Chicago BEARS   2002 Record: 4-12 Head Coach: Dick Jauron 28-36-0 overall, 0-1 postseason TEAM LEADERS   Passing Jim Miller 180-314, 1,944 yards, 13 TDs, 9 INTs   Rushing Anthony Thomas 214 carries, 721 yards, 6 TDs   Receiving Marty Booker 97 catches, 1,183 yards, 6 TDs   Kicking Paul Edinger 22-28 FG, 29-29 PAT, 95 points Schedule | Roster | Statistics | Stadium

By B. Duane Cross, SI.com

Coming off a 13-3 season, Windy City faithful believed the 2002 season held bigger and better promise. Yeah, well so much raising the bar.

Da Bears sloughed across the finish line an unremarkable 4-12 -- the same record as the expansion Houston Texans. Even worse, after a two-game winning streak to start the year, Chicago lost eight consecutive games and gave up the seventh-most points in the league and scored the sixth-fewest points.

Is there any wonder Chicagoans are ready to welcome their Bears back to remodeled Soldier Field?

However, fifth-year head coach Dick Jauron embarks on what could be a make-or-break season: Win and all's well. Lose and the Bears' hierarchy may opt to eat the final year of the three-year contract he signed after the 2001 season.

The bottom line is that Chicago was -- is -- better than last season's won-loss record would lead casual fans to believe. The offense has a solid nucleus, beginning with RB Anthony Thomas. WR Marty Booker has been forced to pick up the slack in recent years because injuries have decimated the receiving corps, and adding a young receiver should be addressed in the 2004 draft. Defensively, it all starts with two fourth-year players: LB Brian Urlacher and FS Mike Brown.

The Bears' bye comes in Week 3, and schedule makers did the team no favors with a season-ending stretch that includes the Rams, Broncos, Packers, Vikings, Redskins and Chiefs over the final seven weeks. Chicago drafted 12 players, and while Da Bears fanatics are eagerly awaiting the debuts of first-rounders DE Michael Haynes and QB Rex Grossman, keep an eye on fifth-round choice Justin Gage. He could prove to be a keeper; at 6-foot-4, 217 pounds, he'll get a long look at receiver.

>> Impact Signing

QB Kordell Stewart -- There's not a lot to choose from, considering Da Bears made Stewart and TE Desmond Clark their only offseason free-agent signings. Cut loose by the Steelers after eight generally unproductive seasons, Stewart also was courted by the Arizona Cardinals before signing in the Windy City.

Chicago's hope is that a change of scenery will do for Stewart what Baltimore did for Trent Dilfer a few years ago. Don't buy the hype; the Bears' defense isn't good enough -- yet -- to overcome Stewart's shortcomings. Once considered the face of the new breed of NFL QBs -- good arm, agile, quick feet -- this may come as a surprise: During his five full seasons as a starter, Stewart was sacked an average of 26.8 times a year. A lot of that can be attributed to indecision, which made the Steelers' decision to slash Slash all the more easier.

>> Impact Loss

LB Rosevelt Colvin -- One reason why the Bears' D will not be as good as last season is the loss of Colvin, who joined the Patriots in what is widely regarded as one of the best offseason deals. However, the return of DT Ted Washington, who played in only one game last year, will help offset Colvin's departure.

>> Fantasy Stud

WR Marty Booker -- He was the most consistent performer on offense last year, setting a career high with 1,183 yards, including three games of at least 140 yards. However, he tailed off in the second half, tallying only one TD and one 100-yard game after Oct. 27, although some of that had to with the sorry state of the Chicago QB situation at the end of the season. Booker is still a top-notch No. 1 receiver, who should put up points with a decent quarterback.

>> Fantasy Sleeper

WR David Terrell -- After a disappointing rookie season, he looked to be on his way to a solid second year, notching three TDs in five games before going down with a broken foot. If Terrell is healthy, he can serve as a great complement to Booker. If last season's early results are any indication, he could be a touchdown machine.

>> Bears will not make the playoffs because ...

Kordell Stewart cannot lead a team, at least that's the knock until he proves otherwise. The Bears' offense isn't going to scare anyone -- yet -- and while Anthony Thomas and Marty Booker are keepers, they need a better supporting cast.