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Chicago Bears Top priority is finding a QB to take advantage of WRs
Chicago opens its training camp at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in Platteville, Wis., on July 21. By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com With a stable chocked full of receivers, the Bears spent their first-round draft choice on … WR David Terrell. The combination of Terrell and Marcus Robinson gives Chicago a receiving duo to potentially rival that of Minnesota's Cris Carter and Randy Moss. The Bears can make the playoffs if … a quarterback emerges from the triad of Shane Matthews, Cade McNown and Jim Miller. And if Robinson and Engram can stay healthy. And if a running back steps up. And if the defense … OK, you get the picture; there's not much hope for Chicago this season. Pivotal games: No doubt Chicago would like to swap its Week 4 bye for a break during a brutal six-week stretch against NFC Central foes in Weeks 10-15. If the Bears have postseason aspirations, they must capitalize between Nov. 18-Dec. 9, when three of four games will be road affairs against Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Green Bay. On the hot seat: McNown is in danger of becoming a monumental bust. In two seasons, the lefty has thrown 16 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He had completed about 55 percent of his passes and his QB rating is a paltry 67.7. These are not the numbers Chicago fans envisioned when McNown was the No. 12 overall pick in the 1999 draft. Up-and-coming: Running back James Allen burst on the scene with a team-leading 1,120 yards last season. His reward? The Bears drafted Anthony Thomas in the second round of the 2001 draft. While James -- who scored just two TDs last season -- will get the majority of the carries, expect Thomas to become the workhorse near the goal line. Sports Illustrated's season preview will post Aug. 29.
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