European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 31, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 22 a the stars and stripes saturday August 31, 1991nfl �?T91 news stays bad bears by Dave Goldberg a football writer the Chicago bears 1990 season ended with a 31-3 drubbing by the new York giants in the second round of the playoffs. The 1991 Campaign started just about As auspiciously. First William Perry Hub of the defensive line arrived in training Camp at 370 pounds. Then Jimbo Covert key to the offensive line went out with a Back injury that May end his career. A a a we have a lot of other football players trying to be football players a coach Mike Ditka said of the fridges perennial weight problem. �?o1 have to. Concern myself with the rest of the  still it typifies Chicago a continuing circus a Perry is coming off his Best year when he alternated in the Middle of the defensive front with Dan Hampton and Steve Mcmichael. This year with Hampton retired Perry was counted on to Anchor the defensive line but Only if he came in around 315. The key to Chicago a 11-5 season last year after a 6-10 slide in 1989 was the defense and running game featuring Neal Anderson one of the leagues Best unheralded backs. This year the bears will defend their pfc Central title against last season s sliders the Minnesota Vikings who not Only fell to 6-10 but a a won a tiebreaker to finish last and get an easier schedule this season. Detroit Green Bay and Tampa Bay who also finished 6-10, will be trying to get off the Treadmill that with few exceptions has kept them mired below .500 for a decade. A Chicago bears Chicago which has won the division title six of the last seven years remains the favorite. But coverts injury signifies erosion of an offensive line that had been together since 1984. First round draft Choice Stan Thomas could replace Covert. The rest of the team that dominated the division also is growing old. But there a also a Good Young nucleus on defense that includes end Trace Armstrong and backs Donnell Woolford and Mark Carrier last years defensive Rookie of the year. Offence is another Story. With Mike Tomczak in Green Bay Jim Yharbaugh is the quarterback of record with second year Man Peter Tom Willis behind him. Harbaugh May do More than hand off to Anderson and Brad Muster this year. A a we la throw More on first Down Quot Ditka said of a team that averaged just 159 Yards a game in the air last year. A we have to generate 250 Yards passing a pfc Central preview Tampa Bay buccaneers last yeah rebounded from 6-10, first losing season since 1982 logo 11-5. Beal saints 16-6 in first round of playoffs lost giants 31-3 in second round strengths running game headed by Neal Anderson solid corps of Young players headed by defensive end Trace Armstrong and defensive backs Donnell Woolford and Mark Carrier. Weaknesses possible age problem with offensive line which has lost tackle Jimbo Covert to Back injury. Depth at defensive line particularly of William Perry reporting to Camp at 350 pounds. Passing game. Newcomers no. 1 pick Stan Thomas who wih have to step in at tackle Lor Covert second year Man Peter Tom Willis who could Challenge Jim Harbaugh Lor quarterback Job. Minnesota Vikings this division gets a key game opening week when the Vikings come to Chicago. Until proven otherwise last years 6-10 record will have to be viewed As an aberration for the Vikings usually among the league leaders in pro bowl players. A pro bowlers Are overrated a said coach Jerry Burns who has turned Over his coaching staff this year. A a it show the team does a How the team did last year was the result of a season ending knee injury to Keith Millard one of the a Fly Stop defensive lineman and a series of injuries to quarterback Wade Wilson. The Vikings Are also hoping for an All pro year at last from Herschel Walker whose Start Wasny to auspicious a during the Vikings pre Camp Camp. Walker was off trying out for the . Bobsled team. He is the key to a new one Back three receiver of last yeah slipped from division title and three straight player appearances to 6-10, leading to the departure of the two coordinators a Bob Schnelker on offence and Floyd pettys on defense. One reason was injuries particularly those to defensive tackle Keith Millard and quarterback Wade Wilson. Strengths Overall de sense. Particularly pass Rush with Millard Back to team with Chris  safety Joey Browner wide receivers Anthony Carter and Hassan Jones tight end Sieve Jordan. Weaknesses perhaps quarterback inability to utilize talents of Herschel Walker underachieving against teams they should beat inability to win outdoors since 1989. Lack of draft choices surrendered for Walker. Newcomers none with immediate Impact see above a file Chicago will run As far As Unsung Neal Anderson does. How  finish 1. Minnesota 4. Tampa Bay 2. Chicago 5. Detroit 3. Green Bay last year plopped Back Down to 6-10 from a 10-6 season that raised expectations. Hurt by holdout of quarterback Don Majkowski and his subsequent shoulder injury. Strengths Majkowski. If can repeat 1989 perform in face. And wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Linebacker with Tim Harris a Premier pass rusher