KNOWYOUR BEARS: SAFETIES
Leading into training camp, the Sun- Times takes a closer look at each position
21QUINTIN DEMPS
10th year 5- 11, 210, Texas- El Paso Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2017. Age: 32. NFL experience: 107 games ( 41 starts). Background: A fourth- round draft pick ( 119th overall) by the Eagles in 2008, Demps was a part- time player in his first five seasons before emerging as a solid starter with the Chiefs ( 2013), Giants ( 2014) and Texans ( 2015- 16). He has 15 interceptions and 31 pass breakups in the last four seasons. The skinny: Demps has the best resume of any of the Bears’ 2017 free- agent signees, but he’s still an odd fit on a rebuilding team— a32- year- old journeyman playing on his fourth team in five seasons. But he’ll provide leadership on a team that needs it and can mentor the young safeties on the roster.
38ADRIANAMOS
Third year 6- 0, 201, Penn State Acquired: Fifth- round draft pick ( 142nd overall) in 2015.
Age: 24. NFL experience: 31 games ( 30 starts). Background: Amos looked like a real mid- round find when he started every game and led the Bears in tackles as a rookie, but he was unable to take the next step last season and was benched in Weeks 13- 14 before starting the last three games. His tackles dropped from 108 to 60 ( the additions of Jerrell Freeman, Danny Trevathan and Akiem Hicks were a factor), and he struggled to make plays on the ball. Amos had no interceptions for the second consecutive season and had only four pass breakups in 2016.
Theskinny: Amos isn’t universally panned ( Pro Football Focus loves him), but he has been average at best in two seasons as a starter, and the Bears need much more than that. If he’s better in training camp, he’ll be a starter in 2017. If not, he might be cut.
29HAROLD JONES- QUARTEY
Third season 5- 11, 210, Findlay ( Ohio) Acquired: Claimed on waivers in 2016. Age: 23. NFL experience: 29 games ( 16 starts). Background: Signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2016, Jones- Quartey was waived in the cutdown to 53 and signed by the Bears beforeWeek 1. He started four games as a rookie, and his interception of Jameis Winston against the Buccaneers helped spark a 26- 21 victory. Jones- Quartey was theWeek 1 starter in 2016, but he was generally ineffective. He had only one interception and five pass breakups and was benched four times in the second half of last season. The skinny: Jones- Quartey didn’t take the next step after showing promise as a rookie and now has to fight for a roster spot. It’s unlikely he’ll get the same shot this year as he did a year ago.
39EDDIE JACKSON
Rookie 6- 0, 201, Alabama Acquired: Fourth- round draft pick ( 112th overall) in 2017.
Age: 24. NFL experience: None. Background: Jackson overcame academic issues in high school— he didn’t start until his senior year — and started four games at cornerback as a true freshman at Alabama. He was switched to strong safety as a junior, returned two interceptions for touchdowns and was the defensive MVP of the College Football Playoff championship game. He had another pick- six and returned two punts for touchdowns in eight games before suffering a broken leg on a punt return last season.
The skinny: Coming off the broken leg, it remains to be seen what Jackson can do. But he is an intriguing prospect as a playmaker at safety and as a return man who has a huge upside. Jackson has the potential to develop into the kind of face- ofthefranchise leader the Bears have lacked.
26DEON BUSH
Second year 6- 0, 200, Miami Acquired: Fourth- round draft pick ( 124th overall) in 2016.
Age: 23. NFL experience: 11 games ( six starts). Background: Bush was drafted by the Bears as a noted thumper, but a preseason neck injury held him back, and the learning curve in coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense proved problematic. Bush was inactive in four of the Bears’ first five games last season. He ended up playing 11 games and starting six, but he made little impact on defense ( 22 tackles, one pass breakup) or special teams.
The skinny: Though Bush showed little as a rookie, the Bears still think he can develop into a productive player. Based on offseason practices, it appears they’ll give him a good shot in training camp. He made a lot of rookie mistakes. Now we’ll see how well he has learned from them.
31CHRIS PROSINSKI
Seventh year 6- 1, 213, Wyoming Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2015.
Age: 30. NFL experience: 85 games ( 15 starts). Background: A fourth- round pick ( 121st overall) by the Jaguars in 2011, Prosinski has excelled as a special- teams player. As a street free agent, he has made an immediate impact on special teams with the Eagles in 2014 ( after being cut by the Jaguars inWeek 4) and the Bears in 2015 ( after being cut by the Eagles). He was third on the Bears in special- teams tackles in 2015 ( nine) and 2016 ( seven).
The skinny: Special teams will be Prosinski’s ticket to the 53- man roster. His experience, leadership and cool head are valuable to a developing team. He’s a survivor, but this will be his biggest challenge in three seasons with the Bears. If the roster truly has been upgraded, Prosinski will have a tough time making it.
32DEIONDRE’ HALL
Second season 6- 2, 201, Northern Iowa Acquired: Fourth- round draft pick ( 127th overall) in 2016.
Age: 23. NFL experience: Eight games ( no starts). Background: A playmaker at safety, cornerback and linebacker at Northern Iowa, the long- armed Hall became an intriguing prospect in the preseason last year before his rookie season was derailed by a severe ankle injury that forced him to miss nine weeks. He returned in December for the last four games, but he clearly was affected by the long absence and never got into a groove.
The skinny: After switching from cornerback, Hall is a candidate to pick things up quickly at safety. The only question is how much opportunity he’ll get in a crowded secondary. Still, his versatility gives him a leg up on a roster spot.
36DEANDRE HOUSTON- CARSON
Second year 6- 0, 211, William& Mary Acquired: Sixth- round draft pick ( 185th overall) in 2016. Age: 24. NFL experience: Eight games ( no starts). Background: Houston- Carson entered the league noted for his nine blocked kicks on special teams at William& Mary, but he didn’t even make a dent as a rookie with the Bears. He played in eight games and had two special- teams tackles. Houston- Carson was active for the first five games but inactive for eight of the next 10 before playing in the season finale.
The skinny: It’s easy to write off Houston- Carson as a goner after he was virtually invisible last season. He’s not a great natural athlete and depends on smarts to make an impact. But he didn’t play safety until his senior year at William& Mary, and the jump to the NFL is a big one. He’ll have to make the most of every opportunity to have a chance to make the roster.