The Bears got really serious Monday, ahead of schedule.
Although practices are traditionally open until the week before the opener, the Bears changed plans as they began working on plays to use when they open the season at Baltimore Sept. 9. They also began taking final looks at possible position changes for Saturday’s final exhibition game against Arizona at Soldier Field.
Warrick Holdman will return to the starting weak-side linebacker spot in place of former Notre Dame star Bobbie Howard, who started Saturday at Kansas City. Holdman’s size, speed and experience advantages were the obvious factors and Howard was not able to make enough impact plays to claim the job.
Shane Matthews will finish the preseason schedule as starting quarterback, meaning that for the second straight year Jim Miller will go through a training camp and preseason with virtually no chance of winning the No. 1 job. Last year Cade McNown got most of the work; this year Miller was done in by a hamstring injury, which even has coaches keeping open the possibility of Danny Wuerffel moving into the No. 2 job.
“We know who the No. 1 is but after that I think they’re still fighting,” said coach Dick Jauron, who added he wants to see a lot of Miller. “So Danny and Cade probably won’t see much if any action again this week, then we’ll decide where it’s going. But Shane is the 1, and after that they’re battling.”
Miller remained philosophical.
“It’s my job to put Dick in a position where he’s got to make a tough decision,” Miller said.
Moving up: R.W. McQuarters is making his mark on both the defense and special teams, both areas where the former 49ers No. 1 pick could start.
McQuarters and Jerry Azumah are pressuring veteran Thomas Smith for the starting job at right cornerback. Both saw additional playing time in Saturday’s loss at Kansas City after Smith suffered a lacerated knee that should not sideline him Saturday. McQuarters was credited with three tackles plus one on special teams, and Azumah had an interception.
“I think R.W.’s done a good job,” Jauron said. “I’d still like to see more consistency from him every play in terms of technique, in terms of everything. I’d like to see that consistency.”
McQuarters has all but clinched the punt-return job with his runbacks of 58 yards for a touchdown at Tennessee and 38 yards against Kansas City. Azumah ran back a kickoff 49 yards against the Chiefs and is the frontrunner for that job.
If McQuarters has a concern it is that his proficiency as a returner may cause his cornerback play to be overlooked.
“Sometimes I do feel like one’s being overshadowed by the other,” McQuarters said. “But I’ve got to continue to go out and play good defense when I’m on the corner and try to keep making plays returning kicks.”
Taking a look: The Bears on Monday worked out former Penn State quarterback Rashard Casey and wide receiver Eric Corey from Tulsa.
