<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Bears receiver Mark Bradley wasn't expected to win a starting job early in his rookie season, but the second-round draft pick from Oklahoma had other ideas."I'll always think positive and my goals are always going to be as high as they can possibly be," Bradley said. "If you set goals that are very reachable, that defeats the purpose of having goals. My goal was to come in and to be the starter."Mark Bradley figures to give the Bears offense a boost with his big-play ability.Bradley officially attained his goal Monday, supplanting third-year pro Justin Gage in the starting lineup opposite All-Pro receiver Muhsin Muhammad.After leading the NFL with 17 receptions for 331 yards in the preseason, Bradley has four catches for 57 yards in three regular season contests. Despite coming off the bench in the Bears' Sept. 25 loss to the Bengals, the 6-1, 200-pounder played about three-fourths of the game."He had a great preseason," said coach Lovie Smith. "He's made plays when we've given him the opportunity. We feel like it's time for him to move into the slot and go from there."Bradley becomes the Bears' third rookie draft pick to earn a starting job, joining fourth-round quarterback Kyle Orton and sixth-round free safety Chris Harris."It's just another place for me to go and step my game up and showcase my talents a little bit more," Bradley said. "Last game I played a little bit more than the usual regular season games. I got more opportunities to go out and make plays."Bradley seemingly deserved a spot in the starting lineup after his stellar preseason, but the Bears wanted the promising young prospect to earn the job instead of just handing it to him.Minicamp Audio Exclusives Lovie Smith talks to the media after Monday's practice"I understand the transition that they put me through," he said. "Everybody that comes into this league has to go through a transition into becoming a starter. It's a great opportunity."Bradley didn't have the gaudiest statistics at Oklahoma, but his rare combination of speed, athleticism and toughness earned him a ticket to Chicago.Bradley initially lined up at cornerback when he transferred to Oklahoma from Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2002, but he moved back to wide receiver in 2003 despite the presence of fellow NFL prospects Mark Clayton, Brandon Jones, Will Peoples and Travis Wilson at the position.Last season Bradley had 23 receptions for 491 yards and seven touchdowns for the Sooners while also excelling on special teams as a return man and gunner on the punt coverage team.Elevating Bradley into the starting lineup should give the Bears offense more chances to produce big plays in the passing game. The rookie is fast and probably the most adept among all Bears receivers at gaining yards after the catch."Mark's a good player," Orton said. "He brings speed to the position. He brings a lot of things. He's a real confident player, makes some catches and can do a lot of stuff after the catch."</div>I think this is a good move after all. Bradley can be a dominate deep threat and has very good hands. Biggest sleeper in the NFL Draft.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Young Gun @ Oct 3 2005, 09:00 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Biggest sleeper in the NFL Draft.</div>I wouldn't go that far only place I've seen him was when I was playen madden, I forced a fumble off him and ran it back for a TD with Carlos RogersOh ya that reminds me...REDSKINS BEAT THE BEARS
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Oct 3 2005, 05:03 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Young Gun @ Oct 3 2005, 09:00 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'> Biggest sleeper in the NFL Draft.</div>I wouldn't go that far only place I've seen him was when I was playen madden, I forced a fumble off him and ran it back for a TD with Carlos RogersOh ya that reminds me...REDSKINS BEAT THE BEARS </div> The guy led preseason in catches, and yards. Sure he was going against 2nd and 3rd string but he has all the tools to be a big time receiver. And what does the Redskins beating the Bears have anything to do with this thread?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Oct 3 2005, 06:41 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Are you a ChiSox fan or a Cubs fan? I know random but I'm just wondering</div> I am a White Sox fan. I have my own White Sox forum. Formed a couple months ago and approaching 50,000+ posts and 400+ members.Not shabby. Link is in my profile if you would like to see it.
Another good move. I wanted the Pats to draft him in round 2 at pick 64 but obvisouly he didn't last all the way at 64. Gage has been a huge dissapointment so far in his career.
