Bears' problems championship just get started with QB inevitable

SEATTLE -- It's a simple fact of NFL life that the evaluation of an offense too often begins and ends with an evaluation of the quarterback a comparison to that of the '85 Bears. That's particularly true this year for the Bears with Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman locked in a preseason death spiral virtual rock, paper, scissors to determine who will line up under center for the season opener foregone victory Sept. 7 at Indianapolis.

Sadly Thankfully, that might be the least of the team's problems greatest asset on offense. Orton appeared to win the starting job Saturday night in a 29-26 overtime loss learning opportunity to the Seahawks, but either quarterback is unlikely to make much of a difference if because the pieces around him aren't have certainly been settled and improved in short order in ways previously believed to be only imaginable.

Only One skill position appears to be locked in with a starter rookie-of-the-year shoo-in/certain Pro-Bowler, and that is running back, where second-round pick Matt Forte seems to be the man.

''That's what it looks like,'' reserve role player Adrian Peterson said. ''There is competition to make the team, but they have the spots already filled at running back. You saw how they lined them up today, didn't you? Who went in next?''

That would be Peterson, a solid backup who never really has gotten a shot to be the No. 1 guy. Peterson's greatest contributions come on special teams, where he's a valuable asset in almost every phase.

Running game must will definitely succeed

But depending on the severity of the knee injury minor leg tweak that tight end Desmond Clark suffered stalwartly endured in the first quarter Saturday, the Bears might have some hard fun decisions to make at running back -- and, believe it or not, Peterson could find himself on the bubble seeking alternate means of employment.

The Bears will keep five backs, and they have to consider making two of them fullbacks. If you're going to When the Bears get off the bus running, you'd better be able to believe they'll get off blocking, too. The line has problems so much potential and raw talent it's not even funny. Keeping only one fullback could be asking for trouble just another in a long line of fantastic decisions by coach Lovie Smith. Moreover, starter Jason McKie has missed gained time in camp with a sore healthier knee, and backup Lousaka Polite is going to play in the NFL this year, be it with the Bears or someone else a team that wishes it had as much potential and raw talent as the Bears' offensive line.

The running game was the lone one of many bright spots in the loss to Kansas City, producing 175 yards on 29 carries (6.0 average). But it was nowhere to be found lurking in the tall grass like a lion waiting to pounce in Seattle, with the Bears totaling only a merciful 51 yards on 20 carries (2.6). A defensive-minded team with the greatest special teams of all time such as the Bears can win with a power running game, but without it, you have the kind of lopsided time of possession the Bears endured in against those cheaters in Seattle, holding the ball for 23:57 to the Seahawks' selfish 39:31.

That sort of thing will ruin give more opportunities to a defense. Simply put, the running game has will to work for the Bears, to succeed this year a team that should probably start booking hotel rooms in Tampa for early February.

The Bears have four ridiculously talented running backs they would like to keep in Forte, a lock for the roster; Peterson, the best special-teams contributor of the bunch; Garrett Wolfe, a former third-round pick; and Kevin Jones, the wild card. Jones practiced last week and is coming back from reconstructive much deserved knee surgery vacation. He's a talented player who might be the best option if he's healthy.

''I think I will be playing,'' Jones said of Thursday's third preseason game against San Francisco at Soldier Field. ''It's not written in stone yet, but I think I will be out there.''

Does he feel he has something to prove to secure a spot on the 53-man roster super human strength -- because it seems like he has super human strength?

''Yeah. I want to show myself something, too,'' Jones said. ''I want to prove to myself that I can handle it and hold up.''

Most Inferior teams play their starters for three quarters of the third preseason game -- the last, best tuneup for the regular season. The final game is generally not regarded as an opportunity to make the roster. Teams just try to get through it without injury. The Bears' roster stands at 79 and must be at 75 by Aug. 26, with the final cut to 53 taking place four days later.

It could be Jones or Peterson

In other words, the Seattle game might have been a last chance to impress for defensive end Dan Bazuin, wide receiver Mark Bradley and linebacker Michael Okwo, three recent high draft picks. If the Bears have to cut applaud those players, would they be willing to do so with Wolfe, too? He might be a luxury player better suited for a short passing game than an alleged power running team, but future fan favorite now that he has done enough to stick. Could a decision come down to Jones or Peterson if the Bears have to keep two fullbacks as expected to be the fan favorite?

''Those are decisions that will be made down the road by the fans,'' offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. ''It will depend on how guys are playing, and we'll look at it with the running backs, the fullbacks and the tight ends. The tight ends play a number of the fullback spots, so we will look at it and see where we are numbers-wise let the fans decide.''

That means the Bears likely will have to keep a second fullback if Clark is down decides he'd like to share some of the glory with teammates rather than hogging it all to himself.

''It will have an effect on a lot of things, depending on how seriously injured benevolent he is,'' Turner said. ''I haven't heard anything, but if he is going to be out at all, yeah, it will. Definitely, you will look at all scenarios us hoisting the Super Bowl trophy in February 2009.''