Bears release Bazuin, Okwo, four others as roster deadline looms
There are quite a few people out there who have questioned the early-round drafting ability of Bears general manager Jerry Angelo. And for good reason. Notable misses under his regime include running back Cedric Benson (1st round in ‘05), defensive end Michael Haynes (1st round in ‘03), and cornerback Roosevelt Williams (3rd round in ‘02).
Today, the team added fuel to the anti-Angelo fire, took an uneasy swallow of their pride, and released defensive end Dan Bazuin and linebacker Michael Okwo, the second and third-round picks from the 2007 draft.
Bazuin was touted as being a quick, agile, pass-rushing specialist who would compliment the team’s speedy and aggressive unit well. In his one year with the team, the only thing he was quick to do was land on the injured list. Okwo’s brief career in Chicago echoed much of Bazuin’s, made apparent by him likely losing his roster spot to a seventh-round pick in Joey LaRocque.
Other confirmed cuts thus far: wide receiver Mike Hass, safety Leonard Peters, running back P.J. Pope and fullback Lousaka Polite. The Bears, and every NFL team for that matter, have until 5 p.m. today to cut down to the 53-man roster limit.
Sun-Times reporting that LaRocque was released now. So I guess this means Roach and McClover are sure things right? No Wilson, no Okwo, no LaRocque.
Urlacher, Briggs, Hillenmeyer, Williams, Roach, McClover. I think Williams could fill in admirably for Briggs or Hillenmeyer, but overall our linebacker depth doesn’t look so good.
Well, I know the team is high on Roach and McClover as special teamers. But even with the law firm of Wilson, Okwo and LaRocque (I couldn’t resist) representing the team, the depth wouldn’t change.
Williams is the only backup I’d want to see playing defense.