Wide receiver arrives; not Hester
The Bears signed free-agent wide receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen Thursday, and he was suited up and on the field for the noon practice, although he didn't participate.
To make room on the roster, which remains at the NFL maximum of 80, fullback J.D. Runnels was cut. Runnels was a sixth-round pick in 2006 out of Oklahoma, and he palyed briefly in the only two games he was active that year. Runnels spent last season on injured reserve.
Grice-Mullen put up put up huge numbers in college, catching 237 passes for 3,370 yards and 36 touchdowns in three seasons before entering the draft with a year of eligibility remaining. He was undrafted but signed with the Texans and was later released. The 5-foot-11, 183-pounder is more quick than fast and will have to play in the slot. Though his college numbers are impressive, Grice-Mullen is more a product of a pass-happy system than anything else.
Unlike most all readers of the Daily Herald (and, obviously, Bob LeGere), I have been able to watch Ryan Grice-Mullen both in person and on TV numerous times. The bottom line on this kid is that he can catch the football. You don't have the kind of statistics he has had without being able to get the job done. I wonder if Mr. LeGere has even seen a Hawaii game, in person. Now, granted, he comes from June Jones' pass-happy system and Hawaii's schedule was not the most difficult in Division I (don't blame Hawaii...USC cancelled their game and Michigan State paid over $200K to weasel out of their game with the Warriors), but, either way you have to catch the football well, especially in that system, to be effective.
I would have Mr. LeGere take a look at Grice-Mullen's YAC statistics. They match up against anyone in his draft class and anyone in the NFL. Also, to describe him as quick, but not fast is far from accurate. He ran a 4.3 40 at his pro day this spring. As far as I can see, that makes him one of the three fastest receivers to come out of the 2008 draft.
Unfortunately, Grice-Mullen does not possess the typical size of a NFL receiver, but, then again, neither does Wes Welker. This clearly will be a limiting factor in his attractiveness to NFL coaching staffs.
From someone who has watched this kid for three years, I hope the Bears give him a serious shot at making the roster. Given the loss of Berrian, Grice-Mullen could fill in nicely as a 4th wideout. I hope he makes it and I hope Mr. LeGere gets a chance to watch Hawaii football in person before making his judgements, next time.