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Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery provided updates Wednesday on the potential return of injured offensive tackle Gabe Carimi and receiver Johnny Knox during a conference call with the club's season-ticket holders.

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Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith said Wednesday it's "a little early" to cast accurate predictions on the potential return for receiver Johnny Knox, who continues to rehabilitate from a serious back injury suffered in December.

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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.

In making his first public comments since suffering a horrific back injury on Dec. 18 against the Seattle Seahawks, Bears receiver Johnny Knox posted on Twitter that he can remember the play "like it was yesterday."

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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.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge on Week 16:

Busted rivalry: When the NFL released its schedule this spring, many of us had high expectations for a late-December matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Instead, an injury-devastated Bears team will limp north as a (deserved) 13-point underdog. It's possible the Packers will have clinched home-field advantage even before taking the field Sunday night, if the San Francisco 49ers lose Saturday at the Seattle Seahawks. If not, the Packers will attempt to secure it against a team playing without quarterback Jay Cutler, running backs Matt Forte and Marion Barber, and receiver Johnny Knox. Third-string running back Kahlil Bell is expected to start, pairing with third-string quarterback Josh McCown -- who has a history of helping the Packers' playoff positioning. (See: Noooooooooooooooo!) One other interesting bit of history: The Packers are one of five teams in NFL history to open a season 13-0 and then lose in their 14th game. All four of the other teams lost their 15th game, too. That list includes the 2009 and 2005 Indianapolis Colts, the 2009 New Orleans Saints and the 1998 Denver Broncos.

Packers' run game: For several reasons, Sunday night's game would be an obvious target for the Packers to try to enhance their running game. James Starks (ankle) and Brandon Saine (concussion) are expected to return. The Packers will start a makeshift offensive line that likely will include T.J. Lang at right tackle and Evan Dietrich-Smith at left guard; the best way for offensive linemen to get comfortable is via run blocking. And it's also worth repeating that the Bears historically have done a good job limiting Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' downfield opportunities. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Rodgers has completed only five of 26 attempts on throws against the Bears that traveled in the air 21 yards or more. He's thrown for one touchdown, a game-winner to receiver Greg Jennings in 2009, and two interceptions on those passes.

Detroit's challenge: The Detroit Lions will clinch a playoff spot Saturday if they beat the San Diego Chargers in what will likely be a raucous atmosphere at Ford Field. (There are also several scenarios to clinch this weekend even if they lose. They're noted in this post.) Hopefully everyone knows the Chargers are on one of their annual December rolls. They've won three consecutive games after a six-game losing streak. Since Norv Turner took the head coaching job in 2007, the Chargers are 20-2 in December. This will be no cakewalk.

Big targets: Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers struggled earlier this season, but he has been the NFL's most efficient quarterback over the past three weeks based on Total Quarterback Rating. Rivers has hit a groove with a pair of 6-foot-5 receivers that will pose significant matchup problems for the Lions. Malcom Floyd has 11 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns over the past two games, while Vincent Jackson has caught 12 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown. Jackson has been sidelined in practice this week by a groin injury. Lions cornerback Chris Houston (knee) clearly wasn't 100 percent last week against the Oakland Raiders, and the team re-signed Brandon McDonald this week for extra depth. Safety Louis Delmas (knee) also remains sidelined, and backup Chris Harris was cleared Thursday to practice following a concussion.

Make it stop: If you're a big-picture observer, you see ample motivation for the Minnesota Vikings to lose Sunday at the Washington Redskins. One more victory by the Indianapolis Colts, in conjunction with two more Vikings defeats, would give the Vikings an excellent chance to secure the No. 1 overall pick of the 2012 draft. A loss to the Redskins would extend the Vikings' losing streak to seven games, tying a franchise record set in their expansion season of 1961. But I'm not sure what would be worse: tying that record or extending their NFL record of games without an interception, which stands at nine. Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman has thrown at least one interception in his past 10 starts, and he is tied for the second-most interceptions in the NFL (18) despite missing three games this season. Something's got to give.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears receiver Johnny Knox underwent back surgery on Monday and will miss the remainder of the season, according to coach Lovie Smith.

