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2007 Bears Camp Dates
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August 8, 2007 Chicago Bears position previews: Safeties
Mike Brown Height: 5-10 Weight: 207 College: Nebraska Years of Experience: 8 Brown is one of the most respected and valued members of a very talented Chicago Bear defense. Problem is, he has trouble staying on the field for an entire season. Brown's problems with injuries struck for the third straight season as he lasted only six games before being sidelined with a foot injury. In 2005, Brown was named to the Pro Bowl despite only playing 12 games. He missed the other four contests with a calf injury and half of the playoff game against Carolina. He's also suffered an Achilles injury and a broken hand during his career. When Brown plays the Bears defense is considerably better and his leadership skills are invaluable.
Adam Archuleta Height: 5-11 Weight: 223 College: Arizona State Years of Experience: 7 Archuleta's career came unhinged in Washington after he signed the richest free agent contract of all time as a safety. He was demoted from the first team last season and started just seven of 16 games. Lovie Smith was his former defensive coach with the Rams and believed Archuleta still had something to offer and traded a sixth round draft pick to Washington in order to find out. From 2002-2004, Archuleta averaged nearly 125 tackles (101 solo stops in 2002) so if the Bears can steer Archuleta back onto the right path the Bears might have a find.
Danieal Manning Height: 5-11 Weight: 196 College: Abilene Christian Years of Experience: 2 Manning had to grow up in a hurry earning more playing time when Mike Brown went down with an injury in Week 6. He wasted little time getting started intercepting a Brett Favre pass in his first NFL start becoming the first Bears rookie with an interception in his debut since Dwayne Joseph in 1995. It wasn't certain if he'd be able to adapt to an increased level of competition that the NFL provides, but so far it hasn't appeared to be much of an issue.
Brandon McGowan Height: 5-11 Weight: 205 College: Maine Years of Experience: 3 McGowan has shown signs of being a contributor in the secondary, but has had trouble avoiding injury. A grisly knee injury at the end of his 2005 season led to him being placed on the physically unable to perform list for the grand majority of the 2006 season. Upon his return, he played in one game before rupturing his Achilles tendon and being placed on injured reserve. McGowan might be good enough to play in certain situations, but no one is positive because of his inability to stay on the field long enough to make an evaluation. Kevin Payne Height: 6-0 Weight: 212 College: Louisiana-Monroe Years of Experience: Rookie Payne is a converted running back who is still learning the position of safety. He was a running back at Louisiana-Monroe in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, converting to the defensive side of the football at the beginning of his junior seasons where he racked up 185 tackles in 21 collegiate starts at the position. Payne has shown the capability to make plays, is naturally athletic and has good size for the position. However, he's still got a lot of learning to do and hasn't regularly faced upper level competition.
Tyler Everett Height: 5-11 Weight: 202 College: Ohio State Years of Experience: 2 Everett saw action in three games last season after being moved up from the Bears practice squad in Week 14. Everett is quick enough to play the position, but sometimes has difficulty muscling up against tight ends and gets knocked out of plays. Actually played cornerback for his final season at Ohio State, but he was out of position there as well. He seems to have some attributes that matchup with playing cornerback and some that match up with safety but not a full range of the necessary attributes to play either one independently.
Andrew Shanle Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 College: Nebraska Years of Experience: Rookie Shanle is the brother of Scott Shanle, a former Nebraska linebacker and current linebacker for the New Orleans Saints. Shanle is something of an unknown, he doesn't have a lot of experience at the safety position because he was trapped behind the Bullocks brothers (Josh and Daniel, both second round draft choices themselves) on the Nebraska depth chart. Shanle got one year of regular work making 57 tackles and four interceptions. He seems to improve as the season went along and was involved in everything in the Big 12 title game against Oklahoma.
Jay Staggs Height: 6-0 Weight: 215 College: Nevada Years of Experience: Rookie Staggs was originally recruited to Nevada as a wide receiver but was almost immediately moved to the defensive side of the football although he didn't play regularly until his junior season when an injury sidelined the school's starter. Staggs then completed his collegiate career by making 23 starts at safety. Staggs hasn't done much to establish himself in camp thus far, but could always manage to make an impact on special teams to illicit a longer look. |
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