2000 Chicago Bears at a glance
1999 RECORD: 6-10 (fifth in NFC Central).
OFFSEASON NEEDS: The Bears wasted no time addressing their defensive needs, signing a pair of cornerbacks and defensive ends early in the free-agency signing period.
Wide receiver. The Bears signed Marcus Robinson to a new contract and traded for Eddie Kennison but have lost Curtis Conway and could be without Bobby Engram.
Safety. With the potential departure of free agent Chris Hudson, Chicago will look for a replacement at free safety.
QUOTABLE: "Everybody will be given an opportunity to start on our football team. Cade (McNown) will start out as the No. 1 quarterback. Jim will start out in the backup situation (but) whoever's the best quarterback on the 53-man cut will be the starting quarterback."
Bears personnel vice president Mark Hatley after Jim Miller's signing.
ARRIVALS: Wide receiver Eddie Kennison, cornerback Todd McMillon, defensive end Chris Mims, defensive end Phillip Daniels and cornerback Thomas Smith, safety Shawn Wooden.
DEPARTURES: Running back Edgar Bennett and wide receiver Curtis Conway.
UNSIGNED FREE AGENTS: Tight end John Allred, defensive back Raymond Austin, wide receiver Macey Brooks, defensive tackle Shane Burton, defensive back Terry Cousin, wide receiver Bobby Engram, quarterback Craig Erickson, defensive back Chris Hudson, center Greg Huntington, kicker Jeff Jaeger, quarterback Shane Matthews, linebacker Ricardo McDonald, guard Todd Perry, defensive end Bryan Robinson, punter Todd Sauerbrun and defensive end Van Tuinei.
STAYING PUT: Quarterback Jim Miller and wide receiver Marcus Robinson.
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FAN FORUM: "For the city of Chicago's sake and the fans sake, keep one of the best receivers in the game on the team. Sign Bobby Engram to a new deal that will keep him there!"
Kyle Hosek
Wagner, S.D.
"Why not sign Bobby Engram? A stable receiver in the slot is more important than one of the second year guys, D'Wayne Bates or Marty Booker, developing their skills. Engram is relatively young and provides some experience in an otherwise inexperienced receiving corps."
Ray Steen
Harrisonburg, Va.
"I think that they will be fine with what they got. But it would not hurt them, and would not hurt Cade McNown if the Bears re-signed Bobby. Or got someone in the draft."
Brad
Buffalo Grove, Ill.
"Why not go for Peter Warrick as it appears his stock is slipping down a bit closer to the Bears pick. It may not take that much to aquire the pick. He has proven to be a big-play, game-breaking receiver and to couple him with McNown over the next several years would be incredible, and well worth the price."
Ken
Las Vegas
"I don't understand all the commotion about the WR situation. If the Bears didn't show us anything else last year, they have shown us that Dick Jauron can make an offense work. After all that happened, the Bears still found ways to score-especially via Marcus Robinson. What they haven't been able to do is keep other teams from scoring. I think the No. 1 priority this year should be to acquire quality, proven help at the corner position."
Stanton Hangen
Peoria, Ill. |
