Chicago Bears Week 11: Rookie Report

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This is actually last week’s rookie report that didn’t post for technical reasons / user error / Trestman error. You didn’t miss much since Trestman decided to bench most of the rookies against the mighty Vikings because he needed a win to save his job. Starters Kyle Fuller, Michael Ola, and Pat O’Donnell played obviously, but the rest of the Bears rookies who have been gradually integrated into the lineup got a week off except for a few snaps. I clearly disagree with sacrificing player development for a late season win against the dregs of the NFC North, but I understand that Trestman doesn’t want to lose his job. It is a shame though because players like Will Sutton, Ego Ferguson, Brock Vereen, and Christian Jones were all showing glimpses of development and the athletic ability that this Bears roster is really lacking. Here is a quick breakdown of how the rookies played in their limited snaps on Sunday.

Week 11 Rookie Report:

CB Kyle Fuller – Played every defensive snap and was a shut down corner giving up only 2 catches for 30 yards on the day. Fuller wasn’t as active as usual in run defense with only 2 tackles but spent most of the game on Cordarrelle Patterson and held him to just 1 catch for 17 yards. Fuller isn’t quite 100% healthy yet, but he thinks he will be by next week and should start making more plays once his broken hand is healed. Every week Fuller impresses me on tape and I’m looking forward to seeing his impact once 100% healthy again.

G/T Michael Ola – It took the Bears coaches about 6 weeks too long to move RT Jordan Mill to the bench and rookie Michael Ola to RT. On Sunday Ola was matched up with veteran LE Brian Robison and held his own. Ola kept Robison without a sack and only gave up 1 hit on Cutler. There were a few hurries but none that got close enough to blow up any plays. In 10 games, Ola has played LG, LT, & RT. His two best games by far were at LG but his versatility as a rookie has been extremely valuable. If the O-line roster stays as is next year I think moving Kyle long to RT, Matt Slausen to RG and Ola to LG may be the most effective grouping. Back to 2014, the Bears need a RT and Ola has shown he can do a competent job at the position for now and is a clear improvement over Jordan Mills.

DT Ego Ferguson – Was playing around 20-25 snaps per game most of the season, but only played 7 snaps on Sunday without recording a tackle. As usual, Ferguson held his ground vs the run, but didn’t generate much pass rush.

DT Will Sutton – Was averaging over 25 snaps per game in the previous three weeks, but only got 8 snaps on Sunday. Boo!

RB Ka’Deem Carey – Despite being worked into the offense on a regular basis most of the season, Carey played only 4 snaps and didn’t get a carry.

S Brock Vereen – Led all non-starter rookies with 9 snaps on defense. Just three weeks before, Vereen played almost a full game worth of snaps with 66 and had arguable his best game of the season against Miami. I’m not sure what Vereen (or any of the other rookies) did to get benched.

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