[CBFF] DB Manning confident he can start as a rookie

Tue May 2 04:48:05 MDT 2006

http//www.suntimes.comoutput/bears/cst-spt-bear02.html

DB Manning confident he can start as a rookie 

May 2, 2006

BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter 

Danieal Manning talked about Bears past and present when he was introduced
Monday morning in the Halas Hall auditorium.

Off to the side, with a wide smile, stood coach Lovie Smith, who liked what
his top pick was saying as much as he likes the future of his secondary with
a player some have compared to Philadelphia Eagles star Brian Dawkins.

Speaking humbly and thanking those who helped him reach this point, Manning
made it clear he believes he can make an impact on a unit that ranked first
in the league in scoring defense and returns all 11 starters.

"Deep down inside, I really know I [can start as a rookie],'' he said. "I
have no doubt about that.''

And why should he, after overcoming some unique obstacles on the road to the
NFL? Manning sat out the first two seasons after leaving high school in
Corsicana, Texas, because he could not qualify academically at Nebraska.

"My dad was the first person I called,'' Manning said. "When I told him I
couldn't make the test score up there at Nebraska, he told me to pack it up
and come on home and start over. He kept pushing me. I was like, 'Well, OK,
I've got to find another way.'

"The point is, I was just wanting to be successful. If it wasn't playing in
the league, then I've got to be successful, come out and try to graduate and
try to get a job somewhere coaching. But I always had this dream, and it's
finally coming true.''

Manning gets his first chance to show his combination of size (5-11, 202)
and speed in the team's rookie minicamp this weekend. He seemed awed by his
first visit to Chicago, remarking how Dallas goes to sleep at night but this
city keeps hopping.

General manager Jerry Angelo said the Bears did more work on Manning
entering the draft because he was coming from Division II Abilene Christian.
That extra work led them to believe he was the right choice.

"It's really the toughest pick because this is the calling card,'' Angelo
said. "This is the message we're sending to our locker room, the type of
player we want, not only in talent but in personality and character.''

The biggest question was -- and will remain -- how smoothly Manning can make
the transition from small college to the pros. Manning, who will sign a
four-year contract, has no doubts.

"I have a little pressure trying to prove that Division II has some quality
players,'' he said. "It just happens that people fall through the cracks or
choose different paths. It doesn't mean they're not a great player.''

Angelo, meanwhile, said tight ends Tim Day of Oregon and Cooper Wallace of
Auburn will have a legitimate opportunity to make the roster after signing
as undrafted free agents Sunday night.

Day was considered one of the top 10 players at the position but was passed
over in the draft because of concerns about a knee injury. There isn't much
risk associated with signing him as a free agent.

"I thought Day would have gotten drafted and Wallace could have been
drafted,'' Angelo said. "They looked at our situation and they jumped on it,
so we were real happy to get both of them signed.''

Day struggled as a senior in a new offense installed by former Bears
offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, but he had 35 receptions and eight
touchdowns as a junior. At 6-3, 259, he has good speed and can threaten
deep, but durability is a question.

Wallace is a more complete tight end in terms of blocking. He has good hands
but is not as fast as Day. Tight ends coach Rob Boras is considered a strong
teacher, and Angelo still hopes to find a veteran in free agency.

Other undrafted free agents to sign with the Bears were Northwestern wide
receiver Mark Philmore, Bowling Green running back P.J. Pope, Notre Dame
offensive tackle Mark LeVoir, guards Nate Bunce (Miami of Ohio), Travis
Leffew (Louisville) and Tyler McMeans (Miami), defensive backs Dion Byrum
(Ohio), Donnie McCleskey (Cal) and Dwayne Slay (Texas Tech), Ohio State
kicker Josh Huston and Louisiana-Monroe punter Joel Stelly.

The Bears will bring in Appalachian State quarterback Richie Williams on a
tryout basis this weekend so they have someone to throw the ball during
rookie minicamp.

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
The following undrafted players from area schools have signed free-agent
contracts with NFL teams: 

PLAYER POS SCHOOL TEAM 
Brett Basanez QB Northwestern Panthers 
Jason Davis FB Illinois Eagles  
D.J. Fitzpatrick P/K Notre Dame Jets 
Brandon Hoyte LB Notre Dame Colts  
Sam Hurd WR N. Illinois Cowboys 
Mark LeVoir OT Notre Dame Bears  
Kory Lothe DE E. Illinois Rams 
Corey Mays LB Notre Dame Patriots  
Mark Philmore WR Northwestern Bears 
Rashon Powers-Neal FB Notre Dame Broncos  
Matt Shelton WR Notre Dame Patriots 
Steve Weatherford P Illinois Saints

bbiggs at suntimes.com

He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man I ever
met.
  - Abraham Lincoln