Q. Do you think the Bears organization has overlooked the importance of the quarterback position over the years?
A. Statistics tell the story dramatically. From 1951 to 2002 the Bears have started 35 different quarterbacks in regular-season games. During that period they have drafted only four quarterbacks in the first round. They don’t seem to have made a commitment to trying to develop a level of NFL maturity in the position during these times of complex passing strategy.
Q. You played nine seasons with the Bears after graduating from Yale and made the 1964 Pro Bowl. What concerns you the most about the team’s poor offensive performance this season?
A. What concerns me most is how unprepared the starters were for the first game against the 49ers, and I think we all know when the season starts the best guys play all the way. Kordell Stewart threw only 38 passes for 232 yards in the preseason. As a comparison, the other NFC North quarterbacks varied from 71 for 427 yards to 56 for 304 yards. In the last exhibition game, Stewart was 3-of-4 for 26 yards and the Bears played four quarterbacks, one of whom was cut the next day.
Q. The Bears’ offensive line has been decimated by injuries. Is there any way the team can overcome those setbacks?
A. My heart goes out to [line] coach Bob Wylie. Veteran lines are usually the best because of the importance of timing and tempo between each other. But there is a way to make things a little better with creative play-calling. Don’t throw sideline passes when six or seven men are rushing the passer. Throw over the middle; we have at least two big tight ends who can attract some attention. Call inside “counter” plays to slow down the defense.
Q. You played your Bears home games at Wrigley Field. Do you think the renovated Soldier Field will be able to recapture that feeling for the fans?
A. Wrigley Field was really unique. If you remember, one corner of the end zone was over the first-base dugout and I can remember vividly Roosevelt Taylor flying into the American Legion band tuba. There was a special aura for the Bears because the fans were so close. I was never a great fan of Soldier Field because of the distance from the field. The new stadium has much better sight lines and the fans will be much closer to the field. I know the players will really appreciate that.
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