Remote Controller
Well-Known Member
- -- Bears WR Update --
Wed Jun 23, 2010 --from FFMastermind.com - The Bleacher Report reports Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester, who was on pace to be the Bears first 1,000 yards receiver since WR Marty Booker in 2002 before he got hurt, appears to lost his mojo on kickoff and punt returns. But the Bears have found more than worthy replacements at those spots. Hester is a vital piece to the Bears offense this season. Under OC Mike Martz, Hester’s speed and craftiness will allow him to fit perfectly into the starting role. Martz said Hester will be the number one receiver this upcoming season for the Bears, and considering how quickly the transition for the former cornerback has been so far, Hester could have a true breakout season in 2010. WR Johnny Knox, who caught 45 passes for 527 yards last season as a rookie, has blinding speed. His five touchdowns were also the most of any Bears wide receiver and second on the team in 2009. Martz has tabbed Knox as the starter opposite Hester, and the two of them will look to create by far the fastest starting pair in the league. Because of QB Jay Cutler's enormous arm, the strongest in the league, the Bears look to have plenty of big plays this upcoming year. WR Devin Aromashodu, who flourished in the final four games of the year, catching 22 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers, Ravens, Vikings and Lions, appears to have the most chemistry with Cutler. The two are consistently on the same page and DA's frame and reliable hands seem to make him a fit as the Bears No. 1 receiver. However, Martz seems to be leaning towards two other receivers at the moment, with Aromashodu working out of the third receiver spot. WR Earl Bennett is a possession receiver who is neither big nor flashy, fast nor strong. However, with 54 receptions for 717 yards, he ranked second among Bears receivers in both categories, and third overall on the team in receiving yards in 2009. He also had a fantastic punt return for a touchdown, the only the Bears got all season, against the Ravens. After playing with Cutler at Vanderbilt and setting SEC career records, Bennett proved a reliable outlet for Cutler. While Bennett will likely be stuck at the fourth receiver role behind Knox, Hester and Aromashodu, Bennett will also see time spelling the top three and filling in for injuries. In that case, look for Bennett to put up similar stats to what he did last year; not a 1,000 yard pass-catcher but a great fourth receiver. After having a standout career at Oklahoma, the Bears drafted WR Juaquin Iglesias to potentially add an impressive young receiver to their corps in 2009. Unfortunately, Iglesias got stuck behind a promising young quartet of receivers. However, as a former third round pick in just his second season Iglesias is a lock to make the roster. The Bears want to give the kid playing time, and with decent size, speed and hands, he could see occasional playing time. The fact that he has failed to surpass WR Rashied Davis, Aromashodu, Knox, Hester and Bennett doesn't seem to help his bid for playtime. WR Rashied Davis, a former AFL superstar, has stuck around the Bears for five years now. A versatile former cornerback, Davis fell out of favor with the receiving corps after dropping countless passes in 2008, he looked like his old self last year; making clutch passes every once in awhile as the fifth receiver. Davis has supposedly looked very impressive in off-season practices and is a proven special teams contributor. While he won't see too much playing time, Davis looks to stick around on the roster due to all the different talents he can bring to the table. WR Eric Peterman could make the roster in a year or two. The Bears did feel confident enough in him to keep him on their practice squad all last season. But with the way the Bears receivers are stacked right now, with Bennett, Knox, Aromashodu and Hester clearly above him and Davis having an upper hand, it doesn't look good. However, with Davis likely gone after next season due to contract woes, Peterman will look to have a spot on the roster as a sixth receiver in 2011. Undrafted rookie WR Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green), who had 22 catches and 278 yards against Kent State, put out arguably the best game a college receiver has ever put out and caught 155 passes last year, another NCAA record. However, his burst off the line is less then impressive and at only 6'0" and 215 lbs, he's not big enough to stand out physically to help earn a roster spot. While he looks to potentially sneak onto the practice squad, Barnes doesn't look like a lock to make the roster. However, with an impressive training camp, Barnes could find himself kept on the roster as a 6th receiver and special teams contributor. Undrafted rookie WR Vic Hall (Virginia) played countless positions at Virginia. After starting games at cornerback and quarterback, seeing time on special teams and at receiver, the undrafted free agent has blinding speed and is being worked as a slot receiver for the Bears. Hall is the definition of a project. He hasn't played much of receiver and will likely be a training camp casualty. However, in a few years Hall could find himself on the roster, filling the role Davis fills. As a emergency cornerback, fifth receiver and special teams player with exciting speed, Hall looks to be almost a Davis clone, down to the 5'9" height. Undrafted rookie WR Greg Matthews (Michigan) often put out impressive single game lines at Michigan, he never put out a solid full season. He typically caught about 30 passes for 400 yards in every season and despite his 6'3" size, he never stood out as a red-zone target. However, Matthews might find himself a spot on the practice squad. Matthews has been cited as being one of the most impressive rookies in off-season practices. While he won't make the roster, Matthews could provide an interesting name to keep in mind come next year. WR Antonio Robinson (Nicholls State) played college football for just two years. He has impressive triangle numbers (6-3, 195), but nothing more. He likely won't be a Chicago Bear for too much longer.