Chicago Bears Roster 2012: Latest News, Cuts, Preseason Predictions

The Chicago Bears have played three preseason games. After their victory against the New York Giants Friday they made the necessary roster moves to get to the NFL's 75-man limit by Augst 27. 

They will have one more preseason game on Thursday before making final roster moves the next day. Plenty of jobs and roster spots are still up for grabs but the overall depth chart seems to be firmly in place. 

RB Harvey Unga: With the team's overall solid depth at the running back position Unga became more than expendable. Couple that with his poor special teams play and the choice was obvious for him to be let go. 

DE Thaddeus Gibson: The two year veteran just did not make enough plays in the preseason to get noticed. He will most likely latch on to a different team at a later point when depth becomes an issue. 

LB K.C. Asiodu: Never really got a chance to get on the field and prove his worth. Was brought in as a warm body to cover injuries in camp. 

QB Matt Blanchard: Played fairly well and the small college prospect should get another shot on a team with poor quarterback options. At this point the Bears feel more comfortable with veterans at the position. 

S Trevor Coston: Lack of depth at safety still was not enough for Coston to get a shot. The undrafted rookie will possibly latch on to a team's practice squad to develop further. 

WR Terriun Crump: Too many veterans and quality players for Crump to ever have a chance. 

WR Chris Summers: Started off strong but did not make enough critical catches in the preseason to justify a roster spot. He needs to work on special teams as well. Could be a practice squad option for the Bears or another team. 

DE Derek Walker: The Bears are fairly deep and healthy at the position but if that ever changes then Walker's name could come up again. 

LB Adrien Cole: Injuries proved to be too much. 

G Nick Pieschel: Like Cole he had too many injuries to make an impact. 

DT John McCargo: The veteran player lost his rotation spot when the Bears traded for his former Tampa Bay teammate Brian Price. Still he should get plenty of looks throughout the league. 

August 27, 2012: Waived RB Harvey Unga

August 26, 2012: Waived DE Thaddeus Gibson, LB K.C. Asiodu, QB Matt                                              Blanchard

                               Waived S Trevor Coston, WR Terriun Crump, WR Chris                                              Summers

                               Waived DE Derek Walker, LB Adrien Cole,  G Nick Pieschel

                               Terminated contract of DT John McCargo

                               Placed WR Johnny Knox on physically-unable-to-perform list

                               Placed S Brandon Hardin on injured reserve

August 23, 2012: Waived RB Kahlil Bell

August 22, 2012: Placed DT DeMario Pressley on the waived-injured list.

August 20, 2012: Signed S Mark LeGree to a one-year contract. Waived LB Ronnie                                       Thornton.

Offense

WR(9): Brandon Marshall, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Alshon Jeffery, Eric Weems, Dane Sanzenbacher, Joseph Anderson, Chris Summers, Brittan Golden, 

LT(3): J'Marcus Webb, Chris Williams, James Brown

LG(2): Chris Spencer, Edwin Williams,

C(2): Roberto Garza, Rickey Henry

RG(2): Lance Louis, Chilo Rachal

RT(3): Gabe Carimi, AJ Greene,Cory Brandon

TE(4): Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth, Kyle Adams, Brandon Venson

FB(2): Tyler Clutts, Evan Rodriguez

RB(4): Matt Forte, Michael Bush, Lorenzo Booker, Armando Allen,

QB(4): Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell, Josh McCown, 

Defense

LDE(4): Israel Idonije, Shea McClellin, Chauncey Davis, Cheta Ozouqwu

LDT(3): Henry Melton, Brian Price, Jordan Miller

NT(3): Matt Toeaina, Stephen Paea, Nate Collins

RDE(2): Julius Peppers, Corey Wootton, 

SLB(2): Nick Roach, Geno Hayes,

MLB(3): Brian Urlacher, Blake Costanzo, Dom DeCicco

WLB(3): Lance Briggs, JT Thomas, Patrick Trahan

LCB(4): Tim Jennings, DJ Moore, Jonathan Wilhite, Greg McCoy

SS(2): Major Wright, Craig Steltz,

FS(3): Chris Conte, Anthony Walters, Jeremy Jones

RCB(4): Charles Tillman, Kelvin Hayden, Isaiah Frey, Cornelius Brown

Special Teams

P(2): Adam Podlesh, Ryan Quigley 

K(1): Robbie Gould

LS(1): Patrick Mannelly

PR(2): Devin Hester, Eric Weems

KR(2): Devin Hester, Eric Weems

QBs on roster: (Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell, Josh McCown,)

Projected starter: (Jay Cutler)

Offseason additions: (Jason Campbell, Matt Blanchard)

Roster cuts: Matt Blanchard

Projected final roster: (Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell, Josh McCown)

Jay Cutler is the obvious starter here and is poised to have a breakout season for the Bears.

Jason Campbell comes over from Oakland to back up Cutler so the team does not run into the same problems they ran into last year.

