LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Today marks the latest installment of a regular feature on ChicagoBears.com. Senior writer Larry Mayer sits down with general manager Jerry Angelo to discuss the most pressing issues involving the Bears on the first and third Wednesday of each month during the offseason and every Wednesday throughout the season.

This unique feature will provide you with inside information directly from Jerry that you can’t get anywhere else. Jerry will candidly discuss relevant issues affecting the Bears that avid fans are most interested in.

LM: Which players impressed you most during the Bears rookie minicamp?

The Bears selected cornerback D.J. Moore in the fourth round of the draft.

JA: Probably the receivers; I thought they all looked good. I thought [cornerback] D.J. Moore showed the athletic ability and ball skills that we want in our secondary. All the players looked like they belonged. What was nice was what we saw on their college tape was reflected during our three-day minicamp. That's what it should look like, and it did.

LM: To what extent do you see top picks Jarron Gilbert and Juaquin Iglesias contributing as rookies?

JA: It’s hard to say how or when, but I feel they both have the attributes we look for physically and intangibly. As it is with all players, how fast they play and contribute will be determined by their play and practice habits during training camp and in our preseason games. Play time is earned. The draft determines how we like them, but it's their talent as well as their attitude and day-to-day performance that earns them the right to play on Sunday. 

LM: What is the likelihood of the Bears signing a veteran free agent at a position such as free safety or wide receiver before training camp?

JA: I wouldn't rule it out totally. Bobby DePaul and his staff, Kevin Turks and Dennard Wilson, are always looking for veteran players at all positions that can upgrade us or create better competition. Bobby and his staff have done a great job of doing this over the years.
 
LM: What is your interest level in Simeon Rice, who has talked about returning to the NFL and mentioned the Bears as a possible destination?

JA: At this point I doubt we'd be pursuing Simeon as an alternative. He was a great player and I really respect what he did for Tampa. I thought he was the missing link that put them over the top during their Super Bowl year.