tshannon

Angelo monitoring tackle situation
By Larry Mayer
Senior Writer
July 26, 2003
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - Depending on how well right tackles Aaron Gibson and
Steve Edwards perform when the Bears break out their pads for contact drills
beginning Monday, general manager Jerry Angelo could seek reinforcements at
the position.
Angelo is eager to find a temporary replacement for projected starter Marc
Colombo, who remains sidelined with an ailing left knee. The absence of the
2002 first-round pick could force the Bears to comb the waiver wire.
"It'll make us more aggressive as we get going along here in camp," Angelo
said while watching practice Saturday at Olivet Nazarene University in
Bourbonnais.
"We want to see Gibson and we want to see Edwards. They have the traits and
they've done everything that you want guys to do in the offseason. We like
what we see, but until we get the pads on, we won't know for sure.
"We're going to keep our eye on that and we'll just see how it plays out."
The Bears claimed tackle Kareem Marshall off waivers from the Philadelphia
Eagles Thursday, but the undrafted free agent from Ge****a failed his
physical.
Angelo is not believed to be interested in signing former Bear James "Big
Cat" Williams, who remains a free agent, but the GM won't limit his options.
"I'm not going to rule anything out," Angelo said. "I don't know what he's
thinking; we haven't talked to his people or anything like that. Part of
what we have to do is prepare for emergencies and that's the thing that you
don't like, because it's always those what-ifs.
"Again, we want to look at Gibson and Edwards, see how they're coming along.
Obviously Colombo's still in the mix. It's something we've talked about and
we'll address it if we need to down the road."
The Bears have seemingly scrapped the idea of alternating the two right
tackle candidates with the starting unit. Gibson worked with the first team
for the second straight day Saturday and apparently will continue to do so.
"Right now he's lining up as the No. 1," said coach **** Jauron. "He's got a
little more experience.
"We have our starting lineup, but we're not telling anybody that the job is
theirs. Somebody can take anybody's job. Obviously at certain positions it's
tougher than others, but it's not impossible."
Pick two: Cornerback Jerry Azumah intercepted a pass for the second straight
day in Saturday's afternoon practice, stepping in front of a receiver to
victimize quarterback Kordell Stewart during team drills.
The accomplishment is noteworthy primarily because Azumah failed to register
an interception last season despite starting all 16 games.
"Last year is last year; it's done," said the fifth-year pro. "It's a new
year and a new opportunity.
"We were just executing our defense. That's the main goal. Everybody's
playing well, everybody's picking up new things and building a strong
foundation. The whole objective of defense is to go out there and make some
plays and stop the offense and we're going to work hard towards that."
Defensive backs coach Vance Bedford was so thrilled with the turnover that
he charged onto the field from the sideline and acted like a lead blocker on
the return, pumping his fist as he sprinted toward the end zone.
"Vance gets excited," Azumah said with a laugh. "He's a character, but he's
a great coach. He knows the game and he teaches us well."
Still waiting: Negotiations continue with second-round pick Charles Tillman,
the Bears' last unsigned draft choice. The cornerback's agent, former NFL
safety Vann McElroy, reportedly prefers a contract that's shorter in length
than the five-year deal the Bears are proposing.
"I appreciate what they're saying," Angelo said. "They make valid points and
they have the right to disagree with what we're trying to do. We're being
very fair and that's the optimum word when you negotiate-you want to be
fair.
"We certainly want him in camp and we feel that we can get something done
here and obviously we want to do it now."
Defensive coordinator Greg Blache has stated that finding a reliable third
cornerback is his greatest concern. Tillman therefore would appear to be the
draft pick that's most likely to contribute this season, but Angelo thinks
other rookies are in a similar position.
"He's a guy that we definitely would like to get ready and hopefully he can
help us," Angelo said. "There's probably a handful (that will be counted on)
and he's one of them.
"I'm not going to say that the balance of the season rests on Tillman and
how fast he comes along, but he certainly could make things a little bit
easier if he does.
He's very talented. He's a great kid and a great competitor. All the things
you want in a football player he has, and you can't minimize the corner
position. He wants to be here and hopefully we'll get something going here
shortly."
News & notes: Linebacker Mike Caldwell returned to practice Saturday after
being excused from Friday's sessions due to personal reasons. \x{2026} The same
five players who sat out Friday with injuries were sidelined again Saturday:
Colombo, TE John Davis (back), WR Justin Gage (hamstring), CB James Thornton
(hamstring) and TE Robert Johnson (wrist).

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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--
Quote of the Day for Friday, July 25, 2003
There are a terrible lot of lies going around the world, and the worst
of it is half of them are true.
-- Sir Winston Churchill

thomas r. shannon

Gotta love it. I'm looking forward to seeing him get more interceptions
this year. I figure the game has really slowed down for him now. This
could be his year.

Between him and McQuarters, I definitely like our first two starters. IMO
we just need a really good 3rd cover guy and we'll be in good shape her.

Tom S.

thomas r. shannon

I'm through banging on Kordell. All the moaning was making me look more
extreme about it than I actually am. You can't tell anything till they
hit the field, anyway. Who knows. Could be the guy's year.

Time to start being more positive about the good things. Like most of the
defense which is as good as ever and the healthy and improved (i.e. minus
a broken down Big Cat) offensive line. I intend to spend my season
enjoying them all.

Tom S.

--
Quote of the Day for Sunday, July 27, 2003
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us
with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.
-- Galileo Galilei