Thread: Wright expects 'a lot of picks'

That's about my only concern would be his health.. I think everyone can agree save for one or two plays last year you couldn't tell he was a rookie...

and even if he does get bit by the injury bug I've heard Rave reviews about this Conte kid. Mainly that he's got the speed to make up for those rookie misteps that are bound to happen.... Defensively I don't really have a concern anymore... I actually think this may not be the most dominate D we've had.... but it most surely is the deepest... we'll be a top 5/10 Defense this year no problem.

I'm expecting big things from my boy, both this year and in the years to come. He's a true student of the game with a great work ethic and he's improved every year. I've followed him since he was a 5-star recruit out of St. Thomas Aquinas high school in Fort Lauderdale. Back then, he was strictly an in-the-box, headhunting SS with great timing and instincts, but was out of his element in coverage. He's always been a powerful hitter with a knack for forcing fumbles, but the strides he's made in his coverage and ball skills are pretty astonishing compared to where they were...and that's a testament to his coachability and work ethic. Great kid with a bright future...so glad he's a Bear!

Originally Posted by GrizzlyBear91

That's about my only concern would be his health.. I think everyone can agree save for one or two plays last year you couldn't tell he was a rookie...

and even if he does get bit by the injury bug I've heard Rave reviews about this Conte kid. Mainly that he's got the speed to make up for those rookie misteps that are bound to happen.... Defensively I don't really have a concern anymore... I actually think this may not be the most dominate D we've had.... but it most surely is the deepest... we'll be a top 5/10 Defense this year no problem.

I think your absolutely right Grizz for top 5/10. The picks will come for Wright as long as he keeps that good position and not over-reach.

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

Just stay healthy, dude, because you stand out when you're on the field.

Nice post JD and as sox says with Manning now gone we need 16 games out of both him and Chris Harris. With Harris taking over for Manning at SS and Wright going to FS he should get more picks but I'm hoping that he's also cautious about it. He's the last line of defense and I wouldn't want to see him gamble on the picks too much and blow the important PBU's.

Originally Posted by GrizzlyBear91

That's about my only concern would be his health.. I think everyone can agree save for one or two plays last year you couldn't tell he was a rookie...

and even if he does get bit by the injury bug I've heard Rave reviews about this Conte kid. Mainly that he's got the speed to make up for those rookie misteps that are bound to happen.... Defensively I don't really have a concern anymore... I actually think this may not be the most dominate D we've had.... but it most surely is the deepest... we'll be a top 5/10 Defense this year no problem.

Originally Posted by KML

I'm expecting big things from my boy, both this year and in the years to come. He's a true student of the game with a great work ethic and he's improved every year. I've followed him since he was a 5-star recruit out of St. Thomas Aquinas high school in Fort Lauderdale. Back then, he was strictly an in-the-box, headhunting SS with great timing and instincts, but was out of his element in coverage. He's always been a powerful hitter with a knack for forcing fumbles, but the strides he's made in his coverage and ball skills are pretty astonishing compared to where they were...and that's a testament to his coachability and work ethic. Great kid with a bright future...so glad he's a Bear!

Glad to hear some feedback from someone whose followed his pre NFL career. Thanks for the insights KML. I know there are those who felt that Conte is a wasted pick but I'm with Grizz on this one. I think he's gonna be a hell of a lot better player than many think he will be. Some may see him as another white boy DB like Craig Steltz but I think Conte will be able to run and tackle circles around Steltz even as a rookie and I think he'll make a real impact on ST this year.

Safety was a real weak spot for us two years ago but after the trade to bring Harris back and these two guys we drafted in the 3rd in 2010 and 2011 I think we're in as good a shape there as we've been in a very long time. Now if Bowman can just step up and learn to play CB in a zone we've got two nice size guys playing the edge too and both have an ability to get picks. The D backfield looks better to me than it has in a while.

Bears expecting Major contributions from fast-learning safety Wright
By JUSTIN ALBERS jalbers@suntimes.com August 3, 2011 9:12PM


Bears safety Major Wright (27), a third-round pick from Florida in 2010, will start this season. | Jonathan Daniel~Getty Images
Updated: August 3, 2011 11:01PM

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Major Wright should have had an interception. At the very least, he should have knocked the ball down.

But the second-year Bears safety relaxed for one second early in practice Tuesday afternoon, and wide receiver Earl Bennett made the catch in front of him.

‘‘He’s still learning a little bit,’’ safety Chris Harris said.

Wright showed he’s learning quickly. Later in practice, he reacted faster on a similar play and did what he should have done the first time — he picked it off. He took Jay Cutler’s pass and sprinted down the sideline — though nobody chased him — flipping into the end zone as the assembled fans cheered his name.

Fans undoubtedly hope to see much more of the latter scenario this season now that he’s penciled in to start opposite the veteran Harris in the secondary. The Bears let productive veteran Danieal Manning walk after he rejected a three-year deal last season. Manning signed with the Houston Texans.

‘‘A lot of picks this year from me,’’ Wright said. ‘‘With me just staying healthy and staying coachable, I can do that. . . . There’s no pressure because I come out in practice and I get better every day. When it is game time, I’m going to be prepared.’’

Without Manning, who also shined in kick-return duties during his five years with the Bears, Wright will see a lot more snaps than he did during his rookie season. And he’ll have to stay healthy, which he struggled to do in 2010. He missed the final three preseason games with a fractured thumb, then sat out several regular-season games with a hamstring injury.

‘‘I’m healthy and I’m ready to go,’’ he said. ‘‘I think that’s all behind me. All I can tell you is I’m going out there and putting my best foot forward. That’s all I can do at this point.’’

Wright, the Bears’ third-round pick in 2010, made 24 tackles last season and eight in the postseason. He was especially impressive in the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers with a season-high six solo tackles.

Despite Wright’s injury history and his lack of starting experience, his teammates expect him to thrive.

‘‘Absolutely, he’s ready,” Harris said. ‘‘I feel like he will make a huge contribution this year. He showed glimpses of what he can do last year. I know he got hampered with injuries and whatnot, and that kind of hindered his development, but I think Major is going to make huge strides this season.’’

Wright worked out with Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry during the offseason and feels he’s in better shape now than he was at any point last season. Berry was the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft.

‘‘This offseason, I went at it,’’ Wright said. “With [Berry] being the No. 1 safety in my class, he pushed me.’’

Harris said Wright had a pretty good idea he would get the starting job before the lockout began, so the missed organized team activities won’t hurt him much.

‘‘I think he’ll be fine,” said Harris, who had five interceptions last season. ‘‘He knows the system; he knows what’s going on. . . . He came in [to camp] prepared to be the starter.’’

It will be difficult for Wright to fill the void left by Manning, who had 72 tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception last season.

‘‘Everybody just does their job, and Major is great at that,’’ defensive backs coach Jon Hoke said. ‘‘He knows what his role is, and he plays his role. He doesn’t have to be anybody he’s not. He’ll do a great job.’’

Wright will do his best to replace Manning’s defensive production, but he won’t even try to put up his numbers in the return game.

‘‘I don’t return kicks, man,’’ Wright said, smiling. ‘‘That’s not me.’’

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/footb...ty-wright.html

Well, if he was training with Eric Berry, than he was training with truly one of the very best safeties in the entire NFL. Berry attended the University of Tennessee and was the "Big Man On Campus" during his time down here in Knoxville. Major Wright isn't anywhere near as good as Berry, but if can at least produce like Danieal Manning did last year (Manning didn't give up a single touchdown on his side of the field), then I'll be happy.