Smith works out Boise State tackle
Bears coach Lovie Smith traveled to the edge of the Rocky Mountains on Monday to see a mountain of an offensive tackle.
A week after Boise State's Ryan Clady impressed at his pro day, Smith showed up at the campus known for the blue turf in Bronco Stadium to personally work out the junior.
Clady is considered one of the top two or three tackle prospects, a position high on the Bears' list of needs. The 6-6, 309-pounder could be off the board before the Bears select at No. 14, but more than six weeks from the draft, it's too early to tell.
Clady did not work out at the combine but was impressive last week and went through drills with some marginal line prospects for Smith.
With free agency offering little help at tackle, the Bears figure to choose one on the first day of the draft for the first time since general manager Jerry Angelo selected Marc Colombo in 2002.
Extra points
The six-year, $36 million contract that linebacker Lance Briggs signed last week will pay him $21.6 million in the first three years.
He received a $4 million signing bonus with a $3.75 million roster bonus payable this year. He has roster bonuses of $4.75 million in 2009 and $3.3 million in 2010.
• Wide receiver Bernard Berrian's six-year, $42 million deal in Minnesota also breaks down as reported with $23 million payable in the first three years. Berrian receives a deferred $5 million signing bonus and $11 million in roster bonuses spread over the first three years. Bears Notebook
Read more at www.suburbanchicagonews.com
