ESPN

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake brought about thoughts of Animal Planet on Sunday when assessing the potential of his position group.

“We’ve got two giraffes outside, and we’ve got some cheetahs inside,”
Drake said. “So I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited about this group because I think there’s an awful lot of talent. There’s an awful lot of potential, and it’s my job to make sure that potential comes out.”

The mix of stalwarts such as Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, and Johnny Knox -- if he’s able to return from his back injury -- could make that easier. Not to mention new additions Brandon Marshall and second-round pick Alshon Jeffery, who actually surprised the staff somewhat over the three-day rookie minicamp by showing “he’s a little bit better getting out of breaks” than the club anticipated, Drake said while adding that “I’ve been amazed how well he picks things up.”

Couple that with a new plan of attack for how they’ll deploy Hester in
2012, and it’s easy to see why the Bears think they could field one of their most talented and deep receiving corps in recent history.

Drake doesn’t anticipate Bennett and Hester being threatened by Jeffery’s presence.

“They don’t fear anybody. Why would they?” Drake said. “I promise you Devin’s not reading press clippings about Alshon Jeffery. Alshon Jeffery’s reading press clippings about Devin Hester. Devin Hester don’t give a crap. He’s gonna go out there and play. And I’ll say this about Devin Hester, and I’ve always said it: all we’ve got to do is use him and you’ll see what kind of player he is, period.”

In the past, the club didn’t sufficiently involve Hester -- arguably one of the league’s most dangerous players with the ball in his hands
-- according to Drake. The Bears plan in 2012 to change that with their newly-designed playbook, which features a package specifically for Hester.

“The talent has always been there. It’s just a matter of not having him play 70 plays and throw to him twice,” Drake said. “Play him 15 (plays), let him touch it 13 (times). In order for him to be effective we don’t need to have him out there playing that many plays. If he’s out there, put the ball in his hands. We need to have that package, and (offensive coordinator) Mike Tice -- I promise you -- he’s gonna do it.”

As for Marshall, apparently he’s already making significant contributions towards elevating the level of play from his peers; especially with his input during meetings. Drake called the veteran “a student of the game.”

“He’s the one that’s forcing Earl and Devin and Dane and those guys to raise their games,” the coach added. “He’s the one that’s forcing them to do that because of his talent.”

Tice called this “a very successful offseason up to this point,” and pointed out he’s “very excited about the draft picks, and I like the change in schemes, the change in philosophy and personality; all of it.”

The key now is to find a way to successfully utilize all the weapons, which will also include tight ends and running back Matt Forte.

“As far as the amount of talent, there’s some depth, and guys (have) got to fight (to play). If you want to play, go out there and make plays, do things the right way,” Drake said. “I see some guys that have that kind of ability. Brandon Marshall, he does that. Alshon Jeffery, even though he’s a rookie, he has the ability to do that. We know that Earl Bennett is gonna be consistent, catch the football and get open. Devin, we’ve got to make sure we play to his strengths.
Johnny (Knox), when he gets back, you let him do the things he does.
So I feel real good about the group. I’m looking forward to those guys doing the things they’re capable of doing.”

ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers and Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett discuss Bennett shooting the puck during intermission of the Blackhawks-Blues game on Thursday.

News of the NFL's investigation into a New Orleans Saints "bounty" program led by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and funded primarily by players left some Chicago Bears players questioning whether they were victimized by the team in a 30-13 Week 2 loss.

The NFL announced Friday it found that several players on the New Orleans Saints and Williams maintained an improper pay-for-performance system that included "bounty" payments to players for inflicting injuries on opposing players that would result in them leaving the game. Two Bears players -- offensive tackle Gabe Carimi and receiver Earl Bennett -- suffered injuries against the Saints that led to them missing a combined 19 games.

Upon learning the news about the Saints, one Bears player asked via text message, "How much for Earl's injury, I ask?"

Bennett, who first responded to the news on Twitter saying "SMH!"(shaking my head), later expressed his desire for another chance to face the Saints soon.

"All I have to say is I hope we play them again," Bennett said. "The game of football is a contact sport, so if they're gunning for me, I'm going to be gunning for them."

Bennett left Chicago's Week 2 loss after taking a crushing hit to the midsection from Saints safety Roman Harper that caused internal injuries. The hit resulted in Bennett missing five games. In the same game, Carimi was lost for the season because of subluxation of his right knee cap. In addition, quarterback Jay Cutler -- who was sacked six times, including twice by Harper -- was kicked in the throat early in the third quarter, which left the signal caller struggling to call signals in the second half.

"I got kicked in the throat at the start of the third quarter," Cutler said at the time. "It was worse in the third quarter and fourth quarter with my voice. Guys I guess couldn't hear the snap count and the plays coming out."

Interestingly, Harper was fined a total of $22,500 by the NFL for two infractions during a Saints game last season against the Tennessee Titans. The safety wasn't fined for his shot on Bennett.

After one sack of Cutler during the Week 2 loss in the Superdome, right tackle Frank Omiyale -- filling in for the injured Carimi -- pulled a rusher off the quarterback igniting somewhat of a skirmish between he and the defender. Asked what prompted the tussle, Omiyale at the time said "they were doing some dirty stuff."

According to the league's findings, New Orleans Saints players contributed cash into a pool and received payments for plays such as interceptions and fumble recoveries, but also included "bounty" rewards for "cart-offs," meaning that the opposing player was taken
off the field, and "knockouts," which were characterized by a player being unable to return to action.

The investigation revealed the total amount of funds in the Saints' pool may have reached $50,000 or more at its height during the 2009 playoffs. The "bounty" system paid players $1,500 for a "knockout" and $1,000 for a "cart-off," with payouts doubling or tripling during the postseason.

"The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for 'performance,' but also for injuring opposing players," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "The bounty rule promotes two key elements of NFL football: player safety and competitive integrity."

Information from Jeff Dickerson and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter was used in this report.

