Harbaugh Makes Most of an Opportunity : Pro football: Chicago Bear quarterback is getting a chance to make big plays because more pressure is being put on him.

The most improved passer in pro football this season, some of his opponents are saying, is Jim Harbaugh of the Chicago Bears.

In a year when the two Los Angeles quarterbacks, among others, seem to be standing still, Harbaugh is in fast forward.

And, surprising the league, the conservative Bears have become the NFC’s No. 2 passing team.

As he contemplates his next start--in the NFL’s game of the week today against the undefeated Washington Redskins--does the onetime Michigan athlete agree that he has suddenly made a quantum leap at quarterback?

“I wouldn’t put it quite that way,” Harbaugh said the other day from his home near Lake Forest, Ill. “I think the main difference is that I’m making more big plays this season.”

A year ago, he added, he was “just about as efficient on pass plays” as he is now.

Question: What accounts for the big-play improvement?

Answer: They’re giving me more big-play chances now. Last year we usually ran on first down or even (third and two). This year (Coach Mike Ditka) is putting the pressure on me at the crucial times, and I’ve been able to come through.

Q: What made Ditka change?

A: We aren’t running the ball quite as well right now. I felt I could make the plays last year, too. I was high on the league’s pass-efficiency (charts) last year. But we could do it running, so we ran.

Q: In Buffalo last week, your team dominated the Bills for most of the first half--except on the goal line. Where was your touchdown punch?

A: That’s something that comes with game experience. It’s the vision thing--learning to see the field better. The field is shorter down there. The (open spaces) are smaller.

Q: Speaking of experience, the Bears haven’t been a high-scoring team. How much do you feel the lack of scoring-position experience?

A: It’s a factor. We’ll (improve).

Q: Do you feel more comfortable at quarterback now than you did a year ago?

A: Are you asking me if I’m worrying less about being yanked? That’s not it. I didn’t worry last year, either. I started all 14 games until I was hurt. The thing that’s helped the most is that I’ve had a chance to improve my passing this year because we’re throwing more--and not always at predictable times.

Q: Ditka has shocked the league, in fact, throwing all those passes on first down.

A: We’ve set out to be less predictable. The other thing is, it’s no secret that our running game hasn’t been as (productive).

Q: This is your fifth year with Ditka. Has he changed in those five years?

A: Not one bit.

Q: He says he is more mellow.

A: That’s a myth.

Q: He says your long suit is mental toughness.

A: He’s talking about something that I think is indispensable. Football is only half physical, the rest mental. We played well physically in Buffalo last week, but not mentally. That’s why we lost.

Q: What does mental toughness mean to you?

A: It’s (third and six) and they’ve (rushed) you out of the pocket. You need six yards. You don’t give it the hook slide--you get the six yards any way you can.

Q: Your goals at this time?

A: The Super Bowl and staying (injury-free). I want to play tough and reckless--but do it for 16 games.

Q: With a 5-1 start this year, has the quarterback routed his critics?

A: Not here. No chance. No way. A (Chicago quarterback) is only as good as the last game.