SB Nation - John Broussard

Lions Re-Sign Chuck Darby, Release Marcus McCauley, and Shake Up Practice Squad

Sean Yuille — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:25:22 -0000

5 months ago: Detroit Lions defensive tackle Chuck Darby reaches for a football during the NFL team's minicamp Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in Allen Park, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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The Lions no longer hold the top waiver priority in the league, so they have to start doing their homework to get a list of possible players that are worth signing should injuries pop up. To do that, they held a mass tryout today, bringing in a total of 11 players (including some familiar faces).

Per a league source, they were running back Aveion Cason, cornerback Travis Daniels, defensive tackle Chuck Darby, cornerback Demarcus Faggins, defensive back Isaiah Gardner, receiver Taurus Johnson, safety Stuart Schweigert, receiver Derek Stanley, running back Kenny Watson, cornerback DeAngelo Willingham, and cornerback DeAndre Wright.

The Lions ended up re-signing defensive tackle Chuck Darby and releasing cornerback Marcus McCauley. Darby was released during the final round of roster cuts, and McCauley was claimed a day later.

Tight end Carson Butler and wide receiver John Broussard, members of the practice squad, were also released. Taking their spots are wide receiver Taurus Johnson and cornerback DeAndre Wright.

Lions Release Alama-Francis, Gordon, and Jennings; Three More Signed to Practice Squad

Sean Yuille — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:02:58 -0000

The Lions have just sent out a press release confirming the Kevin O'Connell trade and announcing some other roster moves.

Allen Park, Mich. - The Detroit Lions announced today that they have traded QB Kevin O’Connell to the New York Jets for an undisclosed future draft pick. The team also released DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, CB Cletis Gordon and WR Adam Jennings.

Seven players were signed today by the Lions to the team’s practice squad, including: WR John Broussard (San Jose State), TE Carson Butler (Michigan), RB Tristan Davis (Auburn), LB Zack Follett (California), C Dan Gerberry (Ball State), TE Dan Gronkowski (Maryland) and T Lydon Murtha (Nebraska).

With Marcus McCauley and Yamon Figurs set to join the team, that means there are still two open spots on the roster. You can assume that McCauley took Gordon's spot and Figurs basically replaced Jennings. What does that mean for the other two open spots? Well, I'm guessing the Lions have signed or claimed a defensive lineman, as that would explain why Ikaika Alama-Francis was released. As for who will be brought in to fill O'Connell's spot on the team, that remains to be seen. One thing is for sure -- the Lions are not done making changes to their roster just yet.

NightLink: Bears Start Trimming Roster

Dane Noble — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:45:05 -0000

First roster cuts were due tomorrow, but Lovie Smith and company went ahead and got the first round out of the way today.

Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek was waived/injured. Wide receiver John Broussard, punter Richmond McGee and long snapper J.J. Milan were placed on waivers. McGee performed well during training camp but wasn't going to unseat veteran Brad Maynard.

Final cuts to 53 are due on Saturday. Teams can begin establishing an eight-man practice squad on Sunday.

That means 22 more players will not make the final squad. Head over to the Bears official site, and check out the roster. Take a stab at who you think will be cut... can you come up with 22 names?

Position Battles: Wide Receivers

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:00:10 -0000

Last year the Bears opened the season with six wide outs on the roster (Earl Bennett, Marty Booker, Mark Bradley, Rashied Davis, Devin Hester, and Brandon Lloyd), but many Bears fans are speculating they only open up with five this season. Why? On paper the Bears should have a much more prolific passing game, so why not carry six again? Right now the Bears have ten receivers on the team, and in my opinion only two are definite locks to make the final 53, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett. Both had a couple catches against the Giants last Saturday, but who else is looking like 2009 Chicago Bears?

In preseason game 2, Devin Aromashodu made a heck of a catch, getting full extension to snag the ball for a 38 yard gain, and Brandon Rideau had two receptions and a special teams tackle. Those special teams contributions will be huge in making a final determination. Both seem to building steam for their chances on hanging around.

If Hester and Bennett are locks to stick, then Eric Peterman, John Broussard, and Derek Kinder have to be locks to be unemployed. I could see 1 or 2 of those guys making the practice squad if they go unclaimed. KInder is a guy I'd think could develop if he finds his way back.

So... 2 locks to make the team and 3 locks to be gone, and if my math is correct we're left with 5 players for 4 open spots (if the Bears carry 6 again). Rideau and Aromashodu have been getting all the publicity through OTA's and camp, and Juaquin Iglesias and Johnny Knox have the distinction of being '09 draft picks, but we can't forget about Rashied Davis. We can try to forget him, but I think he'll be back. He's received some first half playing time in both preseason games so far, and he is a more accomplished special teams player than the other 4 looking for work.

The Bears could cook up a mystery hamstring injury so they could stash someone on injured reserve, but I think Jerry Angelo may do something out of character for the franchise and release either Iglesias or Knox. And if they do they'll surely be picked up by a team looking for receivers. Thus far, my gut is saying Knox is the odd man out.

Here is what Larry Mayer from chicagobears.com, said on a recent Chalk Talk in regards to the receiver battle;

In terms of a player on the roster bubble, Devin Aromashodu's diving 38-yard reception certainly should give him a boost. The Bears likely will only keep five or six receivers, and it appears that Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and Rashied Davis are locks. If that's the case, then Aromashodu would be battling with Brandon Rideau and rookies Juaquin Iglesias and Johnny Knox for two or three positions. You also have to keep in mind that the Bears aren't necessarily going to keep the five or six best wide receivers. They'll keep the best three receivers and then the top two or three special-teams players at the position because the fourth and fifth receivers play primarily on the coverage and return units while rarely if ever getting reps on offense.

