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I had originally planned for my weekly updates on the Bears roster moves to just be a training camp series, but it’s early in the season and the last few spots on the 53-man roster are pretty fluid so I will be posting occasional roster updates during the season as warranted. With a few injuries on the O-line (Garza, Slausen) and the cesspool that is the safety position, the Bears were forced to make a few moves early this week. Here is a breakdown of the Bears recent transactions:
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1.) Bears sign SS Ahmad Dixon off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad
Dixon is a rookie out of Baylor who I had pegged as a 5th round pick, but went undrafted. He is a big hitter who needs work on his coverage technique, but gives the Bears a young SS to develop behind Ryan Mundy. Here is my pre-draft scouting report on Dixon:
Ahmad Dixon, Baylor (6’0, 205): Dixon’s stock dropped due to a poor Senior Bowl performance and mediocre combine, but was projected as a 3rd-4th round pick coming into draft season. Dixon is a hard-hitter and a sure tackler, who has the talent and ability to be solid in coverage but needs a lot of work on his coverage technique. He plays purely on instinct which worked in college, but he’ll get roasted by good QBs until his technique and play recognition improves. Dixon has the potential to develop into a starting caliber strong safety, but it may take a year or two.
2.) Bears release CB Demontre Hurst
The Bears were high enough on Hurst to release CB Kelvin Hayden in order to make room for him on the final 53-man roster, so I am surprised they released him. I expect Hurst to be added to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Hurst was the Bears most aggressive corner in the preseason and I think he has the potential to develop into at least a rotation slot corner as early as next year.
3.) Bears release DT Roy Philon from practice squad
Philon played for the Bears new D-line coach, Clint Hurtt, at Louisville last year but didn’t even crack the top 50 of my DT draft rankings, so I’m not surprised to see him go.
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4.) Bears sign T Eben Britton to active roster
With the injuries to Garza and Slausen and no clear timetable when they will be back, the Bears need depth on the O-line. I am surprised that no other team claimed Britton, who was solid last year in a swing tackle role. He missed most of the preseason due to injury, which may have worked out in the Bears favor as teams didn’t have recent tape on Britton.
5.) Bears release WR Michael Spurlock
I thought Spurlock was going to be the primary kick returner, but it was rookie RB Senorise Perry in week 1, which I am psyched about. I watched a ton of tape on Perry at Louisville and I think he is a dynamic runner who will lock down the KR job by mid-season. Spurlock got a chance to play receiver after Marshall and Jeffery got banged up and he really struggled with a -1.9 grade (ProFootballFocus) in just 15 snaps. Apparently the Bears had seen enough and let him go.
6.) Bears sign WR Greg Herd to practice squad
A big receiver (6’3, 202) who the Bears released in their final cuts. Herd has the size, speed and athletic ability to be an NFL player, but he is a raw route runner and played against sub-par competition at Eastern Washington last year. He is a developmental project who could be in the mix for a back-up role next year.