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What exacerbates this Rex or Kyle debate are all the missing parts on offense. The best receiver a year ago, Bernard Berrian, was more interested in Minnesota's money than being a Bear, while Cedric Benson, one of the biggest personnel goofs in Bear history, is driving his boat around some Texas lake, obviously happy he's not dealing with Urlacher and Briggs on a daily basis. Even veteran receiver Moose Muhammad returned to his Carolina roots.

When you have quarterbacks like these, "he better have some help," said offensive coordinator Ron Turner, well aware that the receiving corps is rather thin.

The Bears are two years removed from the Super Bowl and, crazily, they have the appearance of a rebuilding team. I realize preseason games don't mean much, but one of the worst teams in the NFL, the admittedly rebuilding KC Chiefs, actually beat them at Soldier Field last Thursday night. Chicago's performance was below expectations, Coach Lovie Smith said afterward. It also was rather startling that Caleb Hanie, a free-agent from Colorado State, actually looked like the best Chicago quarterback against the Chiefs.

Like I said, preseason games don't really mean much!

But the worse news wasn't the game, but that No. 1 pick, Chris Williams of Vanderbilt, had surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back. Williams, who was red-flagged by some teams prior to the draft because of previous back problems, was supposed to be the starting left tackle, the man entrusted with protecting the quarterback's blindside.

Turner, who has already noticed the absence of high-priced players on his side of the ball, was counting on Williams, who could miss the season.

Although the Bears are optimistic, proclaiming that this latest back injury had nothing to do with his previous problems, it never is easy for a 315-pound lineman to return quickly after back surgery. That's just common sense. So, it's back to 31-year-old John St. Clair. Don't forget that Williams was a need pick because Chicago's offensive line is kind of rustic.

We all know that Chicago has plenty of good defenders, enough to keep the team competitive as long as Devin Hester is returning kicks. Even tackle Dusty Dvoracek finally passed a physical and we know that's good news because he is Tommie Harris' favorite sidekick. And safety Mike Brown, whose injuries would thoroughly depress any other man, is back for more.

So, what are the playmaking solutions?

No. 1 -- Turn Hester into Steve Smith.

No, they don't want him punching cornerbacks. They want to convert all of Hester's speed and moves on punt returns into a game-breaking receiver. Yes, the Bears toyed with his idea last summer, too, but they didn't give him a big contract to just return punts and kicks. They need him, just like Smith does, to turn a simple flat pass into a home run. It all makes sense in theory except that Smith was a leading receiver in college before becoming a pro while Hester was rotating between defense and offense while at the U. of Miami. It's not like the Bears can simply work Hester to death, overload him with routes and expect him to catch 70 passes. There is no question that Hester has the hands to catch; it's just how quickly he learns to run exact routes and mentally grasps his responsibilities and knows the pass patterns. It's a good idea, but still pretty risky business.

No. 2 -- Rookie Matt Forte gains 1,500 yards rushing and receiving.

Forte is a lean, tough-looking but upright runner. Turner said his style reminds him a little of Hall of Famer Marcus Allen, which is pretty heavy praise. GM Jerry Angelo might have found the perfect replacement to Benson because Forte has been excelling in the classroom and there's no questioning his toughness and production at Tulane. He could easily become an every-down running back because he has been learning the blitz-pickups. "Mentally, he has been unbelievable," Turner said. "He's an all-around back and a great receiver out of the backfield."

If Forte's development continues on a fast track, he could have a huge impact on the offense. He can catch and displayed a tough inside running style. Both quarterbacks like him and he's a yes-sir, no-sir kind of young man. The most interesting part of his early adjustment to the NFL was that former Bear running back, Thomas Jones, has been giving him advice on how to handle himself as a pro. It says a lot about Jones, who was traded by the Bears to the Jets two years ago to clear a path for the unwanted Benson.

No. 3 -- Tight end Greg Olsen doubles his production.

Olsen, who had 39 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, has the ability to go deep and could develop into a home-run threat. "I definitely feel like I am playing a lot faster," Olsen said, referring to his learning experience a year ago. "I feel like I know the offense a lot better and now I'm just playing." Like all the offensive players I spoke with, Olsen declined to say if he preferred Orton or Grossman. "I really don't think it matters to us. They have worked hard. I think we believe we can win with either one." And who is faster, Olsen or Cowboys tight end Jason Witten? "I don't think there is any question; I am," Olsen said.

Orton, Olsen and Turner all said that Rashied Davis is having his best camp. Davis figures to be a factor in the passing game and should be on the field whenever the Bears are in a three-receiver set. Without question, someone has to emerge.

The Bears were never interested in trading for Brett Favre, believing in both Orton and Grossman. They are competing in practice every day, both of them sharing reps with the first team.

"There is no question that Rex's ankle injury limited him in the pocket last season," Angelo said. "He needs to be able to move in order to see his lanes and he had a rough time with that. He still has the big arm."

Remember, any team could have signed Grossman in the off-season, but the Bears were the only ones. They have confidence in him, so you have to wonder if he really has the inside track on the job.

"The process has been fair," said Orton, who is 25. "If I play well enough in camp and the preseason, I have a shot. I hope it is my time."

"I think Rex has responded very well to the competition," Turner said. "What I like about Kyle is that he came into camp lighter and stronger. He had a great off-season and seems real comfortable. He has improved his foot quickness in the pocket and he's getting the ball out a lot quicker. He used to have a longer windup."

Orton said he and Grossman have remained friends during the competition and he believes "it will stay that way regardless of who becomes the starter."

"Every snap we're taking, there is competition," Grossman said. "As long as we don't screw ourselves up, we're going to be fine. We've got enough talent on this team. If we play smart, we will score a lot of points."