The Chicago Bears got plenty of quality tape in the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. Granted the fourth quarter might be something they want to avoid as the defense gave up 25 unanswered points but winning the game isn’t what preseason is about. It’s about play evaluation and there were a lot of standouts at Soldier Field.
This could end up being one of the toughest cutdown periods the team has faced in a long time. There is some good depth at a lot of positions that showcased fierce battles between players looking for a roster spot. This game was their last opportunity to show the coaches that they’re worth keeping around.
Yet only a handful can make it. Here are the names that stuck out the most. The ones that Matt Nagy and his staff may take the longest to reach a decision on.
Ryan Nall (RB)
It was curious why Ryan Nall wasn’t getting more action this preseason, but he certainly made up for lost time. He only carried the ball four times against the Bills but for 79 yards and a touchdown. He also played fullback extensively in the game, delivering a crucial block that set up a Knile Davis touchdown run. He’s shown clear versatility and quietly did well on special teams too. That’s everything the team can want in a young backup.
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.@Ryannall34 TO DA 🏡! #BUFvsCHI pic.twitter.com/yUiRvlzoLj
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 31, 2018
Daniel Brown (TE)
The Bears are deep at tight end. They already have three guys who appear to be roster locks in Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen and Dion Sims. They also have two others in Ben Braunecker and Daniel Brown who are capable pass catchers. Brown has been the better of the two and his two catches for 46 yards against Buffalo proved that much. His shoulder injury was an unfortunate setback but he’s done more than enough to warrant the team carrying a fourth tight end.
John Timu (ILB)
He’s never going to be a bigtime starter, but John Timu is just one of those guys you love. He plays hard. He plays smart and he’s rarely out of position. The guy is a solid player. He also has special teams value. The Bears are deeper now at inside linebacker with draft picks Roquan Smith and Joel Iyiegbuniwe, but Timu should be in serious consideration as the fifth guy. The man is a grinder who pushes everyone else to be better.
We are all @Mtrubisky10 during Doran Grant's pick six… #BUFvsCHI pic.twitter.com/swB1ykioUa
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 31, 2018
Doran Grant (CB)
No Bears cornerback was around the football more in the preseason than Doran Grant. The finale against Buffalo was his shining moment in that regard. He had a huge pick-six early and deflected two other passes that he almost intercepted. This in addition to the interception and two pass deflection he had in the Hall of Fame game. If it’s about earning your way onto the roster through performance on the field, nobody did it better than Grant. The question is can the Bears coaches overlook his 5’10 size.
