[CBFF] ST - Hester, Williams deals leave two Bears picks unsigned

[Jim Ferolie]

Definitely one nice thing about trading down...

Damn, I hate it when the e-mail server won't let me send stuff with minor 
formatting :(


July 3, 2006
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter

The Bears are closing in on signing their entire draft class after a busy 
weekend.
Five of the team's seven picks are in the fold after second-round pick Devin 
Hester agreed to terms on a four-year contract late Saturday. Hester, a 
cornerback from Miami who is expected to make an immediate impact as a kick 
returner, receives a signing bonus of about $1.25 million. The deal's total 
value is near $2.86 million.
Fourth-round pick Jamar Williams, an outside linebacker from Arizona State, 
also agreed to terms on a four-year deal that includes a $415,000 signing 
bonus, leaving only second-round pick Danieal Manning, a cornerback from 
Abilene Christian, and third-rounder Dusty Dvoracek, a defensive tackle from 
Oklahoma, without contracts. One agent said the Bears have informed everyone 
they would like to be done soon, and a source said Dvoracek could be next.
"We're making tangible progress, too,'' said Russell Hicks, the agent for 
Manning, the Bears' top pick.
Hester might have been the one player fans worried would not show up to camp 
on time because he is represented by powerful agent Eugene Parker, who 
brokered the deal for running back Cedric Benson after a five-week holdout 
last year.
But Parker and Bears contract negotiator Cliff Stein have a strong working 
relationship, and this is the fifth time in the last six years the Bears 
have selected one of Parker's clients. Quarterback Rex Grossman and 
defensive tackle Tommie Harris were Parker clients who arrived in camp on 
time.
"I was pleased the Bears and Cliff Stein took a proactive approach to 
getting this done,'' Parker said. "Now Devin's focus can be on contributing 
this season.''
With less than 10 percent of the draft picks leaguewide signed, the Bears 
are far ahead of most teams. The only player selected ahead of Hester (No. 
57 overall) who has a contract is No. 1 pick Mario Williams, who agreed to a 
deal with the Houston Texans on the eve of the draft. It's the second 
straight year the Bears have struck so early with a high pick; wide receiver 
Mark Bradley was the first second-round pick to sign last summer.