The temptation is to give the whole team an incomplete and be done with it. Incomplete team, incomplete season, incomplete playoff drive.
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But it isn’t that easy.
With few exceptions, the Bears have actually been almost free of injury the last six weeks after watching nearly half the team go down before that.
Since their bye week eight weeks ago, they have gone 5-3, losing two games–at Kansas City and at Denver–by an average of four points. And with the exception of the 28-17 loss at Green Bay, the Bears’ defense held seven opponents in that span to 17 points or fewer–six to 14 points or fewer.
So is this a good team or a bad team?
More than anything, it’s a frustrated one on the verge of seeing the season end too early.
“I think our whole team wishes we had five more games left right now so we could go out there and prove something to everybody,” said tight end Ryan Wetnight.
With one game remaining Sunday at Tampa Bay, and a victory leaving the Bears with an 8-8 record, the defense will most likely finish the season ranked among the top half of the league and the offense in the bottom third, thanks to a lethargic passing game.
Here’s a look at the Bears’ regulars and how they performed in ’96.
453 responses to the Bears Web site grade the team’s performance this season:
Isaacson-Jauss grades and comments. Internet grades.
HEAD COACH
B- Dave Wannstedt: Give him ample credit for motivating a team decimated by injury, never losing them and short of the final game, finishing strong. He could have made a quicker decision to start Raymont Harris at tailback and maybe experimented a little more with Bobby Engram at wide receiver. In general, his talent never seems to match his optimism.
Offense
C B- QB Dave Krieg: QB rating has him in the middle of the pack and definitely doesn’t have Erik Kramer’s arm, but at 38, has done everything expected of him and provided strong leadership.
B B RB Raymont Harris: Injuries kept him out of four games, but still the team’s leading rusher with 3.9-yard average in 15 games, and goes into camp next summer as No. 1 tailback.
C- B- RB Rashaan Salaam: Did play hurt but undoubtedly a disappointing year. Appeared to lose a step, averaging 3.4 yards
B B- FB Tony Carter: Unsung hero of offense, didn’t carry the ball 10 of 15 games but lead blocker on all five 100-yard rushing games, third-leading receiver.
C B- WR Michael Timpson: Improved as the season went on, though is still without a touchdown catch with one game left and not as tough after the catch as Bears had hoped.
B+ B WR Curtis Conway: Needs 71 yards for second straight 1,000-yard season, has proven he can be go-to guy, though he doesn’t get as many opportunities, especially long balls, as he’d like.
B B WR Bobby Engram: Great rookie year as third-down receiver, arguably deserves starting status; very poised, ditto as punt returner.
I C+ TE `The Tight End Group’: Inc. A Grade-A disaster epitomizing the Bears season with four different starters — Keith Jennings, Ryan Wetnight, Bobby Neely and Kerry Cash. Hurt the running and passing games. An incomplete.
B B C Jerry Fontenot: Quarterback of the line, respected veteran, invaluable in third-down nickel situations.
C+ B RG Todd Burger: Hindered by injuries that caused him to miss five games and eight starts, still one of the tougher players on the team.
B+ B LG Todd Perry: Durable, dependable, one of best drive blockers in the league, solid against pass and run.
B- B- RG Chris Villarrial: Major jump from small college to a contributor as a rookie at a difficult position to learn, stepped in for the injured Todd Burger and the line didn’t miss a step.
B B LT Andy Heck: Didn’t miss a game and didn’t allow a sack. Consistent performer. Bulk of rushing yardage came behind Heck and Perry.
B+ B RT James Williams: Wellworth the money, hasn’t missed a snap in two seasons, worthy of Pro Bowl consideration.
Defense
B B- RE Alonzo Spellman: Played with a cast on his hand early in the season but still excellent run defender, sack-leader on the line, though he could get more. Vocal leader.
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B- B- LE Al Fontenot: Solid first season as a regular starter, had career-high 11 tackles at Kansas City, continued to improve.
B- B- RT Carl Simpson: Latebloomer with opportunity to take over for the injured Chris Zorich, late bloomer, didn’t miss a game.
B+ B- LT Jim Flanigan: Never more appreciated than when he missed Green Bay and New Orleans games due to injury and defense faltered, tied with Spellman for most tackles on the line with one game left, five sacks.
C B- LT Paul Grasmanis: Big, strong rookie filled in for Flanigan and worked his way into rotation, achieving his own lofty goal.
C+ B- MLB Bryan Cox: Made an impact in first season with the Bears, but slowed by thumb injury that ended his season after nine games. Had career-high 15 tackles vs. Oakland, recovered a fumble for first career TD vs. Dallas.
C B- MLB Barry Minter: Filled in well for Cox, candidate for outside starter next season if Smith or Cain don’t re-sign, speed an asset.
B B- WLB Joe Cain: Second-leading tackler on the team, dependable veteran, smart.
B B- SLB Vinson Smith: Played through injury; tackle production down from career year last season; will be missed if isn’t re-signed
B B LCB Donnell Woolford: Salary drive or not, played like All-Pro when healthy. Packers would celebrate if he doesn’t re-sign. Team-leading six interceptions.
C+ B- RCB Walt Harris: Turf toe in part created an up-and-down season, reliable tackler but a learning year, potential star.
A- B SS Marty Carter: Team’s leading tackler, Pro Bowl caliber. Free agent aquisition earns team’s top grade.
C B- FS Mark Carrier: Broke 23-game (regular-season) interception drought at Minnesota, snatched another next game vs. Tampa Bay. Missed first game in NFL career at Green Bay with ankle injury, inactive next two games.
B- B- S Anthony Marshall: Didn’t hurt defense when replaced Carrier, dangerous special-teams player; second on team in special teams tackles.
SPECIALISTS
B+ B K Jeff Jaeger: Missed 32-yarder at New Orleans with four minutes remaining that would have given Bears the lead slightly flawed an otherwise terrific season that has made everyone forget about Kevin Butler. Has converted 12 of 15 field goals from 40 yards or more, best in league.
B+ A P Todd Sauerbrun: Most improved player on the team after bust rookie season; second alternate to Pro Bowl. A few too many touchbacks on punts but otherwise consistent.