Tag: Arlington Hambright

Grading the 2020 Bears draft class

A good rule of thumb is to wait and grade a draft class after three years. With that, we give our final grades on the 2020 Bears draft.

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to begin in less than a week and the Chicago Bears will be looking to upgrade their roster to take the next jump in the Ryan Poles era. With 10 selections, most notably their No. 9 overall pick that was part of their acquisition of pics from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the No. 1 pick, Chicago will have plenty of opportunities to come away with impact players.

Though the draft is exciting and teams rarely feel like they get worse after the weekend concludes, it’s extremely difficult to judge a draft class fairly without having anyone playing a game. Even one season feels unfair given how much things can change from year to year. The rule of thumb is to wait until three years after a draft is complete to give it a fair evaluation.

That three-year evaluation brings us back to 2020, where the COVID-19 pandemic was in full force and the league needed to cancel the in-person draft festivities. The grand stage with thousands of fans in attendance became Roger Goodell’s basement, where he announced picks while sitting in a large leather chair.

Interestingly enough, the Bears had one of their strongest classes in recent memory during the virtual draft. Though they were without a first-round pick due to the Khalil Mack trade with the Las Vegas Raiders and a fourth-round pick that was sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for Nick Foles, they were still able to grab impact players, headlined by two second-round picks. Here is how we graded the 2020 draft three years after it happened.

Colts sign 12 players to futures contracts

The Colts signed 12 players to futures contracts.

The Indianapolis Colts signed 12 players to Reserve/Futures contracts, the team announced Monday.

As is typical protocol following the end of the regular season, the Colts will be preparing to expand their roster to 90 players for the offseason. Much of that includes signing players to futures contracts.

The expansion of the roster to 90 players doesn’t go into effect until the start of the new league year, which is March 15. That’s why it’s technically a reserve contract. This is essentially stating the player will be on the 90-man roster when the time comes.

There is no limit to how many futures contracts the Colts have as long as they are within the 90-man limit when the new league year rolls around.

Here’s a look at the 12 players signed to futures contracts to begin the offseason:

Colts add a pair to the practice squad

The Colts added TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart and G Arlington Hambright to the practice squad.

The Indianapolis Colts signed tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart and guard Arlington Hambright to the practice squad and released kicker Lucas Havrisik and tight end Jared Scott from the practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.

The notable piece of news here is that Havrisik was released from the practice squad, signifying that Chase McLaughlin will be the kicker moving forward. McLaughlin played just one snap in Week 2, which was the opening kickoff of the second half.

The Colts technically could keep him on the practice squad and elevate him two more times until they need to sign him to the active roster. Whether they’ll do that remains to be seen.

Griffin-Stewart spent time at Rutgers (2015-2018) and Pittsburgh (2019) before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He’s spent time on the practice squad or offseason roster with the Minnesota Vikings (2020), Green Bay Packers (2020), New York Giants (2020–2021) and Cleveland Browns (2022). He was active for one game with the Kansas City Chiefs (2021).

Hambright had previously been a part of the practice squad before the Colts signed Havrisik and McLaughlin before Week 2.

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Colts officially waive Rodrigo Blankenship among several roster moves

The Colts announced several roster moves, including the official waiving of Rodrigo Blankenship.

The Indianapolis Colts officially waived kicker Rodrigo Blankenship among several roster moves, the team announced Tuesday.

Blankenship’s erratic outing in Week 1 was the final straw for the Colts. Not only did he miss the game-winning field-goal attempt from 42 yards, but he also proved to be a liability on kickoffs.

The Colts brought in two kickers to the practice squad while making a number of moves Tuesday. Here’s a look:

Colts sign two more to the practice squad

The Colts added two more to the practice squad Thursday.

The Indianapolis Colts signed linebacker Segun Olubi and guard Arlington Hambright to the practice squad, the team announced Thursday.

Olubi signed with the San Francisco 49ers following the 2022 NFL draft as an undrafted rookie free agent out of San Deigo State. In two seasons at San Diego State, Olubi recorded 68 tackles (34 solo), four tackles for loss, two sacks, two passes defended and one interception.

Hambright was a seventh-round pick with the Chicago Bears in the 2020 NFL draft and appeared in nine regular-season games during his rookie season. He spent the 2022 offseason with the New England Patriots before being waived during final roster cuts.

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Bears training camp: 1 player currently on the roster bubble at each position

Heading into the Bears’ first preseason game, here’s a look at one player who’s on the roster bubble at each position.

The Chicago Bears released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, where there were some surprises, and it gave us a look at how the 53-man roster could ultimately shake out.

There are a handful of players who are on the roster bubble, as indicated by the depth chart and how training camp has unfolded over the first couple of weeks.

Heading into the Bears’ first preseason game, here’s a look at one player who’s on the roster bubble at each position.

Chicago Bears sign OL Eric Kush to practice squad

The Bears added some much-needed depth at offensive line with the return of a familiar face in iOL Eric Kush to the practice squad.

The Chicago Bears added some much-needed depth at offensive line with the return of a familiar face.

The Bears have signed interior offensive lineman Eric Kush to the practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday. Kush previously played for Chicago back in 2016-18.

Kush has experience in Matt Nagy’s offense and can play either center or guard. Chicago has released Aaron Neary from the practice squad in conjunction with Kush’s addition.

