General manager Ryan Pace’s first 53-man roster is in. It could change soon with waiver claims and newly available free agents, making every NFL roster a fluid process at this time. Pace does have a roster to remake to his liking.
But here’s a breakdown of Pace’s first 53-man roster as it was officially trimmed down from 75 players on Saturday:
QUARTERBACK
Made it (3): Jay Cutler, Jimmy Clausen, David Fales
Cut: Zac Dysert (waived)
Comment: The only competition occured behind Cutler. Fales’ success against the Browns in the preseason finale likely gave him the edge over Dysert, who played for coach John Fox and coordinator Adam Gase in Denver. Clausen’s status remains murky because of his concussion, but he was throwing passes at Soldier Field on Saturday.
RUNNING BACK
Made it (4): Matt Forte, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jeremy Langford, Ka’Deem Carey
Cut: None
Comment: Carey earned a spot with a good preseason, but also was helped by Senorise Perry going on injured reserve. Langford can be a game-breaker for the
WIDE RECEIVER
Made it (6): Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, Josh Bellamy, Marc Mariani, Cameron Meredith
Cut: Rashad Lawrence (waived), Ify Umodu (waived), A.J. Cruz (waived/injured)
Comment: The guess here is that Jeffery (calf), Royal (hip) and Wilson (hamstring) are good to go in Week 1 against the Packers. Bellamy was the best of the rest, and Mariani is the Bears’ top returner. Meredith, a St. Joseph and Illinois State product, is a good story. The Bears need help at receiver, but waiver moves are coming.
TIGHT END
Made it (3): Martellus Bennett, Zach Miller, Khari Lee
Cut: Dante Rosario (contract terminated), Bear Pascoe (contract terminated), Gannon Sinclair (waived)
Comment: Don’t be surprised if the Bears make a move and add an another tight end at some point. Bennett and Miller make a nice combo, but Lee, an undrafted rookie, is unproven. Rosario and Pascoe didn’t do enough for the Bears’ new staff.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Made it (9): Kyle Long, Jermon Bushrod, Matt Slauson, Will Montgomery, Jordan Mills, Charles Leno, Tayo Fabuluje, Hroniss Grasu, Vladimir Ducasse
Cut: Tyler Moore (waived), Michael Ola (waived), Conor Boffeli (waived)
Comment: The only thing to really sort out here is who start at right tackle. Is it Long, Mills or Leno? Ola started 12 games last year, but the Bears’ fifth tackle Saturday night against the Browns.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Made it (4): Shea McClellin, Christian Jones, Jon Bostic, John Timu
Cut: Mason Foster (contract terminated), Jonathan Anderson (waived), Matthew Wells (waived)
Comment: Foster’s release was a surprise after he made big plays in the last two preseason games. But Timu, an undrafted rookie, also stood out. Bostic’s situation is worth watching. He’s been hindered by injuries since last season. McCellin and Jones have been the starters since the offseason program.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Made it (5): Pernell McPhee, Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, Sam Acho
Cut: David Bass (waived), Kyle Woestmann (waived)
Comment: Young was said to be available on the trade market, but he still remains a valuable pass rusher. Young, who is returning from a torn Achilles tendon, has shown promise in his new position. This is a deep position for the Bears. As Pace has said, you can never have enough pass rushers.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Made it (5): Eddie Goldman, Jarvis Jenkins, Ego Ferguson, Will Sutton, Cornelius Washington, (Note: Jeremiah Ratliff is suspended for the first three games.)
Cut: Terry Williams (waived), David Carter (contract terminated), Brandon Dunn (waived)
Comment: Williams looked good in the preseason finale and could end up on the practice squad. The defensive front will miss Ratliff, but Goldman is a suitable replacement, if he’s recovered from his concussion. Ferguson and Sutton have both had good training camps and preseasons. Washington, a special-teamer, also has been a surprise success in his position change.
SAFETY
Made it (5): Antrel Rolle, Adrian Amos, Brock Vereen, Demontre Hurst, Sherrod Martin
Cut: Anthony Jefferson (reserve/injured list)
Comment: This is a very thin position. Hurst is a converted cornerback. Martin has starting experience with the Jaguars and Panthers. Vereen is the No. 1 reserve behind Rolle and Amos, a 2015 draft pick.
CORNERBACK
Made it (6): Kyle Fuller, Alan Ball, Sherrick McManis, Terrance Mitchell, Bryce Callahan, Tracy Porter
Cut: Jacoby Glenn (waived), Qumain Black (waived)
Comment: This also is a thin position. Fuller and Ball should be fine at starters. But nickel back is a new position for McManis, one of the Bears’ best players on special teams. Mitchell has been a playmaker this preseason, and Callahan also has shown a knack for finding the ball. But Mitchell, a seventh-round pick in 2014 for the Cowboys, and Callahan, an undrafted rookie, have much to prove.
SPECIALISTS
Made it (3): Kicker Robbie Gould, punter Pat O’Donnell, long snapper Thomas Gafford
Cut: None
Comment: There just isn’t much to say. There wasn’t any competition for Gould or O’Donnell. Long snapper Rick Lovato was released in the first round of cuts.
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Email: ajahns@suntimes.com
