Bears coach Dave Wannstedt came out of the win over Buffalo pleased with new quarterback Rick Mirer’s progress. OK. Fine.
He also indicated he wouldn’t stoke what might be a quarterback controversy by playing Erik Kramer, last year’s starter and No. 2 now, with the first unit.
Not so fast.
“We’re kicking it around,” offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh said Monday about Kramer getting back to the scene of his prime. “To be fair to him, we should probably put some more consideration to it, and we’re talking about it.
“But knowing that Rick needs so much work, it’s kind of tough. At some point later in the preseason, when we know the offensive line is going to play maybe a half, there’s a chance Erik will get to work with some of those guys.”
If he’s still alive, that is. Kramer fired on the second-string offensive line after getting pounded in Buffalo.
The beating showed that his neck injury from last year is healed, but I’d buy an extended warranty on it if I were he.
Play stands
Just because Buffalo was offside didn’t mean Mirer and Rashaan Salaam didn’t fumble a handoff.
On the run
What’s the deal with the running game?
Presuming, of course, that the Bears plan on having one.
The two-tailback set of Salaam and Raymont Harris gained 17 yards–count ’em, 17–against Buffalo, 15 of them Harris’. Salaam gained two yards on three rushes. That’s an 0.7 average for those of you without magnifying glasses.
In the two exhibition games, Salaam has 11 yards on six carries, and Harris has 24 yards on seven rushes. In all, that’s 13 carries for 35 yards, a 2.7 average. Jeez, they should both fall forward for that much.
And if you really want your new quarterback to look good, you give him a running game the other team has to worry about.
So, what gives?
“I was disappointed we didn’t get the ball to Rashaan and Raymont a little more,” Cavanaugh said, “but we were inefficient on first down and got into some situations where we were throwing it.”
I’m sure Cavanaugh was indeed disappointed Salaam and Harris didn’t get the ball more. I’m also sure he’s the one guy who can change that.
Overheard
Offensive line coach Tony Wise: “Nice job on the snap count!”
Game on
Playing Miami in Miami means homecoming for Bears middle linebacker Bryan Cox, who played for the Dolphins for five years before coming here last season.
Cox loves the Miami franchise because the Dolphins took a chance on the kid from Western Illinois and “Wayne Huizenga is unequivocably, no doubt the best owner in the game.”
Did he know that before he played for Michael Mc–no, forget it. Too easy. Don’t go there.
Mouthing off
Just because he has friends on the Dolphins doesn’t mean Cox won’t talk his usual trash.
“I just bought land by (Dan) Marino,” Cox said of the Dolphins’ quarterback, “and already he’s telling me he’s on my property trying to take trees.”
Quotable
Offensive right tackle James “Big Cat” Williams, on what the linemen need to do: “The first unit has to play like the first unit and the second unit has to play like they want to make the team.”
