Bears Preseason Week 1: Position Battles (Defense)
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Position: 5th Corner Back
The Bears may need to keep 6 CBs because they got some really solid play from a couple CBs on the roster bubble. I think veteran Kelvin Hayden has the 4th spot locked up, which leaves some talented players in the hunt for the 5th spot including Sherrick McManis, Isaiah Frey, Demontre Hurst, and Al Louis-Jean
Up: Demontre Hurst – The 2nd-year CB out of Oklahoma was all over the place in the 2nd half of Friday’s game. Hurst was only credited with 1 pass defense, but he broke up two other passes with well-timed hits. He was even more impressive with his run support, Hurst was extremely aggressive attacking the ball carrier and ended up with 8 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. He gave up a couple of catches, but he was in the receiver’s pocket all game and no catch was easy. Hurst is firmly in the mix for the 5th CB job now.
Up: Sherrick McManis – His skills as a special team gunner probably earned McManis a spot on the roster regardless of how he played on Friday night, but McManis has been getting a lot of positive press in camp as a corner this year and he continued to gain momentum with an interception during the game. McManis also recorded three tackles including a stop behind the line of scrimmage on an outside run. McManis is all but a lock for the roster, but after his impressive play Friday night he may be more than just a special teams gunner this year.
Up: Al Louis-Jean – A talented young corner who is very raw considering he only played 9 games in college. ALJ made an athletic play on an interception in the 3rd quarter and almost got another one in the 4th but refs ruled that the ball hit the ground first. He is a long-shot due to his inexperience and is probably better off on the practice squad, but ALJ has NFL talent and if he keeps playing like he did Friday he will have a shot to make the team as the Bears 5th or 6th CB.
Down: Isaiah Frey – After playing nickle back for the Bears most of last season you would think Frey has a spot on this year’s team locked up, but it’s far from a sure thing. Frey somehow managed to be on the field for over 50% of the Bears defensive snaps last year and not be involved in any turnovers. Frey missed Friday night’s game with a hamstring injury, but if I were him I would do whatever it takes to get healthy. The Bears staff is looking for a play-maker at the slot corner position and with Hurst, McManis, and Louis-Jean all playing well Friday night (2 TOs), Frey needs to get back on the field .