The Chicago Bears play their first football game in eight months tonight as they prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens in the annual Hall of Fame game. Both teams were selected due to the success of two legends from their ranks reaching Canton. One is Ray Lewis and the other Brian Urlacher, the two best linebackers of their generation.
Now nobody has huge expectations for this game. It’s basically a fifth preseason contest for both squads. However, there has been one question floating around. This has to do with what head coach Matt Nagy has planned for who plays and who doesn’t. Will he play any projected starters or make it a showcase of competition among backups?
This is an important question because the Bears are basically a new team this year. Their roster has been overhauled a lot, especially on offense. Nagy could easily want to see the progress they’re making, even if it’s just for a series against another opposing defense. Will he do that? It doesn’t seem that way.
Nagy informed Fox 32 Bears reporter Lou Canellis Wednesday night that the starters would sit for the game. This means the second and third string players would see most of the action. So what does this mean?
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Chicago Bears backups get a vital chance for extra playing time
One of the hardest things about being on the bottom end of a roster is finding ways to get noticed. There are only so many practice reps during training camp. Normally there are also just four preseason games 90 players on the roster. It’s difficult to get everybody on the field with enough time to do anything of significance. The Bears are presented with a rare exception.
Brian Urlacher said on @670TheScore he'll talk to the Bears tonight (which Matt Nagy hoped would be the case) and joked he'll "apologize to them" for making them play five preseason games.
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) August 2, 2018
The Hall of Fame game may mean nothing in terms of a win-loss record or evaluating the starters, but it’s a golden opportunity for some of the bubble players on the depth chart to possibly make a move towards securing a roster spot. There are several heated battles going on in practice right now and many of them could be swayed if one player or another from them were able to have a good performance. Here are a few key ones to watch.
RB: Bennie Cunningham vs. Ryan Nall and Taquan Mizzell
Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen are fixed at the top of the running back heap, but the swirling mayhem below them has been fascinating to watch. Veteran Bennie Cunningham remains a favorite to claim the third spot but thumping undrafted rookie Ryan Nall and athletic second-year man Taquan Mizzell have been pushing him every day in practice. This could be their best chance short of the preseason finale to make a statement.
WHAT A CATCH BY @Tanner4Gentry!#BearDown #HandsAllDay pic.twitter.com/zl75xqDzYI
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr) July 26, 2018
WR: Josh Bellamy vs. Tanner Gentry, Bennie Fowler, and Javon Wims
The wide receiver competition has been a joy to watch at training camp. Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller are fixed as the top three. Those last three spots are up for grabs and the guys have been trading shots to try and win the coaches’ affection with pretty plays in practice. Josh Bellamy and Tanner Gentry, somewhat forgotten over the past few months may be the most active. Rookie seventh rounder Javon Wims is also improving with each passing day. This group may make some noise down in Canton.
C: Hroniss Grasu vs. Jack Allen
Cody Whitehair is set at center while rookie James Daniels is being groomed for left guard. This leaves the backup center spot open and uncertain. Hroniss Grasu filled this role last year but he’s had trouble with consistency most of his career and is also dealing with constant health issues. This opens the door for somebody like Jack Allen. The recent free agent signing was a success at center for Michigan State and is now healthy after some issues in New Orleans. He’s also a hometown boy, so there’s extra motivation for him.
OLB: Isaiah Irving vs. Kylie Fitts
The Bears are desperately searching for answers at the edge rush position. Leonard Floyd is their only proven man right now. Sam Acho is likely the projected starter opposite him but they need more. With Aaron Lynch still nursing a hamstring injury, that means second-year man Isaiah Irving and sixth round pick Kylie Fitts will see lots of action. Both have flashed in camp but this will be their first significant playing time. Can they turn up the juice enough to get noticed?
GREAT PLAY BY @Strap_Ent!#BearDown pic.twitter.com/y6F0aM0iGR
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr) July 26, 2018
CB: Marcus Cooper vs. Cre’Von LeBlanc, Kevin Toliver, and Michael Joseph
Like wide receiver, the top of the cornerback depth chart is set with Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, and Bryce Callahan. That leaves three spots left. Sherrick McManis is also a favorite due to his special teams prowess. This only increases the pressure on others. Marcus Cooper and Cre’Von LeBlanc are the veterans, having started games in this defense the past year or two. They’ll be challenged by a pair of intriguing undrafted rookies in Kevin Toliver and Michael Joseph who’ve had strong camps.
