Thread: Amobi Okoye to return to Bears

Originally Posted by MPBears68

Nice! Who's released?

We get a one week roster exemption for Collins so that's most likely what they'll use for Okoye and then we'll have to see. We're piling up some at DT but with the injuries whose to say we don't need them.

We also have the option of putting Podlesh on recall-IR and then we don't need to carry two punters.

Originally Posted by RochBear

As I understand the rule, the stay on IR needs to be 8 weeks. That is long for a star but might work okay for a punter. Might also work for Price since the added guy is a DT.

I kind of like accumulating quality anywhere since, as you say, who knows where injuries will hit, and also in increases the chances of having at least some quality DT in 2013 and beyond (even if a single year guy, the Bears might have a couple of good DT free agents, and are not so dependent on one guys being willing to sign a reasonable contract)

I need to look at that new IR rule Roch. They created a new IR status called recall-IR where they designate one player for recall without that player having to clear waivers. I don't believe the 8 week rule applies in that situation but I'm not sure.

If the head injury to Price was a concussion I could see them putting him on IR. Actually now that we have Okoye letting Price spend the year on IR getting paid and getting himself back in shape both mentally and physically isn't such a bad idea. I think the kid could be a real find if we can get him back on track again but it's gonna take some time.

Originally Posted by RochBear

As I read it, the new recall-IR rule requires something like a major injury for 'eligibility' (player would be out for something like 6 weeks). I have no idea about how the league will try to prevent cheating on this one. Then, after (I thought I read) 8 weeks, the player can return to the team, (as you say, without going through waivers). The bit about not having to clear waivers might be a biggie for Price. I just watched (DVR'ed and did slow-mo replay on a number of plays) the first half of the Bears-Browns, wow, did Price look good. Looked just like a good starter (first string) would who was playing with the third/second string guys ... dominant. He bulled a couple offense lineman way back into the space qbs like to step up in; and on the goal line when the Browns were putting together their nice, mostly running, drive, the Bears sub in Price and the Brown have their one running play that gets stacked up ... right at Price ... no go Browns. Looked like high draft pick talent to me ... and I assure your, I don't know squat when it comes to scouting :) not squat. As you say, Soul, looks like a keeper. I sure hope he can get his psyche together.

Yeah I thought it was 6 weeks for this new recall-IR too which may be a fit for Podlesh if he's really that slow recovering or it may be a good thing for Price if he sustained a concussion. Either of the two injuries those two suffered would qualify as being "serious". Fake "hammy" and groin pulls are a little more sketchy, LOL.

Even though Price hasn't been in top shape (he's carrying a lot of extra weight) he made impact plays in every games I've watched. He's another one of those players like Paea who has incredible natural upper body strength to go along with his quick burst off the snap. He's listed as being the same size as Paea (6'1" 303lbs) but looking at him I'm guessing he's at least 20-25lbs over that. More BJ Raji size than Stephen Paea size. If he hasn't lost his quickness at that weight imagine what he's gonna have playing closer to 300lbs.

"Toe" is a very good NT but he's also four years older than Price and he doesn't have much in the way of pass rush skills. Seems to me like Price could be the perfect guy to bring along as Toe's eventual replacement. The fact that we signed Okoye says to me that their are some doubts about Price's readiness to play right now since both players are basically NT/UT hybrids. Guys who like Paea could play either DT spot.

I can see us carrying five DTs but not six and once he returns from his suspension Collins looks like a lock as Melton's backup at UT. So that leaves four guys competing for one spot at NT and three of the four could also play UT. The only one who can't is Toe and before he got hurt Paea had beaten him out for the starting spot. I just wonder if it comes down to it whether or not Toe may end up being the odd man out just because he doesn't have the versatility or the pass rush ability of the others.