher he is to stay with. A vertical route runner who does a nice job using some shiftiness off the line in order to slip the press and when he's able to release to the outside he can cleanly slip the bump, drop his pad level to shrug off contact and get into his route. However, on his outside release he simply isn't explosive enough to quickly get past opposing defensive backs and can be easily re-routed off the line. Does a nice job tracking the football vertically down the field. Doesn't do a great job plucking the football off his frame and high pointing the play, but seems to have a slight second gear when the ball is in the air and can make plays behind defenders.

However, looks too tight in the hips and leggy to consistently get in and out of his breaks cleanly on sharply breaking routes and separate at the next level. Does a better job selling his post/corner route down the field than going to get the football, but he strikes me as a vertical route runner only.

Impression: Has a nice-sized frame with decent speed down the field once he gets going, but looks limited as more of a vertical pass catcher. Reminds me a bit of a poor man's Devin Aromashodu and is a fringe roster guy.