Credibility always was more elusive than any ball carrier forDante Jones.
But after finding ball carriers 139 times this season, the Bearsmiddle linebacker also has credibility wrapped up and driven into theturf.
Credibility is there from his teammates, who push him as a ProBowl candidate. It's there from his coaches, who had to see tobelieve. And it's there from the press and fans, who wouldn't opentheir arms to just anybody after 12 years of Mike Singletary.
Even the most optimistic Bears watchers didn't envision thisfrom Jones. Coach Dave Wannstedt tried three others, Myron Baker,Vinson Smith and Ron Cox, at the position in training camp because ofhis skepticism.
"I wasn't sure if he could make enough plays," Wannstedt said."Is he big enough, fast enough, strong enough?"
Jones knew the answers were yes, yes and yes.
He said he's not surprised by his success. Neither islinebackers coach David McGinnis, who has tutored Jones since theBears chose him in the second round of the 1988 draft.
McGinnis and Jones reasoned Jones had to be able because he ledthe team in tackles in his only two career starts, and he led theteam in tackles the last three preseasons.
"I knew I could play," Jones said. "I needed the opportunity."
But even teammates took awhile to accept Jones as thequarterback of the defense. Defensive coordinator Bob Slowik saidJones was not just given the role of leader by Bears players.
"That was something that was well earned," Slowik said. "He'searned everything he's gotten, the respect and the command in thehuddle."
He earned it more with down in and down out consistency thanwith the kinds of flashy plays that have given him sudden notoriety.
"A lot of the guys were watching to see how I would play," Jonessaid.
A lot of guys were watching for years to see Jones play, butuntil this year he was known mostly for taking over for suspendedBrian Bosworth in the 1987 Orange Bowl and being awarded defensiveplayer of the game honors.
Although it was a long apprenticeship between then and now,Jones said it wasn't a waste of five years.
"They were productive years," he said. "I learned what it tookto be successful in the NFL. It gave me a chance to grow up andlearn sitting behind Mike."
From Singletary, Jones learned more about commitment than hedid about how to play the position. Their styles are not similar.
Singletary used to relish taking on blockers head up. Jonesprefers slipping blockers and making tackles.
"In college, I used to give the linemen a shoulder and getaround them," Jones said. "Pro scouts asked if I could take onblockers."
McGinnis said Jones is getting off blocks more than he's stayingblocked.
So far, Jones also is playing the pass at least as well asSingletary ever did. That Jones is on the field in nickel defensesis an incredible accomplishment. In the past, the only time he goton the field was when the Bears expected a run between the tackles.
In the offseason, Jones lost weight and tried to improve hisquickness so his pass defense would be better. Apparently, it'sworked.
"The best thing about Dante is he plays the pass and he is asintelligent a linebacker as I've been around," Wannstedt said. "Heknows the passing game. He is a coverage guy. He's very similar toKen Norton as far as total understanding. He's not just a growlerwho runs up to the line of scrimmage and stops the fullback. He's acomplete package. We all know he's not a 4.5 guy, so he has to relyon his intelligence."
Jones has gotten smarter about his preparation for games. He'swatching considerably more film than ever before. He said he usedto go out on Wednesday and Friday nights. Now he stays home with hisVCR.
It's a part of understanding what it takes to succeed in theleague.
"When he was a backup he didn't work as hard, and he was youngand didn't know what it took from January to July to be successful,"McGinnis said. "It's a maturing process he's gone through."
