Bears UDFA Signings

College football and the NFL Draft

Moderator: wab

User avatar
UOK
Site Admin
Posts: 25147
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 am
Location: Champaign, IL
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 926 times

RB C.J. Marable, Coastal Carolina
DL Thomas Schaffer, Stanford (via NFLN)
DL Samuel Kamara, Stony Brook
LB Charles Snowden, Virginia (via NFLN)
LB Caleb Johnson, Houston Baptist
Image
EricTighe
MVP
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:13 pm
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 62 times

Defensive lineman Daniel Archibong from Temple (link)
Clemson offensive lineman Gage Cervenka (a 2019 UDFA) signs with the Bears (link)
Offensive lineman Gunnar Vogel from Northwestern to the Bears (link)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Dareuan Parker to the Bears (link)
Houston Baptist linebacker Caleb Johnson to the Bears (link)
Coastal Carolina runing back C.J. Marable to the Bears (Our story)
Stony Brook defensive tackle Sam Kamara to sign with the Bears (link)
Stanford d-lineman Thomas Schaffer to sign with the Bears (link)
Virginia edge Charles Snowden is signing with the Bears (Our story)

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2021/ ... ree-agents
EricTighe
MVP
Posts: 1219
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:13 pm
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 62 times

Houston Baptist linebacker Caleb Johnson to the Bears (link)
https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/0 ... johnson-2/

Nice story
aussiebear99
Practice Squad
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:32 pm
Has thanked: 5 times

A few notes:

Thomas Schaffer: 6-7, 302, 32.5" arm, 23 reps. Born in Austria. Played at Stanford so I guess at least a few people on the board will be able to tell us more.

Caleb Johnson. 6-2, 225, 4.73 40 but 1.64 10 yard split, 4.30 shuttle, 6.89 3-cone, 38" vertical so I would say quick and explosive but without the long speed. 19 reps.

Charles Snowden, edge, Virginia (6-foot-6, 243 pounds). 35" arms (no typo!).
"Snowden is a lanky, flexible athlete with the read/react skills and range to impact the game in different ways. He plays physical at the point of attack and works hard to stay detached, but he must continue to add mass and bolster his play strength. Overall, Snowden comes with position and scheme fit questions, but his fluid athleticism, long-limbed frame and reaction skills are an intriguing combination. He projects best as a hybrid edge player in a 3-4 scheme. Original ranking: 118"

Hmm .. tall, skinny, fluid .. Leonard Floyd replacement ;) A year in the weight room in 2021.

Sam Kamara, DT, Stony Brook. 6-2, 275. Looking at his stats for the last 3 years he played, he got about 1 TFL and 0.75 sacks per game started (just roughly). So a 3-tech I guess.
NB Bears drafted massive NT Khyiris Tonga in the 7th.
User avatar
crueltyabc
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5119
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: Dallas TX
Has thanked: 79 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Hmm don’t we need like four WRs?
xyt in the discord chats
User avatar
UOK
Site Admin
Posts: 25147
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 am
Location: Champaign, IL
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 926 times

Snowden was something of a get. Projected 3-4th rounder that went undrafted.

Image
User avatar
Bears Whiskey Nut
Hall of Famer
Posts: 11017
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 4:06 am
Location: Oak Park, IL
Has thanked: 77 times
Been thanked: 516 times

UOK wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 10:37 pm Snowden was something of a get. Projected 3-4th rounder that went undrafted.

Obviously all UDFA have to be taken with a grain of salt, but if his frame would fit another 20lbs, he's teachable, and has a solid work ethic. It's a good gamble.
Image
DevilsProspect
Pro Bowler
Posts: 445
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2020 5:37 pm
Location: Atlantic City, NJ

I was hopeful for Scary Terry.

Anyone sign him? Saw he wasn’t drafted, would be worth the swing...
AC 46Blitz
User avatar
crueltyabc
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5119
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: Dallas TX
Has thanked: 79 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Terry signed with the Seahawks as did Cade Johnson.

The Bears also signed TE Scooter Harrington from Stanford. His athletic testing numbers suck
xyt in the discord chats
User avatar
Hiphopopotamos
Head Coach
Posts: 3535
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 6:56 pm

A little disappointed that we didn't pick up any of the highly rated WR's that went undrafted and didn't take a chance on injury risks like Dylan Moses or Marvin Wilson.

That said - Snowden looks like a steal as a UDFA. Schaffer looks like a supreme athlete who is still learning the position,

And I'm excited to see Houston Baptist put a guy into the league - their stadium holds maybe a couple of hundred people and has a Walgreens and parking lot running down one sideline.
Holy Shit - We got Justin Fields!

