It's Back To Table On Perry

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. The Bears plan to reopen negotiations withWilliam Perry this week, but unless the defensive tackle's sights areset considerably lower, a quick settlement is unlikely.

The reason the Bears and Perry are getting together again is noteam was willing to give up a second round pick for Perry and pay himin the vicinity of $900,000 per year.

The Bears' plan of allowing Perry's agent Jim Steiner to shophis client worked exactly as the Bears had hoped. Now the Bears cantell Steiner he has no options and Perry isn't worth as much as hethought.

The Eagles were the only team with a sincere interest in Perry,and they were not about to give up a second round pick for him.

"We gave him the opportunity to look for a trade, and if no onemeets the asking price of both sides, he doesn't have an alternative,so we'll try to structure the right contract for him," Bearsnegotiator Ted Phillips said.

A trade still could happen, but Phillips said he expects Perrywill be a Bear. He said the chances were "50-50 or better" Perrywill rejoin his old team.

One major hurdle is the Bears still are insisting on a weightclause. Steiner has said he could not accept such a clause.

THE BEST POLICY: Coach Mike Ditka gave these frank appraisals offour players Saturday.

On kicker Kevin Butler: "He shaved it inside the uprights acouple times. Close is not what we're looking for."

On free agent running back Travis Talton: "He has a long row tohoe, really a long row. The chances for him would be very remotebecause we've got a lot of good running backs. But I like him theway he sticks his nose in there."

On free agent fullback Robert Taylor and 10th round fullbackNikki Fisher: "Robert Taylor is a big guy, but I wish he had a littlemore quickness. But boy is he a load. He does some things well attimes. So does Nikki. Whether they do it well enough consistently,I don't know."

Taylor is nicknamed "Homes," as in Robert Taylor Homes, becauseat 279 pounds, teammates say he is as big as the housing project.

DAY OF REST: Curfew was lifted last night, and players weregiven today off.

Many planned on taking advantage of the opportunity by golfing,visiting with families or sleeping late.

They'll have a hard week ahead of them, though.

"We'll work like heck Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, reallyhard," Ditka said. "Running, conditioning. I mean, we're going topress the button."