McCown eager to get going with Bears [Chicago Tribune]

Nov. 24--Receiver Roy Williams got right to the point in describing new Bears quarterback Josh McCown, his former teammate with the Lions.

"Shoot, the most athletic white boy I've ever seen in my life," Williams said.

McCown chuckled when told of Williams' description.

"Roy must not have seen too many white people in his life," McCown joked.

The Bears don't need McCown to be superhuman. They simply need him to be solid insurance behind new starter Caleb Hanie.

McCown and the Bears agreed to terms on a one-year contract Wednesday, the same day Jay Cutler had what was termed as successful surgery on his right thumb in Vail, Colo. McCown, who had been coaching high school quarterbacks at Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw, N.C., this season, reunites with Mike Martz, his offensive coordinator with the Lions.

"I don't think this is a story of a guy who has been out in the woods not doing anything," McCown, 32, said. "I've been around football. My head's in it. Obviously there will be some rust and I have to get used to the speed of it again. But I'm not that far removed from it."

McCown has started 31 games in eight NFL seasons with the Cardinals, Lions, Raiders and Panthers. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound veteran and former third-round pick has completed 610 of 1,058 passes for 6,584 yards, 35 touchdowns and 40 interceptions in his career.

He spent the 2010 season with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League and the 49ers cut him before this season.

"I'm happy to have a job," McCown said. "I'm not trippin' about where."

The Bears put in a waiver claim for Kyle Orton and McCown had no problem signing as their second choice after the Chiefs took Orton.

"Dealing in reality, they had him before," McCown said. "They're familiar with him. Why wouldn't you go after a guy like Kyle Orton?"

McCown views himself as a player capable of stepping in and filling the backup role rookie Nathan Enderle is expected to have Sunday against the Raiders in Oakland.

"I'm going to do my best to fulfill that role and help this team win," McCown said.

Extra points: Nickel back D.J. Moore remained sidelined in practice Wednesday with a left ankle injury while safety Brandon Meriweather was limited with a concussion. ... Corey Graham on being named the special teams captain in place of the injured Patrick Mannelly: "It means a lot. I was actually shocked when it happened. It means my teammates trust me." ... The Bears signed tackle Perry Dorrestein to the practice squad and cut tackle Josh Davis. Dorrestein, who played college football at Michigan, went to Plainfield Central. ... In Oakland, 10 players were held out of practice, including running back Darren McFadden (foot), receiver Jacoby Ford (foot) and defensive tackle Richard Seymour (knee).

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