sewie
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As it stands the four players the Chicago Bears have on the roster are their 2014 safeties. However, that doesn’t mean it’s because they lack options. Here are some notable free agents and trade possibilities for the team to consider moving forward.
Free Agents or Practice Squad targets
Chris Clemons – FA
Sometimes fixing a problem usually takes timing and a bit of luck. Chicago may be reaching that point as the Houston Texans chose to unload veteran Chris Clemons. Despite being one of the higher rated strong safeties over the past two season, the 28-year old was cut in favor of Danieal Manning. Now he’s a free agent and would bring much needed credibility to the back end.
Kenny Ladler – Buffalo Bills PS
A sort of hybrid defensive back who had success at Vanderbilt both as a corner and a free safety. His timed speed probably scared teams off, which is why he was drafted in the 7th round but his tape says otherwise. He is able to diagnose plays quickly and create big plays either through sacks, interceptions or most often big hits that resulted in fumbles. The best part is he’s experienced but also just turned 22 in June. He still has learning to do, which makes his upside considerable.
Ed Reynolds – Philadelphia Eagles PS
Not every good player in the NFL has to be an outstanding athlete. Yet those are the demands of the draft these days, which is why guys like Ed Reynold get overlooked. He isn’t the fastest or the strongest but the Stanford product nevertheless built a dependable reputation in college. He rarely if ever blew an assignment, and can use his good size to match up with tight ends. Showed skill as a ballhawk (6 INTs) during his junior year but still hasn’t yet fully recovered his clear burst from a knee injury suffered in 2012.
Trade targets
DeShawn Shead – Seattle Seahawks
Part of finding good trade targets at a certain position involves scoping out teams that are loaded at it. There may not be a better pair in the NFL than Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor of the Seattle Seahawks. With their jobs in no danger, there is a possibility they may be keeping some talent cooped up in reserve. DeShawn Shead may be that one. Outstanding size at 6’2″, he is a great athlete with special teams prowess that can tackle and has enough instinct to play coverage.
Quinton Carter – Denver Broncos
There was a ton of promise around Quinton Carter. As a 4th round pick he outplayed Rahim Moore, a 2nd round pick, for the starting job back in 2011. Despite being a strong safety he showed great awareness in coverage, and demonstrated big game mentality with two interceptions in the playoffs that year. Unfortunately a knee injury sidelined him in 2012 and some unforseen circumstances with it led to him missing 2013 as well. Now Moore is firmly in place as starter and Carter is trying to start over. The fact he beat out Duke Ihenacho for the backup job is a really good sign.
Darrell Stuckey – San Diego Chargers
Eric Weddle is one of the best safeties in the business, not to mention one of the most reliable health-wise. So his backup isn’t likely to see any action, which is a shame because Darrell Stuckey has waited long enough. The Kansas product was a 4th round pick back in 2010. Scouts loved his athleticism and his willingness to tackle while also referencing good instinct. The one question about him was his coverage. At the time it was a bit inconsistent but there have been flashes of progress during the few times he gets to play defense. He is a special teams ace and the best part of this trade idea is the San Diego Chargers just signed him to a multiyear extension.
None of the above mentioned names guarantee solutions for the Chicago Bears, but if the team truly is intent on exhausting every option to improve, they are worth exploring
Free Agents or Practice Squad targets
Chris Clemons – FA
Sometimes fixing a problem usually takes timing and a bit of luck. Chicago may be reaching that point as the Houston Texans chose to unload veteran Chris Clemons. Despite being one of the higher rated strong safeties over the past two season, the 28-year old was cut in favor of Danieal Manning. Now he’s a free agent and would bring much needed credibility to the back end.
Kenny Ladler – Buffalo Bills PS
A sort of hybrid defensive back who had success at Vanderbilt both as a corner and a free safety. His timed speed probably scared teams off, which is why he was drafted in the 7th round but his tape says otherwise. He is able to diagnose plays quickly and create big plays either through sacks, interceptions or most often big hits that resulted in fumbles. The best part is he’s experienced but also just turned 22 in June. He still has learning to do, which makes his upside considerable.
Ed Reynolds – Philadelphia Eagles PS
Not every good player in the NFL has to be an outstanding athlete. Yet those are the demands of the draft these days, which is why guys like Ed Reynold get overlooked. He isn’t the fastest or the strongest but the Stanford product nevertheless built a dependable reputation in college. He rarely if ever blew an assignment, and can use his good size to match up with tight ends. Showed skill as a ballhawk (6 INTs) during his junior year but still hasn’t yet fully recovered his clear burst from a knee injury suffered in 2012.
Trade targets
DeShawn Shead – Seattle Seahawks
Part of finding good trade targets at a certain position involves scoping out teams that are loaded at it. There may not be a better pair in the NFL than Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor of the Seattle Seahawks. With their jobs in no danger, there is a possibility they may be keeping some talent cooped up in reserve. DeShawn Shead may be that one. Outstanding size at 6’2″, he is a great athlete with special teams prowess that can tackle and has enough instinct to play coverage.
Quinton Carter – Denver Broncos
There was a ton of promise around Quinton Carter. As a 4th round pick he outplayed Rahim Moore, a 2nd round pick, for the starting job back in 2011. Despite being a strong safety he showed great awareness in coverage, and demonstrated big game mentality with two interceptions in the playoffs that year. Unfortunately a knee injury sidelined him in 2012 and some unforseen circumstances with it led to him missing 2013 as well. Now Moore is firmly in place as starter and Carter is trying to start over. The fact he beat out Duke Ihenacho for the backup job is a really good sign.
Darrell Stuckey – San Diego Chargers
Eric Weddle is one of the best safeties in the business, not to mention one of the most reliable health-wise. So his backup isn’t likely to see any action, which is a shame because Darrell Stuckey has waited long enough. The Kansas product was a 4th round pick back in 2010. Scouts loved his athleticism and his willingness to tackle while also referencing good instinct. The one question about him was his coverage. At the time it was a bit inconsistent but there have been flashes of progress during the few times he gets to play defense. He is a special teams ace and the best part of this trade idea is the San Diego Chargers just signed him to a multiyear extension.
None of the above mentioned names guarantee solutions for the Chicago Bears, but if the team truly is intent on exhausting every option to improve, they are worth exploring
