Adrian Amos getting his shot with Bears' first-team defense
The Chicago Bears have updated their preseason depth chart, and one surprising change has been made: Adrian Amos has surpassed Brock Vereen as the starting safety next to Antrel Rolle.
Amos was a fifth-round pick out of Penn State in this year's draft. He's a solid-sized defensive back (6-0, 218 lbs.) who must have caught the coaching staff's attention with his athleticism.
"We thought enough of Amos to draft him," Fox said, per ESPN's Jeff Dickerson. "I think he's had opportunities just like all the other safeties to play and be evaluated and make plays. He's earned where he is. I don't know if that's the way it'll stay. It's not where you start the race it's where you finish it. He's earned that and we'll go from there."
During Amos' final season in college, opposing quarterbacks were rarely successful when they threw in his direction. Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke pointed out just how stingy his pass-coverage was as a senior.
The player Amos overtook for the starting role, Vereen, was a fourth-round pick in last year's draft. He played in all 16 games last year and started four of them (one interception), so Amos' athleticism must be more impressive than Vereen's experience.
Another player who's still in the hunt at safety is Ryan Mundy, who started all 16 games and recorded a career-high four interceptions last year. He's in his seventh NFL season, making him the most seasoned veteran in the mix.
(h/t @Rich_Campbell, ESPN)
