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Imrem: Winston an intriguing question for Bears

A funny thing happened Sunday while waiting in the Soldier Field press box for the Lions-Bears game to kick off.

A headline popped up on the computer screen proclaiming, "Michael Vick: Jameis Winston is the future of the NFL."

Jimmy Clausen was about to start at quarterback for the Bears in what would become an uneventful 20-14 loss to the Lions.

Clausen was in the lineup because the only other legitimate option was the flawed and failed Jay Cutler.

Unknown at game time was that the Bears traded Cutler to Detroit so he could throw 2 touchdowns for the Lions.

Wait? What? Oh, that was Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing into coverage?

OK, then, back to Clausen: He was sort of this year's Josh McCown, efficient enough but not dynamic enough to score enough points to win.

"He did well," Lions coach Jim Caldwell graciously said of Clausen. "For his first time out he did a nice job."

Yeah, right. Regardless, the Bears have two quarterbacks who they would be better off without next season.

So, how desperate will the Bears be for a new start at the position? How desperate will the current general manager and head coach be if either is still here? How desperate will Bears fans be?

Desperate enough to gamble on Jameis Winston if he chooses to leave Florida State for the NFL?

Winston is the No. 2 quarterback and No. 6 overall player on ESPN's draft board and might be first in each category if not for off-field issues.

The Bears' record is 5-10. They have one more game next week at Minnesota. Their draft position figures to be somewhere between No. 5 and No. 10.

With all the baggage that comes with Winston, the possibility exists that he could fall to wherever the Bears pick.

Screaming out on Winston's rap sheet is a sexual-assault allegation, though he was cleared Sunday of the accusations he faced at a student code of conduct hearing involving that allegation from two years ago.

Relative whispers include transgressions ranging from shoplifting to causing a disturbance in the student union.

Winston has been a bad actor off the field and a Heisman Trophy winner on it. Any team scouting him will have to weigh the former against the latter.

The dilemma is ongoing in professional sports: Teams have to take chances on talented athletes with dubious character and on athletes with great character but dubious talent.

Vick was quoted all over the Internet as saying about Winston, "I do know one thing: He may make some poor decisions, but he gets on that football field and he plays his (rear end) off."

Vick, who returned to the NFL after serving prison time for his role in a dogfighting enterprise, has become, in a way, an example of and advocate for second chances.

"Yeah, he can mature," Vick added about Winston. "He'll mature. I see him maturing as time goes on. Like, this year hasn't been as bad of a year as the first year was for Jameis. I think the kid will continue to improve."

Vick emphasized that Winston would need veteran leaders around him, something the Bears haven't exactly showcased this season.

Remember, however, that the Bears are a franchise that hasn't had a franchise quarterback since the 1940s.

That's as good a reason as any that they took a flyer on the emotionally challenged Cutler in 2009.

The Jameis Winston issue might be moot because he might not drop to the Bears anyway after interviews and the NFL Scouting Combine.

But if he does … how desperate is everyone around here for a quarterback?

mimrem@dailyherald.com

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