Josh McCown showed the team enough at the end of last year to not only get an invite to camp, but to gain a roster spot this year. 

RBs on roster: (Matt Forte, Michael Bush, Lorenzo Booker, Armando Allen, Tyler Clutts, Evan Rodriguez)

Projected starter: (Matt Forte)

Offseason additions: (Michael Bush, Lorenzo Booker, Evan Rodriguez)

Roster cuts: Kahlil Bell, Harvey Unga

Projected final roster: (Matt Forte, Michael Bush, Armando Allen, Evan Rodriguez)

The Bears were able to lock up their franchise running back Matt Forte on a four year deal.

Michael Bush comes in from Oakland to back him up and take some pressure off. Kahlil Bell will provide depth and help on special teams while Tyler Clutts will be the blocking back.

Evan Rodriguez is a hybrid fullback/tight end who will line up often in the backfield and catch passes. 

WRs on roster: (Brandon Marshall, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Alshon Jeffery, Eric Weems, Dane Sanzenbacher, Joseph Anderson, Brittan Golden, Rashied Davis)

Projected starters: (Brandon Marshall, Devin Hester)

Offseason additions: (Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Eric Weems, Devin Thomas, Joseph Anderson, Chris Summers, Brittan Golden, Terriun Crump, Rashied Davis)

Roster cuts: Chris Summers, Terriun Crump

Projected final roster: (Brandon Marshall, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Alshon Jeffery, Eric Weems, Dane Sanzenbacher)

Brandon Marshall leads a much improved wide receiving core. Even without Johnny Knox, who will start the season on the PUP list, they have not been this deep at the position in years.

Earl Bennett will be the slot receiver while rookie Alshon Jeffery will play both inside and outside.

Eric Weems is a special teams standout who will fill a key role there. Dane Sanzenbacher and Rashied Davis will battle for the final position in the last preseason game. 

TEs on roster: (Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth, Kyle Adams, Brandon Venson)

Projected starters: (Kellen Davis)

Offseason additions: (Draylen Ross, Brandon Venson)

Roster cuts: Draylon Ross

Projected final roster: (Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth)

Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth will figure to be an intricate part of the offense this year under Mike Tice. Evan Rodriguez might take a roster spot from one of the remaining options, leaving a guy like Kyle Adams off the final roster. 

OTs on roster: (J'Marcus Webb, Chris Williams, James Brown, Gabe Carimi, AJ Greene, Cory Brandon)

Projected starters: (J'Marcus Webb, Gabe Carimi)

Offseason additions: (James Brown, AJ Greene, Tyler Hendrickson, Cory Brandon)

Roster cuts: Tyler Hendrickson

Projected final roster: (J'Marcus Webb, Chris Williams, Gabe Carimi, James Brown)

Gabe Carimi seems cemented in at the right tackle position. There is an early battle on the left side, and it looks like J'Marcus Webb is getting most of the early reps over Chris Williams.

James Brown has had a solid camp, and the rookie should make the team. It will be interesting to see how Webb and Williams fare in preseason play. 

OGs on roster: (Chris Spencer, Edwin Williams, Lance Louis, Chilo Rachal)

Projected starters: (Chris Spencer, Edwin Williams)

Offseason additions: (Chilo Rachal, Nick Pieshcel)

Roster cuts: Nick Pieshcel

Projected final roster: (Chris Spencer, Edwin Williams, Lance Louis, Chilo Rachal)

This might be the most even position on the offensive line, and that is not necessarily a good thing. Chris Spencer and Edwin Williams figure to be the early starters, but that's not to say Lance Louis and Chilo Rachal will get their shot at some point.

OCs on roster: (Roberto Garza, Rickey Henry)

Projected starter: (Roberto Garza)

Offseason additions: (Rickey Henry)

Roster cuts: N/A

Projected final roster: (Roberto Garza)

No race or competition here. Roberto Garza had a good season last year in his first year at center and looks even better this year in camp. He is the stabilizing force on the offensive line and has a real comfortable relationship with Jay Cutler. 

DEs on roster: (Israel Idonije, Shea McClellin, Chauncey Davis, Cheta Ozouqwu, Julius Peppers, Corey Wootton, Thaddeus Gibson)

Projected starters: (Julius Peppers, Israel Idonije)

Offseason additions: (Shea McClellin, Cheta Ozouqwu, Thaddeus Gibson)

Roster cuts: Thaddeus Gibson

Projected final roster: (Israel Idonije, Shea McClellin, Chauncey Davis, Julius Peppers, Corey Wootton)

The Bears always like to keep a handful of defensive ends as being able to rotate out players at the position has always been a staple of Lovie Smith's defense.

The team's first round draft pick Shea McClellin has had an up and down camp but will still be a big part of the rotation. Corey Wootton figures to get one more shot on the roster this year while Chauncey Davis will provide depth and security. 

