It started late last week when they inked 7th round pick J’Marcus Webb to a 4-year deal worth about $1.85 million with a modest $60k bonus. Webb will be Mike Tice’s pet project and at 6-8 328 lbs this mammoth could be a project for right tackle.

Next up, 5th round pick Josh Moore signed on the dotted line to try to compete in the secondary.   The K-State corner should figure into the mix on special teams and might add some depth to the cornerback position.

The next money move was long overdue as Danieal Manning finally signed his one year tender to collect a $1.76 million dollar payday in 2010.  Have you ever seen someone so slow to cash a million dollar lottery ticket?  Here’s the puzzling thing about Manning from Vaughn McClure’s post on Chicago Breaking Sports:

Manning is working with the first team at strong safety while Chris Harris is working with the first team at free. Harris, who was traded back to the Bears from Carolina, prefers to play strong safety. Manning has played a lot of free safety, but the Bears might turn to rookie Major Wright at the position if Wright picks up the defense quickly.

Why exactly are Manning and Harris working out at the wrong positions?  Put Harris at strong safety, Major Wright at the free safety spot and work Manning in as the nickel back.  I think that makes the most sense.  Giving guys reps in the wrong spots doesn’t do any good.  But I digress.

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Corey is an outstanding combination of size and strength for the position. His production is down from previous seasons and much of that can be attributed to a knee injury sustained in the Alamo Bowl at the end of last season. He is a decent athlete but not an explosive player off the edge. His lateral agility and change of direction hinders his playmaking ability in space. Corey does defend the run well and can anchor effectively to hold the point. He utilizes quick hands and long arms to control blockers but needs to expand his pass rush package to be effective at the next level. Wootton’s measurables, instincts and toughness makes him an interesting prospect for most defensive fronts. He wasn’t nearly as effective as previous seasons and knee concerns will be closely scrutinized going into the 2010 Draft.

Check out this highlight reel I found on YouTube:

Not sure I would have taken a defensive end here with such a big need at O-line, but on the bright side, at least Wooten doesn’t have far to travel, coming just up the road from Evanston.