Training Camp Update Volume 9, Issue 2 8/12/14



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WR: Jerricho CotcheryKelvin BenjaminJason AvantTavarres King, Tiquan UnderwoodKealoha PilaresMarcus LucasMarvin McNutt, Toney ClemonsCorey BrownBrenton Bersin
TE: Greg OlsenEd DicksonBrandon WilliamsRichie Brockel (FB), D.C. JeffersonMike McNeill
LT: Nate Chandler
LG: Amini SilatoluBrian Folkerts
C: Ryan KalilFernando Velasco
RG: Garry WilliamsTrai Turner
RT: Byron BellTravis BondEdmund Kugbila (IR)
K: Graham Gano
DT: Star Lotulelei (NT)Dwan EdwardsKawann Short (NT)Colin ColeDrake NevisLinden GaydoshCasey Walker (NT)
DE: Charles JohnsonGreg HardyFrank AlexanderMario Addison, Kony EalyAlex HallWes HortonCraig Roh
MLB: Luke KuechlyD.J. SmithBen Jacobs
OLB: Thomas Davis (S)Chase Blackburn (W)A.J. Klein (W)Jason WilliamsAnthony Morales
CB: Antoine CasonDeAndre PresleyBene BenwikereCharles GodfreyMelvin WhiteJosh ThomasJosh NormanJames Dockery, Carrington Byndom
S: Roman Harper (SS)Thomas DeCoud (FS)Robert Lester (SS),Colin Jones (FS)Tre Boston (SS)Tom Nelson

Chicago Bears

QB: The Bears opened their 2014 preseason schedule with a home game against the Eagles on Friday night. After a 3-and-out series to open the game, Jay Cutler turned things around quickly and led the team on a 13-play drive that ended with a perfect back shoulder touchdown pass to TE Zach Miller who was double covered. On the same drive, Cutler converted three separate 3rd and long situations, showing that this offense will once again have few problems moving the ball. Jordan Palmer took over late in the first quarter and also put up solid numbers with a touchdown and interception. It was Jimmy Clausen who stole the show though as he lit up the Eagles for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a beautiful 73-yard play to WR Chris Williams in which he reportedly audibled out of a running play. Developmental prospect David Fales came on for mop up duty and also looked impressive. It’s clear that head coach Marc Trestman has a way with QBs as all 4 players looked very comfortable running the offense as they piled up over 400 yards and 4 TDs.

RB: Matt Forte didn’t find much room to run as he was held to -5 yards on 3 carries, although he did have a 15-yard gain wiped out due to a holding penalty. The second back to see action in the game was Shaun Draughn, but he didn’t get a chance to show much with just two touches. Rookie Ka’Deem Carey took over in the second quarter and served as a workhorse, although he picked up just 23 yards on 10 carries. Senorise Perry, Michael Ford, and Jordan Lynch all split time in the second half but none of the backs were really able to separate themselves from the pack. Overall, it was an underwhelming performance from the Chicago running game as the backs combined for just 76 yards on 31 carries.

WR: The Bears offense was without the services of expected slot WR Marquess Wilson, who could miss up to 3 months with the broken collarbone suffered during the week. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery continued to make things difficult for defenses, particularly Marshall who came up with a great one-handed catch. Eric Weems served as the primary slot receiver in the game but he went catchless on two targets. Chris Williams continues to make a case for himself as he showed off his incredible speed on the 73-yard touchdown catch and run. Another candidate for the slot job emerged when Michael Spurlock picked up 56 yards on 4 catches, including the game-winning touchdown.

TE: Starter Martellus Bennett missed the game while serving his suspension, but it appears the Bears had more quality behind him than we realized. Matthew Mulligan got the start, but he’s more of a blocking specialist. Zach Miller has not played since 2011, but was the star of the game as he pulled down 6 passes for 68 yards with 2 touchdowns in the first half. Dante Rosario also saw time with the first string offense and pulled in a key 23-yard pass on 3rd and 10.