In my former life I was known as FencikFanatic.

Oh, and if you were wondering - yes I'm real. And I'm fantastic.
User avatar
thunderspirit
Head Coach
Posts: 3829
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2016 12:51 pm
Location: Greater Chicagoland, IL
Has thanked: 605 times
Been thanked: 603 times

Yeah, I agree that the (lack of) UDFA receivers is a bit surprising. Agents look at depth charts when advising their UDFA clients, and I just have a hard time believing they all said "you don't wanna go there and get stuck behind Riley Ridley and Javon Wims," you know?
KFFL refugee.

dplank wrote:I agree with Rich here
RichH55 wrote: Dplank is correct
:shocked:
User avatar
Wounded Bear
MVP
Posts: 1032
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2016 4:13 pm
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 13 times

Yes. Snowden is the second coming of Leonard Floyd.
Image
The universe is under no obligation to make any sense to you...
Neil deGrasse Tyson
User avatar
crueltyabc
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5119
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: Dallas TX
Has thanked: 79 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Khalil McClain WR Troy St
I can't find a profile on him because even in The Beast all Brugler has is his measurables (6'3" 214 with below average athletic scores) and his ranking which is 64th out of 88 receivers. He had 32 REC 383 YD 6 TD in a full slate of games in 2020. I don't think Ridley is losing any sleep over this guy.
xyt in the discord chats
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

Wounded Bear wrote: Sun May 02, 2021 1:47 pm Yes. Snowden is the second coming of Leonard Floyd.
That would be a 99th percentile UDFA outcome. Nice.
User avatar
The Marshall Plan
Hall of Famer
Posts: 8411
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:47 am
Location: Parts Unknown
Has thanked: 909 times
Been thanked: 1277 times

Just don't let Snowden have access to the playbook on a thumb drive for him to dump on the internet. ;)
Image
User avatar
Moriarty
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6806
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:22 pm
Has thanked: 384 times
Been thanked: 688 times

thunderspirit wrote: Sun May 02, 2021 11:56 am Yeah, I agree that the (lack of) UDFA receivers is a bit surprising. Agents look at depth charts when advising their UDFA clients, and I just have a hard time believing they all said "you don't wanna go there and get stuck behind Riley Ridley and Javon Wims," you know?
Indeed.

And the same for ILB (Jones, Iggawhatever, and Woods scare them as competition?) and TE (Graham, Kmet, and ???)
1999-2002: Mouth Off Sports Forum (RIP)
2002-2014: KFFL (RIP)
2014-2016: USAToday Fantasy Sports Forum (RIP)

Hello, my name is Moriarty. I have come to kill your website, prepare to die.
User avatar
Moriarty
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6806
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:22 pm
Has thanked: 384 times
Been thanked: 688 times

Basically, Snowden and a bunch of nobodies, even by UDFA standards.
1999-2002: Mouth Off Sports Forum (RIP)
2002-2014: KFFL (RIP)
2014-2016: USAToday Fantasy Sports Forum (RIP)

Hello, my name is Moriarty. I have come to kill your website, prepare to die.
User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

Gage Cervenka is a guy that I think might make the team. He was on his way to becoming a day 2 pick in 2019. He's incredibly strong and has a high football IQ. Former DT that moved over to OL. Maybe a guy that could push for snaps at center.
User avatar
The Cooler King
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5005
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 pm
Has thanked: 1203 times
Been thanked: 346 times

wab wrote: Mon May 03, 2021 11:10 am Former DT that moved over to OL.
We just got rid of Coward, please don't trigger those memories.

Think Happy thoughts.
JAMES BIG CAT WILLIAMS
JAMES BIG CAT WILLIAMS
JAMES BIG CAT WILLIAMS
User avatar
Yogi da Bear
Head Coach
Posts: 2499
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:43 pm
Has thanked: 209 times
Been thanked: 359 times

I read some place that this year because of Covid cancelling the smaller all star games and the lack of combine, there were fewer small school guys taken this year than the last 20. And I'm telling you, some of our UDFAs look like players. Time for some tape (since you guys already covered Snowden, I'm not including him).

Let's start with the BIG APE TAPE (Sam Kamara):



I think this guy makes the team.

Here's Caleb Johnson. I saw that 4.73 40, but I couldn't find anywhere that he did a Pro Day, so I don't know where they got that. He seems faster.



He's smart, athletic, and productive. He's got a shot at ILB.

Marable kind of reminds me of a taller Tariq.



Exciting. I can see him on our practice squad.

