Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series continues with a look at journeyman offensive lineman, #62, Vladimir Ducasse. The profile on Big Vlad marks only 62 days until the Bears kick off the regular season against the Green Bay Packers on September 13th.
The Chicago Bears signed offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse to a 1-year contract this offseason to provide some veteran depth to the Bears offensive line. Ducasse started 11 games over five seasons with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.
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The native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Massechusetts. The 6-5, 325 pounder was a versatile player, starting 6 games at left guard, four at right guard and one as a tackle-eligible.
Ducasse was ranked 61st among 78 guards who were ranked last season by ProFootball Focus. Ducasse earned a -14.1 grade overall in his 417 snaps for the Vikings last season. He rated a -3.9 in pass blocking (48th) with a -8.8 in run blocking (66th). He committed 5 penalties while allowing four sacks, one QB hit and nine quarterback hurries. That’s not exactly a glowing report card. I’d have gotten a talking to from my father if brought a report card like that home.
As a frame of reference, Michael Ola, who played a similar number of snaps as Ducasse, graded a -6.7 overall (48th) and 16 QB pressures overall.
What to Expect from Vladimir Ducasse in 2015
A lot that happens with Ducasse will depend on what happens along the rest of the offensive line. If the Bears decide to move Kyle Long outside from the right guard position he’s held down his first two years as has been speculated, Ducasse could be in the mix for a starting guard spot.
In one scenario, Long is at right tackle, rookie Hroniss Grasu takes over at center and Matt Slauson and Jermon Bushrod hold down the left side as they have. That puts Ducasse in competition with Ryan Groy and Conor Boffeli for another guard spot.
With any luck, Ducasse is parked on the bench to provide some flexibility and insurance in case of injury. Based on his past performance, I think any more prominent role could be detrimental to Jay Cutler‘s health.