Ransom's 2003 Chicago Bears' preview and prediction

Most fans nursed their wounded Bears pride in '02 by saying that injuries and other misfortunes likely guided the destiny of the team to a 4-12 record. Nothing that a good off-season, a little rehabilitation, and some tweaking here and there couldn't fix.

Boy, were they wrong.

Glimpses of the team caught so far this pre-season indicates that perhaps injuries weren't the only culprit in a fall that saw the team relinquish the NFC North title to finish with the fourth pick in the draft. In the our preseason guide, we'll cover the moves, the jukes and the cutbacks that make up this season's Bears team, and make a prediction of how they'll fare.

Offense

Quarterback: Bears' fans would like to claim that over the off-season QB was the position that enjoyed the greatest upgrade. They can't really make that claim however. The best they can say is that the position enjoys greater stability than it has in quite some time. Jim Miller, widely respected amongst players and fans for his determination, was let go. Miller frequently appeared so determined because he couldn't throw the ball over 10 yards, was hurt quite a bit and always seemed to be playing from behind.

To replace him as top-signal caller, the Bears landed former pro-bowl quarterback Kordell Stewart who has had an unsteady, but mostly positive history of accomplishment in Pittsburgh. How Stewart will fare surrounded by considerably less talent in Chicago remains a mystery. Early reviews for Stewart are mixed. He has played well, but he doesn't seem to have the big shoulders that the city demands in order to carry this team.

As back-up QB Chris Chandler (aka Crystal Chandelier) enters his second season. His inaugural campaign for the Bears is memorable for the stunned quality of Chandler's play. It's fitting because he spent most of his playing time sustaining concussions. There were even unsubstantiated rumors last season that Chandler suffered a concussion while getting out of a golf cart. This preseason Chandler has looked sharp and accurate playing behind the second-team offense. Chandler's greatest worry should be the first-team's porous offensive line. Given Chandler's long history of injuries expect Chandler's playing time to be limited 2.4 seconds, which is the time between the first snap of the ball and the arrival of a 290-pound defensive lineman who will drive the back-up quarterback right out of the game.

Which brings us to heralded rookie first round draft choice Rex Grossman.

Thought by some be the next reincarnation of Brett Favre, Grossman arrived in Chicago with an attitude. Whether that attitude becomes McNownesque or McMahonesque remains to be seen. The product of the Steve Spurrier School of Quarterbacking (Florida campus) Grossman was rather atypical for a Spurrier QB in that he's a strong-armed son-of-a-gun. He's had the usual rookie ups and downs. Mostly up, but hasn't done anything to lead anyone to think he'll be ready this year. Look for the team to look for emergency QB help rather than start Grossman this year.

Running Back: There has been quite a bit of talk this year about the competition for the top-spot at tailback. Ever since Jerry Angelo's comment saying that he didn't think A-Train was a special back, the assumption has been that someone will replace A-Train in the starting line-up this year. Baring a trade, don't believe it. A-Train may only run on one track, but it's the north-south track. The other guys are nifty runners at times, but Thomas has more talent. Besides, Jauron appreciates Thomas more than he does the other runners. You have to give Thomas credit for handling the situation better than several recent Bears running backs. And any way, whoever is the number one RB is probably just keeping the position warm for a feature back to be named later. Adrian Peterson will see plenty of playing time, and could challenge Thomas for the top spot. The year's RB draft pick Brock Forsey has been serviceable in mop-up action. But I won't believe that anyone named Brock will amount to much in the NFL until they actually do something spectacular.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: TE probably enjoyed the greatest upgrade this year amongst positions with the signing of Desmond Clark. Clark gives the Bears an option that they have not enjoyed in some time: a tight end that can catch the ball. That's good news for Marty Booker, who won't have to go across the middle as much this year with Clark's addition. It's also good news for a passing game that will bear the brunt of offensive production this year. If the team is going to be competitive at all, the passing game is the area of offense that needs to come through.

Since 2000 no position has been drafted as heavily for the Bears as WR. Booker has shown rock-solid consistency, but Dez White remains inconsistent and David Terrell inhabits a very strange world that he creates entirely out of his own imagination. Were it not for his high draft position, DT might have been cut by now. The Bears added Justin Gage and Bobby Wade with fifth round picks to put some heat on Terrell. And it may have succeeded. At times this year Terrell has seemed contrite, and quotes from the Bears camp have him saying that he understands that in order to start he has to practice too. Persistent rumors have DT on his way out via trade, which augurs poorly for Terrell's continued association with the team.

Offensive Line: No position seems to be giving Bears fans more fits than the O-line. Partially it's just a matter of honor in Beardom that the team enjoy an imposing offensive line. A terrible quarterback the fans have gotten used to. But shoddy line play? That is inexcusable. The good news is that Tucker, Kreutz and Villarial provide an anchor that's as good as any in the league. The bad news is that after those three the talent drops off considerably. Left and right tackle are manned by unproven or under performing players, in Gibson and Gandy.

The coaches and management seem mildly complacent regarding the lack of talent, experience, depth and execution so far this preseason. The team's only substantial move on the offensive line was cutting Big Cat Williams. And now that Marc Columbo's knee has refused to heal, the line looks awfully thin, especially at left tackle. But what the hey! That's why they let go of Miller and got Kordell Stewart. Miller never could take a blind-side hit.

