In any rebuilding program, the second season is expected to be one of major progress. For Dick Jauron in 2000, it didn’t work out that way.
The defense improved with an infusion of new blood, but the offense regressed. With three games left in the season, offensive coordinator Gary Crowton resigned to take the head-coaching job at Brigham Young.
After easing Cade McNown into the lineup as a rookie in 1999, Jauron expected him to have a respectable second season. But McNown’s cocky attitude and lack of preparation helped make the season a disaster, and at the end of the season Jauron declared there would be open competition for the job in 2001.
The season looked like an unfolding disaster with an 0-4 start. Then the Bears went to Green Bay, built a 24-3 lead and held on for a 27-24 victory. Still, they started 1-7, and the season was over. It ended 5-11.
Injuries to the receiving corps played a role in the offensive problems. Bobby Engram suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third game, and Marcus Robinson missed five games with back and ankle injuries.
Amid all the losing, the seeds for the surprising 13-3 record in 2001 were planted. First-round pick Brian Urlacher became the starting middle linebacker in the third week and went to the Pro Bowl. Second-round pick Mike Brown started every game at free safety.
Defensive end Phillip Daniels got an $8 million signing bonus to liven up the pass rush. He wasn’t the havoc-wreaking right end the Bears would have liked, but he contributed six sacks, second only to Urlacher.
Sixth-round pick Paul Edinger erased a major headache by establishing himself as the long-term kicker. He made 21-of-27 overall, including 10 straight, and had two game-winning field goals.
In the end, the season put Jauron under pressure heading into 2001. “We definitely would have to win next year or certainly show a lot of improvement,” he said.
Quarterback factor
Injuries and lack of production at quarterback contributed to the Bears’ demise. McNown, anointed the starter before the season, led the Bears to a 1-7 start before a shoulder injury knocked him out. Jim Miller then got a shot, winning one of his three starts before a torn Achilles’ tendon ended his season. And in the regular-season finale at Detroit, Shane Matthews broke his thumb, and McNown directed the game-winning field-goal drive.
Flop No. 1
McNown, the 1999 first-round draft choice, began the season as the starting quarterback and ended it on his way out of town. McNown got one last chance at San Francisco on Dec. 17, but his poor preparation angered teammates and coaches and showed on the field–he completed 9-of-29 in a 17-0 loss. He was traded to Miami during 2001 training camp and is out of football.
Flop No. 2
Curtis Enis was drafted in the first round in 1998 to be the featured tailback. In his third season, he was demoted to fullback. He carried only 36 times for 84 yards. The Bears didn’t offer him a contract for 2001, and his injured knee foiled his comeback attempt with Cleveland.
Best personnel moves
Drafting Urlacher in the first round, Brown in the second and Edinger in the sixth and signing free-agent defensive end Daniels.
Worst personnel move
Before training camp, Jauron declared McNown the starting quarterback, not a good move because of McNown’s attitude.
Instant star
Urlacher moved into the starting lineup in the third week of the season and became the Bears’ signature player. He led the team with eight sacks, 103 solo tackles and seven tackles for losses.
Urlacher, who also had two interceptions, was voted defensive rookie of the year and went to the first of his four straight Pro Bowls.
Jauron on McNown
“At the start of the season, I simply overestimated Cade’s readiness to play at a level that’s necessary to win in the National Football League. And I overestimated also the leaps that I thought he would take or make from week to week.”
By the numbers
216: Points scored by the Bears, an average of 13.5 per game, ranking 28th in the NFL.
9: Interceptions thrown by McNown in 10 games (nine starts). He threw eight TD passes.
1,120: Rushing yards by James Allen, who averaged 3.9 yards a carry.
55: Receptions by Eddie Kennison and Marcus Robinson, who shared the team lead.
– – –
THE BOTTOM LINE: 2000 GAME-BY-GAME REVIEW 5-11, FIFTH PLACE
DATE, OPPONENT, RESULT, THE SKINNY
Sept. 3, at Minnesota, L 30-27
Leading 20-16 after 3 quarters, Bears let Daunte Culpepper direct two scoring drives in 4th
Sept. 10, at Tampa Bay, L 41-0
A total collapse in the sun; starting quarterback Cade McNown throws 2 interceptions
Sept. 17, N. Y. Giants, L 14-7
Super-Bowl bound Giants hold Bears to 202 yards (48 rushing); Brian Urlacher gets 1st sack
Sept. 24, Detroit, L 21-14
James Stewart’s 1-yard run in 4th quarter wins game; McNown throws 3 interceptions, 1 TD
Oct. 1, at Green Bay, W 27-24
Dick Jauron becomes 1st Bears coach to win his 1st two road games against Packers
Oct. 8, New Orleans, L 31-10
McNown has second 3-interception game; Saints’ Ricky Williams rushes for 128 yards
Oct. 15, Minnesota, L 28-16
Culpepper throws 3 TD passes, 1 to Cris Carter (7 catches for 111 yards)
Oct. 22, at Philadelphia, L 13-9
Shoulder injury knocks McNown out in 2nd quarter; rookie Paul Edinger has 1st 3-FG game
Nov. 5, Indianapolis, W 27-24
Jim Miller guides Bears to 27-0 lead; Marcus Robinson has 8 catches, 1 TD
Nov. 12, at Buffalo, L 20-3
Shane Matthews throws 3 int.; Bills’ Doug Flutie (remember him?) hits 16-of-26, runs for TD
Nov. 19, Tampa Bay, W 13-10
Edinger kicks his 1st game-winning field goal, a 48-yarder with 10:02 left
Nov. 26, at N. Y. Jets, L 17-10
Jets take 17-0 halftime lead; James Allen rushes for season-high 122 yards on 25 carries
Dec. 3, Green Bay, L 28-6
Your basic Packer blowout: Brett Favre throws for 225 yards, 1 TD; 7th straight win in Chicago
Dec. 10, New England, W 24-17
Matthews completes 22-of-27 passes for 239 yards and 2 TDs
Dec. 17, at San Fran., L 17-0
The last McDisaster: poorly prepared McNown completes only 9-of-29 passes
Dec. 24, at Detroit, W 23-20
Edinger’s 54-yard FG with :02 left knocks Lions out of playoffs
— Terry Bannon