This is the third installment of a 10-part series that reviews every Bears position group on offense and defense, while also taking a quick look at potential free agent targets and the top prospects in the upcoming NFL draft.

The fantasies recently shared over Twitter between Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall about a possible reunion surely sparked optimism about the club’s future at what’s been an underachieving position in recent years.

But don’t expect Chicago to make a move to land Marshall. That deal might be too difficult for the Bears to swing, but the team still plans this offseason to extend every effort to finally give Cutler -- who will have only one year left on his contract after the upcoming season -- the weapons he needs.

"I will say this: What is going to be targeted [are] good football players, producers, dynamic playmakers that can help this football team grow," new general manager Phil Emery said. "[We want to] help the players that are here, and surround them with more weapons, more people that can make plays, and help this football team in its march towards championships."

Considering the Bears' leader in receptions -- running back Matt Forte -- doesn't play the receiver position, it’s quite clear that’s where the team needs to upgrade with the "dynamic playmakers" that Emery discussed.

The team’s preference is to do that through the draft. But the severe talent deficiency at the position will likely force the Bears to attack the problem from multiple fronts, meaning the NFL draft in April and pro free agency a month before that.

The Bears are well positioned in terms of salary cap space to make moves, and new offensive coordinator Mike Tice has been vocal about the need to add a legitimate No. 1 receiver to properly execute the team’s new system. By adding more targets -- especially a No. 1 that always has to be accounted for in coverage -- the Bears would be able to line up players such as Earl Bennett and Devin Hester in different spots on the field to take advantage of one-on-one matchups.

“We do need a [receiver] that when he gets one-on-one coverage, he has to win way more than he loses,” Tice said. “Moving forward, we’re going to evaluate the guys we have and how we’ve used them in the past. Our scouting department will do a great job -- whether it’s our pro personnel department or college scouting department -- in finding that guy or guys that are going to be able to let us implement this system, this process.”

THE CURRENT ROSTER

•Johnny Knox: Finished the 2011 season ranked second in the NFL in yards per catch (19.6 yards), led the team in receiving yards (727) and was tied for second in receptions. But a devastating back injury on Dec. 18 casts doubt on Knox’s potential availability for 2012. Having undergone a vertebral fusion procedure, Knox will have to wear a back brace until mid-March, and his timeline for recovery could extend beyond six months, according to multiple sources.

•Roy Williams: Williams came on toward the end of the season, and two of his three best performances of the year came over the last two games in which he caught a combined 10 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Early indications pointed to the Bears bringing Williams -- an unrestricted free agent -- back in 2012 with a cap-friendly contract. But the regime change with Emery now as the GM could change the team’s thinking. Williams believes he deserves at least an opportunity to go to training camp to compete for a spot.

•Dane Sanzenbacher: An undrafted rookie, Sanzenbacher started off strong by catching 19 passes over the first seven games for three touchdowns with Earl Bennett out of the lineup. Once Bennett returned, Sanzenbacher played six consecutive games with no catches from Nov. 7 to Dec. 11. Sanzenbacher’s promising rookie start was plagued by dropped passes (5). Depending on what the team does in free agency and the draft, Sanzenbacher could have a hard time making the 2012 roster.

•Devin Hester: Nagging injuries limited Hester’s production on offense and in the return game. Over a three-game stretch from Oct. 10-23, Hester caught 14 passes only to finish with one reception over the next four weeks. Scheduled to earn $1.646 million (the salary includes escalators -- that likely haven’t been reached -- worth up to $3.554 million based on his production) Hester hasn’t yet developed into the receiver the Bears had hoped for. But an infusion of new talent at the position might change Hester’s role by putting him in the slot or other spots more, which might increase his production.

•Earl Bennett: An internal-body injury suffered on Sept. 18 knocked Bennett out of the lineup for five games. But he returned Nov. 7 to put together three strong performances in Bears' victories (14 catches for 251 yards and a TD). Having developed strong chemistry with Cutler dating all the way back to college, Bennett watched his production dip dramatically after the quarterback suffered a thumb injury that knocked him out of the final six games. Still, Bennett remains the most dangerous of the team’s receiving threats, and was rewarded with a contract extension toward the end of the season.

•Max Komar: Added to the Bears active roster on Dec. 19, and played in only one game on special teams against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas. Komar possesses some elusiveness, but could find a difficult time making the roster if he sticks around long enough to go to training camp.

•Jonathan Haggerty: Signed to the practice squad on Dec. 20 and is considered a long shot to make the 2012 team.

•Kevin Jurovich: Added to the practice squad on Dec. 21, but likely won’t make it to training camp with the team.

Bears free agents: Williams

POTENTIAL FREE AGENT TARGETS

•Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers, unrestricted
•Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints, unrestricted
•Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints, unrestricted

WHY MEACHEM MIGHT MAKE SENSE

Dynamic playmakers such as Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson, Buffalo’s Steve Johnson and Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe likely won’t see the free agent market because of franchise tags or the sides working out new agreements. And it’s highly unlikely Vincent Jackson or Colston will either.

New Orleans is trying to work out an extension for quarterback Drew Brees, and once that’s done, it’s likely the Saints will turn their attention to Colston. So they’ll ultimately wind up having to part ways with Meachem. But don’t let Meachem’s production in 2011 (40 catches, 620 yards and 6 TDs) fool you. His lack of mega numbers stems in part from New Orleans’ spread-the-wealth system, and the fact he often became the clear-out man to open up things underneath for tight end Jimmy Graham.

Meachem’s explosive deep speed is part of the reason he became somewhat of a decoy. But he possesses the physical attributes to thrive in the right situation.

The Chicago Bears got a jump on their own 2012 free agent class when they signed center Roberto Garza, receiver Earl Bennett and offensive lineman Edwin Williams to contract extensions prior to the conclusion of the regular season.

That leaves 14 players (unrestricted and restricted) set to come out of contract when the new league year and free agency begins at 3 p.m. CT on March 13.

