My Predictions for Bears Last 15 Cuts
The Bears made another round of cuts today, releasing seven players to get down to 68 men on the roster. The deadline to get down to 53-players is tomorrow at 4 PM (EST), which leaves 15 more players that need to be let go.
There are rumors from the Chicago Tribune that the Bears are looking to trade a few players on the bubble that they think could have value to other teams, which I covered earlier today.
The Bears have some tough choices to make for the last 15 players, which is a positive sign that the overall talent level is increasing gradually. I don’t remember there being half this many tough choices last season.
In three years of predicting the final 53-man roster I have yet to get it right and probably won’t this year either, but I’ll give it my best shot below. Regardless of who makes the final 53-man roster, there is almost no chance that will be the final roster come week one of the NFL season.
The Bears will be scanning the waiver wire closely to try and add depth released from other teams at positions of need like cornerback, center, tight end and the offensive line. For now though, here is the list of players I think will be let go by tomorrow afternoon.
Bears Final 15 Cuts
1.) QB David Fales – Last year at this time it looked like David Fales had a chance to develop as the Bears backup quarterback. Even during the season there were rumors that other teams like the Patriots and Raiders were looking to trade for Fales. His stock has dropped considerably since then as he didn’t make it into a preseason game until the 2nd half of game four. Fales looked uncomfortable in the pocket and missed a number of easy throws. I expect the Bears to cut ties with him completely and find a new QB for the practice squad.
2.) CB Tavese Calhoun – An undrafted free agent who flashed some tough press coverage skills early in camp but struggled to maintain coverage once beaten off the line. He’s got good size (6’1, 190) to contribute against the run and could eventually develop into a solid corner. Calhoun should claim one of the ten spots on the Bears practice squad.
3.) LS Patrick Scales – The think the Bears will go with five-year veteran Aaron Brewer at long-snapper over Scales, since John Fox is familiar with the reliable Brewer from his time in Denver.
4.) OT Jason Weaver – He’s got decent size (6’5, 309) and the Bears have invested a couple years in Weaver’s development, but he was brutal in the preseason. He struggled to move anyone off the ball in the run game and was destroyed by 2nd & 3rd string speed rushers during the preseason. The Bears could give Weaver another year on the practice squad, but I think they cut ties with Weaver all together.
5.) TE Greg Scruggs – It’s impressive that Scruggs was willing to switch positions from defensive end and give tight end a shot despite not playing the position since his freshman year in college. Scruggs has the size to be a power blocker, but has struggled to stay healthy and catch the ball, including a drop on a catchable pass in the 4th preseason game.
Next: More Cut Predictions