[CBFF] ... and then there were 2.

[Jerry Madsen]

Am I over-reacting or is this on pace to be the earliest group of
signed rookies in Bears' history?  At least in recent history, me
thinks.

Jerry

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

Beekman, Okwo join Bears' mix
Get 4-year deals; Olsen, Bazuin are left
By John Mullin
Tribune staff reporter

May 29, 2007, 7:51 PM CDT

The Bears signed two more members of their 2007 draft class Tuesday as
linebacker Michael Okwo and guard Josh Beekman came to terms on
four-year contracts, leaving tight end Greg Olsen (first round) and
defensive end Dan Bazuin (second) unsigned.

Okwo, a first-team All-Pac-10 selection for Stanford as a senior, was
selected in the third round, one pick after Northern Illinois running
back Garrett Wolfe. With Lance Briggs holding out in protest over his
franchise tag, Okwo is behind only Jamar Williams on the depth chart
at weak-side linebacker. Okwo also was All-Pac-10 on special teams as
a sophomore.

"Each year we have drafted a guy who has fit into our system and we
think Michael obviously [does]," defensive coordinator Bob Babich
said. "He is a guy who has some suddenness to his movement and plays
aggressively. He is good in pass coverage and does a lot of things you
look for in a Cover-2 system."

Beekman started all 37 games in his final three seasons at Boston
College, 34 at right guard and three at center. He was Boston
College's first player to receive AP first-team All-America honors
since 2001 and also was named the ACC's most valuable blocker.

"He will play [guard and center] here," general manager Jerry Angelo
said. "We always look for versatile offensive lineman. If he can play
two positions, that's a plus. We thought he was a good prospect that
played at a good level at Boston College."

jmullin at tribune.com

Copyright (c) 2007, The Chicago Tribune