Not Many Locks for Bears Final Roster............

**soulman** · 08-27-2012, 04:04 PM

Until decisions are out, Bears know nobody’s really a lock

BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com August 26, 2012 8:04PM

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 18: Chris Spencer #67 of the Chicago Bears moves to block against the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 18, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Redskins 33-31. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Spencer

Updated: August 27, 2012 3:43PM

The final week of the preseason is what the NFL is all about — a total lack of security.

It’s about keeping as many players as uncomfortable and on edge as possible and totally in the dark, forcing them to go all out and fight for their jobs without knowing exactly what they’re fighting for. Chances are, there are players on the bubble who don’t know it.

Guard Chilo Rachal, who started 38 games in four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before signing with the Bears this offseason, has taken first-team reps in the last two preseason games. For all he knows, he could have a shot at beating out Chris Spencer for the starting spot at left guard when the Bears play the Cleveland Browns in their final preseason game Thursday night in Cleveland (6:30 p.m., Fox-32, 780-AM). Or he could be fighting for a spot on the roster.

‘‘Anything can happen,’’ Rachal said. ‘‘When you start thinking about [getting cut], that’s when that stuff happens to you. The only thing I can do is keep working hard and let my hard work take care of itself.’’

It’ll be that way for just about every player who plays against the Browns. And, almost regardless of what happens, they still won’t know what it means for sure until next week.

The most significant Bears player who made the team off last year’s preseason finale wasn’t even on the Bears; fullback Tyler Clutts played special teams for the Browns, was cut and put on their practice squad and then picked up by the Bears.

Rookie Robert Hughes rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns in that game. On the same night, Armando Allen rushed for two yards on one carry for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Washington Redskins. But Allen ended up with the Bears’ practice-squad spot that seemed like it might go to Hughes. Anything can happen.

‘‘To be honest, I really don’t know [where I stand],’’ said defensive tackle Nate Collins, who presumably is battling Brian Price for a roster spot. ‘‘I just focus on playing. If I play well, I just know what I put on tape is going to be reviewed by everyone. That’s the biggest thing.’’

Well, to some it is. Receiver Dane Sanzenbacher is among the Bears most likely to be signed by another team if he gets cut. But his single-minded goal is to make the Bears.

‘‘In my mind, I’m a Chicago Bear until they tell me I’m not,’’ said Sanzenbacher, who has two receptions for 15 yards in the preseason. ‘‘I don’t try to take comfort in [the thinking that] ‘If I don’t make it here, I can make it there.’ I want to make this team. That’s been my focus since I got here last year. I’ve been around these guys. I like the organization. I like the group. And I want to be a Bear.’’

Allen, with 14 yards on 10 carries in the preseason, appears to be battling Lorenzo Booker for the No. 3 running back spot. He likes his chances, but he also liked his chances last year in Tampa.

‘‘This is one of those businesses where you can’t count your chickens until they’re hatched,’’ Allen said. ‘‘I thought I had a pretty good chance in Tampa — that was something I learned from. You control only what you can control, and that’s football.’’

Second-year linebacker Dom DeCicco can’t even do that. DeCicco suffered a groin injury in the preseason opener against the Denver Broncos and has yet to return. As a special-teams contributor and No. 2 middle linebacker, he seemed likely to make the roster. Now he’s hoping to lobby the trainers to allow him to play against the Browns, because he literally has no idea how important this game is to him.

‘‘I really have no clue. It’s out of my control,’’ DeCicco said. ‘‘That’s why I’ve been trying to play in this last game. I feel I have to prove myself and show them I can help the team. I’m doing everything in my power to make that decision easier. We’ll see.’’

With other teams also making cuts, the finalization of 53-man rosters is fraught with surprises. Chris Williams, battling J’Marcus Webb for the start at left tackle, chuckled when asked if he felt his roster spot was secure. But you never know.

‘‘That’s not up to me. That’s up to the coaches,’’ Williams said. ‘‘I feel like I’ve got a spot. But you never know until the last day is up, I guess.’’

**soulman** · 08-27-2012, 04:13 PM

Decision day looming on Booker, Allen

August, 27, 2012 Aug 27

3:23
PM CT

By Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- With four days left until the Chicago Bears must be down to their final 53-man roster, Armando Allen and Lorenzo Booker have one final opportunity to stake their claim for the No. 3 running back spot when the team visits Cleveland on Thursday night in the preseason finale.

[+] Enlarge

Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesLorenzo Booker had a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Redskins in the preseason.

It became evident early in camp that Allen and Booker would present a strong challenge to incumbent third-string running back Kahlil Bell. The competition then took somewhat of an unexpected turn Thursday night when the Bears released Bell prior to the third preseason game in New York, but the organization would not have been OK parting with Bell unless it felt good about Allen and Booker.

