With more time, Orton will begin hitting deep routes

Q. What has impressed you so far about Kyle Orton, and what does he need to improve on for the Bears' offense to reach its potential?

A. His game-day demeanor has impressed me. He doesn't get flustered. Going against highly regarded defensive-minded coaches like the Colts' Tony Dungy and the Panthers' John Fox in loud stadiums was no easy task.

Now, he's going against Tampa Bay's Monte Kiffin, followed by Philadelphia's Jim Johnson, two very respected coaches on the Mount Rushmore of defensive coordinators. To this point, Orton has not committed a turnover, and for the most part the offense has run smoothly. He would like to have some plays and some throws back, but I like his preparation off the field.

As for Orton helping the offense reaching its potential, I've been saying since the off-season program, "This is going to take some time." Patience is key. With six or seven new starters and a group of receivers still trying to sort out their roles, the chemistry and the intermediate-to-deep connections will take some time.

Q. Would the Bears' situation at quarterback be improved if Brian Griese were still on the roster?

A. In my opinion, starting experience at quarterback should go three deep on the final 53. That was the case in 2007. However, was Griese really embraced? The chemistry didn't seem quite right for a variety of reasons, and neither was his contract after Orton and Grossman re-signed. Team chemistry trumps ability when the roster is being developed.

Q. What is your opinion of the play-calling on the Bears' final possession against the Carolina Panthers?

A. You have to go back to second down on that possession. If Kyle Orton and Rashied Davis connect on the second-and-1 pass to the left side, I think the outcome of the drive may have been quite different.

That said, Matt Forte is the guy I want with the ball in his hands in those short-yardage situations. He may be a rookie, but it seems to me he embraces challenges, and I believe he's capable of coming through in a pressure moment. He is a competitive, instinctive, mature rookie.

Q. Is the blurred picture at wide receiver becoming any more clear at this point?

A. Brandon Lloyd is doing a nice job and is famous for his acrobatic catches. He appears to have a good rapport with Orton. I would say roles still need to be defined. I see a scenario where the hot hand could change week to week, depending on matchups. If Devin Hester is down this week with his rib injury, Earl Bennett could enter the picture.

Q. Aside from the injury in the second half last week, why hasn't Hester been more of a factor in the offense?

A. Hester is not a finished product at receiver. We can admire his natural pass-catching ability, his open-field running and his potential. But route running and timing are even more important.

We know he can run the fly route with just about anyone in the league. If he makes a couple of those connections, he'll change the way teams defend the Bears.

That deep ball Orton threw about a yard past Marty Booker in Carolina was Hester's play, but the rib injury knocked him out of the game. Hester's speed may have resulted in the connection and a different outcome in the game. All it takes is one.

Q. What are the keys to the defense continuing to play well and performing at the level it achieved in 2005 and '06?

A. It isn't unrealistic to believe the Bears can be a top-10 defense. The unit must stay healthy across the board. It has to take the ball away. It must continue to get superior play out of the defensive line. It has to make quarterbacks feel uncomfortable, and it must stop the run. It's as simple as that.

Wheaton resident Jeff Joniak is the voice of Bears broadcasts on WBBM 780-AM, which begins its game-day coverage three hours prior to kickoff. Each week throughout the season, Joniak or Tom Thayer will answer key questions from Bob LeGere.