Bears Preseason Week 1: Position Battles (Offense)
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Return Specialist
Up: Michael Ford – He only got one chance but made the most of it with a 30-yard kick return. Ford showed a good burst, vision to find a seem and then strength to carry a defender for a few yards after contact. Ford had a 100-yard return last year and had success returning kicks in college. He’s young, hungry to earn a spot on the roster and has been my pick for the KR job all preseason.
Up: Michael Spurlock – There was a fumble on a punt return due to miscommunication between Spurlock and Ford, but until the coaching staff clarifies it there is no way to know who was at fault. Spurlock only had 2 punt returns during the game for a measly 2 yards, but had a slick 20-yard punt return called back due a block in the back from Trevor Scott.
Down: Eric Weems – I already covered Weems’ issues at receiver, but returning kicks used to be his strong suit. Weems made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner in 2010 due to a 27.5 ypr. That was 4 years ago and Weems hasn’t looked like the same guy in a while. I thought he looked slow last year (11.4 ypr) and saw more of the same Friday. Weems was tentative on his 2 kick returns and lacks the burst necessary to keep defenses honest. He averaged 22 yards per return which isn’t awful (23 ypr NFL average last year), but I don’t think he has the upside to be anything more than a league average returner.
Down – Armanti Edwards – He has 6 career catches in 4 NFL seasons, so it’s pretty clear he is in camp to return kicks. The fact that Edwards didn’t get a chance to return even one kick or punt doesn’t bode well for his chances to make the squad.
No Change – Chris Williams – The greatest punt returner in Canadian football history didn’t get a chance to return anything? Are the Bears so impressed with Williams’ WR skills that they don’t want to risk him as a return man? Or maybe he already has the job locked up and the Bears wanted to get a better look at Spurlock? We will have more clarity on this one once William’s recovers from his hamstring injury.