Just a Little "Whatnot" Post..........
May 11, 2012 California native was born to be a Bear
By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 5/11/2012 11:12 AM
Cornerback Isaiah Frey is visiting Chicago for the first time this weekend to participate in the Bears rookie minicamp. But the sixth-round draft pick from Nevada already feels at home.
Growing up in Sacramento, Frey had two dogs that were named “Bear” and “Payton” by his father, Demetryst Cornish, who idolized Walter Payton while playing running back in college.
“He grew up loving Walter Payton,” Frey said. “That was his favorite running back. He played running back, so that’s why the Bears were his favorite team growing up.” Frey’s father, who played at the University of Arizona as well as Sacramento State, was virtually speechless after the Bears selected his son with the 184th pick in the draft.
“He was in shock,” Isaiah said. “In a million years he didn’t think I would come here. The day I got drafted I found a Bears helmet my dad has. It’s real weird. It’s almost like a destiny thing.”
Frey doesn’t know any of his new teammates personally, but he’s especially excited about meeting Lance Briggs. The perennial Pro Bowl linebacker also grew up in Sacramento, and was named player of the year as a senior at Elk Grove High, where he played linebacker, running back and safety while also serving as a kicker and return specialist.
“The only person I have an idea about is Lance Briggs just because we’re from the same area,” Frey said. “He was a stud back in Sacramento and everybody knows about him. I’ve never met him; I’ve just heard stories about him.”
Something to prove:
Rookie tackle James Brown, who signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent, isn’t bitter that he wasn’t drafted—even though many analysts predicted he would be a mid-round selection. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Brown the 54th best player in the draft, while Pro Football Weekly had him 93rd. (Interesting that Kiper wasn't the only one who had him ranked fairly high. Both Kiper and PFW are pretty respected sources.)
“I really didn’t pay any attention to all the rankings and whatnot,” Brown said. “I’m just glad that I got picked up a team. I really didn’t have any expectations because going into the process I already knew things could go either way. I was just hoping for the best and expecting the worst.”
While not angry about not being drafted, Brown is determined to prove he belongs in the NFL. “It’s really been what I’ve been going through my whole football career,” he said. “I’ve been overlooked a lot of times. There’s definitely a chip on my shoulder.”
Together again:
Rookie safety Brandon Hardin, a third-round draft pick, is excited about reuniting with former Oregon State teammate Stephen Paea, a Bears 2011 second-round selection.
“It’s definitely awesome to see a fellow college player,” Hardin said. “We’re trying to represent Oregon State University, so it’s always nice to see him and I consider him a friend.”
Hardin missed all of last season with a broken shoulder. The last time he was on the field, he teamed with Paea, starting all 12 games at right cornerback in 2010 and recording 63 tackles and three forced fumbles.
“If I had one word to describe him, it would be a beast,” Hardin said. “He’s just strong as hell. When he was our d-tackle and I was playing corner, it was good knowing he was in there rushing the quarterback.”
Audition time:
In addition to six draft picks and 11 undrafted free agents, 33 rookies will participate in this weekend’s minicamp on a tryout basis
The group consists of quarterbacks Matt Blanchard (Wisconsin-Whitewater) and Ronnie Fouch (Indiana State); running back Embry Peeples (Georgia Tech); wide receivers Joseph Anderson (Texas Southern), Willie Clark (Northern Illinois), David Mosley (Northwest Missouri State) and Keith Nichol (Michigan State); tight ends Brandon Venson (Illinois State) and Ali Villanueva (Navy); guards Mike Garrity (Eastern Illinois) and Nick Pieschel (Central Florida); center Anthony Mihota (Virginia); and tackles Tyler Hendrickson (Concordia), Jarvis Jones (Oklahoma) and Trevor Olson (Northern Illinois); defensive tackles Myles Caragein (Pittsburgh), T.J. Greenstone (Vanderbilt) and Eli Joseph (Temple); defensive ends Josue Ortiz (Harvard), Jason Peters (Georgia Tech) and Zary Stewart (Morgan State); linebackers Josh Biezuns (Wyoming), Archie Donald (Toledo), Tyler Holmes (Massachusetts) and Youri Yenga (Southern Methodist); safeties Matthew Pearson (Kansas State) and Brian Peters (Northwestern); kickers Kevin Goessling (Fresno State), Ryan Quigley (Boston College), David Teggart (Connecticut) and Philip Welch (Wisconsin); and long-snappers Brad Fortney (Carthage) and Kyle Wojta (Wisconsin).
