Bears poach DL Daniel McCullers from PIT practice squad

Wed Sep 23, 2020 2:46 pm

We are learning that Daniel McCullers the massive defensive tackle on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad is being signed by the Chicago Bears.

McCullers, 28, was the Steelers’ sixth-round draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and had spent the previous six seasons with the team, playing in 73 and making three starts while amassing 41 career tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/0 ... mccullers/

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6'7" 348 pounds, good lord.

Moriarty · Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:13 pm

Well, after Peterson & Barkley (briefly) gashed them on the ground, I understand the desire for some beef.

With 3 starts across 6 yrs/73 games, I'm keeping expectations awfully modest, though.

I also have a hard time seeing who's going - 7 is a lot to keep and most of them seem untouchable. Maybe Jenkins, if they're really unhappy with him.

Moriarty · Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:55 pm

Jenkins didn't practice today with a thumb injury. Maybe they think it's a problem and are moving fast?

AZ_Bearfan · Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:58 pm

https://steelersnow.com/daniel-mcculler ... protected/

AZ_Bearfan · Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:59 pm

Looks like he was pissed off at getting put on the practice squad.

G08 · Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:01 pm

Did we sign him to our active roster?

He's a big boy, we need a fat fatty fat fat at nose!

Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:02 pm

G08 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:01 pm Did we sign him to our active roster?

He's a big boy, we need a fat fatty fat fat at nose!

I think that's how it works with signing guys from another practice squad. He'll be on the 53.

HisRoyalSweetness · Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:09 pm

The Steelers liked him enough to keep him for the full four years of his rookie contract and then offer him a one-year deal followed by a two-year deal and then even after cutting him one year into that they still kept him around as insurance on their practice squad.

The Steelers defense has generally been strong against the run, so he may have just lost out in a numbers game and be a solid rotational guy that can help upgrade the middle of the Bears line on run plays.

Steelers run defense in the years Daniel McCullers has been with the team:

2020: 133 yards, (1st), 2.9ypc (2nd)
2019: 1,753 yards (14th), 3.8yc (3rd)
2018: 1,538 yards (6th), 4.2pyc (9th)
2017: 1,693 yards (10th), 4.4ypc (27th)
2016: 1,600 yards (13th), 4.3ypc (18th)
2015: 1,459 yards (5th), 3.8ypc (6th)
2014: 1,605 yards (6th), 4.4ypc (25th)

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:52 pm

Jesus. That’s a massive human being.

GSH · Thu Sep 24, 2020 2:21 am

absolute unit. Can he replace Leno please instead?

IE · Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:15 am

The Steelers haven't been afraid to trot him out there 10 ish percent of their defensive snaps for the past 5 years - so he's at the very least good depth. Hopefully he can make a difference in key running situations especially short yardage stops.

He's going to be on the roster on game day - that's my understanding of the commitment to grap another team's PS player.

I bet McEffingHuge didn't like being placed on the new expanded PS team after being on the roster for all those years. So maybe he'll bring some fire.

Good to see Pace is scouring the league for options at nose.

Arkansasbear · Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:52 am

He is a freaking mountain of a man!!!!! Looks like he will get action right with Jenkins being hurt.

Kylo Bearen · Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:36 am

This is a low risk high reward move. I love it!

Moriarty · Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:47 am

Moriarty wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 3:55 pm Jenkins didn't practice today with a thumb injury. Maybe they think it's a problem and are moving fast?

https://www.5thdownfantasy.com/player-n ... ral-weeks/

Chicago Bears veteran DT John Jenkins suffered a ligament tear in his thumb Sunday against the Giants and will miss several weeks.

Fantasy Impact: Jenkins is part of a defense that has been top 12 in fantasy so far, but this is a big blow to a Chicago team that has been stingy against the run. Jenkins is a likely candidate for short-term IR

So, the injury theory was correct. Jenkins will likely get 3+ weeks off and McCullers will get a chance to show what he can do.

AZ_Bearfan · Thu Sep 24, 2020 12:27 pm

I think he was pissed off that he was among the final cuts to make the roster in favor of rookie Carlos Davis.

"McCullers was immediately signed to the Steelers’ practice squad and had been there since requesting his release on Tuesday. He is now free to sign with any team, to their active roster or practice squad."

AZ_Bearfan · Thu Sep 24, 2020 12:28 pm

The Bears put him on the active roster, so I'll welcome him and the huge chip on his massive shoulder with open arms.

dplank · Thu Sep 24, 2020 12:40 pm

Jenkins injury aside, we're struggling against the run and up the middle in general. Goldman fucked us. We moved Nichols there but he's better at DE, and RRH took Nichols spot at DE making that weaker in the process. RRH has not played well. So we downgraded two positions with Goldman going out. I never like this strategy, it happens in all sports in one form or another. I'm of the opinion that you let your guys play where they play best, and when something happens like Goldman going out you just replace them with the best player you can - specifically a guy who's best position is NT! He might not be Goldman, but now you have enough talent around him to cover it a bit better.

So I'd prefer to stick a big fatty in there like this guy, on running downs, and let Nichols play DE where he plays his best football. Nichols/Hicks play inside on passing downs with Quinn/Mack outside. Jenkins sucks so he was only good for a rotation style player. Based on our roster, McCullers could be the best NT option we have and allow Nichols to move back to his natural position.

IE · Thu Sep 24, 2020 1:11 pm

How do you think Pagano will fuck that up, Plank?

WagonForce · Thu Sep 24, 2020 2:57 pm

wab wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:52 pm Jesus. That’s a massive human being.

dplank · Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:50 pm

IE wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 1:11 pm How do you think Pagano will fuck that up, Plank?

Bearfanuk · Thu Sep 24, 2020 4:22 pm

Interesting to read Bears also in discussions with snacks whose going to Seattle for talks.... maybe it will help set his market for Ryan pace to swoop...but more then likely means he isn’t coming here

Umbali · Thu Sep 24, 2020 4:55 pm

Ok that dude is just stupid big. He could clog the middle by just falling down

southdakbearfan · Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:39 pm

Umbali wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 4:55 pm Ok that dude is just stupid big. He could clog the middle by just falling down

That's probably the idea.

HisRoyalSweetness · Fri Sep 25, 2020 6:44 am

southdakbearfan wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:39 pm
Umbali wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 4:55 pm Ok that dude is just stupid big. He could clog the middle by just falling down
That's probably the idea.

Well he's come to the right place for that. Charles Leno Jr can give him a masterclass in how to belly flop to the ground. He does it on a regular basis on run plays.

IE · Fri Sep 25, 2020 6:45 am

dplank wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:50 pm
IE wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 1:11 pm How do you think Pagano will fuck that up, Plank?

ROFL

Moriarty · Fri Sep 25, 2020 9:06 am

dplank wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:50 pm
IE wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 1:11 pm How do you think Pagano will fuck that up, Plank?

Moriarty · Sat Oct 17, 2020 6:59 pm

Jenkins reactivated.

McCullers never saw the field.

https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roste ... ins-off-ir

The timing seems really poor, though, given that Jenkins is listed as questionable with his thumb issue and Urban is also questionable on the injury report. Now you can only have a maximum of 4 healthy linemen for the game.