Defense: The Bears first team defense helped neutralize Nick Foles and the Chip Kelly-led Eagles offense in their preseason opener. Jared Allen and Tim Jennings sat out, but it didn’t seem to matter much as Willie Young helped rush Foles into throwing an interception to safety Ryan Mundy on the first possession. Things didn’t get better on the next series as the Bears front helped induce several holding penalties that led to another short series. The starters were pulled at that point and the Eagles got back into the game, but overall there were positive signs that the rebuilt Bears defensive front is going to be much tougher to play against. Most of the camp attention thus far has been on the safety position, as there is a deep group of players fighting over both starting spots. Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray got the starts, but veteran Adrian Wilson was impressive once again and rookie Brock Vereen led all safeties in tackles. On the injury front, the Bears got some reinforcements lately as CB Tim Jennings and S Chris Conte both returned to practice recently. Among the linebackers, it appears that Shea McClellin is likely to play a 2-down role at strongside linebacker while Jon Bostic is seeing snaps with the first string nickel defense. If that holds, Lance Briggs might be the only 3-down linebacker here with significant fantasy value in IDP leagues.

K/P: Kicker Robbie Gould made field goals of 25 and 26 yards against the Eagles, but had a 41-yard attempt blocked. Rookie Pat O’Donnell remains the favorite to serve as holder (and punter). He averaged 43.5 yards on two punts in the game. Challenger Tress Way averaged 37.5 yards on a pair of punts. The long snapping competitors, Chad Rempel and Brandon Hartson, each had five snaps in the game. Rempel worked with O’Donnell and Hartson worked with Way. Gould has been working with all of them in camp, aside from his own kicking.

OL: With starting right guard Kyle Long (ankle) and right tackle Jordan Mills (foot) out of the lineup against the Eagles, the offensive line had a mixed performance. In pass protection, the line was very good, keeping Jay Cutler clean. Michael Ola was starting for Mills, and this could be the makings of a competition should Mills not return to the lineup soon. However, the line could not open up holes for the Bears’ tailbacks, and remains an area of concern. Eben Britton missed the contest with his hamstring strain and second team center Brian de la Puente suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain during the second half. According to beat writers, he is expected to miss a couple of weeks. Tough guy Rob Turner was signed to help with the center depth.

Bears Depth Chart
QB: Jay CutlerJordan PalmerJimmy ClausenDavid Fales
RB: Matt ForteShaun DraughnKa′Deem CareyMichael Ford, Jordan LynchSenorise Perry
FB: Tony Fiammetta
WR: Brandon MarshallAlshon JefferyMarquess WilsonJosh MorganEric Weems (KR)Michael Spurlock (KR)Armanti Edwards, Terrence Toliver (inj)Josh BellamyChris WilliamsDale MossGreg Herd
TE: Martellus BennettZach MillerDante RosarioMatthew Mulligan, Jeron Mastrud
LT: Jermon BushrodEben Britton
LG: Matt SlausonJames Brown
C: Roberto GarzaBrian De La Puente
RG: Kyle LongRob TurnerCharles LenoDylan Gandy
RT: Jordan MillsDennis RolandRogers Gaines
K: Robbie Gould
DT: Stephen Paea (NT)Jay RatliffEgo FergusonWill SuttonTracy RobertsonBrandon DunnLee Pegues
DE: Lamarr HoustonJared AllenWillie YoungDavid BassCornelius WashingtonAusten LaneTrevor Scott
MLB: D.J. WilliamsChristian JonesJerry Franklin
OLB: Lance Briggs (W)Jon Bostic (S/M)Shea McClellin (S),Khaseem Greene (S)Lawrence Wilson (S)Jordan Senn (W), Devekeyan Lattimore (W)Tana Patrick (S)
CB: Charles TillmanTim JenningsKyle FullerSherrick McManis, ,Kelvin HaydenDemontre HurstIsaiah FreyC.J. WilsonDerricus Purdy
S: Ryan Mundy (SS)Brock Vereen (FS)M.D. Jennings (SS)Danny McCray (FS)Adrian Wilson (SS)Christopher Conte (FS)Craig Steltz (SS)

Cincinnati Bengals

QB: With his contract extension done, Andy Dalton can concentrate on football. There wasn’t much to concentrate on during the team’s first preseason game against Kansas City. Dalton played just one series behind an offensive line with two rookies, two undrafted free agents and just one starter from last season. He completed three passes including a 53-yard bomb to A.J. Green down the middle that he didn’t seem to step into all the way. His two incompletions came in the red zone, including a back line pass to Tyler Eifert that was slightly overthrown. Jason Campbell played into the second half and was erratic before suffering an arm injury that the team is calling a bruise. He’s expected to be back next week, but Tyler Wilson was signed to take snaps with Matt Scott this week. A.J. McCarron remains on the NFI list and there is speculation that he may be moved to injured reserve at the end of the preseason.

