Looking ahead: 1991 NFL draft // Nebraska's Croel tops in a decent linebacker crop

Three hundred-pound offensive linemen don't seem like bigobstacles to the best outside linebacker in the NFL draft, Nebraska'sMike Croel.

It's not because Croel has superhuman ability so much as he haswithstood other types of difficult treatment.

The plight of the 6-2, 228-pound linebacker began when Croel,who is black, was brought to a white foster family, with whom he wasto stay for a few weeks before another familiy adopted him. He was 5days old.

But the adoption never happened, and Croel's foster familydecided to adopt him.

In Detroit during the 1960s, the Croel family was confrontedwith various forms of racism. Once, Croel's adoptive mother wasphysically abused.

The Croels thought they would escape the ugliness by moving tothe Chicago area, but they found some of the same attitudes here.The Croel family even had to have FBI protection for a short time.

"Chicago was a terribly bigoted city," Croel said. "It was adifficult period."

The period didn't last long, however, as Croel's family packedfor California before Mike entered first grade. The Croelseventually landed in Massachusetts.

"I guess my situation strikes people as unusual, but it's not tome," Croel said. "They're my parents. They love me, and I lovethem. I admit that when I see another family in the same situation,it seems weird to me. But I never really thought much about it. I'mhappy where I am."

Croel probably need not worry about having to return to live inChicago. He is expected to be selected in the draft long before theBears would have a chance to pick him.

At Nebraska, he impressed scouts with his speed and ability tocover. He is not a typical dominating linebacker prospect becauserushing the passer is not a proven strength. Nebraska rarely askedhim to blitz, but he might have that ability.

At the NFL scouting combine, Croel improved his stock by runninglike a receiver (4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash). Most draftanalysts agree he clearly is the finest linebacker of a decent crop.

During the fall, Colorado's Alfred Williams appeared to beclosing in on that distinction, but inconsistency and a lacklustercombine showing cost him. Williams probably is the best pass-rushinglinebacker in the draft. He had 35 college sacks.

Fellow Colorado linebacker Kanavis McGhee could be selectedahead of Williams. But McGhee could project to defensive end in theNFL as a result of his 6-4, 255-pound frame.

Other first-round linebacker possibilities include Florida'sHuey Richardson, whose agent already has negotiated with the Cowboys,and Central State's Keith Traylor.

Traylor is considered the best of the inside linebackers, but heis questionable because he played at a small school. Traylor startedout at a junior college and enrolled at Oklahoma for a while, but hefelt more comfortable at Central State.

The Bears don't figure to show interest in linebackers early inthe draft unless a great one slips to them.

"If one we really like is still there, we'd take a linebacker.But it's not a priority," personnel director Bill Tobin said.

It's not a priority even if middle linebacker Mike Singletaryis considering retirement - and Singletary, 32, is backing off talkabout quitting after this season. The Bears believe they have amiddle linebacker for the future in Dante Jones.

"Dante Jones, I think, is one heck of a football player," Bearscoach Mike Ditka said. "I can't sell you guys on that because wehaven't had him on the field enough. But when we had him on thefield in a backup role, he's played outstanding football."