McCown more than just a fill-in

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Call it a telling snapshot of Josh McCown.

It was in the locker room after the final preseason game in Cleveland. McCown had just finished playing the entire game, a 28-20 Bears win in which he had completed 20 of 29 passes for 157 yards, a touchdown and 90.7 passer rating.

But he didnt want to talk about his game as much as he did the guy in the next locker stallJason Campbellwho hadnt played against the Browns but who the week before had nicked the New York Giants with 12-of-19 passing for 101 yards, a TD and a 94.4 rating.

This guy Campbell could be starting for five, six teams in this league, McCown told CSNChicago.com, naming a few.

Fast forward to this week, with McCown signing with the Bears as Campbellsand Jay Cutlersbackup.

One concern whenever a veteran is added to a roster can be how the fit will be, particularly with one who has started in the NFL. With McCown, though, the call was easy for the Bears.

He was a late numbers cut at the end of the offseason when the need was for an extra roster spot on the defensive line for Nate Collins and his looming one-game suspension.

Looking beyond even McCowns play, which included a 441-yard effort in a loss at Green Bay and a game-16 win at Minnesota despite enduring seven sacksThe Bears have added not only a quality backup, not only one familiar with the system and its personnel, but also someone who gets the whole thing.

Jasons mindset is that he has to be ready to play, McCown told me earlier in camp. My mindset, being a little further away from playing, is, What can I do auxiliary wise that helps Jay? What tape can I look at that maybe Jays not going to get a chance to? Something I can pick up as far as what some guy is going to do in some situation?

My whole attitude with our quarterbacks room is, Grab an oar and Ill row with you.

A tiny irony is that McCown returns to the Bears and the quarterbacks room in the run-up to a game with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers were the last stop for McCown last year, getting a late look in training camp and cut after the final preseason game.

Now McCown is back where he wanted to be.

Youre just better off being on a good football team and supporting whoever happens to be the guy, helping him as much as possible, McCown said.

Thats why its a special room, with no, I think you should do it this way or whatever. Its whats the best way for Jay to get it done and ultimately for any of us.

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