RB: The Bengals will undoubtedly mix it up more in the regular season but the running game against Kansas City consisted entirely of power runs, isolation plays and counters with Gio Bernard, Jeremy Hill and BenJarvus Green-Ellis running downhill immediately and successfully. Hill played the second and fifth series with an additional carry on the first play of the third quarter, while Green-Ellis handled the third and fourth (one play, INT returned for TD) series. Hill was clearly quicker than Green-Ellis and consistently fell forward at the end of his runs. Green-Ellis didn’t play poorly aside from a missed blitz pickup, but is likely fighting for his roster spot. Rex Burkhead (5-21) and Cedric Peerman (5-20) had nearly identical second half stat lines and are key special teams players, further jeopardizing Green-Ellis’ roster spot.

WR: Dalton connected with Green on two early targets, including a deep post route on which Green split the corner and safety easily. Mohammed Sanu was Green’s running mate early. Marvin Jones was activated from the PUP list early last week but missed the preseason game. He subsequently broke his foot in practice and will miss an indeterminate amount of time – certainly extending well into the regular season. Dane Sanzenbacher was already a heavy favorite to make the team as a slot receiver / special teamer, but probably cemented his role with two stellar routes and catches out of the slot. Brandon Tate continues to battle for a roster spot and had a physical slant route and diving catch for a touchdown with the second team.

TE: There were concerning observations from beat writers last month that Jermaine Gresham was struggling to get back into playing shape after offseason surgery. He was activated from the PUP list last week. He sat out the first preseason game but has been participating in team drills in camp; he should return soon. Tyler Eifert had two targets, both inside the red zone, against Kansas City. He had separation on a route in the back of the end zone in the team’s first drive but Dalton’s ball was just out of his reach.

Defense: The Cincinnati first team defense played three series against Kansas City. They forced a three and out on the first series, converted a sack/strip/fumble into a turnover on the Kansas City 16-yard line on the second, and held the Chiefs to a field goal after a long kickoff return into Bengals’ territory. Geno Atkins is off the PUP list, but his snaps are being carefully managed and he’s yet to see action in team drills. The team expects him to be ready for Week 1. Marvin Lewis had high praise for Darqueze Dennard last week, calling him the best rookie corner he’s seen. Dennard may not see much playing time, though, with veterans Terence Newman, Adam Jones and Leon Hall healthy. Dre’ Kirkpatrick returned a terribly thrown ball for a touchdown against Kansas City but is seemingly an afterthought right now with the depth the Bengals have at corner. Carlos Dunlap and Wallace Gilberry are the starters at defensive end, but it was rotation players Robert Geathers (strip-sack) and Margus Hunt (consistently impressive night included a one-arm ragdoll of the second team Chiefs’ offensive tackle and quarterback sack) who had the unit’s best plays during the preseason game.

K/P: Kicker Mike Nugent made a 30-yard field goal and three extra points (which were longer than the field goal due to the preseason rule experimentation) in the loss to the Chiefs. In his first game action since breaking his jaw last year, punter Kevin Huber averaged 44.5 yards on four punts (although he watched one of those returned 80 yards for a touchdown). Camp leg Quinn Sharp also added an extra point and handled kickoffs in the second half.

OL: Despite missing three starters (Andrew Whitworth, Clint Boling and Andre Smith), as well as versatile backup Mike Pollak, the Bengals’ offensive line did a good job against the Chiefs. The makeshift line created running room. Left guard Trey Hopkins played well, especially considering his lack of experience. Backup tackles Marshall Newhouse and Will Svitek were solid in a new system. Rookie Russell Bodine had a mixed game, looking excellent in run blocking but giving up a sack. Bodine has been listed as the starting center on the team’s first depth chart. The injuries to the starters are not serious on the whole, and all should be ready for Week One of the regular season.

