The Cuts

**Henry Burris** · 09-03-2011, 03:55 PM

Cutdown day: Bears release Clark, Taylor, Harrison

By Jay Mariotti

Tribune News Services

3:42 PM CDT, September 3, 2011

In the last 10 years, only two undrafted rookie free agents have stuck around to make any kind of impact.

The Chicago Bears look like they will carry five of them on their 53-man roster when final cuts are due at 5 p.m.

The club has not made any formal announcement, but according to a variety of NFL sources, the team is down to 54 players right now. It's unknown if a decision has been made on the final spot, but multiple sources say the front office is considering placing rookie linebacker J.T. Thomas, a sixth-round pick from West Virginia, on injured reserve with a back issue.

The Bears informed three veterans they will be let go. Running back Chester Taylor, tight end Desmond Clark and defensive tackle Marcus Harrison are headed out. Clark was re-signed at the start of training camp. He spent the last eight seasons with the team.

The Bears informed running back Robert Hughes, wide receiver Kris Adams, tight end Andre Smith, guard Ricky Henry, offensive tackle Levi Horn, defensive tackle Jordan Miller, linebacker Patrick Trahan and safety Anthony Walters they will be waived.

Per sources, Hughes, Adams, Smith, Henry, Horn and Miller are candidates to return to the practice squad, which can be formed beginning Sunday.

If Thomas is indeed placed on injured reserve, this means five undrafted rookie free agents stick. It's important to note the Bears could make waiver claims or other transactions as the weekend progresses, so the "final 53" really isn't that. There could still be turnover at the bottom of the roster. But right now, it looks like wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, H-baaack/tight end Kyle Adams, defensive end Mario Addison, linebacker Dom DeCicco and safety Winston Venable will stick for at least the time being. If Thomas isn't moved to injured reserve, another cut must be made.

It also appears that defensive end Nick Reed, who stood out in the preseason finale Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns, will make it through the cut deadline. The Bears have also made the decision to keep a fullback with Will Ta'ufo'ou apparently in good position to make the team. The team did not carry a tight end on the roster last season.(LOL)

It would have been much easier had the Bears just told Chester Taylor he was free to leave on Monday when he bolted Halas Hall after a meeting with coach Lovie Smith, believing he was being released.

But the Bears had Taylor stick around while they no doubt looked to trade him and also evaluated the health of Marion Barber (calf) and Kahlil Bell (ankle). In the end, Taylor had to go one year after signing a $12.5 million, four-year contract that was heavily front loaded. The Bears informed him he is being released.

Harrison, a third-round draft pick in 2008, showed up for training camp out of shape for the second time in three summers. Harrison was caught in a numbers crunch and would have been the sixth defensive tackle. Considering he was entering the final year of his contract, the Bears couldn't keep a player who wasn't motivated to show up for the season ready to play.

**claymore58** · 09-03-2011, 04:07 PM

The football gods have listened,let's hope we see more of these players in the mix and on the field..

**Henry Burris** · 09-03-2011, 04:16 PM

Harrison was another Iglesias/Blozznads type pick that was worthless in every way, sad to see Des go, but it was more surprising to see he was still on the team at this point..I hope the rookies make an impact, esp. this boards' fav in Sanzabah.

**The Benjamin** · 09-03-2011, 04:22 PM

Take care Dez....

**lklrlolnlilklsox** · 09-03-2011, 05:52 PM

Thomas has indeed been placed on IR, so look for one of those kids to lose a job once we grab a waiver wire guy to round out the corps.

Glad Will Teezy is on the squad. Kid's got a quick jump off the snap and through the hole as a lead blocker.

Very happy we kept Reed. He earned the shit out of a job.

Not happy Addison made it, he has done pretty much nothing to impress me and appears to be another Lovie practice favorite.

Venable is not an NFL player. He's Todd Johnson light.

Pissed Andre Smith got cut. As far as standing out in games doing one thing very well, he was the most impressive rookie to me with his ridiculously awesome blocking. He doesn't have the sudden speed and agility Adams has flashed out of the backfield, but he WILL be an NFL player, hopefully not too soon, because that would mean someone else will have him. He was a bigger impactr player in his role than either of the two guys previously listed.

**lklrlolnlilklsox** · 09-03-2011, 05:57 PM

BTW, here's the 53 man positional chart.

