Marinelli preaches patience with Adams: 'He's getting better'
December 5, 2009
BY BRAD BRIGGS
briggs@suntimes.com Six games into the Gaines Adams' era, the Bears haven't produced any tangible evidence that the trade is going to be a hit.
The defensive end has two assists and rarely has been on the field while the second-round draft pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received in exchange keeps getting better. It's shaping up to be about the 42nd or 43rd pick in the draft, right about where the Bears snagged running back Matt Forte in 2008.
But with Adams signed through 2012, and with a complete set of pass-rushing tools, the team remains confident the midseason trade will be viewed as a prudent one.
''You bring a guy in during the middle of the season, it's not like having training camp and [organized team activities] or anything,'' line coach Rod Marinelli said. ''In terms of talent, attitude and work, what you try to do is get a guy to come in and get grounded in how we do business, the fundamentals and all of those things. He's getting some work in, and he's getting better. He's got a lot of stuff to him.''
Marinelli preached patience, but it appears Adams won't start paying dividends until 2010 -- when Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson could be gone.
''The focus right now is just going out and working hard,'' Adams said. ''I'm not concerned about playing time. I'm just trying to learn the scheme and get better. It's the nature of the beast. I got traded and come in here and try to get better.''
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
