Chicago Bears: Top 5 Under the Radar Players Heading into Training Camp

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Acho

Another Bears defender comes into camp flying under the radar.  Outside linebacker Sam Acho comes into camp well, well below the radar.  When Ryan Pace made his first foray into free agency, he made a big splash with Ravens outside linebacker Pernell McPhee.  On the other side, the Bears will try to plug a bunch of square peg like Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston or Willie Young into a round hole.  We haven’t heard much at all about the veteran outside linebacker the Bears signed to a one-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.

Next: Sam Acho Primed to Succeed

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."

While everyone focuses on how Jared Allen is transitioning to the outside linebacker position, Sam Acho will be doing what he does.

Next: Another Tight End