Bears Preseason Week 1: Position Battles (Offense)

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Position: #2 TE

Up: Zach Miller – Talent has never been an issue with Miller, as I covered in my TE breakdown. Miller showed flashes of talent his first few years with the Jags, but injuries have waylaid his career and he hasn’t seen the field in two years. He is a converted QB with excellent athletic ability (4.53 speed) and he showed it Friday with 6 catches for 68 yards and 2 TDs. The touchdowns were nice, but the play that stood out the most to me was a 3-4 yard screen pass that Miller turned into a 17 yards gain by avoiding 2 defenders and with some slick footwork and then using his strength to break a tackle. Impressive all around performance by Miller and he is now clearly in the mix for the #2 job.

Up: Donte Rosario – In most games 2 catches for 28 yards and a 2-pt conversion would be a solid day for a #2 TE, but it pales in comparison to Miller’s game. Rosario ran with the starters in place of the suspended Martellus Bennett and had a good game, highlighted by a 23 yard catch on 3rd and long. Rosario took a low, blind-side hit on the catch and managed to hold on the ball. He was with the Bears last year, so his experience and his blocking ability gave him an edge going into camp, but he will have his hands full holding off Miller.

Down: Matthew Mulligan – With a standout performance from Miller and a solid game from Rosario, the fact that Mulligan’s only impact on the game was a holding penalty (negating a 15-yard run) isn’t going to help his chances of making the team.

No Change: Jeron Mastrud – He was only signed a few weeks ago, so expectations should be low but he looked considerably slower and less athletic than both Miller & Rosario.