Chicago Bears 53-Man Roster: Early Look At Whom to Cut and Whom to Keep

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Well, if I didn't have enough respect for GMs and coaches before, I definitely do now. I sat down with the Bears current roster and tried trimming it down to 53 men and then 8 practice squad members, thinking it should be pretty easy. HA! I was in for a treat.

The actual roster was hard enough, but the practice squad was just ridiculous. Trying to figure out who was eligible for it and who would clear waivers to be signed to the squad is like a guessing game.

So if you feel I left something (or someone) out that shouldn't be or kept someone on there that you think is stupid, please let me know. I was just happy that my math all worked out. Besides, constructive criticism is always welcomed.

So without further ado, the Chicago Bears 2009 roster (If it had to be done by tomorrow).

Offense

# of Quarterbacks = 3

Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie, and Brett Basanez. All NFL rosters have three quarterbacks. End of story.

Odd man out: N/A

# of Running backs = 3

Matt Forte, Kevin Jones, and Garrett Wolfe. Forte is a stud. We just re-signed Jones so he is safe (barring injury) and Wolfe is the change of pace back that seemingly all teams want to have.  

Odd man out: Adrian Peterson. I wanted to find a way to keep him. His special teams abilities are great, he has great character, and is not a terrible backup running back. But we just can't have four.

# of Wide Receivers = 5

Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Brandon Rideau, Juaquin Iglesias, and Johnny Knox.

Hester, Bennett and Iglesias are easy keepers. Rideau has shown a lot of promise in the past couple years, so he is a go and while I think Knox should be on the practice squad, I am afraid he would not clear waivers.

Odd man out: Yup, Rashied Davis. It sucks. He had a bad season last year, but has made clutch catches and is one of two receivers that have caught a pass in the NFL last season that was on our roster. Truly breaks my heart.

# of Fullbacks = 1

Will Ta'ufo'ou.

THAT'S RIGHT, I said it. Goodbye mediocre McKie. No more fullback dives for no gain every week. We need a change and now is the time. Ta'ufo'ou runs low to the ground and knows how to hit (If this happens, a Ta'ufo'ou jersey would be sick to have).

Odd m(e)n out: McKie, of course, and back up Jason Davis.

# of Tight Ends = 3

Greg Olsen, Desmond Clark, and Michael Gaines.

Olsen and Clark have been a killer one-two punch and should only get better. Gaines will be able to come in and be a very effective run blocker and could even drop back in to the fullback slot.

Odd man out: Kellen Davis. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me since he is only in his second year and he could be good down the road.

If he cleared waivers, he would be good on the practice squad, but I think he played in more than nine games last year on special teams, so he might not be eligible for it. To bad.

# of Offensive Tackles = 3

Orlando Pace, Chris Williams, and Kevin Shaffer.

There would actually be four, since Frank Omiyale can slide into that tackle position as well, but he is a starting guard.

Not terrible options here, although Pace is older, Williams is unproven, and Shaffer's starting position on the Browns was taken by former Bear John St. Clair...Yes, it will be an interesting year.

Odd man out: Cody Balogh. If space was opened up at other positions, Balogh could slide in and ease some of the pressure. A good candidate for the practice squad, though.

# of Offensive Guards = 4

Roberto Garza, Frank Omiyale, Josh Beekman, and Tyler Reed.

Reed being the only surprise, he adds depth at a position that needs it considering Omiyale is a back up tackle and Beekman is the reserve center.

Odd men out: Dan Buenning and seventh round pick Lance Louis. Both could be sent to the practice squad, with Louis being the more intriguing of the two. 

# of Centers = 1

Olin Kreutz... Questions?

Odd man out: N/A

Offensive total = 23

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