Mike Ditka is prepared for the worst, but he`s anticipating a reprieve when his job comes up for review by Michael McCaskey.
”I have a gut feeling, but I have no indication,” said Ditka on WSCR radio. ”I`m an optimist. I believe in the best, and I believe all things will work out. But I don`t really believe I can control what other people feel or think.
”I think Mike Ditka has never been in a very vulnerable position since I have been in Chicago. But I am in a vulnerable position right now with the fans and with the media. So it might be the time to cut it. It might be time to cut the cord.
”Life goes on. I want to be back very badly. I really care for this football team. I really care for the organization. And I am a Bear.”
– Ditka has identified several areas that need to be addressed if the Bears are to improve.
”We really haven`t had an impact tight end for a couple of years,” said Ditka. ”I think that is a very important position. I happened to play the position myself.”
– Running back Neal Anderson said he learned something from the lost season.
”I was happy I wasn`t starting the last few games,” he said, ”because it gave me a chance to see for myself if it was all me.”
Anderson, who ended the season with 582 yards rushing, his lowest total since he became a starter in 1987, said: ”I was starting to question myself. Have I lost it? Am I washed up?
”So when Darren Lewis, who is a great running back, goes in and still the running game doesn`t go, you say to yourself, `Hey, it isn`t just me;
we`ve got some problems.` ”
Anderson, who has differed with Ditka in the past, said it wouldn`t matter to him who is coaching in 1993. ”I don`t care who`s here,” he said.
”If he (Ditka) is here, I`ll play hard. If he`s not, I`ll play just the same.”
Anderson, who has one more year left on his contract, said he`d like to be back next year ”if they want me here. But if not, I`ll be fine wherever I play.”