It’s still way too many days until the Chicago Bears kickoff the 2015 season at home against the Green Bay Packers, but until then Bear Goggles On will be counting down the days by reviewing each player on the roster. Up next at #87 is tight end Bear Pascoe.
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A six-year veteran, Pascoe was selected out of Fresno State by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2009 draft, but didn’t stick to the roster. He landed in New York, where he played sparingly with the Giants in 2009.
From 2010-2014, he saw heavy playing time with the Giants, primarily as a blocking tight end, and was part of their Super Bowl-winning team in 2011.
He’s never going to be confused with a pass-catching tight end. He’s never topped 12 catches in a season, despite playing in at least 15 games in each of the last five seasons, and has eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark for a season only once, in 2011.
He spent last year with the Atlanta Falcons, playing in 16 games but starting only two. He lodged two catches for a grand total of 3 yards, but received a positive 3.7 grade for the season, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Bears signed Pascoe to a one-year deal, putting him in direct competition with other reserve tight ends to back up incumbent starter Martellus Bennett, who now appears likely to end his ridiculous contract dispute with the Bears.
What to expect from Bear Pascoe in 2015
I like Pascoe’s chances to make the Bears roster in 2015, despite the host of competition at the tight end position.
With the team expected to return to a run-first offense, it seems likely they’ll keep three tight ends on the roster. One of those is guaranteed to go to Bennett. That leaves Pascoe in direct competition with six other candidates for two open tight end slots.
Two of the other tight end possibilities – Dante Rosario and Zach Miller – are direct threats to Pascoe’s chances to make the roster, as Rosario is another blocking tight end, while Miller is the only experienced pass catching option at the position other than Bennett.
Miller has constantly battled injury problems, though, and Rosario, who was on the Bears in 2014, was unimpressive. Pascoe should make the roster ahead of both Miller and Rosario, and I don’t expect two of the less-experienced and talented options – rookie Brian Vogler, second-year options Chris Pantale and Jacob Maxwell or third-year player Blake Annen – to take a roster spot from Pascoe.
Oct 21, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants tight end Bear Pascoe (86) is tripped up by Minnesota Vikings strong safety
Jamarca Sanford(33) after a pass reception during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Assuming he does make the roster, don’t expect much statistical production from Pascoe. As has already been discussed, he’s not much of a pass catcher; anything north of 10 catches would be a big season for Pascoe, and I don’t expect that with all the other weapons the Bears have on offense. There are too many passes to divide between Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White, Matt Forte, Eddie Royal and Bennett for Pascoe to top his 12-catch single-season record.
Instead, look for the Bears to use him in helping re-establish the team’s dormant running game and repairing the horrid special teams from 2014. If he can contribute in run blocking and special teams, the Bears should look at keeping him around beyond the 2015 season.