Kahlil Bell, RB, restricted: Bell made a strong push over the final three weeks of the season, rushing for a career-high 121 yards on 23 carries versus the Green Bay Packers on Christmas night. He also fumbled the ball three times in the final two games (he lost one), but overall did a respectable job filling in for the injured Matt Forte and Marion Barber. It's unknown if another team will sign Bell to an offer sheet (which the Bears would have the opportunity to match), so right now it appears as if the running back will be back in Chicago for 2012, probably as the No. 2 tailback behind Forte.

Zack Bowman, CB, unrestricted: Bowman intercepted a team-high six passes in 2009 but never recovered after he lost his starting job early in 2010 to Tim Jennings. The 6-foot-1 defender seems better suited to play more man coverage, rather than in Lovie Smith's Cover 2, and would benefit from a fresh start somewhere else. His struggles versus Green Bay near the end of the regular season were grossly exaggerated. Bowman lined up in the required outside leverage technique the Bears were required to play in the red zone on two of those Packers touchdown receptions. Earlier that evening strong side linebacker Nick Roach was handcuffed the same way when Jermichael Finley ran a quick slant into the end zone. The Bears actually changed their red zone defense the following week at Minnesota to take away those quick slants. But by that point, the damage to Bowman's reputation had already been done.

Kellen Davis, TE, unrestricted: A good run blocker, a below average pass blocker and an average pass catcher who managed to haul in five touchdowns. The Bears got rid of Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark, in part, to allow Davis to flourish in the starting role. It never really happened. The best overall blocking tight end on the roster is Matt Spaeth, so if the Bears want to bring in a better receiving tight end, where does that leave Davis? But Davis is an excellent athlete and former draft choice, which helps his chances of sticking around.

Matt Forte, RB, unrestricted: Forte sounds as if he expects the Bears to stick him with the franchise tag. But the hope is both parties once again attempt to hammer out a long-term deal in the offseason. Forte bet on himself this season and made his first Pro Bowl. He's one of the top all-purpose rushers in the league, and with the Bears committed to running the ball more in 2012, Forte will continue to be a vital part of the offense. Surely given the importance of Forte to the franchise, the two sides can somehow find a way to reach some common ground. If not, it could be an ugly summer.

Corey Graham, CB, unrestricted: Graham tested the market last year and returned to the Bears. He will no doubt do the same this offseason, as the Pro Bowl special teams standout looks for a spot where he can contribute on defense. But money talks. The Bears better plan to make Graham a sweet offer if they expect him to come back. He displayed an ability to make impact plays during his stint at nickel back, and was supposed to play some safety Christmas night and defend Finley, but the Bears pulled the plug on the idea the Friday before the game. That probably doesn't help the situation from the Bears' standpoint.

Caleb Hanie, QB, unrestricted: Hanie is another player who could probably use a change of scenery after going 0-4 in place of the injured Jay Cutler. Perhaps the quarterback can find the right system that highlights his skills as a runner and on-the-move playmaker. But the first step is making sure to find a spot on somebody's training camp roster and then let the chips fall as they may.

Israel Idonije, DE, unrestricted: Although the Bears need to upgrade at defensive end, Idonije is a relatively productive player whom the Bears should make an attempt to re-sign and keep in the mix. There is nothing wrong with having a 5-8 sack a year guy in the rotation. Idonije is well-liked, plays hard and does a lot of good work in the community. Unless the Bears plan to completely overhaul the position (minus Julius Peppers, of course) then Idonije has a fairly good shot of signing yet another contract with the Bears.

Tim Jennings, CB, unrestricted: Jennings is looking for a significant raise from the $1.9 million base he earned in 2011. Keep that in mind. The Bears probably are looking to pay much more, but Jennings is a good player, especially in this scheme. Sure, he lacks height and drops way too many interceptions. But Jennings solidified one of the cornerback spots the last two years and is an aggressive tackler. For those reasons, the Bears might be inclined to make Jennings an offer. Whether the cornerback deems the offer acceptable is another story.

Amobi Okoye, DT, unrestricted: Okoye showed enough flashes to warrant another one- or two-year deal at moderate pay. He's still young and might be even better next year after a full offseason of working with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. But the Bears will need more than four sacks from Okoye next season.

Chris Massey, LS, unrestricted: Massey walked into a tough spot after Patrick Mannelly was lost for the year due to a torn ACL. He did OK. He didn't botch any snaps. But There won't be a need for Massey if Mannelly is 100 percent by the start of training camp, but it would be wise for the Bears to hang on to the veteran's phone number just in case.

Josh McCown, QB, unrestricted: McCown did enough in the final two games of the year to receive another one-year deal. He should enter training camp as the team's No. 3 quarterback, at the very least. He made the most of the opportunities given to him and should be commended. A good guy who fits in well inside the Bears locker room.

Brandon Meriweather, S, unrestricted: The former Patriot was an expensive mistake to the tune of $3.25 million total this season. The coaches don't seem to trust him. Unless something drastically changes between now and March, Meriweather's odds of returning for a second season in Chicago appear to be remote.

Craig Steltz, S, unrestricted: One of the pleasant surprises of the second half of the season. Despite being buried on the bench for much of the season, Steltz finished with 48 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, one sacks and was fourth on the team with 12 special teams stops. Steltz would like to remain in Chicago. The Bears should honor that request and give him a new deal. He earned it.

Roy Williams, WR, unrestricted: The mere notion Williams feels he "did enough" or "made enough plays" when the team failed to make the playoffs is insulting. The only real chemistry Williams showed was with McCown late in the year. News flash: Jay Cutler is going to be the Bears starting quarterback in 2012, not McCown. Williams isn't horrible, but he's not good enough to be guaranteed a roster spot or playing time. The Bears tried that last year and it backfired.

