Chicago Bears Week 1 Stock Report
This Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Bears will take on the Green Bay Packers for the 191st time. The Bears currently hold an edge in the all-time series, with a 93-91-6 record.
The Bears made a lot of changes this offseason after the organization hired new general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox, and the team is looking to improve upon its disappointing 5-11 2014 season.
Chicago added a bevy of new faces to the roster via free agency and the draft this offseason, and the organization had to cut its roster down from 75 players to 53 players over the weekend. Many players solidified new roles this offseason, with strong showings in training camp and the preseason, but others took a step back in their development and will begin the season on the bench.
Whose stock is rising, and whose stock is falling, as the Bears head into their Week 1 showdown against the Packers?
Stock Up: David Fales
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After the Bears added former Denver Broncos quarterback Zac Dysert to the roster prior to the team's final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, it looked like David Fales' days in Chicago were numbered because of Dysert's familiarity with offensive coordinator Adam Gase's system.
Fales got the start against Cleveland last Thursday night, and the former San Jose State star completed 14 of his 18 passing attempts for 131 yards with two touchdowns. He looked in control of Chicago's offense during his three-plus quarters of play, and he was happy with his performance.
"I was pretty happy," Fales said after the game, per Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com. "There were a couple things I wish I would have seen a little bit more, but I was definitely happy. I saw the things that I knew we were going to get, and we got to it, and we executed pretty well for the most part."
He was later replaced by Dysert in the fourth quarter, but the former Miami of Ohio quarterback completed just one of his four passing attempts for nine yards.
Fales was able to impress the coaching staff with his performance on Thursday night, and he made the 53-man roster over Dysert.
“I thought all week, his attention and preparation and everything were phenomenal,” said receiver Marc Mariani about Fales after the preseason finale, per ChicagoFootball.com's Arthur Arkush. “Tonight, he just came out and slang it and did what they asked. I couldn’t be happier for him. ... I think the numbers showed it: He had a good night tonight.”
Jay Cutler is the team's No. 1 quarterback, but there is a chance Fales could enter the regular-season opener as the team's No. 2 quarterback because of Jimmy Clausen's health. According to Arkush, Clausen suffered a concussion in the team's third preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fales still has a ways to go with his development, but he proved on Thursday night that he is comfortable in Gase's offense.
Stock Down: Charles Leno
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Even though tackle Charles Leno got the opportunity to start at right tackle in the team's second and third preseason games, it looks like the young tackle will begin the season on the bench.
The Bears opted to waive former starting right tackle Jordan Mills on Sunday afternoon, and the team is expected to move Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long to right tackle, per Bleacher Report's Matt Miller.
According to Pro Football Focus, Leno played a total of 141 snaps in the preseason and finished with a minus-6.2 overall grade. He allowed one sack, one quarterback hit and two quarterback hurries. In addition to his struggles in pass protection, he had a hard time in the running game.
Leno is an athletic tackle who shuffles his feet well, but he tends to lunge toward defenders and does not have enough functional strength to fend off opposing pass-rushers.
The former Boise State product started the final preseason game at left tackle, but he did not impress CBSChicago.com's Dan Durkin.
"Really rough start to the series for Leno," Durkin tweeted. "Watch how wide he lets his feet get in pass-rush sets. Off-balanced anchor, gets caught leaning."
Leno has talent, but he may be better suited to play inside at guard. Despite his struggles, the Bears liked him enough to keep him on their 53-man roster.
He got extensive work at left tackle this offseason, while starter Jermon Bushrod struggled with injuries, but if Leno's performance in the preseason was any indication of how he would perform at the position in the regular season, the Bears better hope Bushrod can stay healthy in 2015.
Stock Up: John Timu
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It is not uncommon for an undrafted free agent to make his mark in the preseason and earn a spot on an NFL roster, but John Timu became the talk of Chicago's preseason with his strong performance.
A four-year contributor at Washington, Timu recorded 328 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, six interceptions and scored two defensive touchdowns for the Huskies.
Before the draft, Miller praised Timu's ability at inside linebacker.
"John Timu is built like an NFL linebacker and comes game-ready as a coverage linebacker," wrote Miller. "He moves very well in space and has the feet to transition and change direction on the go. He'll flash run-stopping skills and can fill gaps well."
