Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kevin White (West Virginia) is selected as the number seven overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace got the monkey off his back. After months of preparation, he was able to make his first selection, wide receiver Kevin White. To say the new GM was excited to grab White would be an understatement:
"“I spoke to you guys yesterday about getting impact players in the Draft, especially when you’re picking in the Top 10. That’s exactly what Kevin White is. We couldn’t be more thrilled right now. This guy is dynamic. He’s big. He’s strong. He’s ultra-competitive. If I could stress one word for this player: he’s competitive. You see it after the catch. You see it in the way he attacks the ball in the air. This is a dynamic play-maker for our offense. I can probably tell you right now, the most excited guy in the building is (offensive coordinator) Adam Gase upstairs. This is good guys. This is a big-play weapon for us; a competitive tough player. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him.”"
Pace was asked if this was an easy pick to make:
"“This was an easy pick. It was, again, stay true to our board. Take best player available and whether it’s defense or offense, let’s get a play-maker in the Top 10 and that’s what we did.”"
Ryan Pace was asked about White’s competitiveness:
"“It jumps off – the way he runs routes, he’s a physical route-runner so he’ll go attack the ball. There are some people that wait for the ball, he’ll go attack the ball in a crowd. His release, guys come up and try to jam him, he’s strong so he can rip through the release. After the catch he’s elusive but he’s also strong, so he’s shrugging off tackles. You see competitiveness in the red-zone. Then lastly as a blocker – this guy is competitive as a blocker. You’ll see him drive guys out of bounds. A lot of receivers don’t do that. This is a competitive, feisty, strong player.”"
Kevin White was asked about stepping in for Brandon Marshall:
"“I’m very confident. Brandon Marshall has done so much. For me to step-in and try and take his place and produce on the field is pretty big time. I’m pretty excited. I plan to do big things. I’m going to work, earn my stripes and I just want to help the team win games.”"
He was asked what he knows about the Chicago Bears offense:
"“I’m very familiar. I know they like throwing the balls, especially deep to the big guys. When I went there for my visit, it was awesome. They explained everything, explained the route concepts. It actually seemed pretty simple but I’m going to hit the playbook hard so I can help the team win some games.”"
White was asked if he was told where he’ll fit into the Bears offense:
"“When I got there and we talked, they said they want me to come in right away and basically be alongside Alshon Jeffery. They feel that will create mismatches. I’m willing to learn and do anything I have to do to get better and help this organization win some games.”"
Asked about the City of Chicago:
"“It’s great, I love it. I think it’s second to none, a lot cleaner, a lot better than New York. Maybe I’m a little biased because I’m from New Jersey and went to New York all the time. I love it here. It’s very clean, a lot of atmosphere. I love the city.”"
Has anyone asked him which pizza he prefers – thin crust or deep dish???