Al Afalava (1 Viewer)

[Sun Tzu]

From today's Chicago newspapers:

Most impressive rookie: Al Afalava, SS. Not much was expected out of the sixth-round draft pick. Yet Afalava has displayed a veteran's savvy and intelligence that complements a big-hitting style. He could start in a constantly reshuffled secondary.

Chicago Tribune

Rookie strong safety Al Afalava has been good for just about one solid highlight per practice, and he delivered Wednesday night when he jumped to intercept quarterback Jay Cutler in the end zone on a ball that was intended for Devin Hester. The Bears wanted to see if the sixth-round pick could play in space, and he's answering their questions so far.

Chicago Sun-Times

I know the focus has been on William Moore, Michael Mitchell and Louis Delmas but the rookie from Chicago is the dark-horse candidate to be the most productive rookie safety, in my opinion. He started the first preseason game at strong safety while Kevin Payne moved to free safety. Word out of training camp was that the coaching staff believed that the best free safety on the team, after Mike Brown was let go, is Payne. However, the team thought it would be a bigger hole at strong safety if they moved him back so they had an open competition at FS with Danieal Manning, Josh Bullocks and Craig Steltz. Manning was the best of an average group but he has a bad hamstring injury. When Afalava started making plays every day in camp, he earned the coaching staff's confidence to the point that they felt comfortable enough to start Afalava at SS and move Payne to FS.

Nothing's written in stone for the season opener but Afalava's making it really hard for the coaches to move him out of the starting lineup when Manning is healthy. In the exhibition against the Bills, he didn't miss an assignment and made at least one incredible open-field tackle. In addition, he hits like a ton of bricks like Sanders and Pollard.

Grab him now.

 

[Sun Tzu]

I forgot to add that he tied for the lead in solo tackles (4) with Lance Briggs among the starters that played less than a full half.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

I forgot to add that he tied for the lead in solo tackles (4) with Lance Briggs among the starters that played less than a full half.

If Afalava gets the SS starting gig- does this hurt Kevin Payne's value? Will his tackle numbers drop much?

 

[ffchamp1]

I forgot to add that he tied for the lead in solo tackles (4) with Lance Briggs among the starters that played less than a full half.

If Afalava gets the SS starting gig- does this hurt Kevin Payne's value? Will his tackle numbers drop much?

I would guess that it would but both will be productive and worty of being rostered. Afalva is getting a ton of positive press so it will be fun to watch him and see if he can displace Manning AND Payne.Tom

 

[corpcow]

Btw, I was watching the game with an eye on Al - and the first series of the game he was absolutely TRUCKED by Brandon Jacobs.

Though, that's not that big of a deal considering he then did it multiple times to Urlacher as well.

I will say, Afalava looked big and hit hard... I saw him drop into coverage a bit, but he was also up in the box a lot and near th eball on running plays. If he sticks, could definitely have significant value.