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Four straight losses have sunk the Chicago Bears to playoff long shots at 7-7. Here is a timeline of how they got here:

1. CUTLER BREAKS THUMB

Nov. 20 at Soldier Field: Attempting to make a tackle after throwing an interception to San Diego Chargers cornerback Antoine Cason, in part because Johnny Knox slipped on the route, Cutler suffered a Bennett’s fracture in his right thumb that requires surgical repair in Vail, Colo. Cutler’s injury thrusts Caleb Hanie into the starting lineup. The team hasn’t won a game in the four weeks Cutler has been out of the lineup.

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

2. HANIE'S ROUGH FIRST START

Nov. 27 at Oakland Coliseum: Hanie tossed two interceptions in the first quarter, and the Bears' first five drives resulted in two turnovers and three three-and-outs. After the slow start, Hanie hit Knox for a 29-yard touchdown to give the Bears a 7-6 lead toward the end of the first half. But Hanie’s third pick of the game led to another Oakland score. Hanie put on a promising performance, passing for 254 yards and two TDs in the loss.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

3. FORTE INJURES KNEE

Dec. 4 at Soldier Field: Making a cut on an weak-side run in the first quarter, running back Matt Forte was slammed in the knee by Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson. The hit resulted in Forte leaving the game after just five carries with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Forte hasn’t played since, and says he doesn’t expect be back for the rest of the season.

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

4. PALKO HAIL MARY

Dec. 4 at Soldier Field: In the same game Forte was injured, Chiefs quarterback Tyler Palko threw his first career touchdown pass on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. Waiting in the end zone for the pass, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher attempted to knock the ball down, but safety Chris Conte knocked it right into the hands of Chiefs running back Dexter McCluster. That pass was the game’s only TD. The Bears eventually lost 10-3.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

5. BARBER GAFFE NO. 1

Dec. 11 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High: With the Bears leading 10-7 and the Denver Broncos out of timeouts, Barber ran out of bounds to stop the clock with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter. The mistake gave Denver extra time to mount a comeback and tie the game 10-10 at the end of regulation. Even Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow said, “I might have thanked the Lord” when Barber made that mistake.

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

6. BARBER GAFFE NO. 2

Dec. 11 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High: In overtime of the same game, Barber fumbled just five plays into Chicago’s possession, and that led to the Broncos hitting a 51-yard field goal with 8:34 left in OT for the victory.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

7. SAM HURD ARREST

Dec. 14 at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Rosemont, Ill.: Undercover officers arrest Hurd on federal drug charges. Authorities say Hurd allegedly attempted to purchase cocaine and marijuana in North Texas. The arrest sparks national conversation and a firestorm of controversy at the team’s training facilities in Lake Forest. Many of Hurd’s teammates are shocked by the arrest. Clearly the spectacle of the arrest led unwanted distractions.

AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato

7. KNOX INJURY

Sunday at Soldier Field: Just three plays into Chicago’s second possession on Sunday, Knox caught a 17-yard pass from Hanie on a slant route and fumbled. In the scramble for the loose ball, Knox was clocked by Anthony Hargrove in a collision that caused the receiver’s body to jolt backwards violently. The hit led to Knox suffering a lower back injury that will require surgery. Knox became the team’s fifth offensive starter to go down with a significant injury.

CHICAGO -- Chicago lost another starter when receiver Johnny Knox left Sunday’s game with what team officials called “a mid-back injury,” but received some consolation in the form of a defensive touchdown that led to a 7-7 first-quarter tie with the Seattle Seahawks.

Ineptitude on offense remained a mainstay for the home team in the first quarter. But the Bears put a TD on the board with 2:23 left in the quarter when Julius Peppers sacked and stripped Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, and Israel Idonije dove on the loose ball for the score.

The touchdown was the third by the Chicago defense this season, and the team is 3-0 when the defense scores a TD.

Idonije’s TD improved what was shaping up to be an ugly start for the Bears.

Less than five minutes into the game, Knox was carted off the field with a mid-back injury after a play in which he fumbled, giving Seattle possession at the Chicago 22.

