The comments going into training camp were understandably positive. After all, the Bears had kept together the core players from a team that went 13-3 last season.
Now, despite their 1-3 exhibition-season record, the Bears’ mood is perhaps even better than when camp started.
“Guys feel pretty confident about this team,” quarterback Jim Miller said. “Now it’s live action.”
The Bears began the exhibition season with a huge question at left tackle, with two candidates who never had played an NFL down. They finished believing that both Bernard Robertson and Marc Colombo can play at the pro level, with Colombo challenging for the starting job.
During the off-season cornerback Walt Harris signed with the Indianapolis Colts and safety Tony Parrish joined the San Francisco 49ers, leaving Jerry Azumah and Michael Green to fill their spots. Azumah and Green gave early signs that there will be little falloff from the departed veterans, perhaps even an upgrade.
Most significantly, teammates and coaches already knew that Robertson, Colombo, Azumah, Green and some other young players had talent. But talent only matters when it shows up on the field, and the preseason was early evidence that that was happening.
“You look at Mike Green,” Miller said. “He’s stepping into that starter role right now, and Jerry Azumah’s the same way. And you look at Bernard [Robertson] and Dez [White], Marty [Booker], and David [Terrell] made some steps to get better. We’re pretty happy, but we’re never satisfied with where we are.”
A year ago James Allen was the starting tailback and Anthony Thomas was still healing from a knee injury sustained in the exhibition opener. This year Thomas is ensconced as the focal point of an offense that has an identity it lacked in the past.
“We’ve gotten that bad taste out of our mouths,” Thomas said. “The Bears from the last few years were used to losing.”
Before the Bears’ season opener Sept. 8 against Minnesota, they must cut their roster to the final 53 players. Coaches and personnel staff are spending this weekend making decisions. One choice will be on a No. 3 quarterback, one of several moves that ultimately might have a second or third phase. The first choice will be between Henry Burris and Ken Mastrole; the second will be whether the better of the two is good enough to be an NFL player and then whether that individual is better than some other team’s discard.
“Henry Burris and Ken Mastrole both played well at times [at Miami],” coach Dick Jauron said. “We’ll just have to study the tape and make a decision. It’s going to be that way in a number of positions. We’re going to cut some guys who can play in this league.”