He played in all four of Chicago's preseason games and started in the preseason finale. According to Pro Football Focus, Timu played 86 snaps in the preseason and finished with a plus-0.3 overall grade. He recorded seven total tackles, one pass deflection and one interception.
Before cuts came on Saturday, Timu was not sure if he made the team, but he did know he gave it all he had.
"I don't know," Timu said when asked if he thought he made the team after the final preseason game, per CSNChicago.com's Scott Krinch. "Honestly, that's not up to me. I have no idea, I don't know how things work. I left it all on the field; that's all I can say."
Timu's play on the field impressed the coaching staff enough that the Bears opted to release veteran inside linebacker Mason Foster over the weekend. Foster was a good fit in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's defense because of his experience and ability to play sideline to sideline, but the Bears likely let the veteran go because they believe Timu can develop into a starter down the road.
Timu will be one of the team's two backups at inside linebacker, and he has a chance to make a name for himself on special teams this season.
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Stock Down: Jacquizz Rodgers
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The Bears decided to add depth to the running back position this offseason, and they signed former Atlanta Falcon Jacquizz Rodgers to a one-year deal in March.
In four seasons with the Falcons, Rodgers rushed for 1,116 yards on 305 carries and scored five touchdowns, and he also hauled in 155 passes for 1,104 yards and scored five receiving touchdowns. He was used primarily as a third-down back, and he is at his best in pass protection.
“I take pride in that; I fear nobody,” said Rodgers about pass protection, per Arkush. “That’s how you got to approach it."
Rodgers is a bruising runner who does most of his damage between the tackles, and he is a threat in the passing game. He played with the first-team offense a lot during the preseason, with starter Matt Forte on the bench, and he carried the football 23 times for 86 yards and caught three passes for 14 yards.
Despite going into the preseason as the team's clear-cut No. 2 running back, Rodgers looks like he will be the team's third option in 2015. Forte is a guaranteed starter at the position, and it looks like rookie Jeremy Langford did enough in the preseason to take carries away from Rodgers during the regular season.
The former Michigan State Spartan carried the football 28 times in the preseason for 153 yards and scored one touchdown. He was explosive off the ball snap and showed an ability to get to the edge and turn up the field. Langford has home-run potential whenever he touches the ball, and his strong performance in the preseason has caused Rodgers' stock to drop.
Rodgers will likely still be the team's third-down back because of his ability as a blocker, but he may have a hard time seeing the field on early downs because of both Forte and Langford.
Stock Up: Willie Young
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When the Bears decided to switch to a 3-4 defense this offseason, it looked like Willie Young would be the odd man out at the outside linebacker position before the regular season began.
Young, along with Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen, moved to 3-4 outside linebacker this offseason after spending his career with the Detroit Lions and in Chicago as a 4-3 defensive end. On top of making the move to the outside this offseason, Young was also recovering from an Achilles injury he suffered against the Lions in Week 16 last season.
The veteran pass-rusher recorded 39 tackles and a career-high 10 sacks last season, but his future in Chicago was up in the air this offseason. He was eased back into practice during training camp, but he did not play in the team's first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
He eventually made it onto the field for the team's second preseason game, and according to Pro Football Focus, he played a total of 67 snaps in the final three preseason games and recorded one sack, three quarterback hurries and three tackles.
“He’s an explosive guy from what we saw from tape last year," said Fox earlier this offseason, per CSNChicago.com's John Mullin. "Just getting him back confident and how that feels to push off from and explode off of is just normal for any player coming off an injury. I’ve been pleased with what we’ve seen.”
Young looked more comfortable as the preseason wore on, but he was reportedly on the trading block over the weekend.
"Interesting name on the trade block: Bears outside linebacker Willie Young, who had 10 sacks last year but also suffered an Achilles injury," tweeted NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Saturday.
The Bears opted to keep Young on their roster, and he has a chance to be an impact player in Chicago's 3-4 defense this season as a situational pass-rusher.
Chicago will use Pernell McPhee and Jared Allen as starters at outside linebacker, but Young will get an opportunity to rush the passer along with Houston and Sam Acho this season.
Statistical information courtesy of NFL.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise noted. Roster information courtesy of ChicagoBears.com.
Matt Eurich is a Chicago Bears featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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