[CBFF] ESPN: Bears sign fifth- and sixth-round draft picks

[Victor Waldron]

Bears sign fifth- and sixth-round draft picks
By Len Pasqaurelli
ESPN.com

Getting an early jump on rookie negotiations, the Chicago Bears on
Thursday signed two of the team's seven selections in the 2006 draft,
reaching deals with fifth-round defensive end Mark Anderson and with
sixth-round offensive guard Tyler Reed.

Both players signed four-year contracts. Reed received a contract
worth about $1.6 million, including a signing bonus of $81,470 and
minimum base salaries for all four seasons. Contract details for
Anderson were not yet available.

Chicago did not have a first-round selection in the draft, which
should make it considerably easier for the Bears in their rookie
contract negotiations.

It's believed that the only two other players signed leaguewide, from
the pool of 255 rookies selected, are top overall pick Mario Williams,
the Houston Texans' defensive end, and Pittsburgh Steelers'
fourth-round guard Willie Colon.

The Bears also released rookie cornerback and kickoff return
specialist Ricky Williams, a former Bethune-Cookman standout who had
been signed as an undrafted free agent earlier this spring.

A two-year starter at Alabama, and the 159th player chosen overall,
Anderson is a bit undersized, at just 254 pounds, but is regarded as a
productive, upfield pass rusher. He had 7½ sacks as a senior in 2005,
with 40 tackles, including 14 tackles for losses. For his career, he
posted 13½ sacks.

Reed was a three-year starter at Penn State, a tough, in-line blocker
with the kind of size (6-foott-4, 315 pounds) that scouts covet at the
guard position. He was the 200th prospect chosen overall and was
selected by the Bears with a pick they acquired from Seattle in a
trade that sent veteran safety Mike Green to the Seahawks.