[CBFF] Bears hoping for more impact from rookies

[Tom Shannon]

  Sent to you by Tom Shannon via Google Reader: Bears hoping for more
impact from rookies via Chicago Breaking Sports on 3/2/10
By Brad Biggs

The Bears are in a similar position to last year when it comes to the
draft.

They are operating without first- and second-round draft picks. That is
where general manager Jerry Angelo found himself a year ago after the
Bears traded the first-round pick in the Jay Cutler deal and then moved
down out of the second round to add more depth to the draft.

The team still made an impact with its rookie class, at least in the
form of wide receiver Johnny Knox, who caught 45 passes for 527 yards
and five touchdowns and represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl as the
returner. Fellow rookie Al Afalava started 13 games at safety.
But how much did the rookie class contribute? Let's take a look at
playing time statistics obtained by the Tribune:

3rd round DE Jarron Gilbert: 35 out of 1,068 total team defensive snaps.

3rd round WR Juaquin Iglesias: 2 out of 1,004 total offensive snaps.

4th round DE Henry Melton: Spent season on injured reserve.

4th round CB D.J. Moore: Did not play on defense.

5th round WR Johnny Knox: 482/1,004 offensive snaps.

5th round LB Marcus Freeman: Did not make team.

6th round S Al Afalava: 804/1,068 defensive snaps.

7th round G Lance Louis: Did not play.

7th round WR Derek Kinder: Did not make team.

Special teams (450 total team special-teams snaps)

3rd round DE Jarron Gilbert: 12.

3rd round WR Juaquin Iglesias: 6.

4th round CB D.J. Moore: 25.

5th round WR Johnny Knox: 61.

6th round S Al Afalava: 62.

The emergence of Knox was a real find for the team and he could move
into a starting role this season. The Bears need to find at least one
player in the draft this season who can make a similar contribution.
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