www.BearGear.info

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears fifth-round draft pick Josh Moore is living proof that truth is stranger than fiction.

As a fourth-grader at Markham Elementary School in Pompano Beach. Fla., Moore wrote a book in his English class about how he was drafted by the Bears and ultimately threw the game-winning touchdown pass in a playoff victory over the rival Green Bay Packers.

“When I got the call from coach Lovie Smith that I was coming to the Bears, my mom brought out that book and everyone in the family was surprised,” Moore said Thursday after arriving at Halas Hall for the team’s rookie minicamp. “We’ve been showing that book to everyone since I got drafted by the Bears.”

Moore dreamed about playing for the Bears because his father grew up in Chicago and is a lifelong fan. Twelve years after he wrote the book, the 5-11, 188-pound cornerback from Kansas State officially became a member of the Bears when he was selected with the 141st pick in the draft.

“When I look back at the book and think about standing here right now, I’m just thanking God for blessing me with the opportunity to come here and be a part of this organization,” Moore said.

Moore was among 49 rookies—five draft picks, 13 undrafted free agents and 31 unsigned prospects—who arrived at Halas Hall Thursday to get fitted for equipment, take physicals and pose for headshots. They’ll practice once a day Friday through Sunday, eager to impress.

“You have to come in and work hard,” Moore said, “and show the coaches that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of this team, and then they’ll make their decisions.”

Small world: Two of the Bears’ undrafted free agents—UTEP cornerback Cornelius Brown and Texas A&M-Kingsville defensive tackle Jimmy Saddler-McQueen—were teammates at Forest Brook High School in Houston.

“It’s unbelievable,” Brown said. “We’ve been communicating through text messages and phone calls every once in a while. When I heard he was going to Chicago, I was excited. To be here together is great.”

“I’m thrilled about it,” Saddler-McQueen said. “I already know about his play and I feel good to be his teammate.”

Opportunity knocks: Juice Williams will participate in the rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. The former Illinois quarterback was disappointed about not getting drafted or signed as a free agent by an NFL team, but he’s excited about having the chance to prove himself with the Bears.

“You anticipate the entire draft that you’ll get a phone call from a team, if not about being drafted then definitely in free agency,” Williams said. “Obviously it didn’t work out that way, but I still have an opportunity to showcase my talent, and hopefully the Bears like it.”

Asked what he hopes to show coaches this weekend, Williams said: “For one, show my leadership. Quarterbacks definitely have to be the ones that step out in front of the team. And two, show that I can play the position as far as me being very accurate with the football, knowing exactly when and where to go with it.”

Bouncing back: Fourth-round draft pick Corey Wootton isn’t the only Northwestern defender who’s trying to rebound from a serious knee injury sustained during the 2008 season.

But unlike Wootton, who returned to play for the Wildcats as a senior last year, linebacker Malcolm Arrington will be stepping on the field this weekend for the first time since sustaining his injury. Arrington, who who will participate in the rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, was a senior when he tore his ACL in a homecoming game against Purdue.

“Our situations are very similar,” Arrington said. “It’s a very humbling experience. It’s definitely heartbreaking. But he came back and so have I, and we’re ready to go this year.”