Thread: Healthy Paea ready to fill increased role

Healthy Paea ready to fill increased role
Knee injury hampered Bears defensive tackle in rookie season

By Brad Biggs and Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporters

8:17 p.m. CDT, May 23, 2012
Despite being part of the defensive tackle rotation during the second half of last season, Stephen Paea never felt exactly right as a rookie, thanks to a right knee he barely could bend.

Coming off arthroscopic surgery in January, he spoke Wednesday like he's a new man, and the Bears are counting on him for a larger role after the departures of Amobi Okoye and Anthony Adams.

"It's hard to show what you can do when you have a flat tire," said Paea, who has been running at full speed for five weeks. "You're not going to function. Now I feel great. I can bend the knee all the way now, which is easier for running and change of direction and all that. Last year I couldn't do that."

Paea, a second-round pick from Oregon State, had surgery on the same knee following the 2011 Senior Bowl after he suffered a torn lateral meniscus. The knee also troubled him at times in college, but now he's optimistic that he's in position to open some eyes.

The Bears continue to work him behind starting nose tackle Matt Toeaina and starting three technique Henry Melton. Paea should be in line for 30 to 40 snaps per game. He believes he has the powerful base and upper body to handle the nose and now has the explosiveness to be a disruptive factor in the backfield. He had two sacks and six quarterback pressures in limited time last year.

"All I know is I am going to get a lot of playing time, and whenever I am in there, I need to help the team win," he said. "I know they are looking at a big responsibility for me."

High praise: Quarterback Jay Cutler singled out one receiver when talking about the offseason workouts — and it wasn't the player most expected.

"Devin Hester is having the best camp of all the receivers,'' Cutler said. "So we have a lot of weapons.''

Hester is expected to have an increased role on offense despite the additions of three-time Pro Bowl selection Brandon Marshall and second-round pick Alshon Jeffery, both of whom stand 6-foot-3 or taller.

Last season, the 5-11 Hester caught 26 passes, one fewer than undrafted rookie Dane Sanzenbacher. During Wednesday's organized team activities, Hester displayed the blazing speed and sure hands that make him a threat, particularly on one deep pattern against Charles Tillman.

Out of action: Among the players sidelined Wednesday were linebacker Brian Urlacher (knee), receiver Johnny Knox (spinal fusion surgery), offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (knee), tight end Kellen Davis (undisclosed), long snapper Patrick Mannelly (knee), and defensive tackle John McCargo (stomach virus).

Nickel back D.J. Moore was away from the team for the third consecutive day after the death of a friend in his hometown of Spartanburg, S.C. Moore is scheduled to rejoin his teammates Thursday.

Starting cornerback Tim Jennings took the majority of reps at nickel back in place of Moore, while newcomer Jonathan Wilhite stepped in for Jennings at corner. Wilhite had a nice interception during early drills.

Extra points: Marshall offered his take on the Broncos offense with Cutler in 2008: "When I look at film now, I think we were terrible. And I say that humbly and we were just young and immature out there on the field, not understanding the big picture of the offense and the game itself.'' … The Bears signed defensive tackle Nate Collins to a one-year contract. Collins was with the Jaguars last season. His signing brings the roster to the 90-man limit. … Safety Anthony Walters intercepted a pass during drills.


Stephen Paea: His knee now healthy, Chicago Bears defensive tackle Stephen Paea looks to have increased role in second season - chicagotribune.com