With injuries setting in, GM Ryan Pace knows he’s going to have to start churning the bottom of the Chicago Bears roster and practice squad. Already wide receiver Tanner Gentry was cut for the second time. He’s expected to rejoin the squad if he clears waivers. This is indication that Markus Wheaton is likely good to go for Sunday. The Bears weren’t done there though. With a number of holes to plug after more injuries in Tampa, they held a large tryout on September 19th featuring 16 players.
Obviously most of them are street free agents the Bears are merely trying to keep tabs on. Seeing where they’re at. However, amidst the crowd there were actually some interesting names worth noting.
- LB Carl Bradford
- DT Stefan Charles
- QB Bart Houston
- WR Kyle Prater
- T Givens Price
- DT Mike Purcell
- WR Tevaun Smith
- C Mark Spelman
- TE D.J. Tialavea
- WR Daniel Williams
- DL Nick Williams
- WR James Wright
Those above are mostly former undrafted free agents hoping to latch on to a roster or practice squad, keeping their football dreams alive. It’s these other four that Bears fans should keep a close watch on.
Possible Chicago Bears roster sleeper additions:
Shayne Skov (ILB)
Remember that the Bears just lost inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman for the season to a torn pectoral. His backup Nick Kwiatkoski then suffered the same exact injury. So this defense is getting thin at that position. Jonathan Anderson and Christian Jones will be filling in, but it’s likely Jon Timu gets called up at some point. Chicago will want to give somebody else a look as well. It’s fitting that Shayne Skov is that man.
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After all he has a deep connection to Vic Fangio. The two worked together at Stanford when Fangio was defensive coordinator. Then Skov joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2014 as an undrafted free agent during Fangio’s last year. They know each other well.
Skov developed a reputation in college for being a fierce competitor with outstanding instincts for the position. He was often shutting down plays before they could develop, stopping runs for loss and sacking the quarterback as a blitzer. So why is he unsigned? Multiple knee injuries really hampered his progress when he came out of college.
Teams are reluctant to give him a chance based on that history. If one person could get something out of him though, it would be Fangio.
Bug Howard (WR)
This normally wouldn’t be a notable name except for a key reason. Bug Howard was a productive receiver who played with none other than Mitch Trubisky at North Carolina. The two had a solid connection during their lone year together. Howard caught for over 800 yards and eight touchdowns in 2016.
He’s a 6’4″ receiver with good long speed and hands. He’s prone to making big catches in big moments. Unfortunately teams were down on him due to his raw route running skills. This made it difficult for him to gain consistent separation. Combined with a lack of true burner speed and that pigeonholed him into the possession receiver category.
Marlon Brown (WR)
The case of Marlon Brown is a rather fascinating one. The 6’5″ receiver looked like he was a hidden gem when he posted over 500 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie for Baltimore in 2013. Unfortunately changes to the depth chart saw him demoted the next year and then consecutive back injuries robbed him of most of 2015 and 2016.
Only recently was he finally given a clean bill of health. Really the first time that’s happened in years. So the question becomes is he the same player he was? Brown is only 26-years old, so there’s reason to think he can still play. He’s got loads of size, something the Bears don’t have and is noted for his foot quickness to create separation.
Garrett Grayson (QB)
People thought it was a huge deal when the New Orleans Saints drafted Garrett Grayson in the third round of the 2015 draft. The kid was a star at Colorado State, noted for his ability to throw with anticipation as well as accuracy on the deep ball. His primary issues were sporadic decision-making. He wasn’t used to seeing complex coverages.
Saints head coach Sean Payton must’ve felt he could develop the kid properly, but over time that didn’t materialize. It’s likely Grayson just wasn’t the right fit for that offensive system. Perhaps it might be different with Dowell Loggains. He’s already shown a nice touch with previously unsuccessful QBs like Matt Barkley. This might be an interesting side project.
