If developing young players had been the Bears’ overriding goal this season, they could assess 2003 as reasonably successful.
“When you evaluate a season, that’s one component of it,” general manager Jerry Angelo said before Sunday’s 34-21 loss to the Packers.
Linebacker Lance Briggs, who returned a Brett Favre interception for the Bears’ second touchdown, is starting as a rookie, as is cornerback Charles Tillman, while No. 1 pick Michael Haynes has been finding his way onto the field at defensive end.
The offensive line, rebuilt on the fly because of injuries, includes second-year men Steve Edwards and Terrence Metcalf. But it’s far from a finished product, as evidenced by Sunday’s meager 44-yard output for the running game.
Although wide receiver Justin Gage (one catch, 28 yards) and running back Brock Forsey (three carries, minus-4 yards) had a quiet Sunday at Lambeau Field, both rookies have been effective spot-duty contributors. In fact, nine of the team’s 12 rookies were on the active roster Sunday.
“The draft is an inexact science,” Angelo said. “I feel good with where we are philosophically, with our approach. We know what our needs are, and we know what to look for.
“But it’s a bottom-line business. In the end, you judge a draft by whether it helps you win.”
A quarterback drafted in the first round obviously is viewed as a potential difference-maker, but Angelo has no qualms about restricting Rex Grossman to a clipboard and a ball cap on the sidelines this year.
“When we drafted Rex Grossman, it wasn’t with the expectation that he would play this year,” Angelo said. “His resume still stands out. He’s a talented guy who competed and succeeded at a very high level in college. It doesn’t get any tougher than the Southeastern Conference.”
If Grossman is the quarterback of the future, there are no certainties regarding who his boss might be once he gets on the field. Angelo declined to discuss the playoffs-or-else speculation surrounding Jauron.
“I’m not going to get into that at all,” Angelo said. “At the end of the season we’ll evaluate everything in terms of what we need to do to move forward as an organization.”
Bears’ Next
vs. Minnesota (8-5)
Sunday: Beat Seattle 34-7
Who’s hot: Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss got back on track with two TD passes over 40 yards. The Vikes’ D also scored a TD.
Outlook: With the Bears out of the playoffs, the cries for rookie Rex Grossman will likely be answered. That’s no way to begin your career, rook.
