| CB R.W. McQuarters, a disappointment
in San Francisco since the 49ers made him their top draft pick in 1998, was traded Monday
to the Chicago Bears in a cost-cutting move. The 49ers received an undisclosed
conditional 2001 draft pick for McQuarters and saved $875,000 against the salary cap.
McQuarters started four games last season when San Francisco had the league's worst
pass defense and gave up a league-high 36 touchdown passes.
McQuarters, who starred at Oklahoma State before coming to San Francisco as the 28th
overall pick, fractured his right shoulder blade when he was hit returning a punt Nov. 29
against Green Bay and missed the last five games of the season.
McQuarters said he didn't think he got much of a chance to prove himself in San
Francisco.
"It's disappointing to a certain extent but I know how the game works,''
McQuarters said. "Everybody is not going to get a fair chance. They gave me a chance
to play from time to time but there were times I felt I should have been playing and I
wasn't."
Chicago personnel chief Mark Hatley said McQuarters can help the Bears.
"We had a good grade on R.W. coming out of college," he said in a statement.
"You can never have enough good corners in this league, and we feel he'll come in and
provide good competition and have a chance to upgrade our defense."
ProFootballWeekly.com asked contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum to weigh in on the
subject.
Q: What are the Bears getting in McQuarters?
Buchsbaum: They're getting an enigma. He's a kid that flashes great ability and great
athleticism but has always been a tease, has never been consistent. And he also is a
potential return guy, and he can play wide receiver.
Q: With Walt Harris and Thomas Smith in place, might McQuarters start producing
a little more since less will expected of him?
Buchsbaum: I don't know. I don't think he's overly competitive. I think that's one of
the concerns. |
