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The_Philster
07-09-2003, 06:11 PM
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (July 9, 2003) -- The Chicago Bears agreed to terms on a four-year contract with fourth-round draft pick Todd Johnson and a three-year deal with seventh-round pick Bryan Anderson. Johnson and Anderson are the third and fourth of the Bears' 12 2003 draft picks to agree to terms, joining sixth-round picks LB Joe Odom and RB Brock Forsey who each signed earlier this summer. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Johnson, one of four players from the University of Florida selected by the Bears during the draft, was the first of two fourth-round picks for the Bears this year, selected with the 100th overall pick. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety was a three-time all-Southeastern Conference performer during his five-year career with the Gators (1998-2002). He spent the final two-plus years of his career as the Gators starting free safety after beginning his UF career at strong safety, starting 35 of 47 career games played while recording 284 tackles (187 solos) with 15 pass deflections and nine interceptions....

more (http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CHI/6472833)

Gunzlingr
07-10-2003, 04:43 PM
The Bears are one of several NFL teams adjusting the way they sign their draft picks to prevent an exodus of talent on the restricted free-agent market.

Washington has plucked four players from the restricted free-agent pool, choosing to forfeit draft picks to bring in established players. The Redskins signed receiver Laveranues Coles and returner Chad Morton from the New York Jets, Green Bay free safety Matt Bowen and Miami defensive tackle Jermaine Haley.

To prevent such a scenario, clubs are trying to persuade middle-round draft picks to sign four-year contracts and bypass the opportunity to become a restricted free agent after three seasons. Safety Todd Johnson, the Bears' fourth-round pick from Florida, did just that Wednesday, agreeing to a four-year contract worth $1.8 million with a signing bonus of $425,000.

According to a source, the Bears' insistence on the extra year has been one of the holdups in signing their 12 draft picks. The source said the Bears are trying to sign their remaining five picks drafted between the second and fifth rounds to similar pacts. Wide receivers Bobby Wade and Justin Gage, both fifth-rounders, are expected to sign next.

MORE (http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-bear10.html)