[CBFF] Bears expecting intense competition at receiver

[Victor Waldron]

(I thought it would be good to post this since we've been having a
little discussion on the WRs. I don't think any of this info is
particularly enlightening, rather it reinforces what we already know:
that someone needs to emerge from this group as a true #2 and it's
difficult to tell who.)

Bears expecting intense competition at receiver
July 12, 2006
By Larry Mayer

The following story is the third of nine training camp position previews:

Muhsin Muhammad is one of just six NFL players to catch at least 50
passes in each of the last eight seasons.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Muhsin Muhammad returns as the Bears' No. 1
receiver, but the competition for the No. 2 and 3 spots figures to be
fierce in training camp with as many as five players vying for those
positions.

In his first season in Chicago in 2005, Muhammad led the Bears in all
receiving categories with 64 catches, 750 yards and 4 touchdowns. No
other player had more than 31 receptions.

Leading contenders for the second and third spots behind Muhammad
include Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley, Airese Currie, converted
cornerback Rashied Davis and Justin Gage.

Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake discusses the position with ChicagoBears.com:

How would you assess Muhsin Muhammad's first year with the Bears in
2005 and what are your expectations for him this season?

I thought his first year was pretty good, but probably not as good as
he would have liked it to be. There were some circumstances that
prevented that from happening. There were some plays that he could
have made and then there were some plays that most guys don't make
that he made. He has high goals for himself this season; being a
1,000-yard receiver and catching 80-90 balls, which he had been doing
over the last couple years.

Who has the inside track for the No. 2 position?

Right now that No. 2 is hard to say. With Mark Bradley (rebounding
from a knee injury) and Justin Gage having a few injuries this spring,
Bernard Berrian right now has the inside shot at it. But if things
continue to progress, you need to keep your eyes on Rashied Davis
because he has demonstrated this offseason that he has the ability and
potential to be that guy. He's jumped into the mix in my opinion and
he needs to continue to do that.

What are Rashied Davis' strengths and weaknesses?

Experience is what he needs most, but he catches the ball well, he's
very coachable and he's very quick. He gets in and out of his breaks
as well as anybody and he's consistently making plays out there, and
that's what it's all about. You want guys that are playmakers, guys
that can do things for you and are a threat (down the field). He's
really come a long way in a short period of time.

Where is Mark Bradley in terms of his recovery and his understanding
of the offense?

He understands things so much better and you can see those things.
Right now he (isn't 100 percent). But you see improvement each and
every day. All I'm looking for from him right now is to make sure that
he's doing things right in the mental part of the game. There's going
to come a point in time where he's able to do those things like we
know he can. But he's got some time and the worst thing that we could
do to him is rush him. That would be suicide.

How would you assess Bernard Berrian?

Bernard's been working with the (starting offense) in practice and
he's done some good things. Strength and consistency are the only
things keeping Bernard Berrian from being a top-notch player. He knows
that and he understands that and that's what I'm looking for. What I
mean by consistency is every opportunity he gets to make a play he's
got to make it. He's been in the weight room and he's done some things
there. He's gotten himself bigger and a little bit stronger and he
needs to continue to do that. But it's really hard to evaluate him
(during non-contact drills) because there's not any press-man
coverage. It's not real physical out here yet.

What type of role do you envision for Justin Gage?

Justin is Justin. He's steady and consistent. Justin doesn't have the
speed that you would like, but there's a role for him. He's a guy that
when you put him in there you don't (worry) because you know that he's
going to do the right thing. You know that if the opportunity's there
for him to make a play, he'll make it. Justin's a guy who you can put
in and trust to do things the right way.

Where does Airese Currie fit in the equation?

The jury's still out on him. He needs to stay healthy, and then when
he gets out there he's got to be able to demonstrate to us that he can
do it both from a physical and mental standpoint. He really hasn't had
a lot of time to demonstrate that, so right now we're not sure. I've
talked to him about that and he understands that. He's a great kid and
I think he has the ability. But it's just a matter of us having him
out there so we can see him.