Thread: Bears cut RB Bell, sign TE Eldridge

Originally Posted by short faced bear

Bell played in two games after rejoining the team. He rushed for 32 yards on 12 carries and caught one pass for 11 yards.

I've never seen anything special from Bell. 2.6 yards per carry. I'd rather see this roster spot given to someone who can help us.

Brody Eldridge reminds me of Tyler Clutts, not a TE. He's a an excellent, 265 pound blocker (really solid). At Oklahoma he was pretty versatile (played some FB, center and guard as well as TE). He should be night-and-day better blocking than Rodriguez - and he's 265 pounds vs Rodreguez at 235 pounds.

This is just a Wiki blurb about him:

College career

Eldridge redshirted the 2005 season but as a Freshman in 2006 he converted to tight end and did most of his work in three-tight end sets or as a blocking back. He was characterized by coaches as one of the top blockers on the team and had three receptions on the season, including a long of 10 yards against Oregon State.

As a Sophomore he saw playing time at fullback position where he was an All-Big 12 award winner^[3] and had six starts as a tight end, playing in two or three-tight end sets or as a blocking back. He had two receptions for 23 yards against Texas A&M, including a career-long 12-yard catch.

In 2008 as a Junior he continued to play primarily as a blocking tight end and fullback starting the first 4 games of the season before suffering an ankle injury which caused him to miss 3 games. He registered his first career touchdown with a one-yard reception against Oklahoma State and had a season-long 11-yard catch against Missouri in the Big 12 Championship.^[4]

As a Senior in 2009, Eldridge started at center, tight end and left guard before suffering a season ending neck injury against Nebraska. He finished the season with 2 receptions for 19 yards.

Professional career

2010 NFL Draft

Eldridge was considered the best blocking tight end in the draft and was thought of as a late-round pick. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Coltsin round 5 with the 162nd pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.^[5] He was the second tight end drafted from the University of Oklahoma that year followingJermaine Gresham in the first round.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

He doesn't have 1/2 the skills Benson does, I wouldn't worry about that.

I'm glad he turned it down, he would have been dead weight on the field and on the cap. 2-3 years ago I was all about him getthing his shot, but he did last year and proved not good enough; so why they wanted to keep him around is beyond me.

Let him goto GB, he's a decent rb but nothing special; I thought for a 3rd down/change of pace guy we had 2 on the roster better this year. Allen proved last week he was better also as a change of pace guy. We are set at RB if everyone stays healthy.

QFT

Let GB sign Bell. He's no Benson. He's a journeyman 3rd string RB at best.

He really strikes me as Tyler Clutts-II. Athletic & a great blocker. I see Rodriguez as a good receiver (he's really more of a WR size than TE), but he's just a waste blocking IMHO. IF we truly want a guy in the backfield who can block well, then maybe this Eldridge is the answer.

LINK to the article

New Bears TE Eldridge would 'love' fullback shot



New Chicago Bears tight end Brody Eldridge always has had the reputation of being a solid blocker. So it’s no surprise what role he is willing to accept with his new team.

"I hope to get into the backfield and play a little fullback," Eldridge said. "I haven't done that since college, but that’s something that I enjoy. So we’ll see. The tight ends here look like they do every position, so it will be fun.’’

After signing Eldridge to a one-year contract Monday, the Bears now have four tight ends on the 53-man roster after moving rookie Evan Rodriguez from tight end to fullback. Rodriguez, who missed the last two games after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, could be back for next Monday night’s game against the Lions. He hasn't practiced since the injury.

If Rodriguez remains sidelined, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Eldridge could get up to speed and get in the mix at fullback.

"I would love it," Eldridge said of playing fullback.

The former fifth-round pick of the Colts relishes the opportunity to return to the field, period. Eldridge started 16 games in two seasons in Indianapolis before being claimed by the Rams off waivers. Eldridge was with St. Louis this preseason but was suspended for the first four games of the regular season after violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Eldridge said he took his wife’s prescription of Adderall. He did not expand on why he used the drug.

"It’s been never-wracking," Eldridge said. "Obviously, I had the suspension. St. Louis released me. It was tough, but it’s behind me now. Chicago’s giving me this opportunity, so I’m going to make the most of it."

If this means we get to see what he rodriguez can show us as an h-back, i'm all for it. I think the kid, if used properly, will be above average. If Tice makes him a mini-kleinsasser, even better.