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Bazuin...bust?

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:28 pm
by fleet
Bazuin, the Bears' second-round pick out of Central Michigan, asserted himself late in Monday's game. Bazuin, who missed much of training camp and offseason workouts after two separate injuries to the same knee, played with the second team Monday. He made three tackles on defense and two more on special teams.

Bazuin hadn't been impressive in training camp, but blamed it on conditioning -- or rather, non-conditioning.

"My conditioning was not as good as I want it to be," he said. "It's got to come with time, because I have to give my knee some rest still and I can't be doing a whole lot of extra stuff."

Because of the competition at defensive end, Bazuin might need to pick up his play on special teams just to make the 53-man roster.

"I want to contribute as much as I can. I am just trying to show them that I can contribute in some areas, because I've got some great defensive linemen I am competing against," he said. "I may have to show them other avenues where I can definitely contribute."


the numbers say he had 5 tackles. They were 5 of of the quietest tackles ever then. I missed about 3 of them. I did watch him against the scrub Colts tackles on pass rushes though, and I can't say he beat them once. Not once. Either he was engulfed, or just pushed aside. And he wasn't very quick or fast to me. He better still be hurt and out of shape. Smallish fella, light in the pants

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:31 pm
by Darth Celtic
it's looking that way, but he's just a rookie, remember Mark ANderson missed most of training camp and preseason and people were talking about him not making the team.

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:51 pm
by Cliff Levingston
It wouldn't be smart to just cut a 2nd round pick only months after you picked him.

It looks likes Alex Brown may be on his way out next season, at which time Bazuin could be pretty valuable as a good backup.

All in all, it's too early to call him a bust. It was his first pre-season game.

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:27 pm
by seeso
It's not looking good for Bazuin, but I'd be shocked if he didn't make the team. Cliff Levingston is right. Still way too early to call him a bust.

Angelo's got a pretty good track record for his 2nd round picks, so I give Bazuin the benefit of the doubt.

2006 - Devin Hester
2005 - Mark Bradley
2004 - Tank Johnson
2003 - Charles Tillman

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:40 pm
by Ayt
How much practice time had he had prior to the game? It doesn't sound like he had very much time to get acclimated to the NFL game or to get his body in playing shape.