Instead of surrendering a just a field goal on the Seahawks’ ensuring drive, the Bears ended up giving up a touchdown to trail 7-0 after an unnecessary penalty paved the way for a Marshawn Lynch 2-yard touchdown.

Steven Hauschka kicked a 22-yard field goal for Seattle with 8:49 left in the quarter, but officials called Bears defensive back Corey Graham for a “leverage” penalty, which gave the Seahawks a first down at the Chicago 2.

Lynch scored on the next play to give the Seahawks a 7-0 advantage with 8:31 left in the quarter.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears medical staff carted off receiver Johnny Knox in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks because of what appeared to be a serious back injury.

Knox took a vicious shot from Seahawks defensive end Anthony Hargrove while scrambling for a fumble at the end of a 17-yard catch over the middle. Down on the field for approximately 10 minutes, Knox was immobilized by the medical staff and later carted off the field on a stretcher.

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LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- With the ink now dry on Earl Bennett's four-year extension, the next Chicago Bears wide receiver in line for a new deal figures to be Johnny Knox, who has one year left (signed through 2012) on his original rookie contract.

But serious talks between Knox's agent Marc Lillibridge and the Bears have yet to take place, according to the wide receiver, which means formal discussions regarding an extension might be tabled until the offseason at the earliest.

"If they came to you and tried to give you an extension, I guess things would be going through your mind, but they haven't asked me," Knox said Friday.

"It's just been good for me to focus on football and not worry about contract stuff. My time will come. I'm not trying to worry about that now. I've still got a season to finish."

Knox, 25, began training camp on a low note when he got bumped down to the second team in favor of Roy Williams, but the former 2009 fifth-round draft choice leads the NFL with an average of 20.5 yards per reception, and is tops amongst Bears wideouts with 33 catches for 675 yards.

Last season, Knox ranked fifth in the league in receiving average (18.8) and posted career-highs with 55 catches for 960 yards.

"Things started off slow for me, but just like it happened last year, it's not how you start it's how you finish," Knox said. "That's what I'm going to do, keep finishing strong and help my team make the playoffs."

Eventually the Bears will be forced to put a monetary value on Knox's abilities.

Bennett and his agent C.J. Laboy negotiated a deal that contains a potential total value of $18 million, and includes $9 million in guarantees, plus a $6 million signing bonus. Those guaranteed figures compare favorably with recent contracts signed by fellow receivers Jordy Nelson, Lance Moore, Mike Thomas and Steve Breaston.

However, Knox is believed to be looking for a more lucrative extension, according to a league source.

Knox can make a fairly strong case for a better deal based on career numbers. In one less season (Bennett's rookie year was 2008), Knox has 129 receptions for 2,162 yards and 12 touchdowns compared to Bennett's 119 catches for 1,559 yards and six touchdowns.

But Bears general manager Jerry Angelo made his philosophy on awarding extensions clear during the Matt Forte saga over the summer. The Bears negotiate differently with a player already under contract, as opposed to a free agent on the open market. Bennett was scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the year, which no doubt factored into the Bears' final offer.

For Knox, all he can do is wait and continue his level of production. In the last three weeks, the speedy receiver has caught 12 balls for 295 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do," Knox said.

Caleb Hanie's performance against the Raiders on Sunday was what you would expect from a quarterback making his first NFL start: There was plenty of bad (three interceptions) but some good, too (two touchdown passes).

So what can Bears fans expect out of Hanie in starth No. 2? Our Four Downs panel weighs in on that and more:

Fact or Fiction: We've seen the worst of Caleb Hanie already.

Jeff Dickerson: Fact. There is no excuse for turning the ball over three times in a half of football, but it's important to remember Hanie was making his first career NFL start in a very difficult road venue. He'll learn from the experience and be a much better quarterback when the Bears face Kansas City Sunday at Soldier field. He can play. Now it's a matter of being a better decision maker, which generally comes with increased playing time. We've seen the worst of Hanie, hopefully we can see the best of Hanie before Jay Cutler returns from thumb surgery.

Michael C. Wright: Fact. For the team’s sake, that better had been the worst. I think it’s fair to cut Hanie a little slack for his shaky debut as a starter. When Jay Cutler first suffered his injury and it was announced he’d miss time, everyone started looking at the next several games on the schedule to see how Hanie would fare. I think everyone considered Sunday’s outing at Oakland to be potentially the most dangerous for Hanie, and despite the rocky start, he played fairly well once he settled in. For me, there are positives to draw from that loss for Hanie. Let’s not forget that the Raiders are a 7-4 team with a young, attacking defense and stout front that is playing good football, and Hanie took their best shot on the road in a hostile environment. If anything, Hanie’s ability to bounce back from early adversity in that game should give him confidence over the long haul. Hanie will be fine, and Cutler will play an integral role in making sure he is by relaying his experiences to the new signal caller.

Melissa Isaacson Fact. It’s pretty likely Hanie will throw another interception before his shot as the Bears starting quarterback is over. But all you have to do is look at the fourth quarter of Hanie’s regular season debut as starter last Sunday in Oakland to see the potential for improvement. After throwing all three of his picks in the first half -- two that were awful and one that should at least in part be attributed to the heady play of two Raiders linebackers -- Hanie did not throw another in the second half and completed 10 of 18 passes for 175 yards in the final quarter alone for a 107.4 quarterback rating as the Bears scored 13 points to keep them in the game. Granted, the Raiders were trying to protect their lead and playing a softer zone defense in the fourth quarter, but Hanie settled down and there is every reason to believe he will reduce mistakes with more experience and practice with the first team.

Jon Greenberg: Fact. Hanie’s first half was abysmal. He improved in the second half, but still didn’t look sharp. Yes, he hit on a home run pass to Johnny Knox, but the deep ball is down my list of quarterback qualities. Hanie showed promise in other areas, too. He just needs to put it all together. I still have faith he’ll get better, but more game tape might equal more struggles.

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Fact or Fiction: Mike Martz has to alter his game plan to suit Hanie.

Jeff Dickerson: Fiction. Martz called a decent game in Oakland. There wasn't a play he called that Hanie is incapable of executing. The problem with Martz is every week, without fail, he loses his mind at some point and calls a terrible play given the situation. A tight end screen on second-and-1 from the Raiders' 7-yard line with :35 seconds left in the first half? Come on, just run the football and settle for a field goal if necessary. Don't get me wrong, Hanie needed to put more zip on the pass that was deflected by Aaron Curry and intercepted by Kamerion Wimbley, but the call was silly. Martz doesn't need to alter the game plan to suit Hanie. He needs to stop trying to be so cute in these key moments.

Michael C. Wright: Fiction. Actually, this is partly fact and partly fiction. See, Hanie is capable of doing everything Martz’s offense calls for. But the offensive coordinator should be mindful of not putting Hanie into bad situations, such as calling a throwback screen -- which the team has shown a tendency on film to run near the goal line before halftime, according to Oakland linebacker Aaron Curry -- on second and 1 from the 7. I think it’s important for Martz to gradually ramp up Hanie’s game by calling for shorter passes early on that would allow the quarterback to get into a rhythm, before rattling off all the big-boy plays. At the same time, you can’t deny that Hanie’s mobility should make it enticing for Martz to cater the game plan to take advantage by utilizing the quarterback more on bootlegs to give him somewhat of a run-pass option.

Melissa Isaacson: Fact. This isn’t really about the run vs. pass debate that feels age-old when it comes to Martz. It’s more about common sense when dealing with a quarterback making his first NFL regular season start. Did Martz really need to call pass plays on 20 of 33 plays in the first half? Did he need to call a pass play on a second-and-1 from the Oakland 7 with 35 seconds left in the second half? Hanie showed his run ability Sunday with 50 yards on five attempts and though not every one demonstrated the best judgment, you’d like to see Martz utilize his live legs and cut down the odds for key interceptions.

Jon Greenberg: Fact. Martz now has a better idea of how Hanie fares against NFL talent. I think he knows what plays to throw away now, and what plays suit Hanie’s strengths. The problem is that Martz is dedicated to his system and that familiarity often takes precedence over reality.

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Fact or Fiction: Johnny Knox can be a No. 1 receiver for the Bears.

Jeff Dickerson: Fiction. From a talent standpoint, Knox can absolutely be a top wide receiver. But a No. 1? I'm not so sure. When I think of smaller No. 1 wideouts, the first guy who comes to mind is Steve Smith. But he's crazy and tough as nails. Knox isn't that sort of player. He relies on speed and quickness. The good news is Knox possesses a ton of talent. He simply needs to become more consistent. When/if that happens, we can discuss whether or not Knox can be the Bears best receiver. Right now, it's too premature.

Michael C. Wright: Fact. But that can’t and won’t be accomplished during Hanie’s stint as the man under center. Knox flashes those elite-receiver skills, but I don’t see it consistently enough to put him in that No. 1 category just yet. And I don’t see him all of a sudden turning it on over the next five weeks of the season. Knox has shown the desire to improve his game, based on the way he bulked up his upper body last offseason to improve his ability to beat the jam at the line (he also needed to improve lower-body strength, but didn’t). Knox would definitely benefit from spending an offseason working out with someone like Cris Carter to take his game to the next level, and I could see the receiver doing that. I just don’t see it happening this season.

Melissa Isaacson: Fact. Knox still needs to cut down on drops -- he missed three he should have caught on Sunday -- but ironically, he may have a better chance of shining with Hanie than he did with Cutler. While Cutler’s preferred target was Earl Bennett, Hanie favors Knox, with whom he worked a lot in training camp while both were on the second team, and with whom he showed some nice chemistry against the Raiders.

Jon Greenberg: Fiction. There isn’t a No. 1 receiver on this roster, so let’s not force the issue. Knox has gained 242 yards and two touchdowns -- his only ones of the season amazingly -- in the last two games, but he could just as easily disappear next week. Bennett had 251 yards in his previous three games and then caught one ball for 5 yards last week. Now that Devin Hester is seemingly being phased out of the passing game, Knox should see more looks, but he’s still not a No. 1 type.

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Fact or Fiction: Marion Barber deserves to cut into Matt Forte's carries.

Jeff Dickerson: Fiction. Keep Barber at 10-12 carrier per game. That's the perfect workload for a veteran who's dealt with a variety of injuries the past few years. Forte, on the other hand, needs 20-25 rushing attempts every week. He's still the same guy who carried the offense for the first eight games of the season. Why cut into his carries? I want more Forte, not less, regardless of how Barber is running the football.

Michael C. Wright: Fact. Not only does he deserve to, but the current situation demands that Barber shoulder some of the burden. Forte has already racked up tons of touches, and the Bears run the risk of wearing the guy out by the end of the regular season if they continue to dish out the current workload. It’s commendable that Forte has played at such a high level for so long, and still appears to have fresh legs so late in the season. But why waste away another fresh-legged running back on the bench that adds a different style that might make it difficult for defenses to adjust to? As Bears coach Lovie Smith admitted on Monday, Barber was “feeling it” against the Raiders and is “a weapon that we need to use.” So when the head coach says something like that, I expect the words to be put into action.

Melissa Isaacson: Fiction. While it does not have to be a knock on Forte to give more opportunities in the right situations to Barber, who runs hard and provides the always appreciated change-of-pace that can keep a defense off-balance, it should be just that -- situational. Against Oakland, the duo teamed for 122 yards on 22 carries, an average of better than 5 yards per carry, but the Raiders were a good matchup for Forte, who got only 12 carries (along with six catches for 25 yards) and wasn’t thrilled about it. Forte also doesn’t appreciate when he is taken out on the goal line, but that’s why Barber was brought in and has five touchdowns from 3, 3, 12, 2 and 1 yard to show for it. Sunday’s game against the Chiefs appears to be the perfect opportunity for Forte to have a breakout game. Here’s hoping he gets the chance.

Jon Greenberg: Fact. Forte should be getting 15-20 chances a game, be they runs or receptions, but it’s obvious that Barber can still truck down the field. Let’s be real, the Bears aren’t going to run 35 times a game under Martz, even with Hanie under center, so Forte’s going to get a few less carries. As a competitor he must hate this, but it’s probably a good thing to take fewer hits, especially when he’s still getting paid like a rookie.

STREAKING

1. Johnny Knox, WR: Knox put together his first 100-yard outing of the season, hauling in four passes for 145 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. Interestingly, Knox has averaged 20 yards per catch or more in six of the Bears' team’s 11 games. The outing against the Raiders certainly qualifies as a breakout performance, but even Knox would admit that he needs to be more consistent with catching the ball and route running.

2. Henry Melton, DT: Melton has responded positively after sitting down with Bears coach Lovie Smith to discuss his dwindling production. Against the Raiders, Melton was a disruptive force, and finished with a sack. Melton now has five sacks on the season. But that number could rise given the production the team is getting from defensive end Julius Peppers, who is often double teamed.

3. Julius Peppers, DE: Since suffering a knee injury against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 10, Peppers has been on fire. Prior to that game, he had posted two sacks over the first five contests. Since then, he’s notched six, including two multiple-sack outings. Peppers sacked Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer twice on Sunday, and finished with three tackles for lost yardage. Peppers has also been one of the team’s major forces against the run.

SLUMPING

1. Anthony Adams, NT: Adams has now been inactive for two games this season, and has posted just one tackle over his last three outings. One reason the team made Adams inactive against the Raiders was the return of Matt Toeaina, who had missed four of the past six games with a sprained knee. The consummate professional, Adams won’t complain about his role changing. If anything, expect him to respond with better play.

2. Caleb Hanie, QB: Let’s preface this by saying one game doesn’t constitute a slump, but given the situation with the team in the mix for a playoff berth, one bad game can be damaging. Hanie threw three interceptions in the first half, and eventually settled in and performed like the team expected. Hanie won’t be in this section long, and the team is confident he’ll bounce back with strong performances. We’re inclined to believe that, too.

3. Mike Martz, offensive coordinator: Now you know we can’t place Hanie in the slumping category, and not add Martz, too. Martz played a role in one of the three first-half turnovers by calling the throwback screen. Interestingly, Raiders linebacker Aaron Curry said he saw the Bears run that play out of the same formation in London just before halftime. When he saw it Sunday, Curry said all he had to do was wait for the Bears to throw it to him.

STREAKING

1. Roy Williams, WR: The receiver twirled his right hand quickly, index finger pointing out with the motion forming tiny circles. Williams explained that as the universal signal for “keep it coming.” Perhaps the fans can ask the same from the receiver, who hauled in a season-high five receptions against the San Diego Chargers after not registering one grab the week before against the Detroit Lions.

2. Johnny Knox, WR: That spinning 24-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter, that’s a catch most receivers won’t make. But somehow Knox did it on a day he averaged a whopping 32.3 yards per catch. It’s no secret the coaching staff has been extremely high on Knox in recent weeks, which is part of the reason Devin Hester is seeing less action on offense. After one-catch performances in back-to-back games, it was nice to see Knox showcase his explosive ability.

3. Jay Cutler, QB: As he’d done all season, Cutler bounced back from a rough outing in the win over Detroit to put on a quarterbacking clinic against the Chargers. What’s disappointing about Cutler’s pending absence is he seems to have perfected the art of threading the needle under duress, not to mention he’s performed a tad more consistently than he did in 2010.

SLUMPING

1. Edwin Williams, OG: “Slumping” is a strong word here, but it was clear Williams hadn’t spent enough time with the starters when he filled in at left guard against the San Diego Chargers. Williams held up well in pass protection, but as offensive line coach Mike Tice anticipated, he was somewhat shaky in situations that called for him blocking in space. Given a little more time with the starters, Williams will get up to speed.

2. Dane Sanzenbacher, WR: Opportunities continue to dwindle for the rookie, who hasn’t caught a ball in three consecutive games now. Going into the matchup with the Chargers, he ranked fourth in the NFL in drops (5) according to ESPN Stats & Info and that could play a role in the lack of looks from the quarterback. We’ve chalked up the recent struggles to hitting the rookie wall, but he’s got to snap out of it soon. Sanzenbacher has proven he can perform at this level, and the team will need him down the stretch.

3. Amobi Okoye, DT: It wasn’t too long ago that defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli indicated that Okoye could be pushing Henry Melton for the start at that under-tackle spot. But Okoye hasn’t been quite as disruptive recently as he was during a two-game stretch in Oct. in which the veteran registered a pair of sacks. Part of that is the fact Melton has performed better, which has taken away some of Okoye’s snaps.

CHICAGO -- Here are Five Things We Learned following the Bears' 31-20 victory over San Diego.

1. Caleb Hanie's time is here: The season is not over, Bears fans. With Jay Cutler expected to be out for at least the remainder of the regular season, per sources familiar with the situation, the reigns of the offense will be turned over to Hanie, who almost rallied the Bears past the Green Bay Packers last year in the NFC Championship Game. Hanie isn't Cutler, but there is no reason the Bears can't win enough games down the stretch the qualify for the playoffs. With a solid defense, excellent special teams, Matt Forte, an improving offensive line and receivers who are starting to make plays, the Bears need to simply tailor the game plan slightly to accentuate Hanie's strengths. Hanie is a mobile quarterback who does a good job making plays with his feet. As we saw in the postseason, Hanie already has a nice rapport with Bennett, and he threw a lot to Johnny Knox in the preseason since the wideout ran the bulk of his reps with the second team. Don't expect Hanie to be Cutler, but he can still be a successful quarterback if the Bears put him in the proper position to excel.

2. The picture at wide receiver has become clear: Devin Hester is the greatest return man in history and a major contributor to the club's overall success. But after being used strictly in the return game against Detroit, Hester wasn't targeted once in the win against San Diego. It seems Earl Bennett, Knox and even Roy Williams (five catches for 62 yards) have staked their claims to the starting reps at receiver, which seems appropriate given how the three performed on Sunday at Soldier Field. This should allow the Bears, even under Hanie, to be selective with how they use Hester on offense. Don't look at this development in a negative light. Hester can still be a weapon for Mike Martz, but he might be more effective in spot duty. Let Hester concentrate on special teams while at the same time throwing him a few bones every week at wideout. People have been clamoring for this for years, but if this past week is any indication, it could be the new reality for Hester on offense. It's no slight on Hester, but he wins games on special teams, normally not on offense.

3. Bears secondary is eight deep: When D.J. Moore returns from an ankle injury, Lovie Smith will have eight experienced defensive backs at his disposal as the Bears make a push toward the playoffs. Reserve safety Brandon Meriweather played a much more disciplined brand of football when he came off the bench for a few series on Sunday, and made three solid tackles. Corey Graham filled in nicely for D.J. Moore at nickel and Zack Bowman pitched in when the defense shifted to its "TANK" personnel to better match up with Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates. Meanwhile, Chris Conte and Major Wright continue to bring stability to the safety position, with Wright forcing a turnover in each of the past three games, which is the lifeblood of Smith's defense. Even though Tillman had a rough time guarding Jackson, the overall performance of the starting corners this year has been well above average, and getting Moore back in the fold sometime in near future will only strengthen the group. What looked like a weakness early in the year, has become the backbone of the Bears' defense.

4. Graham can play defense: We all know Graham is on track to earn a Pro Bowl berth on special teams, but the Bears never seemed to believe he could contribute much on defense. Well, after intercepting a pass in each of the past two games while stepping in at the complicated nickel back position, Graham, who signed only a one-year contract at the start of training camp, is showing the rest of the league he should be given a chance to compete for a starting job on defense somewhere next season. Whenever Graham has been afforded the opportunity to be more than just a special teamer, he's responded. He did a nice job starting nine games at cornerback in 2008, but for whatever reason, he's never really been in the mix the past two and half years. But Graham is making a strong case to be more involved in the game plan, even when Moore returns to field.

5. Perhaps the Bears should pursue Jackson in free agency: Wow. What a performance by Vincent Jackson, who hauled in seven passes for 165 and repeatedly got the better of Charles Tillman. Jackson turns 29 in January and appears to have plenty left in the tank. I know it's going to cost a ton of money, but a 6-foot-5 threat who has already posted a pair of 1,000 yard seasons and has four 100-yard games in 2011 is worth the big contract. Drop Jackson in with Bennett and Knox and let the good times roll. The Bears have a history of signing free agents who played well against them the year before. They need to continue that tradition and snare Jackson once he hits the open market in the offseason.