Will all systems be go when the Bears kick off the season? And just how important are exhibition games anyway?
Q. How are the Bears able to implement their new offensive and defensive systems during the exhibitions without tipping off new plays to the opposition?
A. Coach Lovie Smith says he likes to “hold back a few surprises” from the opposition for the regular season. He says he is confident his team is absorbing the nuances of his system during practice sessions.
Q. With Marty Booker traded to the Miami Dolphins, who figures to become the Bears’ leading receiver?
A. The leading receiver could become a running back, befitting offensive coordinator Terry Shea’s equal opportunity strategy. Among the wide receivers currently on the roster, Bobby Wade, David Terrell or Justin Gage should be capable of filling Booker’s void.
Q. Last season Kordell Stewart played very little in the exhibitions and it showed in his poor performance during the regular season. How much will Rex Grossman play Friday night against New Orleans?
A. Rex Grossman and all of the Bears regulars are expected to play into the third quarter Friday night. The third exhibition typically is the most significant in terms of preparing the starters for the regular season. The final exhibition at Cleveland will be used to determine which players on the bubble will make the final roster.
Q. The Bears are off to a 2-0 exhibition record. But how important are exhibition records?
A. The 1985 Bears were 1-3 in exhibitions before going on to win Super Bowl XX. The exhibition record may have a greater significance for a young team with a new head coach, as far as building confidence.
The last time the Bears went undefeated in exhibitions was 1994, when second-year head coach Dave Wannstedt led them to a 4-0 mark before going 9-7 in the regular season.
Smith became the first Bears head coach since John “Paddy” Driscoll in 1958 to be victorious in his first two exhibition games with the team. The Bears have lost four straight exhibition games against New Orleans, dating back to 1992. The Bears have not beaten New Orleans in the regular season since 1999.
Q. Will Brian Urlacher be ready to go full-steam once the regular season starts?
A. Urlacher is said to be on schedule (four-to-six weeks) since suffering his hamstring injury on the first day of training camp, and the Bears are confident he will be ready to suit up for the Sept. 12 regular-season opener against Detroit. How effective he will be remains to be seen.
Q. It sounds like the Bears got a good deal when they traded for Adewale Ogunleye to rush the passer. But if he is so great, why weren’t the Dolphins willing to pay him what he is worth?
A. It is a cut-throat business and both sides were adamant in their contract stances. Ogunleye thought he had been patient long enough when it comes to being rewarded for his stellar production.
“I have been through this situation in college when I was at Indiana,” said Ogunleye, who returned for his senior year at Indiana and tore up his knee in the sixth game.
“People in the NFL said: `Well, if you stay another year you will probably go higher in the draft.’ You know, I listened to those people and when I got hurt, those were the same presidents and GMs who didn’t draft me. The ones who basically turned their backs on me and said: `We’re sorry, kid. Tough break.'”
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