Bears' Afalava knows how to tackle challenge of NFL

Of the 256 rookies selected in this year's NFL draft, just 12 have started each of their team's games this season.

This elite group features four first-round guys, including Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Four second-round guys, including Lions middle linebacker James Laurinaitis.

One third-rounder. One fourth-rounder. One fifth-rounder.

And Bears safety Al Afalava.

The Oregon State product, a sixth-round pick who was the 190th selection overall, wasn't even sure he'd hear his name called after failing to earn an invitation to the NFL Combine last February.

Now he ranks fifth among all rookies - and tied for third on the Bears - with 35 tackles going into Sunday's game with Cleveland. He owns 5 pass breakups, 1 sack and several generous compliments from safety mate Danieal Manning.

"He's physical. That's a great thing," Manning said. "I'd say the most impressive thing about Al, he can cover those tight ends now. That's a real, real good thing (in this defense).

"He has a good knack for seeing the quarterback in zone pressures, zone coverages. When you say that in this system, it's great."

So, Danieal, are you saying the 5-foot-11, 212-pound Hawaii native is a good fit for the Tampa 2?

"He's built for this system," Manning said.

Now it's up to Afalava to stay built for rest of this season.

Since he didn't have a roster spot - much less a starting slot - sewn up when he showed up at Bourbonnais, he has been going full throttle since late July.

He started all four preseason games and played more snaps than the normal starter. Now add the Bears' six regular-season games to that total.

If Afalava were still at Oregon State, he'd have just two more regular-season games to go. The Bears are 10 weeks away from a potential respite, though it's not like they're on a path toward a first-round bye.

"We basically almost got done playing a college season," Afalava marveled. "I'm just amazed at how guys who played the game for 13 years- the NFL season is long. It just shows how important (it is) - you've got to take care of your body throughout the season."

Afalava leans on Manning and Charles Tillman for advice. They tell him to get body massages, to soak in the hot tub, to dip hip-deep in the cold tub.

They might want to get him an anchor for the last of those therapeutic measures.

"That thing in there, I don't know how cold (it is)," Afalava said. "It's probably like 40 (degrees). I've never been in a cold tub like that. The first time I was in there, I hopped right back out."

If this suggests Afalava is a bit of a flake, Manning asserts he's anything but.

"When Al got here, he was already impressive," Manning said. "I'm going to say because he had his kids early - I'm a guy who had his kids early - it forces you to mature a lot."

Afalava, 22, and his wife, Jerrell, are the parents of 2-year-old Darius and 7-month-old Daynian.

"There's not really much Al hasn't seen," Manning said. "His learning curve was so advanced due to his kids, due to the university that he played at.

"I think Al has a bright, bright future for him - if he keeps staying around positive people and tries to stay hungry and stay coachable."

Bears coach Lovie Smith, initially wary about our Afalava query this week (perhaps thinking it was meant to gauge the youngster's share of blame for the 45-10 fiasco at Cincinnati), eventually rallied to the positive side.

"As a rookie, you have to like what Al has done," Smith said. "It's not like he makes a lot of rookie mistakes. He plays hard. He has ability. He will get better and better each time out."

Afalava's awfully impressive NFL star

Though he was the 95th defensive player (out of 122) selected in the 2009 NFL draft, Bears safety Al Afalava ranks fifth amongst rookies in tackles.

Player Pos./Team Pick Starts Tackles Other

Brian Cushing SLB/Texans 1-15 7 56 1 INT, 2 FR

James Laurinaitis MLB/Rams 2-35 7 49 2 INTs

Aaron Curry OLB/Seahawks 1-4 6 37 2 sacks

Louis Delmas FS/Lions 2-33 6 37 1 sack, 3 PBU

Al Afalava SS/Bears 6-190 6 35 1 sack, 5 PBU

Derek Cox CB/Jaguars 3-73 6 34 2 INT, 4 PBU

Rey Maualuga SLB/Bengals 2-38 7 30 1 INT, 2 FF

DeAndre Levy OLB/Lions 3-76 3 29 1 INT, 1 FF

Jairus Byrd FS/Bills 2-42 5 27 5 INTs

Glover Quin CB/Texans 4-112 4 25 3 PBU

Pick denotes draft round-overall selection; PBU = passes broken up; FF = force fumble

Source: NFL, Bears