Confidence Carries Bears Rookie Cornerback Deiondre' Hall

By Chris Emma--

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Deiondre' Hall certainly isn't lacking confidence, quite the important trait for a cornerback.

"It slowly developed as my game play elevated," Hall said.

Mere weeks into his Bears career, Hall appears to have the needed demeanor to be successful in the NFL. He has the frame, too, at 6-foot-2 with those long arms to make plays.

One of the Bears' fourth-round picks and a Northern Iowa product, Hall knows it's time to go out and turn that confidence into execution on the field. OTAs in Lake Forest bring the beginning of that challenge, as Hall is now facing NFL receivers like Kevin White and Eddie Royal.

"If I can stay square within the first couple moves of the receiver and get my hands on, it makes it really tough for the receiver to get around the long arms," Hall said of himself. "That and I think I can run with anybody."

The Bears drafted Hall looking to solidify depth on their defense. Looking for a potential mid-round steal, Bears general manager Ryan Pace believed in what he saw from Hall.

"He has rare length for the position," Pace said of Hall. "I think that's important for that position as well. Also, (he's) very tough and competitive when you watch him on tape. Again, I like his versatility -- corner, nickel, safety. Really good ball skills."

For all of that confidence that Hall carries, he's well aware of the challenges ahead in the NFL. Figuratively speaking, he's a long way from Northern Iowa.

Hall enters a Bears secondary that has many questions to be answered -- namely at cornerback. Roles have yet to be won, and perhaps Hall can enter the equation and fight for a starting spot.

"I just want to earn my spot on the team first," Hall said. "It's only Day 2 of OTAs. I just want to get on the team first."

To his credit, Hall has spent plenty of time in the film room. He's already a junkie, studying not only his own game but that of Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell, Patrick Peterson and, yes, even Charles Tillman.

Comparisons of Hall to Tillman -- the best cornerback in Bears history -- are already in place, stemming from his length and ball-hawking abilities. Hall certainly has a long way to reach that kind of level, but the Bears are high on his potential.

Ever so confident, Hall knows he has to earn success.

"You're going to get the opportunity, he said. "It's coming out here and working every day."

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.