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| | Tuesday, July 25 Bears: Windy City changes | |||||||||||||||
| By Tom Oates Special to ESPN.com With a little luck and a better kicker, Chicago might have reversed last year's 6-10 record and been a playoff team. Now the Chicago Bears are thinking playoffs after four straight losing seasons -- and with good reason. Low-key coach Dick Jauron was a hit in his first year, coordinator Gary Crowton's new-fangled offense had NFL defenses reeling and the team worked the free-agent market better than any team west of our nation's capital. They're still young and inconsistent at key positions, but the Bears once again have some teeth.
It's been two years and two major injuries for Curtis Enis since he was annointed the Bears' franchise back. Chicago set a team record for passing yards last year but was unable to find the end zone consistently because it ran the ball so poorly. Enis is another year removed from knee surgery and has regained the 25 pounds he lost. That puts him back at 250, where the Bears hope he can be the power runner the offense desperately needs. Key position battle Cade McNown is the starter, but many in and around the organization think Jim Miller gives the Bears a better chance to win now. As a rookie, McNown was plagued by injuries and a steep learning curve for the complex offense, but recovered to finish strong. Plus, he has prepared diligently during the off-season. Miller became the starter near midseason and was the Bears' most effective quarterback until he was sidelined for using a diet supplement that contained a steroid. If McNown falters, the calls for Miller will be loud. Biggest adjustment The Bears ranked 29th in defense and were particularly susceptible to the pass, so they spent most of their time, effort and money shoring up the unit during the off-season. Three high-quality free agents -- end Phillip Daniels, cornerback Thomas Smith and safety Shawn Wooden -- should improve the pass defense, Daniels as a sorely needed pass-rusher, Smith as a shut-down corner and Wooden as a quarterback in the secondary. Rookie report First-round pick Brian Urlacher will start at strong-side linebacker, initiating a shuffle that should improve the entire linebacking unit. Second-round safety Mike Brown, tough and smart, might make Wooden an expensive reserve. Four Bears kickers were an NFL-worst 19-for-34 last season, making sixth-round kicker Paul Edinger perhaps the team's most important rookie.
| ALSO SEE Lions: Ready to move on Packers: Sherman takes control Vikings: Daunte is in the fire Buccaneers: Getting offensive AUDIO/VIDEO   Bobby Engram says last year Cade McNown didn't know what to expect in training camp.wav: 63 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Curtis Enis comments on Cade McNown's rookie year.wav: 124 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Curtis Enis talks about gaining a lot of positive rushing yards this year.wav: 145 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Cade McNown talks about training in the off-season.wav: 154 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Dick Jauron knows his team respects Cade McNown's level of performance.wav: 183 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
