Chicago Bears Updated Stock Report: Center Getting Interesting

The Chicago Bears had their second preseason game in Cincinnati against the Bengals. As usual, the final outcome meant little in the grand scheme.

All people want to know is did the team escape healthy and did certain players perform well. It appears the answer to both was yes. The more interesting part of this situation is how the stocks of several players continue to fluctuate up and down. Not just back-end-of-the-roster guys either. Several starters delivered somewhat unexpected performances.

One thing is for sure. Some guys who are in danger of being cut in the next couple weeks didn’t have the night they hoped for. So who stood out this week, good or bad?

Down:  Marcus Cooper (CB)

It was not a good night for the veteran cornerback. Cooper was abused for the entire first half by both the first and second-string Bengals offenses. Too many times he couldn’t stick with his man and make a play on the ball and even when he was in the right spot failed to prevent the catch. The Bears had hoped another chance would let him get over his struggles in 2017 but that doesn’t seem like a possibility. It’s time to start thinking about ending that experiment.

Up:  James Daniels (OG/C)

Yet another Bears draft pick showed up and played well in preseason. James Daniels was the driving force behind their touchdown march in the first half, routinely giving the running back space and also providing the push on the crucial Chase Daniel quarterback sneak for a first down on 4th and 1. His pass protection was also solid. The signs continue to creep up that he may be ready to challenge for the starting center job.