The Bears were smiling Saturday night after the first three roundsof the draft and not just because of their top picks.
Still on the board was a pass-rushing threat they eyed all along,Florida's Alex Brown, a player who showed star quality at times infour seasons with the Gators. General manager Jerry Angelo took Brownon Sunday with the sixth pick in the fourth round, a selectionacquired the day before in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
Angelo capped his first draft running the organization by fillingneeds with versatile players who should improve team speed. But forthis draft to be considered great in several years, the 6-3, 260-pound Brown must validate defensive coordinator Greg Blache'sassertion that he could be the steal of the weekend as the 104thoverall pick.
"He's got a lot of talent and a lot of upside," Blache said.
The reason Brown was the 10th end picked was his knack fordisappearing for stretches of plays, a knock he didn't fight.
"Oh man, yes," Brown said. "I agree with the criticism. I think aplayer can be more consistent. I think any player can hustle a littlebit more. I have a lot of things inside of me that will cause me toreally get out there and give it every last breath I have. They got agreat player."
Brown will first meet his teammates in minicamp, which runs Fridaythrough Sunday at Halas Hall. Strong safety Bobby Gray of LouisianaTech and weak-side linebacker Bryan Knight of Pittsburgh were draftedin the fifth round and Georgia Southern running back Adrian Peterson,Delaware wide receiver Jamin Elliott and UCLA tight end BryanFletcher were taken in the sixth round.
It was a different situation for coach Dick Jauron, waiting untilthe end of most rounds to make a choice.
"I would say it was more anxiety," Jauron said. "Up near the topyou've got a real good idea of who you're going to get. At 29 and 30,we didn't know. A nice difference? I guess."
Brown hopes to fill the need for a pure edge rusher. A defensiveend has led the team in sacks just twice since 1995, and that wasdone once by aging veteran Clyde Simmons. Brown replaced Jevon Kearseat Florida and opened eyes as a sophomore in 1999 when he made fivesacks and intercepted a pass against Tennessee. He kept track of theends who were taken ahead of him, reacting with disappointment aseach was called.
"There were a couple names and I was thinking maybe what you didat the combine is what matters," said Brown, who did not work out inIndianapolis. "I feel I am better than every last one but I have toget out there and prove it."
Blache already had a talk with Brown.
"People make decisions in their life, what they can achieve,"Blache said. "He's got to live in that locker room, and there's a lotof pressure in that locker room."
Three picks, including Tuskegee cornerback Roosevelt Williamstaken in the third round Saturday, will have the pressure of provingthemselves coming from small programs. Peterson is an intriguingchange-of-pace back who will be in the mix behind Anthony Thomas andLeon Johnson. He is college football's all-time leading rusher with6,543 yards and has excellent balance, particularly after the pointof contact. Scouts have compared him to former Pittsburgh Steelersstandout Barry Foster and Oakland Raiders star Kenny King.
"I can't wait to see him again," Jauron said. "I just have a greatfeeling about this young man."
The Bears believe Gray can challenge for a spot quickly, but hespent most of his college career in the box and developing coverskills will be a priority.
Overall, the needs on the offensive line were addressed Saturdaywith first-round pick Marc Colombo, a left tackle, and right tackle/guard prospect Terrence Metcalf. Williams and Gray fill secondaryvoids created by the loss of Walt Harris and Tony Parrish. When Browndetermines if he slipped too far, the Bears will know what theyreally have. Angelo insists there are no fourth-round busts. Thereare fourth-round sensations.
"I don't know why I fell but I want to get rid of all of thosethoughts," Brown said.
NOTES: The Bears agreed to terms with Illinois center Luke Butkusand Illini punter Steve Fitts. Butkus, a third-team Associated PressAll-American, is the nephew of Bears legend Dick Butkus. Fitts, whowas second-team All-Big Ten last fall, is Illinois' career leader inpunts (247), punting yardage (10,307) and punting average (41.7).
More free-agent signings are expected to be announced today.
*A decision on Shane Matthews will be made this week. The startingquarterback at the start of 2001 is expected to be released after sixseasons.
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