Despite posting a 7-3 record prior to Jay Cutler's thumb injury, the Chicago Bears' collapse over the final six weeks of the regular season highlighted the organization's need to address several key areas in the offseason.

Here are five pressing needs as the Bears head into an uncertain future with a yet to be named general manager:

1. Wide receiver

It was impossible to watch the NFL playoff action over wildcard weekend and not notice the abundance of big plays made by wide receivers. Houston's Andre Johnson, New Orleans' Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem, Detroit's Calvin Johnson, New York's Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and Denver's Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Royal all had impressive games. And those were just wideouts who made impact plays over the weekend. Atlanta has Roddy White and Julio Jones. Pittsburgh has the promising duo of Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. And Cincinnati wisely used a 2011 first-round pick on A.J. Green.

The Bears' method of receiver by committee is unacceptable. They must add at least two viable threats at the position to complement Earl Bennett, and as insurance in the event Johnny Knox is slow to recover from a serious back injury. The days of 37 receptions for 507 yards and two touchdowns constituting "enough plays" from a receiver are over. Vincent Jackson, Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker and Colston need to be on the Bears' radar once free agency begins. Lovie Smith should even put in a call to Tony Dungy to ask the former Colts coach how much he truly believes Reggie Wayne has left in the tank. The Bears' group of receivers are in dire need of an upgrade. To ignore the position (Roy Williams, Sam Hurd and Dane Sanzenbacher don't count) for a second straight offseason would be downright criminal.

2. Defensive end

Why the Bears failed to spend money last year on Jason Babin is beyond me. If the Bears want to re-sign Israel Idonije, a solid third defensive end, that's fine, but the club needs another fierce pass rusher to complement Julius Peppers. Peppers constantly faces double teams, which should free up the other defensive end to register at least 10 sacks per season. That should be the bare minimum.

We haven't seen much out of former fourth-round pick Corey Wootton. On the other hand, Chauncey Davis did a nice job late in the season and earned the right to stick on the roster heading into training camp, but the Bears need to prioritize the position in the draft or free agency. As a whole, Bears defensive ends only managed 17 sacks in 2011, with 11 of those coming courtesy of Peppers. Babin had 18 all by himself with the Philadelphia Eagles. That's a problem.

3. Secondary

The Bears face a conundrum at cornerback due to the expiring contracts of Tim Jennings, Zack Bowman and Corey Graham. Attempting to bring back Graham is a no-brainer, but the Pro Bowl special teamer probably wants to explore the free agent market to see if he can find a team willing to let him play defense. Maybe it happens. Maybe it does not. Or perhaps Graham could be re-signed and given an opportunity to challenge for playing time at safety. Either way, it's not a slam dunk Graham figures into the secondary plans next year.

Jennings might remain in the mix considering he's proven to be a pretty good player in this system, although he comes with certain limitations. Bowman probably could use a fresh start someplace else, so the odds of him returning appear to be slim. Even if the Bears hold on to Jennings, they still require more depth at the position and another future starter. Can it be done? The Bears also have some decisions to make at safety, where Chris Conte showed promise and Craig Steltz made a strong push late in the year to be re-signed, but former third-round pick Major Wright inspires little confidence.

Are the Bears really going to head into another year with Wright penciled into the starting lineup? Every player deserves a second chance, but Wright has been handed every opportunity imaginable and still makes costly mistakes. D.J. Moore appears to have a decent hold on the nickel back spot, although he was never quite the same after he punched Matthew Stafford in the head then hurt his ankle a few days later at practice.

4. Left tackle

File this under the "concern" category, because I don't know if the Bears intend to make any changes at offensive tackle. Obviously, the Bears believe a healthy Gabe Carimi will settle back into the starting lineup without any real issues next summer. Even though Carimi managed to play just six quarters of football his rookie year, he looked to be a legitimate starting NFL tackle in training camp and the preseason. Let's just say I'll take the Bears at their word on Carimi. J'Marcus Webb, meantime, is a complete mystery. Some games he looks good. Other games he looks bad. Can the Bears consistently win with an average left tackle? Tough to say. And will Webb ever be better than simply average? Also tough to tell.

You could point to the Bears making the NFC Championship Game in 2010 with Frank Omiyale. But when the Bears were really good (2005 and 2006) the left tackle was John Tait. Granted, Tait was a proven veteran when he arrived in Chicago, but based on two years of work at left and right tackle, Webb has a long way to go before he reaches Tait's level, or that of Fred Miller. Which brings me to another issue: Was Smith serious when he said the current offensive line situation is the best it's been since he got to town in 2004? Uh, no Lovie. That would have been the aforementioned group of Tait (LT), Ruben Brown (LG), Olin Kreutz (C), Roberto Garza (RG) and Miller (RT) that paved the way for back-to-back division titles. How quickly they forget at Halas Hall.

5. No. 2 quarterback

If Kyle Orton is available, sign him. End of story. Orton has made no secret how much he would welcome a chance to return to Chicago. He is the ideal backup to Jay Cutler. In a perfect world, the Bears never even need to use Orton because Cutler stays healthy. But we all know there is no perfect world when it comes to the NFL. If you have to make Orton one of the highest paid No. 2 quarterbacks in the league, then so be it.

The Bears cannot afford to let another season slip away due to limited options on the depth chart behind Cutler. Josh McCown did a good job given the circumstances, and if he performs reasonably well in training camp, should be rewarded with a roster spot as the No. 3 QB. But at least initially, the Bears need to aim higher than McCown to become Cutler's primary backup. If there is no one else out there -- i.e. Orton gets a starting job somewhere -- then McCown could factor into the equation.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The future of offensive coordinator Mike Martz remained one of the top storylines in the wake of the Chicago Bears' season-ending 17-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but it's clear the team's three top receivers want the assistant back in 2012.

Read the entire story.