Bengals Depth Chart
QB: Andy DaltonJason CampbellA.J. McCarronMatt ScottTyler Wilson
RB: Giovani Bernard (3RB)Jeremy Hill (SD)BenJarvus Green-Ellis (SD)Cedric PeermanRex BurkheadJames Wilder Jr.Jeff Scott
FB: Ryan HewittNikita Whitlock
WR: A.J. GreenMarvin Jones (inj)Mohamed SanuBrandon Tate (KR)James WrightDane SanzenbacherRyan WhalenCobi HamiltonColin Lockett
TE: Jermaine GreshamTyler EifertOrson Charles (HB)Alex Smith, Kevin Brock
LT: Andrew WhitworthMarshall Newhouse
LG: Clint BolingMike Pollak
C: Russell BodineTrevor Robinson
RG: Kevin ZeitlerTJ Johnson
RT: Andre SmithWill SvitekTanner Hawkinson
K: Mike Nugent
DT: Geno AtkinsDomata Peko (NT)Devon StillBrandon Thompson, Chriso Bilukidi (NT)Ogemdi NwagbuoLakendrick Ross
DE: Carlos DunlapRobert GeathersWallace GilberryMargus Hunt, Will ClarkeDavid KingSam MontgomeryLarry Black
MLB: Rey MaualugaVincent ReyJ.K. SchafferJames Davidson
OLB: Vontaze Burfict (W)Jayson DiManche (S)Brandon Joiner (S),Sean Porter (W)Emmanuel Lamur (W)Dontay Moch (W)Bruce Taylor (S)Marquis Flowers (S)
CB: Leon Hall (inj)Darqueze DennardTerence NewmanPacman Jones (PR)Dre KirkpatrickR.J. StanfordLavelle WestbrooksChris Lewis-Harris (susp)Onterio McCalebbVictor Hampton
S: Reggie Nelson (FS)George Iloka (SS)Danieal ManningShawn Williams (FS)Taylor Mays (SS)Isaiah Lewis

Cleveland Browns

QB: The quarterback battle between Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel continued last week. Manziel began seeing first team reps in practice, but Hoyer started the team’s first preseason game against Detroit. Hoyer’s three series were marred by overthrows and untimely drops, but he twice moved the team into field goal range. Manziel played four series with the second and third team. He showed more zip on his passes than Hoyer, but looked hesitant at times and pulled the ball down to run on two plays in which he had an open receiver. The Browns also used the read option frequently with Manziel and Terrance West. Manziel rushed for 27 yards on six rushes – about 25% of his 25 snaps in the game. Mike Pettine denied an ESPN report that Manziel had won the quarterback job last weekend.  Pettine noted Manziel’s improvement but said he’d like to see the rookie’s pocket awareness improve. He also said he thinks it’s ideal for a rookie quarterback to sit behind a veteran and learn. Both quarterbacks will again work with the first team this week in practice. Pettine would not name a starter for this week’s preseason game but still plans to have the competition settled and a regular season starter announced before the third preseason game.

RB: Competition also continues at running back. Ben Tate started and played two series. He showed his usual decisiveness on zone running plays, gaining 25 yards on six carries against the first team Detroit defense. He recovered his own fumble during his second series. Ball security was an issue for Tate in Houston and could cost him playing time if it becomes a chronic issue in Cleveland. Terrance West took over for one series with the starters in the second quarter and played into the third. He had 22 yards on ten carries and one catch for eight yards. West looked hesitant in his first series, but showed very quick feet in traffic. His decisiveness was better after the first series on those runs, but lost yardage on multiple zone-read plays with Manziel. Dion Lewis and Edwin Baker each had three carries. Isaiah Crowell was active and played three special teams snaps but did not play an offensive snap. He’s listed as a fifth string player on the Browns’ depth chart. Pettine has said the depth chart is fluid, but Crowell may have some work to do to make the final 53.


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