Conte named to NFL all-rookie team

[Chi66]

Bears safety Chris Conte has been selected to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America 2011 All-Rookie Team.

The third-round draft pick from California appeared in 14 games with nine starts, registering 47 tackles and one interception.

Primarily a special-teams contributor early in the season, Conte was anointed the starting free safety prior to a Week 6 win over the Vikings and remained there until he was forced to miss the Bears' final two games after spraining his foot and ankle in a loss to the Seahawks.

Conte accounted for nine of the 12 starts by Bears rookies in 2011; right tackle Gabe Carimi had two and receiver Dane Sanzenbacher made one.

“At the beginning of the year, I did not expect that I’d be starting,” Conte told ChicagoBears.com earlier this month. “I thought I’d be doing the special teams stuff, and if somebody got hurt, get some playing time. But the way things worked out, I think it was great and I think I handled it pretty well.

“I think just being able to prepare with a mindset that I’m going to come in next [season] and be the starter and prepare this offseason like that will help me so much more and help me to grow as a player.”

Conte is named to NFL all-rookie team

Hopefully he continues to develop, looks like he has the potential to be a top notch safety in the league. Time for Wright to step it up, though I'd prefer we snag someone in FA to take over the SS position. Conte/Landry??

[onebud34]

I'm quite pleased with how Conte has looked thus far. When he started his 1st game, I was like what the fuck. But he's been damn good for rook

[Uman85]

Congrats to him. I'm looking forward to see how he progresses next year. I'm excited for his future with the Bears.

[MSOADE54]

Originally Posted by Uman85

Congrats to him. I'm looking forward to see how he progresses next year. I'm excited for his future with the Bears.

He can become a great role player which, as of right now, is what the Bears need with Urlacher, Briggs, and Peppers all still playing at pro bowl levels. We just need players like Conte that take not fucking up more serious than other safeties we have had like Meriweather.

[onebud34]

Originally Posted by MSOADE54

He can become a great role player which, as of right now, is what the Bears need with Urlacher, Briggs, and Peppers all still playing at pro bowl levels. We just need players like Conte that take not fucking up more serious than other safeties we have had like Meriweather.

She likes the boys in the band...from her head down to her toenails...

[zack54attack]

Is it possible we actually drafted a good safety?

[Uman85]

Originally Posted by zack54attack

Is it possible we actually drafted a good safety?

[Scoot26]

Angelo's going away present.

[DePaulfan21]

Well let's just hope he keeps getting better, and that this isn't the highlight of his career

[ClydeLee]

I don't think it's possible for him to be a top notch safety but I think he'll develop into a solid free safety though. If they can find a strong playmaker to pair him with they could have good safety play again.

Major Wright isn't gonna cut it mentally and Steltz isn't fit enough athletically.