DTs on roster: (Henry Melton, Brian Price, John McCargo, Jordan Miller, Ronnie Cameron, Matt Toeaina, Stephen Paea, DeMario Pressley, Nate Collins)

Projected starters: (Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina)

Offseason additions: (Brian Price, John McCargo, Jordan Miller, Ronnie Cameron, DeMario Pressley, Nate Collins)

Roster cuts: John McCargo, Ronnie Cameron, DeMario Pressley

Projected final roster: (Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina, Brian Price, Stephen Paea)

Henry Melton might have a breakout season with the Bears as he is talented and athletic enough to be a big playmaker. As of now, Matt Toeaina is ahead on the depth chart, but Stephen Paea is coming on strong. Paea could be the starter come week one.

Brian Price will undoubtedly need some time as he continues to recover from injuries and tragic events in his life.  

OLBs on roster: (Nick Roach, Geno Hayes, Thaddeus Gibson, Lance Briggs, JT Thomas, Patrick Trahan, Ronnie Thornton)

Projected starters: (Nick Roach, Lance Briggs)

Offseason additions: (Geno Hayes, Thaddeus Gibson, Patrick Trahan, Ronnie Thornton)

Roster cuts: Ronnie Thornton

Projected final roster: (Nick Roach, Geno Hayes, Lance Briggs, JT Thomas)

The outside linebacker position is very solid. Lance Briggs is a Pro Bowl caliber player every year, and Nick Roach has been very good on the opposite side of him.

The team added some depth by signing Geno Hayes from Tampa Bay. He and JT Thomas will back up the strong starters as well as give some value on special teams. 

MLBs on roster: (Brian Urlacher, Blake Costanzo, Dom DeCicco, Adrien Cole)

Projected starters: (Brian Urlacher)

Offseason additions: (Blake Costanzo, Adrien Cole)

Roster cuts: Adrien Cole

Projected final roster: (Brian Urlacher, Blake Costanzo)

It does not get any more rock solid than Brian Urlacher in the middle. He is returning from injury but has looked good so far in camp.

The team brought in Blake Costanzo, a veteran who will help with depth and special teams. This means Dom DeCicco will be the odd man out despite being a solid special teams player. 

CBs on roster: (Charles Tillman, Kelvin Hayden, Isaiah Frey, Cornelius Brown, Tim Jennings, DJ Moore, Jonathan Wilhite, Greg McCoy, Jeremy Ware)

Projected starters: (Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings)

Offseason additions: (Kelvin Hayden, Isiah Frey, Cornelius Brown, Jonathan Wilhite, Greg McCoy, Jeremy Ware)

Roster cuts: Jeremy Ware

Projected final roster: (Charles Tillman, Kelvin Hayden, Tim Jennings, D.J. Moore, Jonathan Wilhite, Greg McCoy)

Charles Tillman is coming off his first Pro Bowl and will continue to be the Bears anchor on one side of the field. Tim Jennings has had a solid camp and, barring any breakdowns, will be the other starter.

Veterans Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite will provide some depth.

The rookies Greg McCoy and Isiah Frey will battle for the final roster spot while the other will most likely be sent to the practice squad. 

Safeties on roster: (Major Wright, Brandon Hardin, Craig Steltz, Trevor Coston, Chris Conte, Anthony Walters, Jeremy Jones)

Projected starters: (Major Wright, Chris Conte)

Offseason additions: (Brandon Hardin, Trevor Coston, Jeremy Jones)

Roster cuts: Trevor Coston

Projected final roster: (Major Wright, Chris Conte, Anthony Walters, Craig Steltz)

The four safeties figured to make the roster seem to be pretty cut and dry. This leaves time in the rest of camp and preseason to find two starters. In a position that has been a revolving door over the last couple of years, the Bears would like to get some stability as soon as possible.

Chris Conte looks to be locked in at one position, but it will be interesting to see whether Major Wright can hold off Craig Steltz who played well last year. Anthony Walters has emerged since the injury to rookie Brandon Hardin and figures to have solidified a backup role on the team. 

Kicking specialists on roster: (Robbie Gould, Adam Podlesh, Ryan Quigley )

Projected starters: (Robbie Gould, Adam Podlesh)

Offseason additions: (Ryan Quigley)

Roster cuts: (David Teggart)

Projected final roster: (Robbie Gould and Adam Podlesh)

There will be no battles or worries in camp as kicker Robbie Gould and punter Adam Podlesh have their positions firmly locked in. 

Returners on roster: (Devin Hester, Eric Weems, Devin Thomas, Lorenzo Booker)

Projected starters: (Devin Hester, Eric Weems)

Offseason additions: (Eric Weems, Devin Thomas, Lorenzo Booker)

Roster cuts: N/A

Projected final roster: (Devin Hester, Eric Weems)

Devin Hester returns (no pun intended) as the team's superb threat on special teams. The record holder will handle all the punts, but he might get a couple breaks in the return game.

If so, Eric Weems is more than capable of handling those duties. He was the main return man in Atlanta for the past three seasons.