Tag:

Deonte Thompson

Can Deonte step up as a WR vs GB?

by Jermaine Lockett September 28, 2017

Can Deonte step up as a WR vs GB?

Making it to the top tier of football players in the world by simply making it to NFL is a feat that should be celebrated by friends family and shouted from rooftops all around of your hometown. I’m sure this celebration was the reaction to hearing Deonte Thompson has once again slid onto a 53 man roster. However, hearing that the Chicago Bears’ top receiver on Sunday had 26 total yards and was not a receiver at all has to have the team and the fans scratching their head wondering. What’s up with Deonte?

The Belle Glade Native had only 9 yards receiving against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary. The question is “are the Steelers just that good, or are the Bears’ WRs just that terrible?” Of course, we have limited information to go off of, but I would like to compare for a minute. Thompson went 4-57-1TD in week two against the Tampa Bay Bucs who are currently ranked 31st in passing defense. Does that stat line hold weight now that we look at the Bucs passing D? I highly doubt it. The Steelers have the second-ranked pass defense in the league and have allowed only two trips to the end zone via air. That stat would explain why Thompson had such a lousy day.

Can Deonte step up as a WR vs GB

Tonight, Thompson faces a secondary that is ranked 7th in the league in passing yards allowed and TDs allowed with three. There is some good news in the midst of this challenge. The Packers have 0 interceptions to show for their efforts. Mr. Thompson we all know what you can do in the return game and that is a legitimate threat. However, you need to turn up tonight against the pack.

I expect the Bears to stay true to their current running identity; however, they need to establish their passing game if they are ever to be truly respected as a threat in the NFC North. Deonte, it’s time to step up. Go Bears!

Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

September 28, 2017 0 comment

Chicago Bears Fantasy Football NFC North NFL

Are Da Bears set at WR?

by Jermaine Lockett September 3, 2017

written by Jermaine Lockett

Are Da Bears set at WR?

Fantasy owners, I appreciate you coming back for another dose of original sports perspective. Now that Da Bears have sent Victor Cruz packing and Cameron Meredith is more than likely out of the picture indefinitely in Chicago, is there any reason to give Chicago even the least bit of a look for a WR1? Survey says…Yes! Kevin White is about to turn Chicago out like a sugar deprived kid introduced to Kool-aid for the first time; OH YEAHHH!!!

Go ahead and doubt

In all seriousness, this is the sleeper of picks that you should be able to pull out of waiver wires. No one will see this coming because they will be too busy gushing over their current lineup. I get the fact that White has had a limited amount of production due to injury but you should know this, whether it is “Mr. Biscuit” Mitch Trubisky, “The Butt Fumbler” Mark Sanchez or “McGlennon” Mike Glennon throwing White the ball, you best believe he is the clear Number One in Chi-Town. He is looking at at least six to seven receptions per game and in PPR leagues; that will be huge.

Khari Thompson of dawindycity.com is a believer as well. He had this to say:

“One thing seems clear, though; if the Chicago Bears want to find out what he is, then it’s time to start throwing him the ball. A lot. And more than that, it’s time to take the training wheels off of him and truly treat him like the featured pass-catcher in the Bears offense.”

Now or never

Sure, the former first round pick caught two of four catches in his latest preseason game, but one of those was almost a touchdown. Please remember it is just preseason and that Da Bears don’t want to break their toy before the season starts. We know it is a “poop or get off the pot” type of year for the former Virginia star WR; this is exactly why I encourage you to buy-in to the hype. Let’s take a look at the competition.

Da Bears’ Top WR

The competition

Kendall Wright is a serviceable weapon for the Bears’ O in the slot. I think the pressure is off of the former Baylor player because of the departure of Victor Cruz. However, this guy is simply an inside WR. This team will be in need of a legit #1 WR on the outside; they’ll need someone who can climb the ladder and get the ball at its apex.

Markus Wheaton, Josh Bellamy, and Deonte Thompson are #3s at best. Although, an opportunity has opened up for them to shine as the outside position opposite White is open for grabs. However, none of the trio will come close to White’s potential.

I may have gotten a little jumpy when writing this article, because I may have snatched White up in the 13th round. At least it wasn’t as bold as the Hunter Henry 2nd overall selection by someone who I will not publicly shame by name. Are you ready for Week #1?

Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

September 3, 2017 0 comment

AFC North Baltimore Ravens NFL

7 Magic Number for Ravens Receivers

by Jermaine Lockett August 31, 2014

written by Jermaine Lockett

Keith Allison Flickr

According to Numerology, the number 7 is associated with intuition or deep perception among other things. Is this what was going through John Harbaugh’s mind when the Baltimore Ravens decided to keep 7 WRs on their active roster?

There are 46 slots on an active gameday roster and with Ravens teams of past, they managed to use the majority of those spots during games.

With that said, five WRs usually dress on gameday, with the sixth being listed as inactive. So why would the Ravens waste an extra spot on a player who is not even going to suit up?

Was the play of bubble player Kamar Aiken so on point, that he could not be denied a roster spot or was there just not enough information on 7th round selection Michael Campanaro to cut?

We all know the locks were Torrey Smith, Steve Smith, Jacoby Jones and second year player Marlon Brown. But let’s talk about what we don’t know.

Deonte Thompson clearly showed that he deserved a spot. His contributions in the return game as well as the receiving game were enough to convince Harbaugh to take another chance on him.

I was in “Jerry’s World” (AT&T Stadium) when Thompson silenced the crowd (except for me, Ravens’ fan!) when he ran back a 108-yd kickoff return for six against the Dallas Cowboys. Combine that with his two receiving TDs in the following games and it’s easy to see why he is still on the squad.

Aiken had 2 solid games in the preseason totaling 8 receptions for 103-yds but it was the former New England Patriot‘s play in camp that solidified him as a must-keep talent.

Now we turn to Campanaro, who had comparisons to Wes Welker prior to even being drafted. I believe he was kept primarily because the team traded back into the draft when they had no picks left to snag the young River Hill Graduate. They obviously saw something there then and after watching Thursday night’s 3-catch 55-yard performance, I believe in what they see as well.

Nothing is set in stone yet, as they still have some moves to make but kudos to the three of these training camp/preseason warriors, who stole the hearts of fans and the coaching staff to make the final 53.

Jermaine Lockett is the CEO and a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on twitter and like us on Facebook.

August 31, 2014 0 comment