LB injuries move Thomas to first team

**Riczaj01** · 08-13-2012, 09:03 AM

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/

LB injuries move Thomas to first team

August, 12, 2012 Aug 12
7:12
PM CT

By Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- A plethora of injuries at linebacker have forced the Chicago Bears to try out several different combinations at practice, including lining up last year's sixth-round draft choice J.T. Thomas at first-team strong side linebacker on Sunday.

With Nick Roach in the middle in place of Brian Urlacher and Geno Hayes absent Sunday due to an illness, Thomas was given the opportunity to take starters reps for the fist time in recent memory. Thomas did see a little action with the first team at the start of camp last summer when Roach, per a rule in the new collective bargaining agreement, had to sit out a certain period of time after he re-signed with the Bears in free agency. However, those reps for Thomas were short-lived and he was eventually placed on injured reserve prior to the regular season opener.

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Charles Rex ArbogastJ.T. Thomas (97) helps bring down Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno on Thursday.

"I got some good reps and learned a lot today," Thomas said. "It's great to get some time against the first-team offense because we have a really good offense. Being beside Nick and Lance Briggs], there are a lot of things they can teach me.

"Sometimes in the NFL the cards get shuffled up and you have to be ready to play. All I can do is come out, be as ready as I can, and take advantage of any situation that's given."

It's a thin group at linebacker for the Bears at the moment. Besides Hayes and Urlacher sitting out, fellow linebackers Dom DeCicco and Adrian Cole continued to be sidelined on Sunday, while the recently signed duo of Xavier Adibi and K.C. Asiodu are not eligible yet to suit up in full pads.

"During the course of the year, if you’re having injuries now, you’re going to have them during the season," Bears head coach Lovie Smith said. "Linebacker is a tough position. A lot of physical play that goes into playing that position. So you do have injuries, and guys need to step up, and they’re getting a chance right now. We want to get a look at some of those players. Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher, guys like that, we know what they can do. But it’s about developing that next group, and we are."

**Riczaj01** · 08-13-2012, 09:04 AM

DT Brian Price exits after stinger

August, 12, 2012 Aug 12
6:02
PM CT

By Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive tackle Brian Price left practice early on Sunday after he suffered a stinger, according to head coach Lovie Smith.

Price has been a work in progress ever since he got traded to the Bears from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a seventh-round draft choice. The defensive tackle has dealt with a variety of health-related and personal issues that have understandably set him back as far as his level of play on the field is concerned.

Keep in mind, Price is still a young 23 years old and did display the ability to be an NFL starting-caliber defensive tackle during his two-year stint with the Bucs.

Even if it takes a full year until Price is physically and mentally ready to contribute, the Bears only parted with a seventh rounder to acquire him. An athletic defensive lineman who is able to rush the passer seems like a pretty good trade off for a late draft pick.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 08-13-2012, 09:15 AM

sixth-round draft choice J.T. Thomas ......"I got some good reps and learned a lot today"

Good for him. Not so good for us, if he has to "learn stuff" as our starting LB during the regular season. Unless it's from the bench or in practice.

**Henry Burris** · 08-13-2012, 11:48 AM

I liked everything I saw from J.T. the first game; like McClellan, if that's a sign of things to come, the future's sky isn't too dark..

**soulman** · 08-13-2012, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

DT Brian Price exits after stinger

August, 12, 2012 Aug 12
6:02
PM CT

By Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive tackle Brian Price left practice early on Sunday after he suffered a stinger, according to head coach Lovie Smith.

Price has been a work in progress ever since he got traded to the Bears from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a seventh-round draft choice. The defensive tackle has dealt with a variety of health-related and personal issues that have understandably set him back as far as his level of play on the field is concerned.

Keep in mind, Price is still a young 23 years old and did display the ability to be an NFL starting-caliber defensive tackle during his two-year stint with the Bucs.

Even if it takes a full year until Price is physically and mentally ready to contribute, the Bears only parted with a seventh rounder to acquire him. An athletic defensive lineman who is able to rush the passer seems like a pretty good trade off for a late draft pick.

It may take a bit but I have a good feeling about this kid. He's kind of a Henry Melton clone and if it takes him a little bit to get his game back so what? We have four other guys who can play and start so I hope they take their time with Price and allow him some time to make his comeback. He's been through a lot.

If J'Marcus Webb had this kid's character and drive we'd have our problem at LT solved already.

**soulman** · 08-13-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

I liked everything I saw from J.T. the first game; like McClellan, if that's a sign of things to come, the future's sky isn't too dark..

I didn't see enough of the game to evaluate what he did but he's another one of those guys I'm pulling for. I remember watching some of his college game vids and he plays well in space and can cover plus he has decent enough size to play SLB. His arrest for possession of a doobies worth of grass aside he's another "high character" guy who's a good fit for the Bears.

These injuries at LB may have exposed a weakness but it's one we could quickly turn into a positive if a couple of guys can step up their game and show they belong in the NFL. Thomas is a guy who could take over at SLB in another year or two and I think Geno Hayes, although he's at SAM now is really more of a WILL guy and maybe he's the guy who could take over for Briggsy. DeCicco will never replace a guy like Urlacher as a HOF type but the kid has the stuff to play MLB if he continues to develop.

I'm not saying we should ignore the need to draft or bring in others but because of Urlacher's slow healing and a few other battle dings these guys are getting a chance to get more reps and show what they can do. Right now that's a good thing.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 08-13-2012, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

I didn't see enough of the game to evaluate what he did but he's another one of those guys I'm pulling for. I remember watching some of his college game vids and he plays well in space and can cover plus he has decent enough size to play SLB. His arrest for possession of a doobies worth of grass aside he's another "high character" guy who's a good fit for the Bears.

These injuries at LB may have exposed a weakness but it's one we could quickly turn into a positive if a couple of guys can step up their game and show they belong in the NFL. Thomas is a guy who could take over at SLB in another year or two and I think Geno Hayes, although he's at SAM now is really more of a WILL guy and maybe he's the guy who could take over for Briggsy. DeCicco will never replace a guy like Urlacher as a HOF type but the kid has the stuff to play MLB if he continues to develop.

I'm not saying we should ignore the need to draft or bring in others but because of Urlacher's slow healing and a few other battle dings these guys are getting a chance to get more reps and show what they can do. Right now that's a good thing.

That's a good look at the "positive" side of this. Thanks for pointing that out. I feel better.

**MPBears68** · 08-13-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

I liked everything I saw from J.T. the first game; like McClellan, if that's a sign of things to come, the future's sky isn't too dark..

I thought JT looked good too. Was all over the field. I don't expect him to start at all, but if he can make the team as a reserve then all good.

**Dagan81** · 08-13-2012, 11:16 PM

The Bears drafted J.T. Thomas, so they might as well use him. If he is as good as everyone is saying he is, he should be promoted to first team immediately and permanently. Everyone forgets that Lance Briggs was what, a fifth round selection in 2003? That's not that much difference in discernible talent level in my estimation.

**MPBears68** · 08-14-2012, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by Dagan81

The Bears drafted J.T. Thomas, so they might as well use him. If he is as good as everyone is saying he is, he should be promoted to first team immediately and permanently. Everyone forgets that Lance Briggs was what, a fifth round selection in 2003? That's not that much difference in discernible talent level in my estimation.

I believe Briggs was a 3rd rounder but not sure on that. JT got in Lovie's doghouse after the weed arrest, but he's now got a shot to prove himself and make the team. After last years 5th was utterly wasted on Enderle (who wasn't even a PS worthy talent IMHO), it would be nice if we got something out of our 6th in JT...even if he's just a reserve/ST linebacker.

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