Every day, coach Lovie Smith stares at the 90 names on the Bears’ training-camp roster. And every day, Smith mentally crosses off 37 of them to pare it to the 53 players he expects to keep. It’s never the same 37 names. “[General manager] Jerry [Angelo] and I work a lot of different combinations that we could possibly end up with, and we know a little bit more every time we have a game situation,” Smith said Sunday. “You have 53 in mind when you come to camp, but each day it can change.” With that in mind, here’s an early look at how the 53-man roster might be shaping up.
Defensive tackle
Spots expected: 5.
Locks: Tommie Harris, Tank Johnson, Bryan Robinson, Alfonso Boone.
On the bubble: Tron LaFavor, Ian Scott.
Bourbonnais buzz: Robinson has embraced the leadership role of this unit and enhanced his value by relearning the end position. Boone reported sleeker without appearing to lose strength. Harris and Johnson might be starting next to each other by midseason. Final spot likely will come down to college teammates Scott and LaFavor, who’s a better fit for the scheme and had a sack Saturday.
Defensive end
Spots expected: 4, possibly 5.
Locks: Michael Haynes, Alex Brown, Claude Harriott.
On the bubble: Joe Tafoya, Israel Idonije, Alain Kashama.
Bourbonnais buzz: Both starting ends have been solid but not spectacular, and game action will be the best barometer. Harriott registered a sack in the Rams scrimmage and has made some plays on the ball in team drills, suggesting promise in a draftee the Bears would like to develop. Tafoya, not the ideal fit for Smith’s scheme, plays too important a role on special teams to cut and sets a good example with his work ethic. Either Idonije or Kashama might wind up on the practice squad over Harriott to avoid exposing a draft pick for other teams to sign.
Cornerback
Spots expected: 5.
Locks: Charles Tillman, R.W. McQuarters, Jerry Azumah, Nathan Vasher.
On the bubble: Eric Kelly, Todd McMillon, Alfonso Marshall, Brock Williams.
Bourbonnais buzz: In reality, only four healthy cornerbacks might make the team, with the fifth slot being saved for Azumah. Kelly started 23 games in Minnesota, so he figures to get a good look as the team’s fourth or fifth corner. McMillon offers a steady solution in dime packages and on special teams. Vasher needs to accelerate his progress and develop confidence. Williams had begun to make a move before injuring his ankle, and Marshall figures to be a practice-squad candidate.
Linebacker
Spots expected: 6.
Locks: Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Marcus Reese, Joe Odom, Leon Joe.
On the bubble: Hunter Hillenmeyer, Bryan Knight.
Bourbonnais buzz: Reese rates as the surprise linebacker in camp. Odom figures to be safe but needs to elevate his play once the games begin. Joe’s speed fits the Smith mold of the ideal linebacker, and he should contribute on special teams. Hillenmeyer impressed coaches with his perseverance and stood out on special teams last season, so he holds an edge on Knight. Hard to believe just a year ago at this time Knight was a starter.
Safety
Spots expected: 4, possibly 5.
Locks: Mike Brown, Mike Green, Bobby Gray, Todd Johnson.
On the bubble: Cameron Worrell.
Bourbonnais buzz: It may sound bland to interior decorators, but the combination of Brown, Green and Gray works well for the Bears’ secondary. Johnson has an edge over Worrell, in part because the Bears drafted him but also because he plays the ball better. But don’t count out Worrell, whose abandon and tackling ability make him an ideal special-teams performer.
Offensive line
Spots expected: 9.
Locks: Center Olin Kreutz, guard Rex Tucker, tackle John Tait, guard Terrence Metcalf, tackle Qasim Mitchell, tackle Aaron Gibson, long snapper Patrick Mannelly.
On the bubble: Guard Ruben Brown, guard Mike Gandy, tackle-guard Steve Edwards, guard Josh Warner, center Michael Keathley, guard Bryan Anderson.
Bourbonnais buzz: A good player with experience will get cut even if the Bears ultimately decide to keep 10 linemen. Metcalf’s emergence has complicated the situation because he has passed Gandy and Brown in the last two weeks. Edwards has made a strong impression and can play every position on the line except center, and versatility goes a long way during an NFL season. Brown hasn’t totally fit in yet but gives the Bears a proven commodity in case something happens to Tucker. This would be a good week for Gandy to make a move and for the Bears to decide on which side Tait will play. That decision could help flesh out the depth chart. Not to mention that the annual Marc Colombo dilemma looms.
Wide receiver
Spots expected: 5, possibly 6.
Locks: Marty Booker, David Terrell, Bobby Wade, Justin Gage, Bernard Berrian.
On the bubble: Ahmad Merritt, Jamin Elliott.
Bourbonnais buzz: Terrell looks serious about making a statement this season, but the season has not begun and one of his biggest obstacles has been consistency. Wade keeps carving a niche as the No. 3 receiver who just gets open and makes the tough catch. Gage provides the big-play potential but has to stay healthy. Berrian, whom Smith likes returning kicks because of his speed, became a stronger candidate for the 53-man roster than the practice squad with Azumah’s injury. Nobody works harder than Merritt, a valuable special-teamer, but will that be enough? Elliott is running out of options but still running hard.
Tight end
Spots expected: 4, maybe 3.
Locks: Desmond Clark, Dustin Lyman.
On the bubble: John Gilmore, Gabe Reid.
Bourbonnais buzz: Gilmore started strong, but his hamstring injury opened the door for Reid, who has taken advantage. Reid still needs work on his blocking but possesses good hands and can take a hit. Lyman, considered a starter by Smith, quietly has become an essential part of the offense. Decisions at other positions might affect how many tight ends the Bears keep.
Running back
Spots expected: 3.
Locks: Thomas Jones, Anthony Thomas.
On the bubble: Brock Forsey, Adrian Peterson, Jason McKie.
Bourbonnais buzz: Peterson had pulled slightly ahead of Forsey until injuring his hamstring. Forsey might offer more on special teams, which could be the deciding factor at this position. McKie filling in at running back only makes him harder to cut.
Fullback
Spots expected: 2.
Lock: Bryan Johnson.
On the bubble: Rabih Abdullah, McKie.
Bourbonnais buzz: Abdullah offers dependability, but McKie might give the Bears more versatility.
Quarterback
Spots expected: 3.
Locks: Rex Grossman, Jonathan Quinn, Craig Krenzel.
On the bubble: Ryan Dinwiddie.
Bourbonnais buzz: Dinwiddie could find a home on the practice squad, which would be a dangerous place for Krenzel if the Bears want to groom him in their system.
Punter
Spots expected: 1.
Lock: Brad Maynard.
On the bubble: Brooks Barnard.
Bourbonnais buzz: The Bears signed Barnard last winter to challenge Maynard, who has responded with an impressive, consistent camp.
Kicker
Spots expected: 1.
Lock: Paul Edinger.
On the bubble: Nobody.
Bourbonnais buzz: Not much for Mr. Consistency to improve other than kickoff depth.