What does everyone else think?

Poll

Will the Chicago Bears carry 6 receivers or 5 to open the 2009 season?

6

661 votes

5

165 votes

826 votes | Poll has closed

Chicago Bears Wide Receivers: Projected Depth

Dane Noble — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:48:28 -0000

As we approach training camp, there are plenty of things that are apparent, and plenty of things that aren't. We know that our WR corp is probably going to be the biggest question mark going into Week 1 of the regular season, but who are the six likely players that will make the final roster?

Here's the current roster:

Eric Peterman

Out of that group, exactly two have ever caught a pass in the NFL, and four are rookies. What do opposing defenses have to fear from that group? Besides a little speed, not much. We have to count on Cutler to make these guys better than they would seem on paper.

Heading into training camp, anything can happen, but Brad Biggs gives us his ideas on the projected depth at the position.

Projected depth chart

WR: Hester, Davis, Knox
WR: Bennett, Iglesias, Rideau

Rag-tag bunch? Maybe. I am thinking that whoever starts in the slot will have some pretty good numbers this season, and right now that looks like Davis. Is it a bad thing hoping that Iglesias beats him out?

Wide Receiver War of Attrition: We Can't Keep 'Em All

Dane Noble — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:40:58 -0000

More photos » by Nam Y. Huh - AP

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Jerry Angelo has left the door open of possibly adding another wide receiver to the roster, but I really don't see that happening (however, I do hope I am wrong). That being said, we have 10 guys currently battling for roster spots:

Devin Aromashodu

Earl Bennett

John Broussard

Rashied Davis

Devin Hester

Juaquin Iglesias

Derek Kinder

Johnny Knox

Eric Peterman

Brandon Rideau

A few days ago, Sklz711 gave us his ideas of how he thinks the WRs will work out.

Wide Receivers: This is really going to be a pick 'em scenario based on quality production on both offense and ST. Hester/ Bennett/ Igleasis at this time are, and should be, the favorites for the first 3 positions. I've not seen many love notes for the Droppasaurus coming out of the propaganda machine, and shockingly saw a positive vote for Rideau locking down a back up position because of his good ST play, and that being a key factor at backup WR. I see them keeping 6 WR, possibly 7 if Peterman sticks solely for ST. The other two slots are pick your poison between Knox/ Kinder/ Davis. Do they go for pure promise? Can any of them play ST better than the others? Your guess is as good as mine here, but I know I'd rather it be Knox/ Kinder.

At the time, I was thinking that the Bears would actually only keep 5 WRs. We are going to be working out of mostly 2 and 3 WR sets, with Hester, Bennett, and Davis being the top three. Iglesias is a lock for a spot, and Knox has a great shot as well. But we have also been hearing that Brandon Rideau has been impressive.

Today, I read an article by Brad Biggs that states Rideau has been working with the first team offense a bit, and is doing well. In the article, Ron Turner expresses that Rideau has been making the most of his opprotunities so far in OTAs. He has been showing great hands, and is the biggest WR on the roster.

Biggs says that the Bears will keep 5 WRs, 6 if one of them makes a splash on Special Teams. Rideau may be the 6th man.

Based on all of this, our wide receiver corp, considered by many to be one of the Bears weakest links, we may end up seeing this as our final group:

Devin Hester

Earl Bennett

Rashied Davis

Juaquin Iglesias

Johnny Knox

Brandon Rideau

Not exactly the most menacing group of WRs, but a lot of you seem to think that the QB can make a subpar group of WRs into something productive. I hope you are right.

Oh, and a parting shot:

Yesterday, we brought you an article about Bears players who all thought that bringing in Plaxico Burress would be a good thing. Well, today, I'm going to leave you with a comment made by Devin Hester recently:

"I really was hoping we'd have gotten a veteran earlier this year," Hester said, "but it is what it is and we're stuck with what we've got, so we've got to make sure we make the best of it and learn from each other."

Eric Peterman Trying to Catch On with Hometown Team

Adam T — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:00:14 -0000

Eric Peterman, the 4th ranked receiver in Northwestern history, did get his name called during the 2009 NFL draft, just not in the manner he thought. His name wasn't one of the 256 players called by a guy in a suit at the podium in New York. Chicago called him prior to the draft being over to offer him a contract to come in. Philadelphia and Tennessee were also interested. For him it was a no-brainer.

"They [the Bears] put a big emphasis on special teams, and I feel like that’s a part of the game I can offer," Peterman said. "I plan on playing two, three, four different special teams, however many they’ll let me play."

That willingness to tackle, something not all receivers like to do, could make the difference when the final roster is decided. "I think it’s just up to them," Peterman said. "They can cut you whenever they want. But right now, I’m a Chicago Bear."

If a undrafted rookie free agent wanted a chance to make a team, this is the place. The other wide receivers on the Bears roster are:

Devin Aromashodu
John Broussard
Earl Bennett
Rashied Davis
Juaquin Iglesias
Derek Kinder
Johnny Knox
Brandon Rideau

and Devin Hester who curiously is still listed only as a PR/KR.

The article says Peterman is facing an uphill battle, but really it might only be an uphill tussle. Hester, Bennett and Iglesias are the only sure locks. They are desperate for Knox to step up and replace Davis, so that puts us at four.

I still think the Bears bring on board some veteran at some point. Rideau has been with us for awhile, but apparently has no special teams value othewise I think we would have made the roster by now. If Peterman proves to be an asset on special teams, there is a decent chance he can make the roster.