Sam Acho Joins Crowded Chicago Bears Outside Linebacker Group
Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Sam Acho (94) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears added more depth to their increasingly crowded outside linebacker group on Wednesday, signing 4-year veteran Sam Acho to a 1-year deal. The former Cardinals outside linebacker spent four seasons in Arizona after being drafted out of Texas in the fourth round of the 2011 Draft.
Acho had a solid rookie season, notching 7 sacks and 35 tackles while starting 10 games. He tailed off in subsequent seasons and only added 6 sacks since. He missed all but three games in 2013 with an injury and had a mediocre 2014 campaign, grading a -0.9 overall according to PFF. He’ll look to have a resurgence under head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Acho seems to have been well liked by the Cardinals and their fans alike:
"The heart and the effort has always been there for Acho. Acho had a weekly radio show and was one of the more popular Cardinals on Twitter. I know I can’t speak for others but I imagine the sentiment is shared but I will miss the guy. The move comes as a bit of a shock to me but bottom line is the NFL is a business and we all know how it works."
Acho will join Pernell McPhee, Jared Allen, Willie Young, Lamarr Houston vying for time at 3-4 outside linebacker. The glut of outside linebackers makes me wonder if Ryan Pace will skip some of the top 3-4 OLB prospects in the upcoming draft.
Another minor signing had the Bears bringing back reserve cornerback and special teams stalwart Sherrick McManis on a one year deal.