The duo had almost identical numbers against the New York Giants (Allen had five carries for 11 yards and four receptions for 31 yards; Booker had five carries for 15 yards and four receptions for 30 yards), and Booker had a 42-yard kickoff return. Booker also had a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown earlier in the preseason against the Washington Redskins -- although it is fair to wonder how all those impressive returns will factor into the ultimate roster decision since the Bears already have a pair of talented returners in Devin Hester and Eric Weems.

The question now becomes who can be a better contributor, not just in the return game, but in the other phases of special teams. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Allen has shown a willingness to block during blitz pickup which should no doubt help his cause as the final cutdown day looms.

"I think it's a very important week for me," Allen said. "I just need to go out there and compete and do everything I can. At the end of the day you can only control what you can control, so that's just me staying focused and going out there and trying to be on the right page. (I'm) just trying to show up on special teams. Let them know I can be a special teams guy. Show them I can go out there and block bigger guys and just go out there and show a lot of effort and show them I know what to do with my assignments."

**soulman** · 08-27-2012, 04:16 PM

Inside the Bears

Preseason finale could be huge for Tyler Clutts -- again

By Mark Potash on August 27, 2012 2:35 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

The Bears-Browns final preseason game made all the difference for Tyler Clutts last year.
Clutts was a Browns fullback on the roster bubble who played special teams in that game. He was cut by the Browns and signed to their practice squad. But, as allowed by NFL rules, the Bears signed him off the Browns practice squad onto their 53-man roster.

Clutts, who didn't join the team until Wednesday of Week 1, quickly made an impact in the season-opener against the Falcons -- besides stellar play on special teams, he had key blocks on a 56-yard touchdown run and a 53-yard catch by Devin Hester and also blocked on Jay Cutler's one-yard touchdown pass to Matt Spaeth in the Bears' 30-12 victory. That was the start of a productive rookie season in the NFL.

That's why players go all out in the final preseason game regardless of their roster status -- the whole NFL is watching. ''Looking back on it, that was probably the biggest game of my entire football career,'' said Clutts, who was called for an illegal block on a punt return in the game -- a call he disputed. ''I went into the [preseason finale] feeling really good about my position in Cleveland. But the team had other plans. Luckily I played well enough for Chicago to sign me.''

Clutts said he thought he had made the Browns' 53-man roster when he attended a team meeting on the Monday before the season opener. But ''at the last minute they made a decision to go a different way.

''It was stressful, because I wanted to play. I was an older rookie -- 26 years old, turning 27 that season. It was important for me to play.''

He wasn't disappointed for long. The Bears called on Tuesday and offered hi a spot on their active roster (According to NFL rules, players claimed off the practice squad by other teams must be put on the claiming team's 53-man roster.) The Browns offered Clutts more money, but he chose to sign with the Bears.

''It was 1 o'clock and I had 30 minutes to make a decision. They said we want to sign you. Cleveland had made an offer to try and keep me. It was just an opportunity I couldn't pass up -- the city of Cjhicago, the tradition ... it was something I felt I needed to be in. ''And I needed to play. I'm not in this for the money. I don't want to sit on the sideline and collect a check. I want to be involved and I want to play.''

Clutts likely is back in a similar situation this season. He has obvious value to the Bears. But his fullback position doesn't really exist in Mike Tice's offense. The "H-back" type of tight end has more of the blocking responsibilities. So all he can do is play hard and hope for the best. As he knows, you never know who will notice.

**soulman** · 08-27-2012, 04:19 PM

To me Clutts is a key "keeper" more for his intangibles than his overall skills. No he isn't gonna carry the ball of make many catches coming out of the backfield but he's a smart "football player" who throw that key block or make that saving tackle.

If it comes down to him and Kyle Adams I say keep Clutts. He's better bang for the buck.

**Chi66** · 08-27-2012, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

To me Clutts is a key "keeper" more for his intangibles than his overall skills. No he isn't gonna carry the ball of make many catches coming out of the backfield but he's a smart "football player" who throw that key block or make that saving tackle.

If it comes down to him and Kyle Adams I say keep Clutts. He's better bang for the buck.

Damn straight, I think if they utilize Clutts right he could be a major key in Forte's success. He's a great blocking fullback and Forte could have some serious numbers this year if everyone stays relatively healthy.

**GermansbombedPH** · 08-28-2012, 03:12 AM

don't think many spots are open...

Thread: Not Many Locks for Bears Final Roster............

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Not Many Locks for Bears Final Roster............

Posting Permissions