More updates from Bourbonnais and observations from the first preseason game against the Chiefs....

The quarterback competition really has been too close to call so far in camp, and the first preseason game didn’t really change things much. Kyle Orton started and made good throws to Rashied Davis and Devin Hester, but he also missed on a couple of throws and dropped the ball on one play while scrambling to his left. Rex Grossman entered the game in the second quarter and played into the third quarter. He made a nice throw to Brandon Lloyd on the right sideline but otherwise didn’t look that impressive, though he did make a short dump-off to Garrett Wolfe that turned into a 25-yard TD catch and run. He also fell on his backside after one of his linemen stepped on his foot while he came out from under center, drawing the usual boos and taunts from the Soldier Field crowd. A situation where the competition remains even might actually benefit Orton because many people (including yours truly) still consider Grossman to be the more talented quarterback and expect him to do more. Ever since last year’s preseason, Grossman has looked (in my opinion) like he 1) is thinking too much, 2) lacks the confidence to really wing it and take chances downfield like he did in the first half of 2006, and 3) is not having much fun (if any). To me, Rex Grossman is not "Rex Grossman" unless he’s the confident gunslinger that was winging the ball everywhere and even throwing TD passes off his back foot when the Bears were beating teams by 25+ points early in the 2006 season. In other words, I’m not sure if "Careful Rex" is good enough to be the starter for this team; I think he really needs to play well this Saturday night in Seattle or Orton may be named the starter next week.

Rookie Matt Forte started the game and looked pretty good, carrying the ball seven times for 25 yards and catching three passes for ten yards. As he has throughout camp, Forte showed smooth cutback ability and good hands out of the backfield. This past Saturday, Kevin Jones was cleared to practice after starting camp on the PUP list. Though Forte is still likely to begin the season as the starter, