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NFC North: Chicago Bears preview

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Predicted order of finish in the NFC North: Fourth

Coach: Lovie Smith, first season.

2003: 7-9 (third in NFC North). Dick Jauron's fourth losing season in five cost him his job.

Key additions: OG Ruben Brown, DT Tommie Harris, FB Bryan Johnson, DT Terry Johnson, RB Thomas Jones, QB Jonathan Quinn, DE Adewale Ogunleye, OT John Tait.

Key losses: WR Marty Booker, QB Chris Chandler, DE Phillip Daniels, LB Warrick Holdman, DT Bryan Robinson, QB Kordell Stewart, DT Keith Traylor, OL Chris Villarrial, WR Dez White.

Pre-snap read: Are the Bears about to become the third installment of the Greatest Show on Turf? Smith, the former St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator, brought in Terry Shea from the Kansas City Chiefs to run the multi-formation offense that has produced some of the league's top units in the past five years. QB Rex Grossman, who started three games as a rookie, will run the offense. The Bears brought in Jones to be the next back in the line of Marshall Faulk and Priest Holmes. After the Bears traded Booker for Ogunleye, former first-round pick David Terrell is the default No. 1 receiver. The draft was devoted mostly to supplying quick players for Smith's cover-2 defense. Harris, the No. 1 pick, and Johnson, a former Washington Husky drafted in the second round, could start. Ogunleye, who had 15 sacks for Miami in 2003, should speed up a pass rush that produced a league-low 18 sacks in 2003. The Bears also need to create more takeaways; they had 20 in 2003, second fewest in the league. Smith's Rams were No. 1 with 46.

What to expect: A new coach, a new system and a new quarterback are never a formula for immediate success. The Bears will likely take a step back before making a move in the NFC North.

The line on the line: The only two proven commodities in this group are Pro Bowl C Olin Kreutz and OT Tait. Injuries factor into who plays the other positions; LT is the biggest concern.

Grade: C+

Offensive leaders
Pos.	Player	2003 statistics
QB	Rex Grossman	437 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB	Thomas Jones	627 yds, 4.6 avg, 3 TD
WR	David Terrell	43 rec, 361 yds, 1 TD
WR	Justin Gage	17 rec, 338 yds, 2 TD
TE	Desmond Clark	44 rec, 433 yds, 2 TD

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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