[CBFF] Too early for Bears anxiety (Rozner)

[Victor Waldron]

(I love Rozner which is why I am disappointed he has recycled the same
questions about the Bears. Reality: the Bears are *no worse* than they
were last season and they would've made the NFC championship game if
they had a better gameplan. That and the fact of Grossman being in his
second start of the season.

Is Carolina really that much better? We'll see. Needless to say the
Bears are going to have to start out proving the doubters wrong. Hell,
even Roz admits that the '05 was no fluke like the '01 version. I
cannot wait to get the season started.)

Too early for Bears anxiety

Barry Rozner
By Barry Rozner
Daily Herald Sports Columnist
Posted Thursday, June 22, 2006

Most years, Bears apoplexy doesn't set in until roughly July 5, or
shortly after the last moron has blown off his hand with an M-80.

But it started earlier this year, seemingly because three Bears are
upset with their contracts, and everyone's worried about team
chemistry.

Sorry, but it's June, and if those three aren't around when camp
starts, then you can worry about it.

In the meantime, remember that Thomas Jones signed here as a free
agent, and if he didn't know working for Michael McCaskey means
forever being underpaid and unappreciated, then he didn't do his
homework.

As for the two Pro Bowlers — Lance Briggs and Nathan Vasher — they had
the misfortune of being drafted by the Bears, and however legitimate
their disappointment, holding out this summer won't get them what they
want.

So they'll be around when it matters.

The other big concern is what's known as "the 2001 bounce,'' but it
doesn't apply here because that Bears team was lucky, and the 2005
club was good.

It is, however, appropriate to wonder if they'll be able to take the
next step, and at the moment there's not much reason to think they can
move on to the NFC title game or the Super Bowl.

All teams have holes, but with the Panthers improving, the Bears still
have many questions. For example:

•Can Rex Grossman stay healthy and be productive? For that matter, can
Brian Griese?

•Can they find a legit burner at wide receiver among the current crop?

•Will their secondary be good enough if Mike Brown can't stay healthy?
Will it be good enough if he can?

•Can they consistently punish opposing quarterbacks?

•Can Cedric Benson give them their money's worth?

•Which will happen first: The Bears finding a tight end, or the Cubs
winning a World Series?

And while you're pondering that, and if you haven't seized up,
remember that the Bears' division is about the worst it's ever been.

Sure, Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk, who might have been the best
player in the draft, could knock out all three Bears QBs in the
opener, but that's about all you have to fear.

Aside from that, the Bears will have 16 games to find the answers to
those questions, and perhaps even get another first-round bye.

So relax. The Bears will be fine.

At least, until the second weekend in January.