DE Addison Opens Coaches Eyes on Saturday............

Addison opens eyes in opener

Undrafted defensive end will get chance with




http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...016-400225.jpg Free agent defensive end Mario Addison (78) was impressive in the exhibition opener against the Bills. Jonathan Daniel/Getty photo

By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter 8:25 p.m. CDT, August 16, 2011


BOURBONNAIS — When coach Lovie Smith mentioned players earning more practice reps based on their performances in last Saturday's exhibition, most figured the Bears coach was referring to quarterback Nathan Enderle.

Another rookie, however, opened Smith's eyes during the Bears' 10-3 victory win over the Bills. Undrafted free-agent Mario Addison, a defensive end from Troy — the same school that produced pass-rush specialist DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora — found himself running with the second-team defense Monday. With second-year player Corey Wootton expected to be sidelined a month following arthroscopic knee surgery, Addison has the opportunity to make an even stronger impression.
"I have a chance to step up and fill some shoes,'' Addison said. "I think it's a chance for me to just play all out.''

Addison's route to the NFL didn't go exactly as planned. The former high school quarterback and running back played linebacker in junior college before excelling as a defensive end. Some projected him as a fifth-round draft pick until he broke his left hand during Troy's third game of the season at Alabama-Birmingham in Addison's hometown.

"I didn't let that hold me down,'' he said. "The rest of the games, except for the last three, I played with a club. It was a kind of rough, but I still ending the season with 10 1/2 sacks. And I missed a good five or six sacks because I had the club and couldn't grip.''

The 6-foot-3, 252-pound Addison came to grips with the reality of going undrafted and patiently waited for the right opportunity. He leaned on the advice from Ware, who led the NFL with 15 1/2 sacks last season.

"He told me to use my speed,'' Addison said. "Basically he just told me to use my hands and my speed and it would take me a long way.''

Being tutored under defensive line specialist Rod Marinelli could take Addison to another level. As an undrafted free agent, he had choices but said picking the Bears was a no-brainer because of the defensive coordinator.

"It's all about Coach Marinelli,'' Addison said. "He told me one thing that I like. I love playing with my hand in the ground, but other teams wanted me to play 3-4 (outside linebacker). He was like, 'Mario, I don't (care) how much you weigh. If you can rush, you're a rush men. If you can rush, I can clean everything else up.'

"Coach Marinelli made me feel really good about myself.''

And the Bears seem to feel pretty good about Addison's upside moving forward.

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @vxmcclure23


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5.00 from 1 ratings

This would seem to at least partially lay to rest the rumors that the Bears have a serious interest in Aaron Maybin. Another who I thought looked real good in the pass rush was Nick Reed. Another LB sized UDFA DE. Both of these guys have some real burst off the edge.

It's also nice hearing how defensive lineman want to come to Chicago and work for Rod Marinelli. Signing rookie FA's isn't a lot different than college recruiting and getting players to come where they know they'll get good coaching and a chance to play in the NFL is a big factor. I believe Marinelli even played a big role in the reason why waivered vets like Okoye and Gholston chose the Bears over others.

Here's another kid who has a chance of at least sticking on the PS if he keeps making noise in the preseason.

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Originally Posted by soulman

This would seem to at least partially lay to rest the rumors that the Bears have a serious interest in Aaron Maybin. Another who I thought looked real good in the pass rush was Nick Reed. Another LB sized UDFA DE. Both of these guys have some real burst off the edge.

It's also nice hearing how defensive lineman want to come to Chicago and work for Rod Marinelli. Signing rookie FA's isn't a lot different than college recruiting and getting players to come where they know they'll get good coaching and a chance to play in the NFL is a big factor. I believe Marinelli even played a big role in the reason why waivered vets like Okoye and Gholston chose the Bears over others.

Here's another kid who has a chance of at least sticking on the PS if he keeps making noise in the preseason.

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I wish Tice had that type of recruitment pull Soul. Good article

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Originally Posted by short faced bear

I wish Tice had that type of recruitment pull Soul. Good article

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Yeah shorty so do I. It would make sense though because he seems to know his stuff but maybe his manner with his guys isn't as rah, rah, rah as Marinelli's. I remember when Tice was a head coach that he was definitely more "Ditkaesque" and I don't know if he's toned that down or not. As poorly as his line did he wasn't really ranting or raving about it so maybe he has.

Defensive players love to play for Lovie and Rod but the only guy we've heard have verbal orgasms about Martz is RWill so maybe the problem isn't so much Tice and it is playing in a Mike Martz led offense. I think the guy is as two faced as it comes myself.

Pulling for this guy as my daughter loves seeing her name on his jersey. :bah:

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Originally Posted by Bear Goggles

Pulling for this guy as my daughter loves seeing her name on his jersey. :bah:

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LOL, I love it. Now have another daughter and name her Madison. "These are my girls, Addison and Madison Bear-Goggles, has a nice sort of Anglo ring to it doesn't it. :rofl2: