[CBFF] ESPNi - 5 Observations from Bears Camp

[Jerry Madsen]

Thursday, August 3, 2006
Bears need TE Clark to fulfill potential
By John Clayton
ESPN.com

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Here are five observations on the Chicago Bears,
based on camp practices of Aug. 2:

1.
Bernard Berrian is an interesting receiving prospect. He has deep
speed and he's strong. Berrian lifted with the defensive players
during the offseason and added eight pounds of muscle. There is no
doubt he will start the season on the other side of Muhsin Muhammad.
Mark Bradley is coming off reconstructive knee surgery and won't be
near 100 percent until September or October. Bradley is practicing and
doing well, but he's not ready to beat out a healthy Berrian.

The other receiver who looked good in practice is Justin Gage. Gage is
a big receiver (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) and has good downfield speed.
The Bears are taking some criticism for not drafting a wide receiver,
but they have been drafting receivers for years.

With Rex Grossman hurt last year, the Bears rarely threw the deep
ball. Berrian can expect more long throws if Grossman stays healthy.
Berrian injured a finger catching a pass Tuesday, but that shouldn't
slow him down much.

2.
The Bears are pleased with the offseason of tight end Desmond Clark,
but he has to come through this year. Clark caught only 24 passes for
229 yards last year, and the Bears need more from that position. Clark
has worked hard during the offseason. He lost about 15 pounds and is
moving better at 248.

Desmond Clark
Tight end
Chicago Bears

Profile
2005 SEASON STATISTICS
Rec 	Yds 	Avg 	Long 	TD
24 	229 	9.5 	31 	2

"Desmond has a tough job," head coach Lovie Smith said. "Everybody
slams him at the line of scrimmage as a blocker and then he has to go
and catch a pass."

Most people thought the Bears would use one of their top two draft
choices on a tight end. That seemed to be the plan early in the
offseason. Behind Clark are only journeymen John Gilmore and Gabe
Reid.

Clark does have potential for a 50- or 60-catch season. Of course,
last year's stats don't mean much because the offense was scaled back
with rookie quarterback Kyle Orton seeing extended playing time. If
the Bears are able to pass, they need about 35-40 catches from Clark.

3.
The Bears look better in the secondary. Charles Tillman is coming off
a tough season in which his techniques got out of whack. He tried to
be too physical with receivers and ended up getting burned. Coaches
worked with him on some things and he's looking solid.

Nathan Vasher is coming off a Pro Bowl season. The Bears like Ricky
Manning Jr.'s physical play. Though they don't want him to be too
aggressive, Manning was a good addition as a third corner. They also
like the play of another acquisition from the Panthers, Dante Wesley.
He's a big cornerback who looks decent in coverage and will help on
special teams.

Coaches are raving about second-round pick Danieal Manning. He has
cornerback skills at the safety position. His range is excellent.
Don't be surprised if he challenges for a starting job after the start
of the season. A combination of Mike Brown and Manning at safety could
be interesting. Second-round choice Devin Hester is currently running
as the fifth cornerback, but his main duties will be as a returner. He
is expected to be one of the league's most exciting new returners.

4.
Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is head coach-ready. Most people
thought he was going to get the St. Louis job, but there is no doubt
he will get a head coaching job in the next couple of years. A former
linebacker, Rivera is a bright, aggressive coach and players like to
perform for him. This will be an interesting season for him. Every
team in the NFC North is going to the Cover 2 scheme used by the
Bears.

Obviously, the Bears are the team to beat in the NFC North. They have
the league's best defense, and the players are in their third year in
the system. Rivera plans to add a few different things to the game
plan to keep them ahead of the curve in the division. Rivera has
worked well this offseason with the cornerbacks on better coverage.
That could lead to a few more blitzes. A good season for the Bears and
the defense could put Rivera at the top of the hiring list next
season.

5.
Those who are criticizing Smith's decision to take Thomas Jones's
starting job away from him for not showing up in the offseason program
haven't watched Cedric Benson run. Benson looks great.

There is no doubt that the Bears will use both backs, but Benson is
the lead back for now. He worked hard enough in the offseason to earn
the job. The Bears would be crazy to trade Jones unless they get great
value. This league almost demands having two good backs. Benson and
Jones have potential for a 1,400-yard season. The Bears have 30
carries a game to spread around.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

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