Bears' offense will shake the NFL—or be shaken out

Sporting News, The, June 19, 2000 by Dan Pompei

FB Charles Way's retirement at age 27 because of a right knee problem saddened many in the Giants organization because he was a valuable player and widely respected person. So, the Giants moved quickly to keep him in the fold, naming him their director of player programs. He will help the players deal with life off the field and prepare for life after football.... Cowboys officials are bubbling with enthusiasm over DE Dimitrius Underwood, a minimum-wage free-agent pickup. The previously troubled Underwood appears to have his bipolar disorder under control and better understands how to manage the disease. The big test will come in the heat of training camp.... The Saints have been overjoyed by the leadership skills QB Jeff Blake has displayed in his first four months with the dub. Blake has established himself as a confident on-field leader and positive locker-room presence. He has mastered offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy's playbook and wows teammates daily with his powerful right arm. Saints officials still are trying to understand why the Bengals kept trying to replace Blake.... Offensive coordinator Joe Pendry has a reputation of emphasizing a ball-control running game, but look for the Bills to be more wide-open this season. During minicamp, they experimented with a variety of spread passing formations using tight ends and running backs as extra wideouts.... This could be the last season with the Panthers for DT Sean Gilbert and CB Doug Evans if their production doesn't more closely match their price. Unless their contracts are restructured, Gilbert and Evans will take up nearly $16 million in salary cap space in 2001.

Senior writer Dan Pompei covers the NFL for THE SPORTING NEWS. E-mail him at pompei@sportingnews.com.