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Friday, September 1
Things are looking up in Chicago
By Bob LeGere
Pro Football Weekly

The Bears have made every effort to address the shortcomings of last season's 6-10 team.

The biggest issue for the Bears is Curtis Enis and the running game. Can the Bears get any consistency from their running attack?

I think Cade McNown is going to emerge this year, and receiver Marcus Robinson is a big-time threat outside. But Enis needs to carry the ball 250 times and be effective so offensive coordinator Gary Crowton doesn't just have his unit line up and throw on every down.

They spent $25 million on defensive end Phillip Daniels to upgrade their lowly pass rush. They dropped another $22.5 million on cornerback Thomas Smith to improve their lowly pass defense. They used their No. 1 draft pick on linebacker Brian Urlacher, hoping to add an impact player to a unit that has lacked difference-makers for years. On offense, they were able to keep almost everyone who mattered from an outfit that ranked in the league's top 10.

What remains to be seen is how quickly the reinforcements will jell with a young and promising core of players.

"We've pretty much kept our team intact on both sides of the ball," head coach Dick Jauron said. "We've done a good job of that, and free agency's been good to us, including bringing our own (free agents) back, which was important to us."

On paper, the Bears appear to have improved more than almost any team in the NFL and certainly more than any of their NFC Central foes. But they have yet to prove anything on the field.

"We're a 6-10 team, and that's not good enough," Jauron said. "The questions aren't really answered until we get on that field and play for real."

Offense
Quarterbacks: Although he has yet to prove that he's the best man for the job, Cade McNown has been given the job. He certainly has the most upside, possessing an abundance of confidence, a strong arm, maneuverability, a knack for the spectacular play and a burning desire to make himself the best. McNown had a typically inconsistent rookie season, but he started six games and spent countless hours in the offseason learning the nuances of Gary Crowton's offense.

Jim Miller started three games, in which he threw for 983 yards and six touchdowns. But he was suspended for the final four games after testing positive for steroids, the result of a dietary supplement he had taken. Miller has a knack for the deep ball. While he lacks McNown's mobility, some teammates believe Miller is the team's best quarterback right now. Shane Matthews started seven games last season but enters this season as the No. 3. Matthews lacks arm strength but runs the offense smoothly with smarts and poise.
Grade: C+

Curtis Enis
The Bears need Curtis Enis to have a big season in 2000.
Running backs: Curtis Enis is 25 pounds heavier than last season, when he reduced his weight to 225 pounds to take stress off his rebuilt left knee. The added weight allows him to better accomplish what he does best: move the pile and run over tacklers. Enis, who averaged a disappointing 3.2 yards per carry last season, still lacks speed and agility. But the coaching staff believes that if he stays healthy, he has the size and strength to be the team's franchise back.

James Allen has the moves and cutting ability Enis lacks, but not the speed. Allen has shown flashes in the past and can be an effective change of pace. Rookie Frank Murphy has 4.2 speed and has shown good hands, but he lacks running skills. Glyn Milburn is another ideal change-of-pace back, but he's too small to take much of a pounding and is more valuable as a return specialist.
Grade: C

Wide receivers: This is a deep and talented group led by Marcus Robinson, who emerged out of nowhere last season to become the most dangerous deep threat this side of Randy Moss. Big and fast with a unique ability to adjust to the deep ball, Robinson set a team record with 1,400 receiving yards and was involved in 11 of the Bears' 15 pass plays of more than 35 yards.

Bobby Engram is often overlooked. He failed to get the big bucks he wanted as a free agent this offseason, but he is the team's most consistent receiver. The quick and agile Engram is undersized and lacks great speed, but he caught 88 passes last season, and he excels at working underneath and catching everything within reach. Eddie Kennison was acquired from the Saints for a fifth-round draft choice. He should be a legitimate replacement for departed deep threat Curtis Conway, who was frequently injured. Macey Brooks suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last season just as he was finding his niche in the offense. As a 6-5 slot receiver, Brooks presents matchup nightmares for most defensive backs. Marty Booker made an impact as a rookie with his strength and physical play. Rookie Dez White is big, powerful and fast, but his hands have been extremely inconsistent, and that is why he lasted until the third round.

The TE position was underutilized last season. John Allred lacks any special qualities as a receiver, Alonzo Mayes is consistently inconsistent and Ryan Wetnight lacks size and does little after the catch, though he has good hands. Rookie Dustin Lyman is being converted from linebacker and may take some time to develop, but he has some skills.
Grade: B

Offensive linemen: For the first time in 10 years, the Bears return their OL starters intact. From left to right, Blake Brockermeyer, Todd Perry, Olin Kreutz, Chris Villarrial and James "Big Cat" Williams did a commendable job in pass protection, but their run blocking was far from exceptional. Kreutz appears on the verge of becoming a Pro Bowl player. Perry, a pillar of strength and consistency for years, had a down year in '99 because of a foot injury.

With young backups such as Rex Tucker, Jerry Wisne, Jimmy Herndon and Casey Wiegmann, the unit's depth is better than it has been in several years.
Grade: B-

Defense
Defensive linemen: Daniels is the effective every-down player the line has lacked, and he should make everyone better. DTs Mike Wells and Jim Flanigan work extremely well together. The hulk-like Wells absorbs frequent double teams, yet he still led all Bears D-linemen in tackles last season by a wide margin. Flanigan can be disruptive with his quickness and non-stop motor. He is also an effective pass rusher.

Left defensive end Bryan Robinson is a powerful run stopper who continues to improve. Ancient defensive end Clyde Simmons can still be effective in situations and still knows how to rush the passer. Van Tuinei started eight games at end last season after rookie Russell Davis faltered. Davis has been moved back to his natural defensive tackle spot. Chris Mims could provide depth.
Grade: B

Linebackers: Potentially, this is an area of strength for years to come. Eighth-year veteran Barry Minter anchors the middle, and he is surrounded by young talent. Urlacher has been demoted to second string on the strong side and nickel linebacker duties, but he will still get plenty of playing time. Rosevelt Colvin replaces him as the strong-side starter.

Warrick Holdman moved into the starting lineup on the weak side last season as a rookie. He has the speed and athleticism to be a Pro Bowl player, according to defensive coordinator Greg Blache. Like Colvin, middle linebacker Khari Samuel is a second-year player who's expected to contribute. Colvin has a knack for the sack, and Samuel is a ball magnet who should eventually replace Minter.
Grade: B

Defensive backs: Smith may not have the hands to be a great interceptor, but he brings outstanding cover ability, toughness and leadership to a position in desperate need of both. His presence should especially help Walt Harris, a first-round pick in '96 who has never played to that level. With Smith checking the opponent's go-to receiver, Harris should be more effective. Rookie Mike Brown played so well in the preseason that he is penciled in to start at free safety, with free-agent pickup Shawn Wooden moving from free to strong safety. Former starting SS Tony Parrish is a lights-out hitter, but his penchant for mistakes in the preseason (mixed in with some big plays) led to his demotion. The unit's depth is impressive, with former starters Terry Cousin and R.W. McQuarters, along with second-year man Jerry Azumah, providing more-than-adequate CB depth.
Grade: B

Special teams
This was a glaring weakness last season, when the Bears' .559 field-goal percentage was the worst in the NFL. Both rookie Paul Edinger and second-year pro Jaret Holmes were impressive in preseason action, and either should be an upgrade.

Milburn is one of the league's better combination punt/kick return men, and the coverage teams have been traditionally strong under coach Keith Armstrong.
Grade: C

Pro Football Weekly Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit their website at http://www.profootballweekly.com






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