Emma: Projecting The Bears' Roster
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The new car smell faded quickly from the Bears' 2016 season.
For four quarters that were tough to watch, the Bears were reminded in a 22-0 loss to the Broncos in their preseason opener Thursday that they have plenty of work to do in the month ahead of Week 1. In that time, Bears general manager Ryan Pace will care about the evaluations, not the outcome, and he's currently working to secure a 53-man roster, with cuts and decisions around the corner.
Let's take a look at how the roster projects out after the first preseason game.
Quarterback (3) -- Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, Connor Shaw
There's no controversy as to the pair who will be the Bears' first- and second-team quarterbacks. Cutler returns for his eighth season in charge of the offseason, and Hoyer was brought in as the backup.
Picking between Shaw and David Fales will be difficult, but Shaw may have the edge because of his ties to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains that date back to Cleveland. Fales is entering his third NFL season with a third offensive coordinator and hasn't played a regular-season snap.
Running back (4) -- Jeremy Langford, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jordan Howard, Darrel Young
It's second-year pro Langford's job to lose as the Bears work through their preseason. The Bears put their trust in him with the hope that he can bring efficiency to the backfield. Rodgers is a steady veteran presence, while Howard and Ka'Deem Carey will battle it out to earn a role in the offense.
Last September, the Bears broke the preseason carrying four running backs and no fullbacks. They're likely to move forward with the three backs and Young at fullback.
Receiver (6) -- Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White, Eddie Royal, Marc Mariani, Josh Bellamy, Daniel Braverman
Health is the concern at receiver entering the 2016 season. Jeffery returned from a hamstring ailment to take the field Thursday night, which was a minor victory of its own. White has looked effective all during camp, showing he has star potential at receiver.
Royal's concussion has lasted for well more than a week, though he was seen working out on the field. Mariani, Bellamy and Braverman will likely all work into the slot. Meanwhile, Cam Meredith should stick with the practice squad and earn a spot for Sundays as needed, and Marquess Wilson is progressing on the PUP list.
Tight end (3) -- Zach Miller, Tony Moeaki, Rob Housler
What's to come at tight end? Moeaki has filled in well for Miller while he returns from a concussion. They will likely be the top two tight ends if health is on their side. Housler is battling it out with former defensive lineman Greg Scruggs to serve as a blocking tight end.
The health of Ben Braunecker is a question. He suffered an ankle injury early in camp and hasn't returned since. The Bears believe in what Braunecker can become, but at this point, he's simply interchangable with Moeaki, which could force a relegation to the practice squad. Braunecker could go earn a roster spot, because it's there for the taking.
Offensive line (9)
Starters: LT Charles Leno, LG Cody Whitehair, C Ted Larsen, RG Kyle Long, RT Bobby Massie;
Reserves: Amini Silatolu, Mike Adams, Cornelius Edison, Garry Williams
Fasten your seatbelts here. The Bears' offensive line is a great concern, especially after losing center Hroniss Grasu for the season last Saturday. Depth has already been tested, with Larsen moving up to the place of first-team center.
The Bears are set on a starting offensive line, hoping for no further injuries to key starters. Silatolu, Adams and Williams offer some starting experience, while Edison has played well in camp and could become the backup center if needed.
Defensive line (5) -- Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks, Mitch Unrein, Jonathan Bullard, Ego Ferguson
In short time, the Bears built their defensive line into a strength, adding Hicks to the mix and drafting Bullard. Hicks should pair with Goldman to create a formidable tandem up front. Unrein will likely start at the other end spot in base defense.
The third-round pick out of Florida, Bullard is looking like he could be one of the greatest steals of the draft. He will work into the rotation, while Ferguson should see playing time, too. Will Sutton still is without a sack in his NFL career and has to fight for a roster spot, because the Bears took just five defensive linemen last season.
Thursday's leg injury to Cornelius Washington, which came after a strong showing, adds to the equation here.
Outside linebacker (5) -- Pernell McPhee, Willie Young, Lamarr Houston, Leonard Floyd, Sam Acho
The mysterious knee issues to McPhee create questions around the position of outside linebacker. Ideally, he comes off the PUP list soon and steps right into a starting role. However, the knee injury that lingered from last season hasn't gone away. McPhee's status for the weeks leading into the opener is uncertain.
Young and Houston were the Bears' leaders in sacks last season, filling the void from McPhee's injury. They will step in if needed. The No. 9 overall pick of this past draft, floyd will work in with the first-team defense on occasion and should play a key role in the rotation.
The Bears like Acho's steady presence, but he may serve more of a special teams position with this team.
Inside linebacker (4) -- Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman, Nick Kwiatkoski, John Timu
The Bears would love to have Trevathan and Freeman play nearly every snap this season. They were brought in to lead the defense and can certainly be counted on.
The fourth-round pick out of West Virginia, Kwiatkoski is currently battling a hamstring injury. When he returns, he can take on a special teams role and perhaps mix into some playing time at linebacker. Timu is an undrafted free agent from last season, when played capably in a reserve role.
Cornerback (6) -- Tracy Porter, Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Sherrick McManis, Deiondre' Hall, Demontre Hurst
The Bears are left hoping for no injuries at cornerback, a position that's quite thin beyond the starters. Porter and Fuller return as starters for the second straight season, and Callahan earned his spot at the nickel.
McManis is mostly a special teams player who can fill in if needed, Hall is a prospect who showed flashes in the preseason opener and Hurst has played fine in training camp.
De'Vante Bausby could factor into the depth chart, though his place may come on the practice squad to start the season.
Safety (5) -- Adrian Amos, Harold Jones-Quartey, Chris Prosinski, Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson
After starting 16 games last season, Amos is back with a secure grasp on one safety spot. Another second-year player, Jones-Quartey, seems to be in line to start next to Amos.
Prosinski is a capable player but should factor more into special teams, as will the rookie Houston-Carson. Bush is an interesting prospect, a rookie out of Miami who's still looking to break out in camp.
Special Teams (3) -- K Robbie Gould, P Pat O'Donnell, LS Aaron Brewer
The only question on the special teams comes at long snapper. The jobs of Gould and O'Donnell are uncontested as they work through the preseason. It seems as if Brewer, the Broncos' long snapper of last season, has the edge on Patrick Scales to make the Bears roster.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
