8- The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 9, 2001
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FILE PHOTOS
The combination of Anthony Thomas and David Terrell led the Michigan Wolverines to a 29-8 record over the last three seasons. Next year they will try to continue that success as rookies for the Chicago Bears.
Bear essentials
Michigan stars David Terrell and Anthony Thomas will take their game to the NFL together
By Jonah Feldman * For the Daily
T his past NFL draft saw former Michigan stars David Terrell
and Anthony Thomas not only selected to play professional
football, but they both were picked by the same team.
The Chicago Bears decided to use the eighth pick overall to
select Terrell, the wide receiver, and with their second-round
pick, they took the Michigan running back, Thomas.
"It's something that we never thought would happen. We did-
n't expect that Chicago would use their two picks to take both of
us, but then they did," Thomas said.
Both feel very lucky that they can come to Chicago with
someone they have experience playing with.
"It's special," Terrell said. "We grew up together at Michigan
and now that we're moving on to the NFL. It makes it easier.
When I make a mistake, I can look back at Anthony and he'll
say come on man, let's get going. And I can do the same for
him."
The impressive college careers that both players had at Michi-
gan made the Bears strongly consider them when selecting their
draft picks. Terrell was the first receiver in Michigan history
with two 1,000-yard seasons and has single season records for
receiving yards with 1,130 and touchdowns at 14. He has the
second most catches in Michigan history with 152 and the third
most career receiving yards with 2,317. During his sophomore
year, he was the Orange Bowl MVP in the Wolverines' win over
yam
Alabama where he had 10 catches and 3 touchdowns.
Thomas was a finalist for the Doak Walker award last year
given to the nation's best running back, and set Michigan
records with 4,472 yards, 924 carries and 55 touchdowns. His
6,002 career all-purpose yards are the second most in Michigan
history. Thomas received Citrus Bowl MVP honors last year
when the Wolverines defeated Auburn.
Despite all these accomplishments, the review from the
Chicago media has been mixed. While most papers applauded
the Bears' selections, others criticized the Bears for taking Ter-
rell instead of wide receiver Koren Robinson from North Caroli-
na State. An additional complaint was voiced in an article from
The Chicaugo Tribune which said that the Bears evaluated the
character of the Michigan players too highly. The writer claimed
that because Terrell was concerned about academics and that
Thomas was a happily married family man, they couldn't be the
kind of bone crunching thugs that the Bears needed.
Currently, the newest members of the Bears' squad are in
mini-camp preparing for the season. They're working hard
before summer camp begins, where the final roster of the team
is selected and all active members of the Bears' practice togeth-
er.
"In mini-camp, you practice, you meet, you practice, you
meet, then you go to sleep at night, wake up and start practicing
again," Thomas said. "I haven't had a chance to see what's going
on in Chicago yet. I spend my off time learning the offense and
once I get that down I can check out the nightlife."
"Between practicing and trying to learn the new plays, it's an
all-out fight," Terrell said.
Anthony Thomas, the Wolverines' all-time leading rusher, was taken
in the second round by the Chicago Bears.
Their performance in summer workouts will also determine
how much playing time Terrell and Thomas will get during the
NFL season. Terrell is competing with Bobby Engram for a spot
opposite wide receiver Marcus Robinson. Thomas is looking to
fill a void left by former Penn State star Curtis Enis.
Rookie fortune cookie
How will David Terrell and Anthony Thomas fare in their respective rookie campaigns? Former
Wolverine receivers and backs have had mixed success. For many, NFL glory comes after the
first year, as it did for Desmond Howard (a Super Bowl MVP). Others, like Derrick Alexander,
were able to carry their on-field achievements immediately from the Big House to the Big
League.
Playe Year Team Games Carries/Receptions YDS TDS
A. Carter 1985 MIN 16 43 receptions 821 8
L. Hoard 1990 CLE 14 58 carries 149 3
D. Howard 1992 WAS 16 3 receptions 20 0
D. Alexander 1994 CLE 14 48 receptions 827 2
T. Wheatley 1995 NYG 13 78 carries 245 3
T. Biakabutuka 1996 CAR 4 71 carries 229 0
A. Toomer 1996 NYG 7 1 reception 12 0 Desmond Howard (81) with the Packers
David Terrell proudly displays his Chicago Bears No. 1 jersey to the
media on draft day.