[CBFF] Bears add Walker to backfield mix

[Jim Ferolie]

I really like Angelo's style of doubling up on important positions to make 
sure that somebody works out.

I guess somebody gave him bad advice on leaving early.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Madsen" <jerrywm at gmail.com>


Nice pick-up by the Bears.  Living here in South Bend, I've seen
plenty of Walker, and I'm shocked that he didn't get drafted.  Bad for
him.  Good for the Bears.

Jerry

-----------------------------------------------------------

Bears add Walker to backfield mix
(http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/363946,CST-SPT-local30.article)

April 30, 2007

BY NEIL HAYES nhayes at suntimes.com

The Bears continued to collect running backs from local schools when
they reached a free-agent agreement Sunday night with former Notre
Dame running back Darius Walker, one day after drafting Northern
Illinois' Garrett Wolfe in the third round.

Walker, who gave up his senior year of eligibility to enter the NFL
draft, was not selected in any of the seven rounds, making him free to
negotiate with any team. He is expected to be at Halas Hall for a
three-day rookie minicamp that begins Friday.

Some analysts projected Walker, who is fourth on Notre Dame's career
rushing list, to be picked in the first three rounds. Concerns about
the 5-10, 206-pounder's speed and explosiveness were likely the
primary reasons why he was not picked during the two-day draft.

The Bears are trying to add depth at running back after trading
starter Thomas Jones to the New York Jets earlier this year, and
Walker was a productive runner and receiver in Notre Dame coach
Charlie Weis' pro-style offense.

Four of Walker's college teammates -- defensive tackle Derek Landri
(fifth round, Jaguars), cornerback Mike Richardson (sixth, Patriots),
guard Dan Santucci (seventh, Bengals) and safety Chinedum Ndukwe
(seventh, Bengals) -- were selected on Day 2, giving the Irish seven
draftees overall.

Meanwhile, NIU tackle Doug Free -- who spent much of his college
career opening holes for Wolfe -- was drafted in the fourth round by
the Dallas Cowboys.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he expects the 6-7, 318-pound Free, a
two-time All-Mid-American Conference performer, to contribute at
tackle and possibly center.

''It's a great relief to be picked by a team and know where I'm going
to go for the next couple years of my life,'' said Free, who spent
Sunday with his parents at their home in Manitowoc, Wis. ''I've just
been waiting for the call. It has been a very stressful time.''

Free was a 5-5, 155-pound high school freshman when he almost quit
playing football to work on a dairy farm. He grew nearly a foot and
added 55 pounds during the next year but drew little interest from
major Division I colleges after high school.

He inherited the Huskies' starting job at left tackle when teammate
Shea Fitzgerald was killed with 12 others while standing on a back
porch that collapsed during a party in Lincoln Park in 2003, and he
has become a fixture at the position ever since.

''Coming out of high school, just playing at a Division I school was a
surprise,'' Free said, ''so moving up from there and being recognized
by NFL teams and being on their draft boards has been pretty wild.''

Free had yet to talk to his former teammate Wolfe, whom the Bears
drafted to complement running back Cedric Benson, but he is confident
that Wolfe can be the impact player in the NFL that he was in college
despite his size (5-7½, 186).

''People always say he's too small,'' Free said, ''but knowing the guy
on a personal level and playing with him, I know he has tremendous
heart and pride and he cares. He's not the biggest guy, but he has
inner power.''

Contributing: Brad Biggs

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