Quarterbacks (3): Jay Cutler, Nathan Enderle, Caleb Hanie
Running backs (3): Marion Barber, Kahlil Bell, Matt Forte
Fullbacks (1): Will Ta’ufo’ou
Wide receivers (6): Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, Sam Hurd, Johnny Knox, Dane Sanzenbacher, Roy Williams
Tight ends (3): Kyle Adams, Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth
Offensive linemen (8): Gabe Carimi, Roberto Garza, Lance Louis, Frank Omiyale, Chris Spencer, J’Marcus Webb, Chris Williams, Edwin Williams
Defensive linemen (10): Anthony Adams, Mario Addison, Israel Idonije, Henry Melton, Amobi Okoye, Stephen Paea, Julius Peppers, Nick Reed, Matt Toeaina, Corey Wootton
Linebackers (5): Lance Briggs, Dom DeCicco, Brian Iwuh, Nick Roach, Brian Urlacher
Cornerbacks (6): Zackary Bowman, Corey Graham, Tim Jennings, D.J. Moore, Joshua Moore, Charles Tillman
Safeties (5): Chris Conte, Chris Harris, Craig Steltz, Winston Venable, Major Wright
Specialists (3): Robbie Gould, Patrick Mannelly, Adam Podlesh

**motownbear** · 09-03-2011, 06:58 PM

We might still be in the run for some other teams leavings

Kind of surprised we kept a fb on roster instead of another rb

**lklrlolnlilklsox** · 09-03-2011, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by motownbear

Kind of surprised we kept a fb on roster instead of another rb

Who though? Taylor is done and Hughes had a few good plays against 18th stringers.

I have a feeling one of the two rookie DEs is going to be the odd man out in the inevitable roster gash to accommodate the new LB and whatever else we grab. First in line should be Venable, but with Steltz and Conte both going down Thursday, that's pretty much a no-go unless we find another S to take his spot. So, hopefully it's Addison and not Reed.

**MPBears68** · 09-03-2011, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

BTW, here's the 53 man positional chart.

Quarterbacks (3): Jay Cutler, Nathan Enderle, Caleb Hanie
Running backs (3): Marion Barber, Kahlil Bell, Matt Forte
Fullbacks (1): Will Ta’ufo’ou
Wide receivers (6): Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, Sam Hurd, Johnny Knox, Dane Sanzenbacher, Roy Williams
Tight ends (3): Kyle Adams, Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth
Offensive linemen (8): Gabe Carimi, Roberto Garza, Lance Louis, Frank Omiyale, Chris Spencer, J’Marcus Webb, Chris Williams, Edwin Williams
Defensive linemen (10): Anthony Adams, Mario Addison, Israel Idonije, Henry Melton, Amobi Okoye, Stephen Paea, Julius Peppers, Nick Reed, Matt Toeaina, Corey Wootton
Linebackers (5): Lance Briggs, Dom DeCicco, Brian Iwuh, Nick Roach, Brian Urlacher
Cornerbacks (6): Zackary Bowman, Corey Graham, Tim Jennings, D.J. Moore, Joshua Moore, Charles Tillman
Safeties (5): Chris Conte, Chris Harris, Craig Steltz, Winston Venable, Major Wright
Specialists (3): Robbie Gould, Patrick Mannelly, Adam Podlesh

Did we cut JT Thomas?

Nevermind...on IR. Boy do we need Pisa back.

**soulman** · 09-03-2011, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

BTW, here's the 53 man positional chart.

Jeezus when I saw Jay Moronotti's by line I almost went looking for another piece on the cuts. I hate that arrogant bastard.

Not too surprised at the way it came out but I expect some changes before the long weekend is over. We need another LB since they invented and IR worthy injury for Thomas. Can't see them going with just Iwuh and DeCicco as backup. Looking over the roster I'd probably agree that Venable is the most expendable player and after that Addison.

Not surprised to see Des let go but there was no way they would keep him over Adams given his ST ability. If they can get Smith through waivers he should be a great guy to develop on the PS. Same thing with Kris Adams. He kind of a "one trick pony" but he does that one trick pretty well. I'll be glad if we can keep Horn around too. He's improving.

Three of the guys I really wanted to see make it; Tofu, Reed, and Sanz, did so I'm pleased with that. I think all three opened some eyes in the preseason so I hope they can keep improving. All of our draft picks and five other first year guys make it so we add some youth. I'm looking forward to see how it all comes together now.

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