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While those truly following the Bears' every move this offseason know the defensive backfield is a much greater concern than wide receiver, the masses are left trying to figure out who newly acquired quarterback Jay Cutler will be throwing to (the sheep can now insert, "no one!" and feel good about themselves).

After all, the leading receivers -- in terms of catches -- last season were running back Matt Forte and tight end Greg Olsen. Devin Hester was the top wideout, with 51 catches and 665 yards. Rashied Davis caught 35 balls, but no other wide receiver in training camp caught a single NFL pass in 2008.

NFL Offseason Roadmap is a series focused on the needs of NFL teams as they begin the offseason.

After the Chicago Bears lost in the Super Bowl to the Indianapolis Colts, they made several decisions before trying to defend their NFC crown. They gave Cedric Benson the starting tailback job, kept the quarterback position intact, signed Adam Archuleta to play safety and fired defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. It's hard to imagine any of them could have gone worse and each played a big part of the trip to a 7-9 record. The early word out of Chicago is that there won't be any big moves this time around but it's hard to see how such an approach would make for a markedly better 2008.

1. Quarterback – GM Jerry Angelo has been talking up a competition for the starting job in 2008 and that's certainly a good idea. None of the three quarterbacks who started for the Bears this season deserve an unfettered move to the top of the chain but the team won't do well to stand pat with the players they have. Rex Grossman is a free agent but unlikely to find big money offers and guaranteed starting jobs flooding his inbox.

With the start of NFL free agency rapidly approaching, the mood around Lance Briggs' camp is surely one of excitement. He's one of the best linebackers in the NFL, 27 years old and about to be available to every team in the NFL, so long as they reach his asking price.

It's long been assumed that the Bears wouldn't be one of those teams. They went through protracted and often bitter negotiations before making him their franchise player last season which left a bad taste in the mouth of both sides. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, says the bad feelings have been blown out of proportion, though, and Briggs would be happy to remain a Bear.

"He at many times has said he would love to come back to the Bears. All that's behind him. That was the frustration of being franchised. Lance has no ill feelings toward the Bears and would be very happy to continue his career in Chicago if it turns out that way."

It's not going to turn out that way. Rosenhaus is a good agent because he knows there's no reason to cut off a potential bidder but unless there's a hometown discount, Briggs is as good as gone.

As the Chicago Bears prepare to play out the string, David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune is calling for them to start using some new players to find out what they have. Running back Garrett Wolfe, wideout Mark Bradley and linebacker Jamar Williams are all players that the Bears need to see more of to assess their future with the club.

Haugh also points to Kyle Orton as a player in need of some field time. Orton could have some trade value in the offseason. It's not a bad idea but it is looking more and more like Rex Grossman will be back next season. Since that's the case he needs as many reps as possible even at the expense of Orton's marginal trade value.

Sunday's game provided ample evidence that the Bears believe their offensive future is in Grossman's arm. Why else would they pass the ball on nine of 13 plays after taking a 16-7 lead against the Giants on Sunday? Adrian Peterson carried the ball twice with the lead in the fourth quarter, bizarre play calling when you're trying to outlast your opponent but even stranger when you factor in your line's inability to protect Grossman.

It could be that Ron Turner knows that the team won't want to install a new offense if they keep Grossman. What better way to ensure that choice then calling tons of passes to show off Rex's cannon and keep your job in the process.