[CBFF] [Fwd: How have second-round running backs fared?]

[Tom Shannon]

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/ChalkTalkStory.asp?STORY_ID=4654

/Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the 
Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of e-mail questions 
from fans every day on ChicagoBears.com./

*I’m excited to watch Matt Forte get on the field for the Bears. How 
successful have the Bears been with second-round running backs?*

Jesse
/Valley View, Pennsylvania/

The last two running backs the Bears picked in the second round of the 
draft had success in Chicago. Anthony Thomas was voted NFL Offensive 
Rookie of the Year after rushing for a Bears rookie-record 1,183 yards 
in 2001, helping the Bears win the NFC Central. Thomas played four 
seasons in Chicago and ranks sixth on the Bears’ all-time rushing list 
with 3,332 yards. In 1980, the Bears spent their second-round pick on 
Penn State fullback Matt Suhey, who excelled for 10 seasons as a 
ballcarrier, receiver out of the backfield and lead blocker for Walter 
Payton. Suhey ranks ninth on the Bears’ all-time rushing list with 2,946 
yards.

*The Bears have 84 players listed on their roster. I thought the new 
limit was 80 with no exceptions since NFL Europe is gone. When does the 
team need to be down to 80?*

Victor F.
/Washington, DC/

The NFL’s 80-man roster limit only applies to players under contract, 
and with 12 unsigned draft picks, the Bears only have 72 players 
currently under contract and officially on their roster.

*After reading about the signing of the 10 undrafted free agents the 
Bears picked up after the draft, I was curious as to how many undrafted 
free agents make the final roster. How many undrafted free agents are 
currently on the Bears roster?*

Bill C.
/Rancho Santa Margarita, California/

Undrafted free agents who finished last season on the Bears’ 53-man 
roster included defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, defensive lineman Israel 
Idonije, kicker Robbie Gould, fullbacks Jason McKie and Lousaka Polite, 
linebacker Nick Roach, safety Brandon McGowan and offensive lineman 
Anthony Oakley.

-- 
I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.
  - Sir Winston Churchill