The Bears - is there hope for a winning season?

Mike Saks

To call the Bears of the '90s a disappointment would be an understatement.

In the past eight seasons, the Bears have only made the postseason once. Dick Jauron, starting his second season as Bears head coach, seems to be heading in the right direction. The Bears had a very good draft in 1999, played better than expected in many respects and improved by two games despite major quarterback injuries.

This off-season has changed the Bears look once again. It remains to be seen whether the changes will make the 2000 Bears look more like the failure of the '90s or the success of the '80s.

Offense

At quarterback, the question still remains: Is Cade McNown the future of the franchise or just a replaceable, wasted draft pick? Last season he showed both a hint of what he has to offer and his complete inexperience.

Besides lacking a tremendous arm, McNown didn't show the touch on sideline passes and crossing routes that he needs to show. What he did do well was eventually settle into the position's necessary leadership seat and scramble out of the pocket like some of the all-time greats.

Jim Miller is back, with his 422-yard game against Minnesota lingering in fans' minds. If all goes well, McNown will start all season, and Miller won't throw anywhere near that many yards again in a Bears uniform.

The running game is the same. Curtis Enis should be fully recovered from injury, with James Allen waiting in the wings if needed. Enis should finally show this season that he will be one of the better running backs in football.

Olin Kreutz showed the potential to become the All-Pro lineman that made him the first center taken overall in the '99 draft. Kreutz, Chris Villarial and Blake Brockenmeyer are three, consistent members of a good offensive line, but the other two positions are in question.

Todd Perry is an unrestricted free agent, and James Williams, while still a dominant left tackle, has chronic injury problems. Jerry Wisne and Rex Tucker, the two current back-ups, are not capable of stepping into the starting offensive line.

Wide receivers could be the Bears' biggest strength or their biggest Achilles' heel next year. Although they're without Curtis Conway and Bobby Engram, the Bears have rising star Marcus Robinson. Eddie Kennison, received in trade from the Saints, is an excellent pick-up. Robinson, Kennison and Marty Booker, or Macey Brooks or D'Wayne Bates, should be the equal of last year's receiving corps.

Defense

Mike Wells and Jim Flanigan anchor the Bears' defensive line up the middle, but it's the defensive ends that have been the missing component. Free agent Clyde Simmons worked out well in 1999 but wasn't able to handle the workload the Bears tried to force on him.

For the moment, Phillip Daniels, the Bears' biggest free-agent signing, will be the main threat. Russell Davis and Bryan Robinson will try to complement him from the other side. Veteran Chris Mims will replace Shane Burton as the backup defensive tackle.

A linebacker is the Bears' most pressing need. Barry Minter and Sean Harris provide a decent combination, but the remaining linebackers haven't shown enough to be starting yet. Ricardo McDonald may be gone to free agency, and Warrick Holdman, while promising, still has a way to go.

The Bears' secondary was ripped to shreds last year, not for lack of talent but for an inability to cover the receivers and tackle in the open field. Part of the problem was the lack of a consistent pass rush and the linebackers' inability to cover any receivers.

Walt Harris has shown he can be a very good cornerback and must consistently cover the receivers as he has shown he can do. Thomas Smith, another great cover receiver, will finally give the Bears a second talented corner.

Chris Hudson, the albatross of the Bear's secondary, may take a back seat to free agent Shawn Wooden from the Dolphins. Tony Parrish, a great tackler but only an adequate cover man, should continue to improve as the Bears' star strong safety.

Special teams

Glen Milburn is the only bright spot on the Bears' special teams, as their sole Pro Bowl player last year. The Bears have no solution at punter or kicker for next year. The best thing about the kicking game is the great job done by Patrick Mannelly, the long snapper.

Draft

The first round pick will most likely be University of New Mexico linebacker/safety Brian Urlacher. He fills a big need and is verasatile enough to be molded by Jauron. He maybe be the best athlete in the draft.

If he were around, however, the Bears would most likely pick up Michigan State wide receiver Plaxico Burress. It's doubtful he'll