The Bears have averaged five wins a season over the last five years,
including 5-11 last year, but this is not a team devoid of talent. In fact,
after drafting a couple of potential offensive weapons and fortifying the run
defense through free agency, the Bears look pretty solid at 21 of the 22
starting spots.
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CAMP AT A GLANCE
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| Cade McNown has struggled in two NFL seasons. |
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Location:University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, Wis.
Rookies report: July 21
Veterans report: July 21
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 4: Cincinnati
Aug. 11: at Tennessee
Aug. 18: at Kansas City
Aug. 25: Arizona
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The exception is quarterback, a position that has crippled the Bears for
years. Cade McNown, the No. 1 draft pick in 1999, hasn't shown the necessary
maturity or throwing accuracy to lead the team. Last year, the Bears were 1-8
when he started, 4-3 when he didn't. Some think Dick Jauron is a lame-duck
coach. If he doesn't solve his quarterback quandary, they're probably right.
Man in the spotlight
Once the Bears figured out where to put him, Brian
Urlacher played like the NFL defensive rookie of the year, which he was. With
Urlacher at middle linebacker, the defense got better and better. Now it
could get better still. The Bears signed defensive tackles Ted Washington and
Keith Traylor in free agency, hoping they can use their immense bulk to plug
up the middle and keep blockers away from Urlacher. With room to run,
Urlacher has the potential to dominate like former Bears greats Dick Butkus
and Mike Singletary.
Key position battle
As the Bears enter training camp, McNown ranks third
on the depth chart behind Shane Matthews and Jim Miller. Jauron's shaky job
status means he can't afford to let McNown learn on the job anymore. McNown's
lack of preparedness for a late-season game and his erratic throwing in
minicamps made Jauron's decision easy. Choosing between Matthews and Miller
won't be. Miller has the better arm but Matthews has a better grasp of the
offense. The team seems to respond well to both of them.
Biggest adjustment
When offensive coordinator Gary Crowton left late in
the season to take the head coaching job at Brigham Young, it was a plus.
Crowton's one-back, run-and-shoot scheme baffled opponents in his first year
but was ineffective after that. John Shoop called the plays for the final
three games and switched to a simpler, smash-mouth style that was a big hit
in the locker room. Now Shoop is the coordinator and he's returning the Bears
to a two-back offense where running is more than an afterthought. James Allen
rushed for 1,120 yards last year but scored only two touchdowns, which showed
his lack of burst. Rookie Anthony Thomas is a big, physical runner whose only
drawback is a lack of speed. He and Allen will probably play together most of
the time.
Rookie report
Wide receiver David Terrell, the first-round pick, and
Thomas, taken in the second round, were imported from Michigan for one reason
-- to improve the Bears' lousy red-zone efficiency. Terrell, big and fast,
will probably bump Bobby Engram to No. 3 wide receiver. Third-rounder Mike
Gandy will compete with Rex Tucker and Jerry Wisne for the guard spot vacated
by free agent defector Todd Perry. Fourth-rounder Karon Riley isn't big as
defensive ends go, but has great potential as an edge pass rusher. He could
be the right end in nickel sets as a rookie.
Bears' complete offseason moves
