LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -Devin Aromashodu figured he had about 60 congratulatory messages after his career game for the Chicago Bears against Minnesota on Monday night.
It was easy to see why.
A fourth-year journeyman, he had seven catches for a career-high 150 yards and caught the game-winning touchdown in a 36-30 overtime victory, easily his best performance as a pro. As good as that was, his timing was even better.
For a guy trying to land a role, a career performance on national TV isn’t a bad way to go.
Aromashodu figures he has done enough in recent weeks “at least for someone to give me a chance to play” next season, be it in Chicago or elsewhere.
“That’s all you can ask for is a chance,” he said. “I think I’ve given myself a chance and put myself in a good situation.”
day.
After that, who knows?
There is rampant speculation about coach Lovie Smith’s future, and general manager Jerry Angelo might not be safe either after three straight playoff misses. Meanwhile, there are players trying to secure roles.
Rookie receiver Juaquin Iglesias figures to get his first look after being drafted out of Oklahoma in the third round.
“I’ve been looking forward to this ever since I was a little kid to get a chance to play in the league,” Iglesias said. “I’ve been waiting patiently.”
Aromashodu did that for nearly four years. Now, Smith could see him as a starter down the road.
“You would have to say yes to that,” he said. “He’s been outstanding with what he’s done.”
Drafted by Miami in the seventh round in 2006, he bounced from the Dolphins to Indianapolis to Houston and back to the Colts before going to Washington, spending most of that time on practice squads.
In Chicago, he had a vocal booster in quarterback Jay Cutler. He also had a quadriceps injury that caused him to miss the first four games, not to mention a line of receivers in front of him.
rt the last preseason game, and for three or four weeks, he couldn’t do much. … He finally got back into it. We finally were able to get him on the field, and once we did, he kind of showed up.”
Aromashodu got his chance after Devin Hester strained his left calf against St. Louis on Dec. 6. A week later, he caught eight passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in a seven-point loss to Green Bay, and after a quiet game against Baltimore (two catches, 10 yards), he broke out in a big way on Monday night.
“I knew I had the ability,” Aromashodu said. “I just wanted to let things come to me, and if things worked out and it happened, then it worked out.”
Against the Vikings, he beat Antoine Winfield on a 39-yard touchdown strike from Cutler in overtime that lifted Chicago to just its third win in 11 games. It was an impressive performance by a player who had only seven receptions in his first three seasons, all with Indianapolis in 2007.
“I think we all knew what he was capable of doing,” Cutler said. “I think (offensive coordinator) Ron (Turner) knew, but like I said time and time again, those other guys did nothing wrong to lose their jobs.”
Yet, he and Aromashodu are clicking.
“He likes to throw the ball far and I like to run deep, so that’s a good complement to me,” Aromashodu said.
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