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The Untouchables

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 9:04 am
by Moriarty
Because of COVID-19, a new rule that was implemented for this season only allows NFL teams to protect four players per week on their practice squad from being signed by other clubs. The untouchable Bears this week are Santos, quarterback Tyler Bray, running back Artavis Pierce and offensive lineman Jamon Brown.

One provision that was already included in the new CBA enables teams to activate two practice-squad players per game—thus increasing the size of the active roster from 53 to 55—and then return them to the practice squad the day after the game without exposing them to waivers.
Santos and Bray are obvious choices and Santos will obviously be activated
Pierce is interesting. Is it just temporary, while they're short-handed or do they like him that much? He could be activated and play.
Brown is a journeyman G. Kind of an odd choice, given 9 OL already. Yeah, most of them are young and maybe you'd trust a vet more...but then why not put him on the roster and protect one of them, instead?

Re: The Untouchables

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:43 am
by IE
On Pierce: If Monty isn't playing, they might want the extra RB around just in case. Maybe CPatt and Nall aren't giving them confidence in some areas.

Interesting on Brown. Maybe Ifedi and Coward are both giving them concerns. Maybe Castillo is liking him, and asked to have him as an option. Now that I'm thinking about this, it is concerning me.

Re: The Untouchables

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:46 am
by Umbali
Based on word out of camp Artavis Pierce impressed the coaches. That being said with Montys issues it would be good to move him up just in case. I personally cant see trusting Cohen Patterson and Nall. Sounds like a bad law firm.

Re: The Untouchables

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 12:26 pm
by wab
IE wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:43 am On Pierce: If Monty isn't playing, they might want the extra RB around just in case. Maybe CPatt and Nall aren't giving them confidence in some areas.

Interesting on Brown. Maybe Ifedi and Coward are both giving them concerns. Maybe Castillo is liking him, and asked to have him as an option. Now that I'm thinking about this, it is concerning me.
I wouldn't read too much into Brown. He's just someone I could see another team poaching because he's a vet with a fair amount of tape on him.

I'm interested to see what this line will be made up of in the next season or two. The left side is a couple of undersized zone blocking athletes. The right side is mauling behemoths. Factor in other bigger dudes on the squad like Coward, Brown, Bars, Simmons etc...

Sure seems like the Bears want to move to a more power based OL. I expect Leno to be gone fairly soon and I'm not sure what it means for Daniels - although he looks way bigger than 305 these days.

Re: The Untouchables

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:31 pm
by IE
Good point on Brown wab - the PS rules are so weird it didn't occur to me that he shouldn't be there in the first place, and they stashed him there because they can do this weekly protection and get away with it.

Looks like Monty is playing!

Re: The Untouchables

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:36 pm
by G08
wab wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2020 12:26 pm
IE wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:43 am On Pierce: If Monty isn't playing, they might want the extra RB around just in case. Maybe CPatt and Nall aren't giving them confidence in some areas.

Interesting on Brown. Maybe Ifedi and Coward are both giving them concerns. Maybe Castillo is liking him, and asked to have him as an option. Now that I'm thinking about this, it is concerning me.
I wouldn't read too much into Brown. He's just someone I could see another team poaching because he's a vet with a fair amount of tape on him.

I'm interested to see what this line will be made up of in the next season or two. The left side is a couple of undersized zone blocking athletes. The right side is mauling behemoths. Factor in other bigger dudes on the squad like Coward, Brown, Bars, Simmons etc...

Sure seems like the Bears want to move to a more power based OL. I expect Leno to be gone fairly soon and I'm not sure what it means for Daniels - although he looks way bigger than 305 these days.
Put on 15 lbs of muscle this off-season, reportedly. 320 lbs.

Re: The Untouchables

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:40 pm
by Atkins&Rebel
The potential for O linemen to be exposed to Covid seems the most likely. Having extra options isn't a bad thing with that uncertainty.