BEARS (7-8) AT VIKINGS (3-12) Noon Sunday at Metrodome on FOX

STREAKING

1. Josh McCown, QB: Completing nearly 68 percent of his passes for a touchdown with two interceptions, McCown raised questions as to whether the Bears should have gone with him as the starter sooner. McCown appeared to be comfortable in the face of arduous circumstances against the Packers, leading the offense to its best performance -- in terms of yardage -- of the season. A strong outing against the Minnesota Vikings should ensure McCown a legitimate shot in 2012 at the No. 2 job.

2. Kahlil Bell, RB: Bell carried the ball 11 times in the first quarter alone against the Packers for an average of 5.4 yards per carry, finishing with a game- and career-high 123 yards, but with two fumbles. Green Bay’s lousy run defense isn’t an accurate barometer to gauge Bell’s worth, but the running back has proven in two starts that he’s capable of shouldering the load as the featured ball carrier.

3. Earl Bennett, WR: Going into the matchup with the Packers, Bennett had caught just three balls over his past four games. Bennett hauled in only one ball on Sunday, but on that 49-yard reception, the receiver showcased the elusiveness that prompted the team to sign him to an extension recently. With Johnny Knox out of action, Bennett is the team’s bona fide go-to receiver. McCown will likely lean on Bennett even more in the season finale.

SLUMPING

1. Major Wright, S: Wright led the Bears in tackles against the Packers, but his inconsistency has led to too many big plays for opponents. Wright missed a tackle on Ryan Grant in the third quarter that led to a 24-yard gain. Two plays later Wright watched Jordy Nelson blow past him for a 55-yard touchdown. Wright was playing in his first game since returning from a shoulder injury suffered on Dec. 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The rust definitely showed.

2. Zack Bowman, CB: Bowman made his first start since the 2010 season, and acknowledged things didn’t go as smoothly as he expected. The Packers targeted Bowman in coverage for three of Aaron Rodgers’ five touchdown passes, and the corner was called for a pass interference penalty on a play in which Nelson still made the catch. Bears coach Lovie Smith continues to give Bowman chances to win back his starting job permanently, but the corner hasn’t yet taken advantage of the opportunity.

3. Devin Hester, WR: Injuries have robbed Hester of his explosiveness in the return game. He’s definitely shown flashes of the game-changing return man he is, but a tender ankle has taken away his burst and cutting ability. What’s worse is that Hester hasn’t been able to contribute on offense after such a strong showing at training camp that indicated perhaps he had turned the corner as a receiver.

Chicago Bears receiver Earl Bennett tries not to tie together his new contract, which included $9 million guaranteed, Jay Cutler's absence and his lack of production over last month.

It's difficult not to do, though, when looking at the raw statistics.

"I don't really look at my production. My biggest thing is just to get on the field, and if I'm open and the ball comes my way, just catch it," Bennett said. "That's all I can do; go out there and run the play called, be quarterback friendly, and be where I'm supposed to be."

After missing five games from Sept. 25 through Oct. 23 because of a torso injury sustained in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, Bennett returned on Nov. 17, when the team downed Philadelphia 30-24.

In those first three outings after returning to the lineup, Bennett caught 14 passes for 251 yards, hauling in three passes for 75 yards in the Nov. 20 win over the San Diego Chargers in which Cutler fractured his right thumb. Since then, Bennett has caught just three passes in four games 30 yards, including the first zero-catch performance of his career in a loss to Denver on Dec. 11.

Bennett's current four-game stretch is the worst of his three-year career. Quickly developing chemistry with new quarterback Josh McCown seems to be the only way Bennett will weather the drought.

"You've got to get as many passes [in practice] as possible," Bennett said. "Chemistry is big. For a lot of people like Green Bay, they live off of it. You see Aaron Rodgers] and those guys are big on chemistry. We've got to get the chemistry down with him, stay with him after practice, and just continue to work on it."

Time's running out.

BEARS VS. SEAHAWKS
| When: Noon, Sunday | TV: FOX | RADIO: 780 AM, WBBM & 105.9 FM

BEARS (7-6)

Coach: Lovie Smith | Record including playoffs: 73-58

Career head-to-head record (including playoffs) vs. Pete Carroll: 1-1

Career record (including playoffs) against Seahawks: 4-2

Last week: Lost to Broncos 13-10 in OT.

Key stat:In the midst of a three-game losing streak, the Bears haven’t lost four in a row since 2009. That season, the team finished 7-9 and third in the NFC North.

Offense rank: 13th (319.6 ypg) | Defense rank: 20th (358.2 ypg)

Offensive leader: Receiver Earl Bennett is arguably the team’s most dynamic offensive threat. But the problem is he’s been neutralized over the last three weeks. After making 14 catches over Jay Cutler’s last three games, Bennett has produced just two catches for 10 yards over the last three weeks. Against the Broncos, Bennett finished without a catch for the first time all season.

Defensive leader: Defensive end Julius Peppers leads the Bears in sacks (9), and has produced three of those over the last three weeks, including two in the Nov. 27 loss at Oakland. A six-time Pro Bowler, Peppers ranks fourth in the NFL in career sacks (98) since coming into the league in 2002, and has recovered nine fumbles in 151 games.

Streaks
• The Bears now have 19 takeaways in the last seven games, which is the most in the NFL since Week 7.
• The Bears haven’t won a game all season in which they trailed after the first quarter and are 17-25 under those conditions since 2004. The team is also 0-4 this season when it trails at intermission.
• Robbie Gould hasn’t missed a field goal from a distance of 50 yards or more all season (6 of 6), which establishes a single-season franchise record. Gould’s six field goals of 50-plus yards tie him for second in the NFL in 2011.

---

SEAHAWKS (6-7)

Coach: Pete Carroll | Record: 46-47 | Last week: Defeated the Rams 30-13

Career head-to-head record vs. Smith: 1-1 | Career record vs. Bears: 2-2

Key stat: Under Carroll and general manager John Schneider, the Seahawks made 284 roster moves in 2010. Of the 53 players on the active roster, just 12 were with the team in 2009. Seventy-seven percent of the roster is in their first or second year with the club.

