Brandon Rideau any value here? potential deep sleeper? (1 Viewer)

[loose circuits]

I'm hearing all types of good things about him this year. Jim Miller (former Bear QB) just mentioned him on Sirius NFL radio. Before that it was just your typical beat writer stuff talking about how he looks great in shorts/pads this year, he's taking the next step in his development, working with the 1st team, etc...

I scooped him up in a deep dynasty league, figuring I'd hold until roster cut down date. Now it may be tough to get rid of him.

Any Bears homers have anything on this guy more than what the beat writers suggest?

 

[Maven]

I'm hearing all types of good things about him this year. Jim Miller (former Bear QB) just mentioned him on Sirius NFL radio. Before that it was just your typical beat writer stuff talking about how he looks great in shorts/pads this year, he's taking the next step in his development, working with the 1st team, etc...

I scooped him up in a deep dynasty league, figuring I'd hold until roster cut down date. Now it may be tough to get rid of him.

Any Bears homers have anything on this guy more than what the beat writers suggest?

I'm also listening and did some quick research. He's been working with the first team all offseason...Brandon Ridieu

6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)

Weight: 198 lb

Age: 26

Undrafted

From his wiki:

Rdeau attended Ozen High School, and played quarterback throughout much his high school career. He switched to wide receiver as a senior and had 39 receptions for 800 yards. He was a first-team all-district selection. Rideau also played basketball for four years with his team going 36-0 and winning the Texas 4A state championship as a senior, as well as lettering in track as a standout member of the 400-meter relay team.

Rideau spent the 2006 season on the Chicago Bears practice squad. He was waived by the Bears on August 27, 2007, during the 2007 NFL preseason.

In the 2008 preseason with the Bears, three of the first four passes Rideau caught went for touchdowns, and he finished with five catches for 127 yards and a team-high 25.4 yards-per-catch average. He was released on August 31 during final cuts, but was re-signed to the Bears' practice squad a day later.

Rideau was signed to the active roster on November 21, 2008.

 

[loose circuits]

sounds like he just miss final cuts in previous seasons, but always made plays. Here's some real old stuff:

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dspro...5&genpos=WR

 

[loose circuits]

there is some serious buzz about this kid out there:

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/blog-down-...0acf624ca42e62a

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

I do remember Rideau as a preseason baller, but I think the real surprise was QB Caleb Hanie who made the final roster.

Rideau will still be behind Davis, Hester, Bennett and this year's 2 rookies. And I wouldn't count on the Bears to carry 6 WRs by any stretch.

 

[loose circuits]

With just 24 career starts at the position, it looks like the Bears are in need of help, at least from the outside looking in. On the inside, Brandon Rideau is doing everything he can to prove he's a big target who can be a productive player in his third season with the organization. Rideau, who spent much of the last two seasons on the practice squad, stands out at 6-3, 198 pounds. He's the biggest target at the position.

He was upset to not make the 53-man roster at the end of the summer last season. After all, Rideau felt he had shown everything he needed to, leading the NFL in touchdowns in preseason with three. Of course, nearly all of his production came in the final minutes against third-stringers who weren't long for their teams' rosters.

"He couldn't control [when he was playing],'' Turner said. "But he's taking care of what he controls and that's his opportunities. He's getting opportunities and so far he's making the most of them."

Rideau was promoted to the active roster in the second half of the season and dressed for two games but saw little action. Quietly, he is getting time with the first team during the voluntary offseason program. The more work he gets with the starters, the better his chances are of seeing time there in training camp. The Bears will keep five wide receivers, six if someone states a strong case to make the final roster. With Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Rashied Davis and rookie draft picks Juaquin Iglesias and Johnny Knox, they have five likely candidates. Right now, two months from camp, Rideau figures to be the guy who will have to force Angelo to consider keeping a sixth.

"I feel like I am making strides,'' he said. "I feel like I have a great opportunity, I'm blessed to have this opportunity and I want to make the best of it. I've been around this offense for three years now so I am one of the more familiar guys so I can move around a little bit.

"It's looking brighter this time around. It's all about what I want to do with it. The coaches talk to me and they say, `Hey, you've got opportunities, just make plays.' That's pretty much all they have to say. They want to put the best guys on the field and I have to come out and prove that I am one of the best guys."

Rideau knows his height and long arms set him apart from the remainder of the roster, but that only goes so far.

"I have to be able to play bigger,'' he said. "You can be big and not make plays and then you're sitting on the bench, it doesn't matter. It's just about how you compete and how you make plays."

He feels like he's developing a solid rapport with quarterback Jay Cutler, the man who has been charged with improving the wide receivers. That is only going to help. Ultimately, Rideau needs to prove now he deserves a chance in preseason. Then, he has to capitalize against top competition.

"He's had a real good offseason,'' Turner said. "I think he can step up and play for us and help. I like Brandon. He's going a really good job."

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/06/wr...aking_most.html

 

[loose circuits]

Does anyone know if PK has a relationship with Lovie or Jerry Angelo? I know the other day he was talking about how he was talking to a coach or GM who said "this kid is going to he our WR3" and he was blown away cause he barely even heard of him. He then mentioned that he couldn't say the name. Now today, Jim Miller is on Sirius talking about this kid and PK was kinda like 'yeah i heard of um' and that's all he said. Now, if you know Mr. Kirwan like I do, he is rarely at a loss for words. It was almost like he was holding something back.

Every beat writer in Chicago has been hyping this kid cause his work with the 1st team.