Offensive Coordinator: "I hope that the bread and butter of our offense becomes tremendous balance and conflict of assignment where we can make the same things look different and different things look the same. There will definitely be some games where we run it 35-40 times and there will be some games where we pass it 45 or 50." -- John Shoop

No member of the Bears coaching staff has been more maligned than Offensive Coordinator John Shoop. And when you read quotes like the one above, it hard to believe that he doesn't get more abuse. Who does he think he is? Yogi Bera? Shoop's offense suffers from the problem of making easy things look difficult and difficult things look difficult. How complicated do you have to make an offense to guarantee a two yard loss?

It just has to be simpler than he makes it look. Enough said.

Defense

Defensive Line: Nothing this preseason has surprised fans, players and coaches more than the trade of Ted Washington to New England for a fourth round draft choice. This despite indications and avowals from Defensive Coordinator Greg Blache that a new defensive scheme would push d-lineman upfield; certainly a task not suited to Washington's skills. The blow was made all the more painful as it was felt that Washington's return from injury this season would see the revival of a run defense that fell from number two in '01 to number twenty-six in '02 without his presence. Ironically, it may have been the precipitate drop-off in run support that ushered in the change in scheme.

Last year, rookie DE Alex Brown showed flashes of talent that cemented a starting spot for himself in this year's starting rotation. Additionally, Angelo used the first of two 1st round picks to take Big-Ten leading sack master DE Michael Haynes. With veteran Phillip Daniels anchoring the left defensive end spot, the two younger ends should see plenty of action. The rotation may include Daniels lining up at RDE occasionally in order to create mismatches.

The extensive playing time last year for Bryan Robinson and Alfonso Boone on the interior defensive line, combined with Washington's age, weight and the severity of his injury, may have forced Angelo and Blache to consider revamping the team's defensive philosophy. Let's face it: how many 400 lbs. defensive tackles are there in the NFL? Let's say you have a really good one. How do you provide for a back up? Wouldn't it be better to make do with your standard 290-320 lbs. defensive tackle just like all the other top-rated rush defenses do? A defensive philosophy that falls apart because of one injury to one man isn't a philosophy at all. It's a liability.

Linebacker: Preceding the controversy surrounding the trade of Ted Washington was the controversy surrounding the departure of linebacker Roosevelt Colvin, who lead the team with 10.5 sacks, to New England via free agency. Second-year man Bryan Knight who has been selected to replace Colvin at the outside linebacker spot, has been hampered thus far in the preseason by injuries. In limited action has looked so-so. The team has been buoyed by the play of rookie linebacker Lance Briggs. It is likely however that the fear of rookie miscues will keep Briggs out of the starting lineup although he should see extensive playing time. I will not talk about Brian Urlacher because he won't talk about the trade of his good friend Ted Washington. If Urlacher can pout, then so can I.

One thing noticed immediately this year is how many players numbered 90 something are creating plays. All the starters along the defensive line and a considerable part of the line rotation wear number 90 something as do linebackers Briggs and Knight. It's feeling of comfort, if only an illusion, because players wearing 90 something generally cause the other guys pain.

Cornerback: CB is the position of the most extreme concern on the team after offensive line. Despite the high expectations for him, RW McQuarters has turned in two mediocre campaigns out of three and must develop more consistency or he's gone. Azumah looks like a respectable number two corner that needs a high-quality shutdown corner on the other side to survive. Last year's rookie experiment at nickel back, Roosevelt Williams, looks like he survived with his psyche intact but his play hasn't improved substantially. This year's rookie experiment, Charles Tillman, has had an up and down camp and might be better suited to FS. Rookie free agent Jason Goss has looked like a decent FA pick-up but only against other team's third string. Todd McMillon, starting cornerback for two games in '02, has fallen 4th team on the depth chart. Safety: Let's start off with Mike Green at SS, whose major problem is that he's not Tony Parrish. I don't blame Mike in this. I blame his parents. Despite not being Tony Parrish, Green was credited with 118 tackles last year, which is about 40 more than that show-off Tony Parrish had for the 49ers. Green begins his fourth season in the NFL; his second season as starter. With 18 games started he remains only 62 games started behind his mentor Tony Parrish. Backing up Green at SS is Bobby Gray who some thought might challenge Green for the starting role this year. Despite enjoying a quality camp, Gray remains second on the depth chart. At FS is fan favorite and team favorite Mike Brown. Despite being too slow to play FS Mike turns in high quality numbers every year. In return, this off season, Brown was rewarded by the team with a long-term contract. The contract in essence read: "Mike we love you almost as much as Urlacher and here's a lot of money to prove it."

Defensive Coordinator: It's hard not to like a guy who purposefully rubs people the wrong way and tries to get on everyone's nerves. The problem with Blache though is that he tries just a little too hard. I often get the feeling that players tune him out, don't take him seriously and deliberately misunderstand what he says. On the positive side, he is an above average coordinator, who often seems more in step with the needs of the team than the head coach. Head Coach: The media often describes Dick Jauron as stoic. With Jauron though, it's hard to figure out where stoicism ends and denial begins. He seems more of a witness to events rather than an initiator. He's loyal to his players, but places that loyalty above the well-being of the franchise. You get the feeling that players respond to him mostly because they think that Dick will give them a break. And if so far this year Jauron has felt that control of the team has largely passed out of his hands, then it's his own fault. Outlook and Prediction: The Bears will need a lot of luck to get back to the playoffs this season. Don't count on it. Another year of retooling and another year of rebuilding with a 6 -10 record.