Defensive end Akiem Hicks takes pride in being a leader for the Chicago Bears' defense

.So an ejection against Tampa Bay on Sept. 30 for making contact with an NFL official during an altercation caused Hicks to reflect Adam Humphries Jersey , and avoiding suspension left him feeling fortunate.Hicks was fined $33,425, and will be available to play Sunday for the Bears (3-1) against the Miami Dolphins (3-2)."This was the first time I've been ejected from a game in my entire life, so for me it was very humbling," Hicks said. "The next time I'm in that situation it will give me a chance to react better."It's also a lesson to the guys on the team that you don't put your personal situation above the team's situation."Hicks pushed down judge Mike Carr. The official was attempting to break up a dispute between Bucs guard Ali Marpet and Hicks after Bears safety Eddie Jackson intercepted a pass.Following the ejection, Hicks went to the sideline and threw his jersey and shoulder pads into the stands and went to an empty locker room."There's no feeling like going into the locker room at halftime, or just before halftime, by yourself," Hicks said. "You sit in the locker room Demar Dotson Jersey , it's just not something you're accustomed to."So it was definitely a relief to not be suspended, but also it was a time for reflection for myself."Hicks said his message to teammates after the incident was a simple one: "I wanted them to know how I felt about the situation and how wrong my response was to the situation."Hicks hadn't talked about the incident with media since the ejection occurred."I know there are a lot of young guys that look up to me on this team, and it's hypocritical of me to go out there and do things like that and come back to the locker room and think that everything's gravy," Hicks said. "It doesn't work that way."Chicago's defense ranks second in the NFL this season, and is first against the run. Hicks is a major force in the run defense, and last year also led the team in sacks with 8 陆."You're talking about one of the leaders on this defense," Bears linebacker Khalil Mack said. "Just knowing that he's going to be out there is going to boost morale for sure."Bears coach Matt Nagy was satisfied Hicks had learned a lesson."He knew he made a mistake, and that's not who he is," Nagy said. "I think his track record shows that."The Final Cut: Projecting the Bucs’ 53-man roster I am the furthest thing from an NFL head coach Chris Conte Jersey , but it doesn’t take much to realize that final roster cuts are one of the toughest parts of the offseason.Fortunately, the NFL changed the deadline a few years back and now coaching staffs are able to evaluate a 90-man roster for an entire preseason instead of making periodic cuts based off limited evaluations. For the Bucs, injuries and a suspension have added a few wrinkles in evaluating this year’s roster. Who do you think makes the team? Let us know in the comments!QuarterbackJameis WinstonRyan FitzpatrickRyan GriffinAustin Allen doesn’t make the cut. If Fitzpatrick goes down during Winston’s suspension then the Bucs would probably bring him back until Winston is ready to play. Griffin showed enough in the preseason plus the Bucs need him for depth. Running backPeyton BarberRonald Jones IIJacquizz RodgersShaun WilsonCharles Sims’ injury opened up the door for Wilson and it looks like he just about has a lock on the fourth spot. Rodgers could be released, but his experience and dependability will keep him in Tampa Bay.Wide receiver Mike EvansChris Godwin DeSean JacksonAdam HumphriesJustin WatsonYep, the Bucs carry five receivers into the season and one of them isn’t Bobo Wilson. Watson showed why the Bucs took him in the fifth round of the draft during the preseason and looks the part of a Tampa Bay receiver as well. Fans shouldn’t be disappointed that Watson won the fifth spot in what was the most contested battle in camp. Tight endCameron BrateO.J. HowardAntony AuclairAlan CrossProbably the easiest position to figure out, the Bucs have two stud tight ends in Brate and Howard, while they are fans of what Auclair can bring to the table. All four make the team. Offensive lineDonovan SmithAli MarpetRyan JensenCaleb BenenochDemar Dotson Alex CappaEvan SmithLeonard Wester Brad SeatonMichael LiedtkeThis is a tough one. Wester made his preseason debut against the Jags and has started 11 games for the Bucs over the past couple of years, so he should be fine. Smith’s and Marpet’s versatility allows Tampa Bay to carry an extra tackle and I believe Seaton and Liedtke have played well enough to make the roster. Defensive line: Jason Pierre-PaulBeau AllenGerald McCoyVinny CurryNoah SpenceVita VeaMitch UnreinWilliam GholstonWill ClarkeI was oh-so close to leaving Gholston off this list. He has been awful during camp, but unfortunately if the Bucs decide to cut him Ryan Smith Jersey , it will cost them $6.5 million. The rest of the lineup is pretty easy to predict, considering the overhaul of talent brought in via the draft and free agency. As our own staff has noted, Spence hasn’t performed well at all and could be a surprise cut.LinebackerLavonte DavidKwon AlexanderKendell BeckwithAdarius TaylorDevante BondRiley BulloughThere is a chance Beckwith goes to the NFI, which would mean he is out for the first six games. This could cause the Bucs to take an extra linebacker and that wouldn’t be a bad idea considering who they have available. Regardless, Bullough should carry over the momentum from 2017 onto the active roster. CornerbackBrent Grimes Vernon Hargreaves IIIRyan SmithM.J. StewartCarlton Davis It’s pretty much the same scenario here as with the defensive line. Entrenched starters mixed with high-draft picks. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the Bucs cut Smith, though. SafetyJustin EvansChris ConteJordan WhiteheadKeith TandyAnother easy one. Evans and Conte are the starters with the rookie Whitehead and the vet Tandy backing them up. Special TeamsDrew Ferris (long snapper)Bryan Anger (punter)Chandler Catanzaro (kicker)The easiest of them all. Money.