Anderson and Gould receive monthly awards

by Adam T on Nov 3, 2006 7:28 AM CST in News

Mark Anderson has won the Defensive Rookie of the Month Award. In four games Anderson has registered 6 sacks and forced three fumbles.

"I've worked hard for this," Anderson said. "I'm glad I got the opportunity to showcase my talent. It's an honor. I'm just happy right now."

Kicker Robbie Gould was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month.

Gould, meanwhile, has made all 20 field goals and 23 extra points he has attempted this season, converting 10 field goals and 16 extra points in four games in October. The second-year pro leads the NFL with 83 points and is on pace to score 190, which would break the league record of 176 set by Green Bay's Paul Hornung in 1960.

"It's just all about being in a rhythm and being confident to do my job," Gould said. "It's what I get paid to do. I get paid to go out there and make field goals. It's a performance-based business. If (I) don't make field goals, I'm not here. I'm not talking to any of you (reporters)."

Gould is currently the most accurate kicker in NFL history among those with at least 40 attempts. He has converted 41 of 47 tries in two seasons with the Bears, an 87.234 success rate that's narrowly ahead of the Cowboys' Mike Vanderjagt (87.209 percent).

Obviously, Gould has worked hard in the off season to improve to what he is currently doing, so congrats to him.

Much props to JA for bringing the steal of the draft in Anderson to Chicago.

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I'm surprised

That we don't see more "year after" reviews of the draft. This year, for instance, the Bears averaged about a "D" but I believe you'd be hard-pressed to find a team that wouldn't take their draft (considering where they were picking from). I remember being surprised by JA's picks (along with 99% of NFL fans/pundits) but I was hesitant to rag on him because his track record had been pretty good. Well, 8 weeks into the season, it's safe to say he hit that one out of the park. We have the Defensive rookie of the month, the best kick returner in the league and a rock-solid starting safety. Not too shabby. And, when Dvoracek heals up, I imagine we'll be pleased with him as well.

by cookding @ Windy City Gridiron on Nov 3, 2006 10:20 AM CST reply actions

However...

Des Clark's improved play has made us ignore the fact that we didn't take a TE in the deepest TE draft in years. If Des didn't step up, would we still be that jazzed that we have D. Manning?

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Nov 3, 2006 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, we would

because based on Pope's numbers he hasn't exactly done anything.

by Adam T on Nov 3, 2006 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

i think you missed the point...

There is no doubt that if Des wasn't playing this well and we were 5-2 or 4-3 we would all be pissed. As I always say, winning cures all ills.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Nov 3, 2006 2:26 PM CST up reply actions

I understand what you are saying

but if Clark was not playing well right now vs. taking Pope and him not playing right now and not having Manning either way we would not be undefeated, but we would still be better off.

by Adam T on Nov 3, 2006 3:00 PM CST up reply actions

so be it...

but we would all be complaining about not drafting a te. Pope wasn't the only guy we could have drafted.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Nov 3, 2006 4:25 PM CST up reply actions

des is better than any of the TE's in the draft

well, i'm thinking that's what JA thought during the draft. clark has some injuries and lacked a decent QB throwing him the ball...remember, he was always quite talented. though i was shocked we didn't draft a TE, we lost in the playoffs because of our lack of depth in the secondary and special teams. that's what our draft was largely about.

by guy incognito on Nov 4, 2006 8:34 PM CST up reply actions