I found tape of some others, but these guys were the most impressive to me.
User avatar
thunderspirit
Head Coach
Posts: 3829
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2016 12:51 pm
Location: Greater Chicagoland, IL
Has thanked: 605 times
Been thanked: 603 times

I liked what I saw of Marable as I was researching this draft. And Johnson's measurables/production at Houston Baptist probably makes him a worthwhile flyer. (Projecting lower level guys starts with finding guys who dominate at that level, and both Marable and Johnson certainly did that.)
KFFL refugee.

dplank wrote:I agree with Rich here
RichH55 wrote: Dplank is correct
:shocked:
Middleguard
MVP
Posts: 1667
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2012 5:10 pm
Has thanked: 34 times
Been thanked: 120 times

crueltyabc wrote: Sun May 02, 2021 2:58 pm Khalil McClain WR Troy St
I can't find a profile on him because even in The Beast all Brugler has is his measurables (6'3" 214 with below average athletic scores) and his ranking which is 64th out of 88 receivers. He had 32 REC 383 YD 6 TD in a full slate of games in 2020. I don't think Ridley is losing any sleep over this guy.
Doesn't this make him the third "Khalil" on the roster?
User avatar
crueltyabc
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5119
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: Dallas TX
Has thanked: 79 times
Been thanked: 226 times

The third Khalil SO FAR
xyt in the discord chats
User avatar
crueltyabc
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5119
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: Dallas TX
Has thanked: 79 times
Been thanked: 226 times

wab wrote: Mon May 03, 2021 11:10 am Gage Cervenka is a guy that I think might make the team. He was on his way to becoming a day 2 pick in 2019. He's incredibly strong and has a high football IQ. Former DT that moved over to OL. Maybe a guy that could push for snaps at center.
Just found a Clemson article saying he set the record for 225lb reps: 44

Wow
xyt in the discord chats
User avatar
G08
Hall of Famer
Posts: 20560
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:34 pm
Location: Football Hell
Has thanked: 209 times
Been thanked: 758 times

Late to the party, but I think Charles Snowden can be a perfect fit for the "Leonard Floyd" role in this defense.

Needs more sand in his ass, but as a UDFA I love the signing.
9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN THE PAST 35 SEASONS

User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

G08 wrote: Wed May 05, 2021 1:24 pm Late to the party, but I think Charles Snowden can be a perfect fit for the "Leonard Floyd" role in this defense.

Needs more sand in his ass, but as a UDFA I love the signing.
I don't know. I also get a RRH vibe too.
User avatar
G08
Hall of Famer
Posts: 20560
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:34 pm
Location: Football Hell
Has thanked: 209 times
Been thanked: 758 times

Last summer, Snowden ran a laser-timed 40-yard dash and clocked in at 4.51 seconds, a blazing time for both his position and stature.
Floyd ran a 4.60 FWIW at 244 lbs.
9 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN THE PAST 35 SEASONS

User avatar
wab
Mod
Posts: 29805
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:49 pm
Has thanked: 127 times
Been thanked: 1956 times

The two UDFA guards are massive dudes. Both 6'4 330-ish.
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

The Cooler King wrote: Mon May 03, 2021 12:51 pm
wab wrote: Mon May 03, 2021 11:10 am Former DT that moved over to OL.
We just got rid of Coward, please don't trigger those memories.

Think Happy thoughts.
JAMES BIG CAT WILLIAMS
JAMES BIG CAT WILLIAMS
JAMES BIG CAT WILLIAMS
Mark Bortz. Dick Stanfel told him on the first day of camp they drafted him in the 8th round to play Oline and that was the only way he was going to make the team.
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
User avatar
IE
Hall of Famer
Posts: 12500
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:46 am
Location: Plymouth, MI
Has thanked: 523 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

I've learned not to project UDFAs to the team but have been happy to see two guys I've liked stick to a certain extent. I still really like Vaughters as a great team and rotation guy, if not a starter. I also still have some hopes that Horsted will show he is active roster ready in camp this year. No material movement with TEs to me means they might like either Holtz or Horsted to stick. Horsted came into camp with a new body last year, and looked pretty good in limited film. He's got incredible hands, and when he came in 2 years ago the story was he needed to build himself up and become a serviceable blocker. So for him that time is here. And like I said I'm hopeful because of the lack of movement at TE. Personally, I think he can do everything Graham can do at this point, and is more athletic even. Jimmy often seems to be phoning it in our there (jogging). Play Horsted at U in the middle of the field and use Graham in the endzone maybe (which is all he wants to do anyway).
2023 Chicago Bears... emerging from a long hibernation, and hungry!
Post Reply