and the underrated Brian Noble. Weaknesses Lack of consistent running game. Packers Haven t had a 1,000-Yard rusher since Terdell Middleton in 1978, and fullback Michael Haddix was leading rusher with paltry 311 Yards last year. Age in the secondary. Offensive line whore Tony Mandarich has Yel to produce like the highly touted draft Choice he was. Newcomers a a Mike Tomczak plan b acquisition from bears who provides experienced backup to Majkowski cd Vincent Clark no. 1 pick who could help pass Welense immediately. Re Chuck Webb no. 3 Choice who could be a Seal if he comes Back from knee injury sustained in College. Last year eighth straight losing season at 6-10, accomplished in characteristic fashion a started 4-2, finished 2-8. That was enough to gel Ray Perkins fired with Richard Williamson who took Over after 13th game As interim coach staying on for this season. Strengths potential of passing game featuring Vinny Testaverde the Unsung Mark Carrier and Bruce Hill the versatile Gary Anderson and underrated tight end Ron Hall. Potential of second year running Back Reggie Cobb. Weaknesses secondary defensive and offensive lines. Where Only tackle Raul Gruber and no. 1 pick Charles Mcrae Are building blocks. Newcomers Williamson and defensive coordinator Floyd Peters from Minnesota Mcrae who held out Tor a month before signing. Sense that presumably will provide him More space to operate. Millard seems on the Way Back and with end Chris Doleman and safety Joey Browner gives the defense three players of All pro Caliper. But the line backing corps could use help. Blessed with a schedule that gives the Vikings two games with Phoenix and another with new England Minnesota should be Back near the top of the division. On the other hand the Vikings tend to lose games they should win and Haven to won outdoors since 1989. A Green Bay packers Green Bay went 10-6 two years ago with the help of a last place schedule then slipped to 6-10 last year when quarterback Don Majkowski held out before injuring a shoulder. Majkowski is Back filling one Hole in Lindy Infante a precision offence and Sterling Sharpe is one of the league s Premier receivers. But second year Man Darrell Thompson has to emerge if the running game is to be there. The defense features pass Rushing linebacker and world class talker Tim Harris and is solid but not Brilliant. First round draft pick Vincent Clark was taken to bolster an aging secondary. Detroit waited for Barry and he finally showed up Tampa Bay is waiting for Bill but not in the immediate future. Bill Parcells who left the giants after his second super bowl is rumoured to be headed for the bucs next season. That does no to enhance the Job Security of Richard Williamson. A Parcells who owns a Home in Florida says he s Happy with a future in television  took Over when Ray Perkins was fired last season and won once in three games. That was just enough to take the a a interim from in front of his name. This year he hired Floyd Peters the former Minnesota defensive coordinator. And has moved Keith Mccants last years top draft pick and one of a slew of High Choice underachievers of the past few years to defensive end in a four Man line. But the key Here has to be the emergence of Vinny Testaverde yet to fulfil the Promise of being the no. 1 Overall pick in 1987. Last year Testaverde almost got Over the Hump a he had 17 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in the 13 games he started. A a he a made Progress on a steady basis a Williamson says of Testaverde whose 35 interceptions in 1988 were a modern nil record. A Detroit Lions Detroit a Hope is Barry Sanders the a Fly a leading rusher last season. He should be Content after getting a contract Extension. Ironically Wayne forties went after bigger receivers starting with top draft Choice Herman Moore and will use a tight end in some situations a specifically to utilize Sanders More than last year when he led the nil in Rushing with 1,304. Yards on just 255 carries. Rodney Peete will be the quarterback with Andre Ware pressing him and there a Talent on defense in linebackers Mike Cofer another holdout and Chris Spielman and nose tackle Jerry Ball if he a in shape. But Cofer is the Only pass rusher and there Arentt enough Good players to get Detroit off its sub-.500 Treadmill. Except for Barry Sanders. Tomorrow pfc West last yeah went from 7-9 and High expectations to 6-10, including two overtime losses a one to Washington in a game in which they led by 21 Points in third Quarter. Mouse Davis and june Jones the two assistants responsible for run and shoot offence left in the off season. Strengths up nning Back Barry Sanders linebackers Chris Spielman and Mike Cofer offensive tackle Lomas Brown. Weaknesses failure to utilize Sanders who despite leading league in Rushing carried just 255 times. Lack of a pass Rush comeback inconsistency at quarterback where Rodney Peete and Andre Ware will probably both play. Newcomers no. 1 Herman Moore and no. 3 Reggie Barrett who add size to a receiving corps that was largely a collection of smurfs second no. 1 pick de was Pritchett was taken with Hopes of beefing up pass Rush. Up file Barry Sanders will see the Ball More this season