Wide receiver Joe Anderson is making a name for himself as he fights to make the Bears' 53-man roster. He is turning heads by making consistent plays while taking reps with the first-team offense. He told Grizzly Detail he has plenty to prove on the field.
"I wasn't a draft pick. It's like when you come to college, you come in as a walk-on, everybody's going to ask, 'Who is this guy?'" Anderson said. "You have a point to prove. I came in as a try-out guy. I didn't have stripes or respect. I had to take my respect. Do my plays. Do what I'm asked to do. Keep my mouth closed and make plays on a consistent level. At the end of the day, it's going to show."
Anderson has had battles with Pro Bowl cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings. On Tuesday, he made a cut in practice that fooled the Bears' defenders. He said he can hang with them physically, but is learning from them on every play.
"Coming in as a young guy, I've got to have my mind right (to compete w/Tillman/Jennings) It ain't always about the physicalness. It's about the mental. I can get physical with 'em, but it ain't always about that."
Last season, he was called up from the practice squad after injuries were a problem. Against the Packers, he made a big play on special teams, taking down Randall Cobb on a return. His game is physical, and he attributes that to his dedication to working out.
"It brings a lot of help to my game. I'm not as tall as Brandon or those guys, so my strength helps me out a lot. You just gotta find your niche, and put it in your tool box."
If he keeps showing consistency on the field, he may have a consistent spot on the roster.
