A lot of people were surprised when Missouri wide receiver Emanuel Hall chose Chicago as his team to sign with. This after the Bears had signed Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency and then drafted Riley Ridley out of Georgia in the 4th round. So what could’ve convinced him? Money? The offensive system? Nope. It was a Chicago Bears position coach, actually.
Hall met with the media for the first time since signing with the team a week ago during the second day of rookie minicamp. Inevitably he was asked the obvious question. Why did he choose to sign with the Bears? Hall didn’t hesitate in answering. It was the impression made by wide receivers coach Mike Furrey.
This is actually the second time a new Bears receiver has mentioned Furrey leaving a significant stamp on their memories. Ridley came to Chicago for a top 30 visit and the first person he met was Furrey. It seemed the young pass catcher was quite taken with him right away.
“Um, well, when I went down, I had a meeting with the receiving coach. I sat down with him and I realized this is one of the coolest coaches I’ve ever met in my life, at this level of football. He wasn’t such blocking out certain things — he was letting me know I could be on this team and I can be all-in and be able to find a chance to fight for a spot.”
It shouldn’t surprise that Mike Furrey has this kind of success as a Chicago Bears position coach
Furrey is known for being a smart and animated individual. He brings a ton of energy to the job and isn’t afraid to be bluntly honest with players. Above anything else, he understands more than most how to talk to wide receivers who might be overlooked and underappreciated. He lived that life himself once upon a time.
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Furrey was an undrafted free agent in 2000 out of Norther Iowa. He failed to latch on in Indianapolis, went to the XFL, then the Arena League before finally returning in 2003 where he finally made a roster in St. Louis. Things peaked three years later when he amassed 1,086 yards and six touchdowns for the Detroit Lions.
It had been a long climb with so many pitfalls along the way, but the reward had been worth it. That success eventually landed him his job with the Bears and it seems he’s putting that experience to great use in helping them secure more talent for their receiving position.
