Chicago Bears Final 53 Man Roster Includes Nine Rookies

Aug 24, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears helmets during the second half against the New York Giants at Metlife Stadium. The Bears won the game 20-17 Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have set their 53-man roster.  At least, set in the sense that they made the cuts they needed to make to be at the limit by the 5PM deadline. If I were one of the final few guys to have made the squad, I’d keep my head on a swivel.  As other teams make their cuts, the Bears could try to scoop someone up that they believe is better than the back end of their roster.

Let’s see how Marc Trestman’s first roster took shape, including NINE rookies (R), three of which are undrafted free agents:

Quarterbacks (2): Jay Cutler and Josh McCown

Running Backs (4): Matt Forte, Michael Bush, Michael Ford (R), Tony Fiammetta

Wide Receivers (6): Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett, Marquess Wilson (R), Joe Anderson, Eric Weems

Tight Ends (3): Martellus Bennett, Steve Maneri, Kyle Adams

Offensive Line (9): Jermon Bushrod, Matt Slauson, Roberto Garza, Kyle Long (R), Jordan Mills (R), James Brown, Eben Britton, Jonathan Scott, Taylor Boggs

Defensive Ends (5): Julius Peppers, Corey Wootton, Shea McClellin, Cornelius Washington (R), Cheta Ozougwu

Defensive Tackles (4): Henry Melton, Stephen Paea, Nick Collins, Zach Minter (R)

Linebackers (6): Lance Briggs, Jon Bostic (R), James Anderson, DJ Williams, Blake Costanzo, Khaseem Greene (R)

Safeties (4): Major Wright, Chris Conte, Craig Steltz, Anthony Walters

Cornerbacks (6): Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings, Isaiah Frey, Sherrick McManic, Zack Bowman, CJ Wilson (R)

Specialists (4): Robbie Gould, Adam Podlesh, Patrick Mannelly, Devin Hester

Having so many rookies is a good sign for Phil Emery and his staff in their effort to rebuild this roster.  The Bears enter the season as one of the oldest teams in the league, but a big infusion of youth is needed, especially with so many potential free agents in contract years.

The Bears will be scouring the waiver wire to set their 8 man practice squad.  Expect that they’ll try to bring back some camp favorites including Demontre Hurst and possibly Fendi Onobun and will be in the market for a developmental quarterback.  Aaron Rogers’ younger brother Jordan, who played at Jay Cutler’s Alma Mater Vanderbilt, could be on their radar.

For me, the biggest surprise was keeping O-lineman Taylor Boggs.  He had a nice camp, but if you were going to keep 9 offensive linemen, wouldn’t you think they would have kept a veteran with 44 starts (cough, JWebb, cough).  Goes to show how that relationship ended.

What about you?  Any big surprises with how the roster shaped up?  Let’s see your comments.