BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- To Muhsin Muhammad, the similarities
are striking. He looks at the Bears and sees the Carolina Panthers
of a few years ago, which is one reason the All-Pro wide receiver
signed to play in Chicago.
"Not really an established quarterback, pretty decent running
game," Muhammad said Thursday, listing the similarities. "Great
defense. Just needed a couple elements to put them over the top."
Carolina made an unexpected run to the Super Bowl two years ago.
And if the Bears get there this season, it would be, well,
unexpected.
They were 5-11 a year ago, ravaged by injuries on both sides of
the ball.
But the signing of Muhammad, a two-time Pro Bowl selection
during nine seasons with Carolina, is one reason the Bears believe
they can turn things around. He's coming off a season in which he
caught 93 passes and led the NFL with a career-high 1,405 yards.
And the Bears believe Muhammad will draw double teams and take the
pressure off other receivers.
"Muhsin is going to be so valuable you can't really understand
it until it happens," receiver Bobby Wade said.
Still, the Bears have an unproven quarterback in Rex Grossman,
who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 last season.
They started seven combinations on the offensive line because of
injuries and allowed a franchise-record 66 sacks.
The Bears are 85-123 with two playoff appearances in the past 13
seasons. The 1985 championship season is a distant memory, but
Muhammad insisted the current team reminds him of the 2003
Panthers.
"The Bears gave me the best opportunity to win a
championship," he said. "They had exceptional defense. The
offense needed to be bolstered a bit, but they had a lot of
injuries to a lot of guys coming back. "
The Panthers released Muhammad in late February in a salary cap
move. The next day, the Bears gave him a six-year contract with a
$12 million signing bonus.
His nine years with the Panthers were filled with highs and
lows. There were Pro Bowl selections in 1999 and 2004, and the run
to the Super Bowl. And last season, as the No. 1 receiver after
Steve Smith broke a leg early on, although Carolina stumbled to
7-9.
He was popular in Carolina and active in the community. Yet
there was turmoil.
Muhammad was a witness at court hearings for Rae Carruth, who
was convicted of arranging the murder of his girlfriend, and Deidra
Lane, who shot husband Fred Lane to death. Then-Panthers
quarterback Kerry Collins used a racial slur toward Muhammad. And
Muhammad was arrested three years ago on misdemeanor drug and
weapons charges.
"You learn from any mistakes you make in life," the
32-year-old Muhammad said.
Muhammad has been criticized for dropping passes. He said his
goals this season are to catch 90 percent of the balls thrown his
way and set an example for the other receivers. He embraces the
role of veteran leader.
"You would expect an old veteran guy like that to come in,
chill out during practice, because he's already been there and done
that," safety Mike Brown said. "But everyday, he's out there
busting his (butt). It rubs off on the younger guys."