Donnell Woolford was spewing forth an impressive list of Mark Carrier`s attributes when he stopped in mid-sentence.
The Bears` second-year cornerback, a No. 1 draft choice last year, rubbed his chin as a sheepish grin spread across his face.
”Guess that`s what happens when you get into training camp early,” he said.
Woolford and defensive end Trace Armstrong, another first-rounder last year, missed camp over contract disagreements and spent much of their rookie season trying to catch up.
To avoid a repeat, the Bears decided to settle money matters before drafting sixth in April. North Carolina State defensive lineman Ray Agnew said, ”No, thank you.” So did several others.
Carrier accepted the Bears` offer, realizing he wouldn`t be picked as high otherwise.
The selection was criticized. Why a safety when reinforcements for ailing Dan Hampton and aging Steve McMichael were needed?
Yet, right from the start, coach Mike Ditka believed the Southern Cal junior would be an impact player. Now, most of Carrier`s teammates feel the same.
”Carrier played a heck of a game,” Woolford said after the aggressive rookie intercepted a pass and broke up several others in last Thursday`s 35-7 rout of Buffalo. ”He has made some great plays in the preseason. He`s for real.”
”For a little guy (6-1, 180), he`ll come up there and bring it with the best of them,” cornerback Maurice Douglass said. ”He`s a banger. He`s also a smart player. I could tell that when I first saw him play. He`s that USC type, and that`s a program that produces great safeties.”
The standard by which Carrier and all other Trojan safeties are measured is Ronnie Lott, the 49ers` perennial Pro Bowl pick.
”I can`t be another Ronnie Lott,” Carrier said. ”But I can be the first Mark Carrier. I`m still making mistakes, but I`ll stay aggressive and make things happen.”
– Ditka may have revealed his starting quarterback in the preseason final. Jim Harbaugh played the first quarter and half of the second. Mike Tomczak finished the second quarter and was scheduled to play into the third. Instead, rookie Peter Tom Willis played the entire second half. Verdict: Harbaugh should start against Seattle Sunday.
– Neal Anderson would not want to be in Ditka`s shoes when he pares down the running backs.
”This is one of the most difficult cuts I`ve ever seen,” Anderson said. ”Mark Green looks good, and Johnny Bailey has been tough. And don`t forget James Rouse-he can run, too. There are so many good players who can play different positions.”
Ditka appears to like Rouse and is considering switching him to fullback. He has said backup fullbacks Pat Chaffey and Scott Williams are a little slow. Look for the Bears to keep Green, Bailey and Rouse. There`s less of a need for a proven backup fullback with the Bears going to a one-back offense more often.
– There was some concern earlier about the tendinitis in tackle Jim Covert`s knee, but he`ll be close to 100 percent for the opener.
”Other than a few nagging things, I`m OK,” he said. ”I`ve still got a lot of work to do. I feel better than last year, when I went into the opener still rocovering from back surgery. This year, I`ve got my strength back.”
– Second-year offensive lineman Jerry Fontenot got a rare chance to start Thursday when center Jay Hilgenberg sat out with a hyperextended elbow. The Bears had their best rushing game of the preseason with Fontenot snapping the ball.
”I think the other guys played that much harder to cover up for me,” he said with a smile. ”It was good to play, and I appreciated it, being that I play behind a five-time Pro Bowl center.”
Fontenot also backs up Tom Thayer at right guard.
