Quarterbacks (3): Todd Collins, Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie.

Running backs (4): Kahlil Bell, Matt Forte, Chester Taylor, Garrett Wolfe.

Wide receivers (5): Devin Aromashodu, Earl Bennett, Rashied Davis, Devin Hester, Johnny Knox.

Tight ends (4): Desmond Clark, Kellen Davis, Brandon Manumaleuna, Greg Olsen.

Offensive linemen (8): Johan Asiata, Roberto Garza, Olin Kreutz, Lance Louis, Frank Omiyale, Kevin Shaffer, J’Marcus Webb, Chris Williams.

Defensive linemen (9): Anthony Adams, Mark Anderson, Tommie Harris, Marcus Harrison, Israel Idonije, Henry Melton, Julius Peppers, Matt Toeaina, Corey Wootton.

Linebackers (6): Lance Briggs, Hunter Hillenmeyer, Brian Iwuh, Nick Roach, Pisa Tinoisamoa, Brian Urlacher.

Cornerbacks (6): Zackary Bowman, Corey Graham, Tim Jennings, D.J. Moore, Josh Moore, Charles Tillman.

Safeties (5): Josh Bullocks, Chris Harris, Danieal Manning, Craig Steltz, Major Wright.

Specialists (3): Robbie Gould, Patrick Mannelly, Brad Maynard.

A few odd choices in keeping four running backs and four tight ends, no true fullback and only five wide receivers for a Mike Martz offense that supposedly doesn’t use the tight end and isn’t known for running the ball.  (more…)

Former starter Josh Beekman is among the latest round of Bears cuts.

More cuts are coming to light for the Bears as the Turk is making the rounds at Halas Hall.  One of the notable cuts is another former starter.  Josh Beekman, who started 20 games over his three years with the Bears will be waived.  This according to the best in the business, Brad Biggs:

Now, he won’t have a chance to be a backup interior lineman this season as the Bears will waive the veteran, according to a league source.

The move doesn’t come as a complete surprise. New offensive line coach Mike Tice prefers bigger linemen and Beekman was undersized, listed at 6-2, 310. The Bears thought that possibly he could one day replace veteran Olin Kreutz. Now, he’ll be seeking work elsewhere. Beekman was a fourth-round draft pick from Boston College in 2007.

The Beekman move puts further doubt into the future of the Bears offensive line beyond 2010 since he was considered by many to be Olin Kreutz’s heir apparent at the center position.  The veteran center doesn’t have too many years left, so it will be interesting to see how the Bears address that area.  I suppose Garza could move to center, where he has served as a backup before so the musical chairs along the offensive line will continue for the foreseeable future. (more…)

Former 3rd round pick Juaquin Iglesias will have to try to catch on elsewhere.

The Bears appear ready to give up on another pair of 2009 draft picks.  Numerous reports indicate the 2nd year wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias and defensive end Jarron Gilbert will be waived.  Here’s a tweet from Sean Jensen:

Hearing from a league source that ’09 third-round pick Juaquin Iglesias has been informed that the #Bears are going to release him.

Meanwhile, Vaughn McClure at the Tribune had this to say:

Receiver Juaquin Iglesias and defensive lineman Jarron Gilbert, both third-round picks in the ’08 draft, appear to be on the way out. Gilbert told the Tribune he had not heard a word from the Bears Friday. Efforts to reach Iglesias were unsuccessful, but his lack of contributions on special teams does not help his situation as the sixth receiver.

We all know that the 2009 draft was supposed to be all about Jay Cutler, when the Bears traded a pair of first round picks and a third rounder for the former Broncos quarterback, but this looks like another lost draft otherwise. (more…)

Happy Friday, Bears fans!  The Turk is wishing a happy early Labor Day weekend to some of the members of the Bears 75-man roster to get it down to the final 53 by Saturday.  Some of the bubble players we talked about the other day had their bubbles burst.  Here is the list of cuts as it stands now:

Tim Shaw – special teams ace, who set a franchise record 30 special teams tackles, couldn’t show enough at linebacker to justify sticking around.

Al Afalava – from hero to zero in one short year.  Afalava started 13 games last season and now he’s looking for work.

Woodny Turrene – some publications thought this practice squad player might break through this year.  They were wrong.

Others include backup center Tim Walter (who will always have this special moment), safety Quentin Scott, cornerback Cornelius Brown, linebackers Kevin Malast and Kelvin Smith and wide receiver Freddie Barnes.

It’s a fluid situation, so keep checking back for updates and a list of the final 53-man roster and practice squad later this weekend.

BEAR DOWN!!!

Only after the second preseaon mess game, did the Bears realize that they needed a more credible backup and ponied up to get Todd Collins.  Gutierrez never appeared in a game.

Other players cut were former Northwestern wide receiver Zeke Markshausen and defensive lineman Maurice Evans.  Two more players will need to be dispatched between now and Tuesday afternoon.  Any chance the could cut Lovie and Jerry?  You can’t blame a guy for asking, can you?

The following players have been informed they will be released:

G Dan Buenning
C Donovan Raiola
FB Jason Davis
DE Joe Clermond
WR Eric Peterman
CB Rod Hood
WR Brandon Rideau
LB Kevin Malast
LB Darrell McClover
LB Mike Rivera
LB Marcus Freeman

Meanwhile, backup running back Kevin Jones is headed to the IR with a torn ligament in his left ankle.  While it means that Garrett Wolfe and Adrian Peterson are very likely to make the squad, I’ll be interested to see if the Bears scour the waiver wires for another running back.  Plenty more as the cuts roll in.

First, let’s look at the Locks to make the 53-man roster.  These are your stars, starters and specialists.  These guy are on the team, no doubt in my mind.  (more…)