Offense rank: 27th (303.2 ypg) | Defense rank: 13th (335.2 ypg)

Offensive leader: Running back Marshawn Lynch has gained 100 yards or more in five of Seattle’s last six games. Lynch’s 969 yards ranks fifth in the NFC and seventh in the league, and he is on pace to become the franchise’s first running back to produce a 1,000-yard season since 2005 (Shaun Alexander).

Defensive leader: Defensive end Chris Clemons has racked up 20 sacks in 29 games for the Seahawks. Clemons is fifth among defensive ends, sixth in the NFC, and ninth in the NFL in sacks since the start of last season. Interestingly, Clemons ranks among five 2011 Pro Bowlers (DeMarcus Ware, Jason Babin, Terrell Suggs, Cameron Wake and Clay Matthews) in sacks since 2010.

Streaks
• The Seahawks have rushed for 100 yards or more as a team in six consecutive games, which is the first time they’ve accomplished that feat since the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
• The Seahawks are tied for second in the NFL in fewest second-half touchdowns (9). Seattle has allowed 93 total second-half points all season, and just seven opponents have scored TDs against the Seahawks’ defense in the second half all season.
• Lynch has scored at least one touchdown in five of his last six games..

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Operating without starting quarterback Jay Cutler and all-purpose rusher Matt Forte, the Bears' offense desperately needs a shot in the arm when Seattle travels to Soldier Field on Sunday. One candidate to boost the spirits of the scuffling unit is wide receiver Earl Bennett, who before Cutler suffered a fractured right thumb on Nov. 20, was widely regarded as the top wideout on the Bears roster.

But over the last three weeks, Bennett's involvement in the offense has been limited. During the Bears' recent three-game losing streak, Bennett has a combined 2 catches for 10 yards, compared to 14 receptions for 251 yards and a touchdown in the three game stretch prior to Cutler being hurt.

"It's huge [to get him back in the mix]," Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie said on Wednesday. "We haven't been able to find Earl the last couple of weeks for whatever reason. Teams have been keying on him, they know he's our third down guy, our clutch guy. He's going to make tough catches and find ways to get open. We just have to find ways to keep getting him open and we got to find ways to get in a position where we can use him."

Both Hanie and Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz point to the fact the Bears ran a very low-risk offense in Denver, a game that featured a run to pass ratio of 2:1, as a possible explanation for Bennett's reduced role in the offense.

"Last game it kind of called for more of a game management-mode," Hanie said. "It seemed like that's what it got into after we saw our defense was playing so well. But we still have to make our plays though. Earl is a big part of that, and Earl is a great player. He's tough. He'll be the first one to tell you he wants to be involved in as many plays as he can. It's tough as a slot receiver when you are running the ball so well like we are on offense. But we'll find a way to get him back involved."

The best way for Bennett to get more involved is on third down. Dating back to Week 9 of the 2010 regular season, Bennett has caught 16 passes on third down converting all 16 of them into first downs. In Hanie's three starts, the Bears have a third down conversion rate of just 20 percent (8 of 40). Hanie also missed a wide-open Bennett for a touchdown in the Bears' home loss to Kansas City, but those kinds of opportunities for Bennett in the passing game have been few and far between without Cutler at the helm.

"It's not intentional, it's just kind of the way these games have gone," Martz said of Bennett's disappearance. "It has nothing to do with Earl, we'd love to get him more involved, love to get all of them more involved. But that will come too, we'll work into that."

The Bears enter their fourth game with Caleb Hanie as their starting quarterback still looking for their first win under the backup quarterback. If Hanie and the Bears can't deliver a victory on Sunday against Seattle, their playoff hopes are all but dead.

Would the Bears' situation be different if general manager Jerry Angelo had acquired a veteran backup quarterback either before the season or when Cutler went down on Nov. 20? Our Four Downs panel weighs in on that and more:

Fact or Fiction: Jerry Angelo’s biggest mistake was not having a proven backup quarterback this season.

Jeff Dickerson: Fiction. Caleb Hanie's performance in the NFC Championship Game last year earned him the right to serve as the Bears No. 2 quarterback heading into 2011. While Hanie deserves some blame for the Bears' three-game losing streak, he is not the sole reason for the club's decline since Cutler broke his right thumb against San Diego. The Bears' quarterback mistake came when the team failed to sign Donovan McNabb after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings. McNabb would have provided a quality option after Hanie on the Bears' depth chart, an option that does not exist on the 53-man roster.

Michael C. Wright: Fact. Sure the Bears drafted Nathan Enderle, but the team needed to acquire someone experienced to compete with Hanie for that No. 2 job. Competition likely would have even made Hanie a better player. Perhaps the lockout affected Angelo’s decision-making process somewhat. Maybe he figured that bringing in someone new with no offseason, no organized team activities or minicamp would be worse than not acquiring someone at all. But the team should have learned from last season’s NFC title game that Cutler isn’t invincible, despite his reputation for toughness and durability. So it wouldn’t have been a bad idea to make a move for a quarterback. Surely the team couldn’t have been convinced that Hanie was a legitimate No. 2 based solely on practice and his limited action in the playoffs last year. But I do understand the team’s thinking on this. More and more around the league, teams are carrying just two quarterbacks on the roster. The Bears started the season with three, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t want to do that.

Melissa Isaacson Fiction. This has been a weakness of the Bears GM since he has been here. But unfortunately, he has made bigger mistakes than that this season like failing to strengthen the wide receiving corps. Roy Williams wasn’t much of an investment, but it still hasn’t exactly paid off like Angelo thought it would. The offensive line is actually over-achieving. Linebacker is thin. Marion Barber had been OK, but if the final analysis says that he cost the Bears a shot at the playoffs, that isn’t OK.

Jon Greenberg: Fiction. Look around the league. Every so often, there is a T.J. Yates, or a Matt Cassel-type or even Kurt Warner, but there’s also no shortage of awful quarterbacks. It’s mystifying why, in a country that treats football as the official religion, there aren’t enough quarterbacks for the highest level of football. I blame it on the complicated offenses that teams run, and in this case, Mike Martz’s system. Warner was a once-in-a-lifetime type backup. Hanie is more of the reality. Angelo’s biggest mistakes were not paying for better receivers and linemen.

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Fact or Fiction: The Bears should bench Caleb Hanie.

Jeff Dickerson: Fiction. With Cutler on the shelf, Hanie remains the best healthy quarterback in the building. Despite all the poor passing numbers, the Bears have been in position to win every game with Hanie under center. Of course, the Bears need better play from the quarterback position, but it's not coming from Josh McCown or Enderle. This is where the Bears need a veteran such as McNabb on the bench in the event Hanie starts to turn the ball over against Seattle. That could work and be a way for the Bears to stay afloat until Cutler is ready to return. But given how the roster stands, the Bears need to stick with Hanie and hope for the best.

Michael C. Wright: Fiction. What other options are there other than a rookie (Enderle), and a guy that hasn’t played in the NFL since 2009 (McCown)? If the Bears decide to bench Hanie, it’s my opinion that it would come off as an admission the season is over. Well, there are still three games left to play, and the Bears aren’t out of contention. So the Bears shouldn’t rock the boat now because, believe it or not, Hanie played better against the Broncos than he did in his first two starts. Now, if the Bears end up losing Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, in my opinion, all bets are off. You might as well see what you’ve got in Enderle.

Melissa Isaacson: Fiction. What, and start McCown -- who obviously hasn’t been good enough to this point to convince coaches he has to be in the lineup -- from scratch, where he is bound to similarly struggle for the first few games? The problems with Hanie are no different than with most quarterbacks making their first NFL starts but obviously, there is no room for growing pains. Unless there is a clearly better alternative, however, I say stick with him and hope he -- and Martz -- can pull themselves together while also hoping the defense can continue to put the team in position to win.

Jon Greenberg: Fiction. For whom? Hanie is the ugly reality of this season, as we’ve seen how valuable Cutler really is. McCown isn’t going to run the table. Hanie is doing the best he can. Unfortunately, we’re seeing the results of that effort. Reality, in this case, bites.

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Fact or Fiction: Kahlil Bell should get the majority of carries over Marion Barber.

Jeff Dickerson: Fiction. Bell needs more carries, but not the majority of the attempts. Barber ran for 108 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Broncos, so to remove him from the game plan this week might be a rash decision. Three brutal mistakes in the span of two weeks should result in Barber losing playing time, but Bell has never been a featured back in the NFL. Can he handle 20-25 carries in a game? Will he be productive? If the Bears were totally out of it, I'd bench Barber, but the playoffs remain technically within reach. Barber can still be the No. 1 running back with Bell taking on an increased role.

Michael C. Wright: Fiction. Barber’s miscues (three big ones over the last two games) are inexcusable for a seven-year veteran. But the team has to go with Barber’s experience in the heat of battle. Besides that, I’m not sure Bell is built for 20-plus carries. Barber pounded the Broncos for 108 yards on 27 attempts, and his style wears down opponents. But I’d like to see Barber’s attempts come down some and have Bell’s increase. Bell gives you that elusive, home run element that Barber doesn’t demonstrate consistently. So while Bell -- who actually speaks with the media, win or lose -- deserves more carries, I don’t think he should get more than Barber. I understand Barber has played a role in costing the Bears two games in a row. But he’s also part of the reason the team was in striking distance in those games.

Melissa Isaacson: Fiction. Why? Because of Barber’s boneheaded moves from last week? If you don’t trust him anymore, you cut him, you don’t reduce his carries. And while Barber never was a featured back, he can still gain 100 yards as he has proven. Giving Bell more carries wouldn’t be a bad idea, if only to keep defenses off balance. And if Bell continues to earn it, give him more carries.

Jon Greenberg: Fiction. Barber was running hard all game until his late meltdown cost the Bears the win. Even after that game, and skipping out on his duties with the media, Barber can be very effective, and he and Bell should be sharing the carries. Bell should be getting around 10 a game, though, if not more. Let’s see what he can do.

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Fact or Fiction: Jay Cutler made Earl Bennett.

Jeff Dickerson: Fiction. I have no idea what's happened to Bennett the past three weeks, but he can still play regardless of who's lining up at quarterback every week. Sure, Bennett is Cutler's preferred target, especially on third down, but it's not as if Bennett depends on Cutler to be an NFL receiver. Cutler and Bennett spent just one season together at Vanderbilt before the quarterback was selected in the first round of the 2006 draft, which means Bennett had two highly productive years in college after Cutler left school. It's difficult on the receivers when a team is forced to turn to its No. 2 quarterback. Just look at Reggie Wayne in Indianapolis. He caught at least 100 balls from Peyton Manning in three of the past four years. This year he's made 56 receptions through 13 games. That's simply life in the NFL.

Michael C. Wright: Fiction. But it sure looks that way, doesn’t it? Bennett caught 14 passes for 251 yards in the last three games that Cutler played. In the three games Cutler has been out of the lineup, Bennett has caught just two passes for 10 yards. A big part of Bennett’s lack of production is the fact teams are now gearing up to shut him down. Because of his unbelievable chemistry with Cutler, Bennett has been an integral part of the offense, despite being a supposed lesser talent. But make no mistake, Bennett is a self-made guy. If you look at a lot of the receptions he’s had over the past two years, many of them have been short-to-intermediate passes that Bennett turned into big gains. So in a way, I think both Cutler and Bennett make one another. It’s just a shame that Hanie doesn’t look Bennett’s direction more often.

Melissa Isaacson: Fact. Not a bad theory. While Bennett is certainly a pro’s pro, Cutler has brought out the best in him, often finding Bennett on second and third options because he simply did not trust his other receivers. Because the two developed a rapport at Vanderbilt, they had a headstart and Cutler made it possible for Bennett to become the go-to receiver he has become. Would he have achieved that under any other quarterback, or been rewarded with a four-year, $18 million contract (as he was earlier this month)? Not likely.

Jon Greenberg: Fiction. It’s not Bennett’s fault that Hanie isn’t very good. He’s not even getting looks, because Hanie can’t handle the pace of an NFL game. Earl is probably getting overpaid in his new deal, but he could be a solid option on any team. He just can’t get the ball.

STREAKING

1. Robbie Gould, K: Gould connected on a career-best, and franchise-record 57-yard field goal against the Denver Broncos and the kick appeared to have plenty of room to spare. If Gould hits his next nine field-goal attempts he will surpass San Diego's Nate Kaeding (173 of 200) as the most accurate field goal in NFL history. It's a goal Gould should accomplish considering Kaeding is on the injured reserve.

2. Henry Melton, DT: Melton recorded a sack against the Broncos and now has four sacks in his past five games. Melton's seven sacks are already a career high for the third-year veteran, and he now leads the NFL in sacks by a defensive tackle. Coming into the season, the team had lofty goals for Melton, and the defensive tackle continues to justify the staff's confidence in him.

3. Craig Steltz, S: Starting in just his fourth career game, Steltz put together one of his strongest performances with five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Steltz sacked Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow in the fourth quarter and stripped the ball loose with Israel Idonije recovering. The play initially looked as if it would preserve a Chicago victory, but it didn't. Either way, Steltz provides strong depth at a position that sorely needed it coming into the season.

SLUMPING

1. Marion Barber, RB: Barber ran for a game-high 108 yards, and showed he was capable of getting out on the edge and making defenders miss, despite his full-steam-ahead reputation. Barber falls into this category because of the two mistakes he made down the stretch that played a direct role in the Bears losing at Denver. Given Barber's experience as a seven-year veteran, it's inexcusable that he ran out of bounds in the fourth quarter with the team trying to run down the clock. His fumble in overtime made things even worse.

2. Earl Bennett, WR: Bennett recently signed a four-year extension, but the four-year veteran has made just two catches over the past three games. So maybe it's time to bring out the orange shoes for luck. Seriously though, Bennett can't contribute if he's not given the opportunity. Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie targeted Bennett just once against the Broncos. Considering Bennett is probably the team's most dangerous weapon on offense, the team should be looking to get the ball into his hands more.

3. Chris Conte, S: A rookie, Conte started his sixth consecutive game against the Broncos, and going into that contest, he and Major Wright had been a strong combination. In the six games Conte started opposite Wright, the Bears gave up four touchdown passes. But the defense also generated eight interceptions. Playing without Wright at Denver, Conte contributed two tackles, but made a mistake in coverage that led to a Broncos' touchdown in the fourth quarter.

BEARS AT BRONCOS
| When: 3:05, Sunday | TV: FOX | RADIO: 780 AM, WBBM & 105.9 FM

BEARS (7-4)

Coach: Lovie Smith | Record including playoffs: 73-57

Career head-to-head record (including playoffs) vs. John Fox: 2-2

Career record (including playoffs) against Broncos: 1-0

Last week: Lost to Chiefs 10-3

Key stat:Since 2004, the Bears are 6-9 on the road against AFC teams, and 0-1 as the visitor against an AFC team in 2011.

Offense rank: 19th (325.8 ypg) | Defense rank: 20th (359.3 ypg)

Offensive leader: Earl Bennett has caught only one pass in each of the last two games. But over his last 15 outings dating back to Week 9 of last season, Bennett has caught 16 passes in third-down situations, converting every one of them into first downs, making him one of just six players in the NFL to accomplish that feat over that span.

Defensive leader: Cornerback Charles Tillman currently ranks third on the team in tackles (97), but leads the Bears with 11 pass breakups and three forced fumbles. Interestingly, of the 10 players ranked in the top eight in forced fumbles since 2003, Tillman is the only cornerback as the other nine players are either defensive ends or linebackers.

Streaks
• The Bears have held opponents to just one touchdown in each of the last two games.
• Brian Urlacher needs three tackles to reach 100 for the 11th time, which would put him past Mike Singletary for the franchise record.
• Defensive end Henry Melton has posted sacks in each of his last two outings and has six sacks on the season. The six sacks are the most by a Bears defensive tackle since Tommie Harris tallied eight in 2007.

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BRONCOS (7-5)

Coach: John Fox | Record: 85-79 | Last week: Defeated the Vikings 35-32

Career head-to-head record vs. Smith: 2-2 | Career record vs. Bears: 3-2

Key stat: Denver’s five-game winning streak is the club’s longest since 2009, when it started 6-0. The Broncos have completed 10 passes or fewer in each of their last five victories, making them -- according to Elias Sports Bureau -- the first team since 1956 to win five in a row in a season without completing more than 10 passes in any outing.

Offense rank: 25th (314.8 ypg) | Defense rank: 20th 24th (366.4 ypg)

Offensive leader: Quarterback Tim Tebow has led five game-winning drives in the fourth quarter this season, and has the best fourth-quarter passer rating (109.7) in the AFC. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Tebow averages 7.4 yards per attempt on option plays, and 4.9 yards on non-option snaps.

Defensive leader: Rookie LB Von Miller is expected to play after sitting last week during the club’s win over the Minnesota Vikings. With 10 1/2 sacks, Miller needs just two more to tie Leslie O’Neal (12 1/2 sacks in 1986) and Simeon Rice (12 1/2 in 1996) for the third-most sacks by a rookie since 1982.

Streaks
• WR Eric Decker has caught eight touchdown passes over the last 11 games.
• LB Elvis Dumervil has posted 6 1/2 sacks in his last five outings.
• CB Andrew Goodman has picked off two passes over the last three games.