Confidence continues to build for Chicago Bears' Braverman

BOURBONNAIS - Rookie wide receiver Daniel Braverman is performing on a much bigger stage than he did at Western Michigan, but he seems unfazed - partly because of self-confidence and partly because he doesn't have much time to worry about it.

"I'm just trying to play football and do whatever the coaches tell me to do and focus on my job," said the Chicago Bears' seventh-round pick (230th overall).

"You can't worry about the outside influences. You have to focus on your play because if you don't do your job, then you're not going to be playing in front of anybody."

Braverman has routinely stood out in training-camp practices, often using his quickness and agility to come open underneath and elude tacklers but also flashing enough speed to get deep.

He plays with more confidence than would be expected from a 177-pounder who wasn't on anyone's radar until he caught 109 passes for 1,377 yards and 13 touchdowns last season for Western Michigan.

Ironically, he believes his confidence stems from years of being overlooked.

"I guess I grew up with it," he said. "I guess you build scars growing up, and you just get better every day and you also get confidence by the work you put in."

Asked if there was any particular slight from the past that fuels his fire, Braverman said: "There's a lot of people that I always keep in mind."

One of the few luxuries the Florida native has time for during training camp is the nightly call he gets from his father, Jamie.

"He just always says 'believe in yourself,' " Braverman said. "There will never be a night when he's not trying to pump me up, even though I don't need it. Still, every day he's all over it. He's crazy about this stuff."

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