Bears: Winning preseason record could bode well for Bears

[tr1]

September 4, 2005

BY BRAD BIGGS STAFF REPORTER

http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-biggs04.html

With every team's record set back to 0-0 after the closure of the exhibition season Friday, most are discounting what happened in the Bears' first winning preseason in 11 years.

"How many teams do you know that went 4-0 in the preseason and won the Super Bowl?'' strong safety Mike Brown said.

The 2003 New England Patriots are the last team to do so, but that's not the point. While a poor preseason record is not necessarily a harbinger of bad things to come -- it's doubtful the Indianapolis Colts are too worried despite an 0-5 mark this summer -- a good preseason can mean something. Since 1994, only two teams with losing preseasons have gone on to win the Super Bowl: the 1995 Dallas Cowboys and last year's Patriots. Only eight of the 24 playoff teams from the last two seasons had losing exhibition records. The trends aren't new.

"This preseason was good,'' Brown said. "Obviously you want to win to get off to a good start. But all of that can go out the window in the first game if you get dominated. It's all about the regular season, and we have to start fast.''

Usually, players talk in terms of taking it one at a time. While Brown is not overlooking anyone, he recognizes the Bears need a fast start to build some momentum, develop some confidence for rookie quarterback Kyle Orton and build a little wiggle room.

"We need a three-game winning streak right off the bat,'' Brown said.

The Bears open at Washington next Sunday, then host Detroit and Cincinnati at Soldier Field before a bye in Week 4. Ambitious planning by Brown? Perhaps. That kind of start might just turn the city on its side. The Bears have not been 3-0 since 1991 and have started 2-1 only three times since then. They might have been a kickoff off Leon Johnson's facemask from a 3-0 start in 2002. The Bears were 2-0 with a 20-7 lead against the Saints when Johnson's muffed kick return began an eight-game losing streak.

"We've never gotten off to a really good start,'' Brown said. "We've always started out behind the 8-ball. That's hard. Then you have to win every game. If you win three in a row, that gives you a little breathing room and some time to jell. If you're chasing right away, it's a big, uphill battle. We've played pretty well in the second half of the season, but we need to start off on fire.''

FINAL MOVES: The Bears made their final cuts Saturday, releasing offensive linemen Rob Droege and Anthony Oakley, linebacker Jeremy Cain and fullback Keith Belton. That means they will go with only one fullback on the active roster, Marc Edwards. That's OK because offensive coordinator Ron Turner likes to use tight ends in fullback roles from time to time. It's expected the Bears will try to sign all four players they let go to the practice squad, which can be established at 11 a.m. today.

As reported last week, quarterback Rex Grossman will be carried on the 53-man roster, and undrafted free agent Brandon McGowan from Maine made the team. McGowan was a tryout at rookie minicamp, taking the same path fellow safety Cameron Worrell did in 2003. Defensive tackle Darrell Campbell, a Thornwood product, also made the team.

Running back Cedric Benson is exempted from the roster until Sept. 12 but probably will be activated before the Redskins game, meaning someone else will go.

SLIM PICKINGS: General manager Jerry Angelo said the Bears would keep an eye on which quarterbacks became available in final cuts, but the market was bare late Saturday. Bringing in veteran Jeff Blake three weeks ago is looking like a good move.

Pittsburgh kept both of its veteran backups to Ben Roethlisberger -- Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch -- taking them out of consideration when the Steelers let go of Brian St. Pierre instead. Ex-Bear Craig Krenzel even got a job, winning the No. 3 spot in Cincinnati.

BRINGING MY SHOES: Third tight end Gabe Reid found out Friday he had made the 53-man roster, and his locker looked like he had been greeted with a prank right off the bat. It was crammed with dozens of cleats and other athletic footware. Reid, however, had collected discarded shoes from teammates to ship to his homeland of Somoa, where cleats are not easy to come by for kids.

"I have to prove I belong here now,'' said Reid, who looked like he would make the team last season before a knee injury forced him to injured reserve. "Even though you made it this week doesn't mean you're going to be here next. I've got to prove myself every single day.''

BEARS SCHEDULE Sept. 11 at Washington noon

Sept. 18 Detroit noon

Sept. 25 Cincinnati noon

Oct. 2 Bye week

Oct. 9 at Cleveland noon

Oct. 16 Minnesota noon

Oct. 23 Baltimore 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 30 at Detroit noon

Nov. 6 at New Orleans noon

Nov. 13 San Francisco noon

Nov. 20 Carolina noon

Nov. 27 at Tampa Bay noon

Dec. 4 Green Bay noon

Dec. 11 at Pittsburgh noon

Dec. 18 Atlanta 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 25 at Green Bay 4 p.m.

Jan. 1 at Minnesota noon

Games on Fox-32 except Sept. 25 and Oct. 23 (Ch. 2) and Dec. 18 (ESPN); all games on 780-AM.

[fuji869]

Indianapolis was 0-5 in the preseason but I don't think there is any real concern with Manning and Company.

[Clinton Portis]

Are you serious?

At this point I think the Bears fans are just clinging to any ray of hope to save the 05 season..

[Skins81]

This is a case of fans having a young QB who they think is going to be good, which leads to unrealistic hope. They have no idea how quickly this thing is going to fall apart. All the sweet talk about this guy and what he has done against nonstarters will become a cruel reality, not just against us but thru the whole season.

[tr1]

Are you serious?

At this point I think the Bears fans are just clinging to any ray of hope to save the 05 season..

Ummm...I bleed burgandy and gold...just posting this to get a take on the Bears' point of view...