Would anybody be really surprised if the Bears kept him over Rashied Davis? If Johnnie Knox can do some of the same things...This would mean he wins the WR3 job out of camp. Where they could line Rideau up on the outside with either Hester or Bennett in the slot for those downs. Sounded like Iglesias was struggling. Could just be motivation?

It seems that Rideau really stepped up and made some plays in the OTAs. How do you think he performed and what type of opportunity will he have in training camp?

Right now it’s up to him. That opportunity is there for him. He’s done some good things, but he needs to continue to work and improve if he’s going to be out there and have a chance to help us. But I’ve been pleased with his progress. He’s a guy who has been in this system for a while. You can line him up in any position. He knows what to do. The biggest thing for him is that every chance he gets to make a play, he’s got to make it.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5913

 

[loose circuits]

2 replies? Nobody else at the shark pool as an opinion on this kid? Seems like with the buzz in Chicago area, he would already have his own fan club

 

[saintfool]

never heard of him. interesting sleeper candidate. maybe if he gets some more time in preseason games, against something other than 3rd stringers, then we can take note of him...

 

[loose circuits]

3rd on the depth chart right now!!

I bet this is the guy Kirwan was talking about

I don't know what the shark pool needs, for this guy to get any attention.

WR Rideau finally getting his chance

Comments

August 2, 2009

BY BRAD BIGGS [email protected]

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- If offensive coordinator Ron Turner is right that the Bears' wide receivers will prove to be better than anyone outside the organization projects, then the player who has waited longer than anyone for a turn might have something to do with it.

Brandon Rideau is third on the depth chart right now behind Devin Hester and Earl Bennett. If he can hold his ground with veteran Rashied Davis and three draft picks behind him, his opportunity finally will arrive.

''If he can continue to make strides, yeah, I am excited about him,'' Turner said. ''He is a big target. I know [quarterback] Jay [Cutler] feels excited about him. He catches the ball. We'll have to see how he progresses, but if he can keep making the strides he has made, he can be a factor. I like him.''

At 6-3 and 198 pounds, Rideau brings some size to the position. He has long arms and good speed and showed glimpses of playmaking ability with a couple of nice grabs in practice Friday.

Rideau led the NFL with three touchdown receptions last preseason. All that did was land him back on the practice squad for the third consecutive season. He was promoted in late November and used sparingly. But after getting time with the first team during the offseason program, he finally is in the mix.

''It's a great opportunity right here,'' Rideau said. ''I just have to make the best of it. The most important thing for me has been just proving to myself that I can get in there and be an impact player. Yeah, I needed patience, but it was just making plays. I was fully convinced after my first training camp here [in 2007]. I was like: 'Oh, yeah, I can do this. I can play with this team and everything.' Unfortunately, it didn't work out. But I'm still here, and I've got another chance.''

The Bears are banking on getting production out of third-round pick Juaquin Iglesias and fifth-round choice Johnny Knox, and Rideau doesn't have draft status -- something the organization factors into its decisions. But if he outperforms them, a team that needs someone to step up at receiver will have no other choice.

''It is a better chance than last year, definitely, because it's 1-2-3 right now,'' Rideau said. ''I'm just working my way up the ladder. I've just got to get over the hump.''

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...earnt02.article

 

[saintfool]

certainly worth a flyer, if nothing else. could very easily outperform his draft position...

 

[Bri]

I've liked he and Rashied Davis in preseason. Rashied will go fight for anything thrown his way-I love that. You can't underestimate the importance that would have played to a young QB like Orton. Cecil was writing yesterday how Orton seems skittish and keeps checking down. That wouldn't be the case had he been throwing to Rashied often when with the Bears. He'd have more confidence by now.

I understand the Hester development and I'm cool with that, but they should have started(or played significant minutes) for a while now.

The bears haven't had any good WRs in a long time outside of Booker. Just go on results, not where they were drafted and things will work themself out.

 

[loose circuits]

here's another one:

August 5, 2009

Rideau making push for playing time with No. 1 offense

By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 8/5/2009 7:04 PM

*

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Working as the third receiver with the first team offense, Brandon Rideau excelled in Wednesday’s training camp practice, catching everything thrown in his direction.

The lanky 6-3, 198-pounder hauled in Jay Cutler passes on three of the first four plays in 11-on-11 team drills and later snared a Cutler laser beam to set up a field goal in a two-minute drill. Rideau also delivered a nice block against cornerback Nate Vasher on an Earl Bennett reception.

Brandon Rideau prepares to catch a pass during Wednesday's training camp practice.

“Today was a good day for me,” Rideau said. “I enjoyed getting to be more involved. The ball comes to you every once in a while. Sometimes you get it a lot, sometimes you don’t. You just have to be there to make the play when it comes.”

After failing to stick on the Bears’ 53-man roster in each of the past three seasons, Rideau is performing well in training camp and seemingly has a chance to contribute this year.

The Kansas product has appeared in two NFL games, making his debut last Nov. 23 in a road win in St. Louis and then registering two special-teams tackles in a season-ending loss in Houston.

“Everything’s going pretty good for me [in camp],” Rideau said. “I’m minimizing my mental errors and taking advantage of every opportunity. There are a lot more opportunities to come, and I just want to do the best I can in those situations.”

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=5981For the record, Jim Miller never even mentioned Rideau when they were in Chicago's camp. Weird, he said he was excited about him, then didn't even mention him...almost like he's the secret weapon, but they can't hide him in practice (which is why all the beat writers are raving about him). He's had upside (as raw talent) since Cleveland