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Even though the Chicago Bears have been linked to a few veteran corners during this free agency period, this signing came out of nowhere. Alan Ball (6'2", 197) was one of the cornerbacks that GM Ryan Pace was rumored to be talking to, but there were no "sources" way out in front with any info on this one.
The Bears scooped the media this time.
#Bears have signed CB Alan Ball to a 1-year contract. Ball has played 8 NFL seasons with Cowboys, Texans and Jaguars. pic.twitter.com/lsVQl0A9qO
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 27, 2015
Ball, who will turn 30 in two days, was a 7th round pick of the Dallas Cowboys back in 2007 after a stellar 4 year career at the University of Illinois. His most successful season in Dallas was 2010, when he started all 16 games at free safety, making 46 tackles with 2 interceptions. He returned to corner the following year and made 2 starts his final season in Dallas.
He played in Houston for the 2012 season, making one start at corner, but was allowed to test free agency again.
He found a home in Jacksonville in 2013, starting all 16 games at corner for the Jags, and the first 7 games of the 2014 season before suffering a biceps injury. A quick Google search tells me that a torn biceps can take about 6 months before an athlete is given 100% clearance, so he should be ready by the time OTAs roll around.
In his 8 year NFL carer, Alan Ball has appeared in 93 games with 44 starts, he has 6 interceptions and 34 passes defended.
What are your thoughts on this signing?