[CBFF] CB - Bears sign six free agents, release Currie

[Jerry Madsen]

May 7, 2007

Bears sign six free agents, release Currie
By Larry Mayer

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears have signed six undrafted rookie free
agents and released wide receiver Airese Currie, a 2005 fifth-round
pick who was plagued by injuries.

The six free agents impressed coaches over the weekend at the Bears'
rookie minicamp.

The group includes Maryland running back Josh Allen, Northwestern
State defensive tackle Tory Collins, Grambling cornerback Greg
Fassitt, Virginia tight end Fontel Mines, California cornerback Tim
Mixon and Nebraska safety Andrew Shanle.

Allen rushed for 922 and 533 yards in two seasons as a starter in
2003-04 before missing the entire 2005 campaign with a knee injury.
The 5-11, 215-pounder returned to play in 13 games with no starts last
season, rushing for 98 yards on 33 carries.

Quick and agile, Collins is ideally suited for the Bears' aggressive
one-gap defense. The 6-3, 280-pounder was a three-year starter and
three-year All-Southland Conference selection at Northwestern State,
where he recorded 185 career tackles after transferring from LSU.

Mines earned praised from coach Lovie Smith, who called the converted
wide receiver the most pleasant surprise of the rookie minicamp.

"He really came out of nowhere and really got our attention," Smith said.

Mines had 28 receptions for 345 yards and 2 TDs as a junior wide
receiver in 2005 and caught 27 passes for 256 yards and 2 TDs while
starting all 12 games as a senior.

Mixon is recovering from a torn ACL that forced him to miss his entire
senior season. The 5-10, 184-pounder was an honorable mention
All-Pac-10 selection as a junior after intercepting three passes and
averaging 14.9 yards on 24 punt returns including a 79-yard TD against
Illinois.

Shanle is a smart, speedy and competitive safety from Nebraska, the
same school that produced Bears safety Mike Brown. The 6-1,
210-pounder recorded 57 tackles, seven pass breakups and four
interceptions last season. Shanle's brother, Scott, is a linebacker
with the New Orleans Saints.

Currrie, meanwhile, was released after injuries limited him to just
one game in two seasons. He appeared in the 2006 season opener, a 26-0
victory over the Packers in Green Bay.




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