The Bears have had major issues on the offensive line over the last few weeks, particularly when it comes to injuries. They lost left guard James Daniels a few weeks ago to a torn pectoral muscle, and right tackle Bobby Massie landed on injured reserve with a knee injury expected to sideline him at least a month.

But the Bears also dealt with a COVID-19 scare as center Cody Whitehair and reserve tackle Jason Spriggs both tested positive for the virus, which sidelined them last week. Back-up center Sam Mustipher also missed last Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Although Spriggs has since been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Bears started Alex Bars at center and seventh-round rookie Arlington Hambright against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and they were encouraging in their first starts.

Still, Chicago’s struggles on the offensive line remain one of the biggest concerns on this team. It’s been evident in their run blocking — with the Bears the worst run game in the league — and in pass protection — with a statuesque Nick Foles.

The addition of Kush provides a little stability should Chicago’s offensive line struggles continue.

5 bold predictions for Bears vs. Titans in Week 9

The Bears are looking to snap a two-game losing streak when they face the Titans on Sunday. Here are our bold predictions for that match-up.

It’s been an eventful week for the Chicago Bears. Mounting injuries on both sides of the ball, positive COVID-19 cases on their offensive line, and the NFL trade deadline came and went, although the team stood pat by not making a deal.

Now, as they try to move forward, they get ready to face the 5-2 Tennessee Titans, who have lost their last two games. The Titans are in a similar position as the Bears, being a team that started out red hot, only to fall back a bit over the last couple of weeks. Which team will rebound to get back in the win column?

More importantly, though, will I be able to get one of my bold predictions right this week? Going 1-4 last week, with the one prediction that was correct being against the Bears as the Saints sacked quarterback Nick Foles five times, I’m feeling more discouraged than usual. But we press on and try to do better this week. Here are my bold predictions when the Bears clash with the Titans.

Veteran offensive lineman Eric Kush visiting the Bears

To help with some of the uncertainty on the offensive line, the Bears are bringing in veteran interior lineman Eric Kush for a visit.

The Chicago Bears offensive line is a mess. And I’m not just referring to the unit’s performance on the field.

The Bears have dealt with a rash of injuries and COVID-19 struggles that has the projected offensive line in doubt heading into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

To help with some of the uncertainty, the Bears are bringing in veteran interior offensive lineman Eric Kush for a visit. As Bears fans know, Kush previously played for Chicago back in 2016 and 2018.

The Bears could be without four offensive starters against the Titans, where left tackle Charles Leno Jr. is the only starter that’s projected to be good to go for Sunday. Left guard James Daniels is done for the season with a torn pectoral muscle while right tackle Bobby Massie is on injured reserve at least for the next three weeks with a knee injury.

Then there’s the case of center Cody Whitehair, who at first was questionable because of a calf injury. But that’s the least of his worries now. Whitehair joins reserve swing tackle Jason Spriggs as the second member of the Bears’ active roster to test positive for COVID-19, and both of them are out for Sunday. Right guard Germain Ifedi, who was dubbed a close contact, tested negative for COVID, and coach Matt Nagy believes Ifedi could be good to go against the Titans.

Undrafted free agent Sam Mustipher got his first start last Sunday in place of the injured Whitehair, where he played solid at center. But Mustipher is dealing with a knee injury, which leaves the Bears down two centers. Which is where the addition of Kush would be beneficial. If not, expect Alex Bars to get the nod while seventh-round rookie Arlington Hambright would get the nod at guard while Rashaad Coward swings out to right tackle.

No one knows what this Bears offensive line is going to look like come Sunday. Not even Nagy and the Bears.

Veteran offensive lineman Eric Kush visiting the Bears

To help with some of the uncertainty on the offensive line, the Bears are bringing in veteran interior lineman Eric Kush for a visit.

The Chicago Bears offensive line is a mess. And I’m not just referring to the unit’s performance on the field.

The Bears have dealt with a rash of injuries and COVID-19 struggles that has the projected offensive line in doubt heading into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

To help with some of the uncertainty, the Bears are bringing in veteran interior offensive lineman Eric Kush for a visit. As Bears fans know, Kush previously played for Chicago back in 2016 and 2018.

The Bears could be without four offensive starters against the Titans, where left tackle Charles Leno Jr. is the only starter that’s projected to be good to go for Sunday. Left guard James Daniels is done for the season with a torn pectoral muscle while right tackle Bobby Massie is on injured reserve at least for the next three weeks with a knee injury.

Then there’s the case of center Cody Whitehair, who at first was questionable because of a calf injury. But that’s the least of his worries now. Whitehair joins reserve swing tackle Jason Spriggs as the second member of the Bears’ active roster to test positive for COVID-19, and both of them are out for Sunday. Right guard Germain Ifedi, who was dubbed a close contact, tested negative for COVID, and coach Matt Nagy believes Ifedi could be good to go against the Titans.

Undrafted free agent Sam Mustipher got his first start last Sunday in place of the injured Whitehair, where he played solid at center. But Mustipher is dealing with a knee injury, which leaves the Bears down two centers. Which is where the addition of Kush would be beneficial. If not, expect Alex Bars to get the nod while seventh-round rookie Arlington Hambright would get the nod at guard while Rashaad Coward swings out to right tackle.

No one knows what this Bears offensive line is going to look like come Sunday. Not even Nagy and the Bears.