Bears Notes: Difficult Decisions Ahead On Cut Day
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Deep inside the bowels of Soldier Field, in the back of the Bears' locker room, it was quiet, hardly a peep to be heard.
That's where many of the reserves unstrapped their pads, some for the last time in Chicago, perhaps others for the final time ever. That's the harsh reality of the preseason's end, which concluded with the Bears beating the Browns, 24-0, on Thursday evening. Dreams come to a close, and the road ends for many.
Now, it's time for cuts to come.
"It's never a fun moment," Bears coach John Fox said, looking ahead to Saturday's deadline to cut down to a 53-man roster.
Cuts are a part of the preseason, something with which Fox is all too familiar. It's not easy for the decision-makers.
Getting let go can be heartbreaking. Waiting for the news can be just as agonizing
"It's brutal," receiver/returner Marc Mariani said. "At this point, you've done all you can. All the stuff you can control is out of your hands. You just got to let the dust settle and things fall where they fall."
Mariani was cut by Tennessee last September in part of the Titans' final cuts. He landed in Chicago late in the season and won't be leaving this time, thanks to the stability he adds at receiver and steady work in the return game.
Others won't be as lucky. Bears general manager Ryan Pace has to let go of 22 players before Saturday afternoon.
Some key names that will be waiting to hear their fate include David Fales, who threw for 131 yards and two touchdowns on Thursday; Jordan Mills, part of the revolving door at right tackle; and Willie Young, a linebacker who had a career year at defensive end last season. Those are just a few.
"It is hard," Mariani said. "I've been through it every year. I've always been on the bubble."
Saturday brings one of the hardest parts of the job for any football coach and executive. It's not easy giving the news. Taking the harsh words is much more difficult.
Quarterback quandary
Dressed in full uniform, Jay Cutler stood to the right of Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase for nearly the entirety of Thursday's game. After each possession, Cutler was quick to the offense with words of encouragement and talks of strategy.
This was Cutler's role in the Bears' fourth preseason game, a night that was devoted to Fales, the second-year quarterback who completed 14 of his 18 passes, including a pair of scores. He was effective, but a one-game sample might not matter much when decisions are made.
"He's a guy that got set back with some sickness early in camp and didn't get a lot of reps, but he looked pretty sharp tonight," Fox said of Fales.
Fales faces two key obstacles in making the Bears' roster. One is whether the team will carry three quarterbacks; the other is if he's beat out Zac Dysert.
The Bears added Dysert to their roster Tuesday, that after he was cut by the Broncos.
"That's nothing I really can control," Dysert said. "I'm going to try not to worry about it too much, but it's definitely going to be in the back of my head, I'm definitely going to be worried about it."
It was Fales who got the nod to start Thursday, a role earned because Jimmy Clausen recovering from a concussion. After Fales played three quarters, Dysert got his chance.
Dysert carries the advantage of a full year working with Gase, plus he was hand-picked to join this Bears team. But in limited action, Dysert was 1-of-4 for nine yards, and Fales has put in the work to have a better understanding of the new system.
"It's hard to go out there and do it sometimes," Fales said. "It's easy to understand what's going on, but getting under center and seeing it behind the line with guys coming at you, it's different."
What's next for Willie?
Last season, Young won over Bears fans with his stellar play and unique sack dances. He celebrated with a fishing-themed dance.
As the 2015 campaign looms, Young hasn't won over his Bears bosses. His status remains uncertain as cuts loom Saturday. Young is recovering from a torn Achilles while also adjusting to outside linebacker.
"He's an explosive guy off what we saw on tape last year," Fox said.
For Young to even be on the field for the preseason finale was a statement as to where he stands. A job must be earned, and each rep carried importance.
Overall, Young is pleased with where he leaves off at the end of this preseason.
"It's always fun when you can go out there and take snaps," Young said. "It's been a long road for me this year, but now I'm back up and running."
The Bears are projecting Pernell McPhee and Jared Allen as their two starting outside linebackers. The backups are Lamarr Houston and Sam Acho. Young is listed as a third-stringer, offering no guarantees.
It remains largely possible that the Bears will hold onto Young out of potential trade value, where he could perhaps rejoin a 4-3 system as defensive end. Or maybe Chicago is so inclined to keep developing Young as an outside linebacker.
For Young, it's just a good feeling to be healthy and striving for more fishing dances.
"I went from ground zero to back up and playing again," he said. "However you want to grade me, you can do that."
Extra points: Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery was seen on the field prior to the game. Fox didn't offer a detailed update ... Marc Mariani and Ify Umodu recorded the Bears' two receiving touchdowns, and linebacker Sherrod Martin added with a pick-six touchdown ... Chicago hosts Green Bay in 10 days at Soldier Field.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
