Position battles galore on Bears' offense
The Bears' quarterback competition will be the one most closely watched and well documented during training camp and into the preseason.
But there are other battle fronts on the offense to focus on as well.
It remains to be seen if there is a legitimate No. 1 receiver on the roster.
Free-agent acquisition Marty Booker may be the go-to guy by default in his second stint with the Bears. But in his 10th season, Booker is more of a possession-type receiver, although he will make tough catches over the middle.
After Booker, the depth chart is muddled. The Bears believe Devin Hester can become a No. 1 receiver in time, but he's still a project, although one with phenomenal physical tools. He caught just 20 passes last season, but 11 came in the final four games, and he's a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
Career underachiever Brandon Lloyd, another free-agent pickup, has a lot of unfulfilled potential, and he was clearly one of the most impressive receivers during off-season practices, but Rashied Davis may be the more reliable, consistent player.
Mark Bradley (just 6 catches last season) also has plenty of physical tools, and he showed glimpses of greatness as a rookie in 2005.
Third-round pick Earl Bennett has an opportunity to play a big role if he learns the system quickly and doesn't get buried on a crowded but not extremely talented depth chart.
If, as expected, first-round pick Chris Williams takes over the left tackle spot from stopgap fill-in John St. Clair, the ninth-year veteran could wind up challenging Terrence Metcalf for the left guard spot. Metcalf started five games there last season after Ruben Brown was hurt, but he was benched for the final three games in favor of St. Clair.
It will be an upset if rookie Matt Forte doesn't get most of the work running behind the rejiggered offensive line, although the Bears hope recent signee Kevin Jones will be healthy enough to eventually shoulder some of the load when he's fully recovered from last season's knee surgery.
On defense, the safety position is the most intriguing. If Mike Brown stays healthy, he starts at free safety because he makes everyone around him, and the defense as a whole, better. That leaves one spot for Danieal Manning, who has started 31 games in his first two seasons, and Brandon McGowan, who started nine games last season after Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener.