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It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve given an update on the Bears roster moves, but there has been a flurry of them the last few days so I figured it was time. The Bears are still trying to find the right mix of special teams players, a reliable kick returner, a capable slot corner and anyone that can play safety. The special teams unit is a mess, the Bears have the worst group of safeties in the league and are averaging a paltry 20.3 yards per kick return with is 26th in the league, so hopefully some of these moves pay off. Here is a run-down of the Bears roster moves over the last week:
– The Bears waive Isaiah Frey
I haven’t been Frey’s biggest fan, but I was surprised to see him cut after he finally forced his first turnover in his 18th game as a slot corner last week (forced fumble). I’ve written at length about how bad Frey is in coverage and I’m glad that the Bears had the guts to release him despite not having a proven replacement on the roster. The fact that they are replacing him with my favorite corner from the practice squad (ALJ) makes me even happier. This is the 2nd time Frey has been cut in the last two months and hopefully it’s the last we see of him in a Bears uniform.
– The Bears elevate CB Al Louis-Jean to the active roster from the practice squad
What a story for Louis-Jean. He was a 5 star recruit who choose Boston College only to see his coach leave after his freshman year. ALJ showed promise as a freshmen and started 5 games for the Eagles, but after missing a season due to injury and feuding with the new coaching staff, ALJ didn’t start another game and left BC as a 19 year-old with 2 years of eligibility left. He went undrafted and unsigned through the UDFA period until the Bears gave him a mini-camp invite. He had a strong preseason with 2 INTs and almost a 3rd and lasted until final cuts. ALJ was quickly re-signed to the practice squad and will be suiting up for the Bears this week after the release of Frey. He is likely behind Sherick McManis on the depth chart, but if McManis is still hurt ALJ could see the field in Atlanta. He was good size (6’1, 190), 4.5 speed and all the physical tools to become a shut-down corner but is only 20 years-old and still raw so it will be interesting to see what ALJ can do with the Bears.
– The Bears release DT Roy Philon from the practice squad
I’ve mentioned multiple times that I was surprised the Bears were interested in Philon in the first place as I didn’t have him in my top 45 DTs in the draft this year.
– The Bears release WR Rashad “The Rocket” Ross and sign him to the practice squad
Ross was given a shot to take over the kick returner job from rookie Senorise Perry, but all he could manage was the same return average as Perry over the course of two games (21.0). Neither player has done enough to earn the job, but Perry is probably the Bears best kick coverage guy and Ross is a 1-dimensional player which is why he’s no longer on the active roster. The Bears did sign Ross to the practice squad though, so we may see him again.
– The Bears sign G Conor Boffeli to the practice squad
I had Boffeli pegged as a day 3 pick in this year’s draft but he ended up going undrafted probably due to his lack of strength (lowest bench reps of all guards, 21). He’s not a mauler in the run game, but has good feet, solid technique, and the versatility to play guard or center. Boffeli gets to the 2nd level quickly and is athletic enough to track down DBs and extend runs. Bofeli is already on his 3rd team since being signed as a UDFA by the Vikings, but I think it was a good move by the Bears.
– The Bears release C Taylor Boggs
Boffeli needs some work, but I doubt he is any worse than Taylor Boggs who is in his 3rd year with the Bears and still hasn’t shown much development. Boggs got dominated by 2nd & 3rd string DTs in the preseason and I’m surprised he has lasted this long on the roster.
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– The Bears waive DE David Bass and re-sign him to the practice squad
Bass made a big push for a roster spot at the end of training camp, but as the 5th or 6th DE on the roster there just aren’t enough snaps for him. GM Phil Emery picked up Bass off waivers after final cuts last season and kept him over veteran DE Austen Lane this year, so he is clearly high on Bass and brought him back on the practice squad after he cleared waivers. Bass has shown flashes of being an instinctive player, but he in undersized and has yet to show he can get to the QB consistently.
– The Bears sign Terrell Manning to the practice squad
Remember this guy? The Bears picked him up before the Packers game and billed him as a special teams ace and then he proceeded to have one of the dumbest illegal contact penalties on a punt that I have ever seen. At least until the next week when CB Teddy Williams had an even dumber illegal contact penalty which also resulted in a 76-yard Panthers punt return TD. The Bears special teams have been awful, but they decided to bring Manning back on the practice squad after waiving him last week.
– The Bears elevate MLB DeDe Lattimore from the practice squad to the active roster
I’ve been high on Lattimore since the draft and am happy to see him get a shot on the active roster. With Jon Bostic hurt, the Bears need a backup for MLB D.J. Williams which is where Lattimore fits in. He doesn’t have much range in coverage, but is a solid 2-down run stopper who can really hit.
– The Bears sign S Shamiel Gary
Typical Bears safety with sub-par speed and athleticism and no exceptional traits. He is decent in run support and coverage, but struggles in both against elite competition. Gary is smart, has good tackling technique and is fundamentally solid, but is barely an NFL caliber player. If the Bears need him at safety, then things are pretty desperate, but hopefully Gary can help out on special teams as a Craig Steltz type.