Countdown to Kickoff… Alshon Jeffery Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bears defeated the Cardinals 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

We decided to do a countdown to the Chicago Bears season opener on September 8th versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Thanks to one of our Twitter followers, we decided to combine the countdown with a roster preview of sorts.

We’re just Alshon Jeffery days until the start of the Bears season.  Expectations are sky high for the second year wide receiver.  Let’s get to know him, shall we?

Alshon Jeffery was Phil Emery’s second draft pick in the 2012 draft.  In fact, Emery moved up in the second round to select the South Carolina receiver.  Jeffery dropped all the way down into the second round as many scouts were concerned about work ethic and weight problems, but that never manifested itself in his time so far with the Bears.

Jeffery has been the model pupil, the Padewan learner to Jedi Master Brandon Marshall.  He and Marshall have spent the offseason working out together to help Jeffery take his game to the next level.

Jeffery had a somewhat typical rookie season, filled with ups and downs.  He missed 6 games due to a couple of different injuries.  He had just 24 catches for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns, hardly numbers that jump off the stat sheet.  But his size/speed combination and Marc Trestman’s new offense bring high expectations for a monster 2013 campaign.

If he can stay healthy, I expect Jeffery to build on 2012 and to be an especially important target in the red zone.  Look for him to catch around 50 balls for about 600 yards and 8 TD’s as the #2 receiver playing opposite Brandon Marshall.

Perhaps the most notable #17 in Bears history was All Pro safety Richie Petitbone who roamed the Bears secondary from 1959 – 1968, collecting 37 interceptions and 3 TD’s along the way.

We’re just 17 days until kickoff.  Are you ready???

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