Sunday, we posed five questions the Bears must answer affirmatively during training camp in order to improve this season.
But five questions just aren’t enough for a team that has won a total of 16 games the last three seasons. So with the team heading to Bourbonnais to open camp this weekend, here are five more issues to ponder:
6. To whom will QB Rex Grossman throw?
Muhsin Muhammad (right) was the Bears’ big strike in free agency after David Terrell proved to be a big strikeout in a Chicago career that simply never took root. But beyond Muhammad . . . The Bears opted for running back Cedric Benson instead of a receiver like USC’s Mike Williams with their top pick but addressed their need for outside speed with Mark Bradley high in the second round. Still, the task of the offense and new coordinator Ron Turner will be to bring Justin Gage back from his exile under the fired Terry Shea and determine what else there is in a receiving corps short on experience. “I think Muhsin will be a combination of Curtis [Conway] and Jeff [Graham],” Turner said, referring to the linchpins of his 1990s passing attack with the Bears. “Bernard [Berrian], Justin and Kareem Kelly and those guys will have to step up. I love Bobby Wade. He’s going to have a huge role on this team.”
7. Is there a consistent pass-rush threat?
Adewale Ogunleye suffered through a season of injuries and was held out of some off-season work to ensure his healthy return in 2005. He is needed desperately and desperately needs to justify his contract and the trade of receiver Marty Booker. Alex Brown exploded for four sacks in New York and showed steady all-around improvement. But he had only one other solo sack, plus two half-sacks, and that is not enough impact from right end. Michael Haynes (right) has contributed only four sacks in two years as an obviously disappointing first-round pick. Brown, Haynes, Ogunleye–can one of them command double-team pass blocking to free up the rest of the defensive line?
8. Can an aging team get through training camp healthy?
Muhammad and most of the offensive linemen are long on NFL years, and the Bears cannot afford to leave their best legs in Bourbonnais. With new strength coach Rusty Jones, the Bears have departed from traditional two-a-day camp practices, with an early morning session followed by one in the late afternoon. This year they have no afternoon practice on a day with a morning session. They have only five two-a-days and each second session is at 7 p.m., well beyond the hottest hour of the day. The Bears may not be young on opening day, but they should be fresh.
9.Can the offense handle a third coordinator in three years?
John Shoop. Shea. Now Turner, the first with NFL experience in his job in quite some time. There will be a learning curve, but the collective attitude was visibly improved in off-season camps under the former Illinois head coach, who exudes a confidence missing in both of his predecessors. “I was only here four years (with the 1993-96 Bears); we had one playoff year and won a playoff game and did some good things offensively, but we didn’t win it all,” Turner said. “There’s definitely some unfinished business for me personally and also for this team.”
10. Can the Bears take advantage of a favorable schedule?
The 2005 schedule puts the Bears against only one playoff team in the first 12 weeks and that team (Minnesota) they defeated last season without Grossman. The Bears will face just one team (Baltimore) before December that finished above .500 in 2004. After three straight losing seasons under general manager Jerry Angelo, there will be few excuses acceptable and pressure to be felt if the Bears cannot break fast.
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TO SEE THEM PRACTICE
Where: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Ill. (60 miles south of Chicago)
Directions: From Chicago: I-57 South to Bradley/Bourbonnais exit 315. Follow exit ramp as it curves to the right. Follow signs.
Gates open: One hour before the start of day practice sessions and two hours before night practices.
Admission: Free except for the Aug. 4 practice at Soldier Field, which is $5.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Mon., Aug. 1: ONU Family Night at ONU stadium. Practice followed by fireworks and music.
Thu., Aug. 4: Bears Family Night at Soldier Field. $5 admission (tickets on sale via Ticketmaster).
Sat., Aug. 6: ONU Appreciation Night–ticketed practice at ONU’s Ward Field.
SCHEDULE
Saturday: Report to camp
Sunday: 3 p.m.
Mon., July 25: Noon
Tue., July 26: 9:30 a.m., 7 p.m.
Wed., July 27: 3 p.m.
Thu., July 28: Noon
Fri., July 29: 9:30 a.m., 7 p.m.
Sat., July 30: 3 p.m.
Sun., July 31: noon
Mon., Aug. 1: 9:30 a.m., 7 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 2: 3 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 3: Noon
Thu., Aug. 4: 7 p.m. (Soldier Field)
Fri., Aug. 5: 3 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 6: 7 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 7: Travel to Canton, Ohio
Mon., Aug. 8: vs. Miami, Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio
Tue., Aug. 9: Day off
Wed., Aug. 10: 4 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 11: Travel to St. Louis
Fri., Aug. 12: at St. Louis Rams
Sat., Aug. 13: Day off
Sun., Aug. 14: 4 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 15: 9:30, 7 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 16: Noon
Wed., Aug. 17: 3 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 18: Break camp
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jmullin@tribune.com
