National Football League

Chicago Bears focused on D-Line situation in wake of Ray McDonald release

Published Jun. 1, 2015 10:44 a.m. ET

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The situation involving former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ray McDonald—who was arrested twice last week, once after being cut from the team on Monday—left the franchise with a black eye and a gaping hole along the defensive line. The Bears have battled the onslaught of negative press, and now they're focused on addressing the vacancy at left end, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Biggs named 2015 second-round selection Eddie Goldman as a player to watch in the search for McDonald's replacement. The Florida State product has the size (6-4, 336 lbs.) and skill to make a difference right away. Goldman will have to win the competition in training camp, though.

Bears defensive line coach Jay Rogers explained the importance of having a depth of options.

"Right now we're trying to figure out where everybody fits in the mix," Rodgers told the Tribune. "You want to have your best five, six, seven guys and then how they fit because there's a lot of crossover between noses and ends. When you get into a game-day situation and people start getting a shoelace untied, you better have somebody else to put in."

Jay Ratliff, who is making the transition to end after a Pro Bowl career at nose tackle, is another top candidate for the starting job. Jarvis Jenkins is also in the mix, according to Biggs, while Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton are also certain to push for those reps.

(h/t Chicago Tribune)

Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports

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