Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Safeties
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
TODAY’S POSITION: SAFETIES
Projected Starters: Ryan Mundy, Brock Vereen*
Reserves: Adrian Wilson, Craig Steltz, M.D. Jennings, Chris Conte, Danny McCray
*Indicates rookie
Key Departures: Major Wright
Analysis
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No other positional group was more maligned in 2013 than the Chicago Bears safeties and rightfully so. The tandem and Chris Conte and Major Wright were the worst safety duo in the league last season. The front seven in front of them were devastated by injuries, but that’s no excuse for piss poor communication, terrible pursuit angles and abysmal tackling.
Jun 17, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix practices during the team
Phil Emery was in full overhaul mode on the safety position this offseason and had his choice of the top rated safeties in the draft when it was his turn to hand a card in, but opted to select cornerback Kyle Fuller rather than Ha Ha Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor. Clinton-Dix ended up with the Packers, so Emery had better hope that move doesn’t come back to haunt him.
Instead, Emery chose to bring in veterans Ryan Mundy, M.D. Jennings and Danny McCray to compete for a job while selecting Brock Vereen out of Minnesota in the fourth round of the draft. Late in the offseason, the Bears brought in veteran Adrian Wilson to kick the tires and see if the recovering vet has anything left in the tank.
Meanwhile, Chris Conte spent the offseason recuperating from shoulder surgery while Major Wright will try to rejuvenate his career in Tampa reuniting with former Bears head coach Lovie Smith.