NFL team previews — NFC Central
By Bob LeGere
Updated Aug. 25, 2000
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Bears WR
Marcus Robinson
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The Bears have made every effort to address the shortcomings of last season’s 6-10
team.
They spent $25 million on DE Phillip Daniels to upgrade their lowly pass rush. They
dropped another $22.5 million on CB Thomas Smith to improve their lowly pass defense. They
used their No. 1 draft pick on LB 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."
Top of page
| Quarterbacks |
Grade C+ |
| 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. Top of page |
| Running backs |
Grade C |
| 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. Top of page |
| Receivers |
Grade B |
| 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. Top of page |
| Offensive linemen |
Grade B- |
| 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. Top
of page |
| Defensive linemen |
Grade B |
| 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. The signing of
former Buccaneers DT Brad Culpepper late in the preseason may give the Bears the luxury of
rotating three defensive tackles. DLE Bryan Robinson is a powerful run stopper who
continues to improve. Ancient DE 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 DT spot. Top of page |
| Linebackers |
Grade B |
| 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 appears to have lost his starting job on the strong side to Rosevelt Colvin, but
it will likely be only temporary. Urlacher still has a lot of learning to do, but his
talent helps him overcome growing pains. In the meantime, Colvin has a knack for the sack.
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. MLB Khari Samuel, a second-year player, is expected to
contribute. Samuel is a ball magnet who should eventually replace Minter. Top of page |
| Defensive backs |
Grade B |
| 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. Top of page |
| Special teams |
Grade C |
| 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 PR-KR men, and the
coverage teams have been traditionally strong under coach Keith Armstrong. Top of page |
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