BEARS REACH DEALS WITH THREE ROOKIES

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 1, 2008, 1:42 p.m.

The Bears announced today that they have signed one of their draft picks and come to contract agreements with two others.

 

Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, a third-round pick out of Arkansas, signed a four-year contract. Harrison is a big talent with two big question marks: He suffered a torn ACL in the spring of 2007 and was arrested in August and accused of having an ecstasy pill and marijuana in his vehicle. If Harrison stays healthy and stays out of trouble, the Bears got a steal. If not, GM Jerry Angelo will have to answer why he used a third-round pick on a guy with character and injury issues.

 

Wide receiver Earl Bennett and cornerback Zack Bowman have not yet signed, but have both agreed to four-year deals. Bennett was a third-round pick out of Vanderbilt, where he was very productive as a slot receiver. He’s expected to get significant playing time as a rookie. Bowman was a fifth-round pick out of Nebraska whose knees kept him off some teams’ draft boards; he tore the ACL in his left knee in March 2006 and ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee in March 2007.

 

The Bears always try to move quickly in getting their drat picks signed before training camp, and this year is no exception. Chicago has now signed or agreed to terms with 10 of its 12 draft picks, the most of any NFL team.

 

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At least we're doing something right!

 

Thanks for the post!

 

BEARS REACH DEALS WITH THREE ROOKIES

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 1, 2008, 1:42 p.m.

The Bears announced today that they have signed one of their draft picks and come to contract agreements with two others.

 

Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, a third-round pick out of Arkansas, signed a four-year contract. Harrison is a big talent with two big question marks: He suffered a torn ACL in the spring of 2007 and was arrested in August and accused of having an ecstasy pill and marijuana in his vehicle. If Harrison stays healthy and stays out of trouble, the Bears got a steal. If not, GM Jerry Angelo will have to answer why he used a third-round pick on a guy with character and injury issues.

 

Wide receiver Earl Bennett and cornerback Zack Bowman have not yet signed, but have both agreed to four-year deals. Bennett was a third-round pick out of Vanderbilt, where he was very productive as a slot receiver. He’s expected to get significant playing time as a rookie. Bowman was a fifth-round pick out of Nebraska whose knees kept him off some teams’ draft boards; he tore the ACL in his left knee in March 2006 and ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee in March 2007.

 

The Bears always try to move quickly in getting their drat picks signed before training camp, and this year is no exception. Chicago has now signed or agreed to terms with 10 of its 12 draft picks, the most of any NFL team.

 

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Nice, now it is time to hammer out deals with the top two picks.

Nice, now it is time to hammer out deals with the top two picks.

 

That should be pretty interesting

That should be pretty interesting

This won't be an issue. Both will be signed before camp starts. JA's track record here has been very good (other than C-Bass).

 

Peace

This won't be an issue. Both will be signed before camp starts. JA's track record here has been very good (other than C-Bass).

 

Peace

Here's a question, who can the Bears least afford to have a holdout with, Williams or Forte? Both are going to be counted on to start at key positions (Forte as the RB) and Williams at the LT. I'd personally lean towards Forte because the Bears have flat out done everything out there to hand him the job and that includes not filling the roster with the appropriate depth. In Williams case we are talking about a guy who would again be costly if he held out, but at least St. Clair can start at RT if need be (with Tait moving back to LT).

 

Hopefully we don't have to worry about that and both end up signing, but given the Bears lack of alternatives Forte should have a lot more leverage than the typical 2nd rounder.

Either one holding out would cause problems. However, there does seem to be a few FA RB's out there. If negotiations get rough, all we do is threatn or actually sign one. So, that leaves me thinking a LT and 1st round pick is costlier relating to a hold out...

 

Here's a question, who can the Bears least afford to have a holdout with, Williams or Forte? Both are going to be counted on to start at key positions (Forte as the RB) and Williams at the LT. I'd personally lean towards Forte because the Bears have flat out done everything out there to hand him the job and that includes not filling the roster with the appropriate depth. In Williams case we are talking about a guy who would again be costly if he held out, but at least St. Clair can start at RT if need be (with Tait moving back to LT).

 

Hopefully we don't have to worry about that and both end up signing, but given the Bears lack of alternatives Forte should have a lot more leverage than the typical 2nd rounder.

Either one holding out would cause problems. However, there does seem to be a few FA RB's out there. If negotiations get rough, all we do is threatn or actually sign one. So, that leaves me thinking a LT and 1st round pick is costlier relating to a hold out...

Neither will hold out. They would be pasing up great opportunities and, most likely, be flushing their careers. Just look at the track record of Bears holdout - Salaam, Enis, and Benson all were busts.

 

Peace

LT, LEFT TACKLE, LEFT TACKLE by far is more important to the success of the team this year. Not to mention the fact that RBs just have to run to daylight and often can survive a holdout and still have an impact in the first year. Take Williams out of all (or most) of the training camp and he will lose a lot of valuable time getting his timing down with the Oline. There's a reason LT is where many of the smartest players in the NFL line up. The demands that make intelligence such an important asset for a LT also mean it takes more time for him to learn the role. In our situation I'll go one step further in that I feel St. Clair is likely to be our starting LG which will be somewhat of a new position for him. If Williams isn't there learning the LT role then St. Clair isn't learning the LG role and we have further reduced the Oline performance. You don't have the cascade effect at RB especially as AP has been in the system for so long and doesn't need many reps.

 

 

Fix the Oline and we'll be able to find plenty of RBs who can run for over 1000 yards.

LT, LEFT TACKLE, LEFT TACKLE by far is more important to the success of the team this year. Not to mention the fact that RBs just have to run to daylight and often can survive a holdout and still have an impact in the first year. Take Williams out of all (or most) of the training camp and he will lose a lot of valuable time getting his timing down with the Oline. There's a reason LT is where many of the smartest players in the NFL line up. The demands that make intelligence such an important asset for a LT also mean it takes more time for him to learn the role. In our situation I'll go one step further in that I feel St. Clair is likely to be our starting LG which will be somewhat of a new position for him. If Williams isn't there learning the LT role then St. Clair isn't learning the LG role and we have further reduced the Oline performance. You don't have the cascade effect at RB especially as AP has been in the system for so long and doesn't need many reps.

 

 

Fix the Oline and we'll be able to find plenty of RBs who can run for over 1000 yards.

 

Agree, Williams would be more important.

Also, like someone mentioned earlier these guys will be paid what the are slotted to earn as the Bears only have so much cap space allocated to rookies and all but the two are signed. If the player thinks sitting out will help them get paid more, then neither of these two are very bright (Cbass) and will only be hurting there careers. As far as I know, both of these young men are very intelligent, humble, and eager to be on the field to learn. So I see neither of them missing one day of TC.

No worries according to the Trib this morning as it appears that both Williams and Forte will be signed with in the week. Another good job (one of a few) that JA is getting done. Here is to training camp opening in three weeks!!!!!!!!!

Got it regarding Williams! Thanks!

 

No worries according to the Trib this morning as it appears that both Williams and Forte will be signed with in the week. Another good job (one of a few) that JA is getting done. Here is to training camp opening in three weeks!!!!!!!!!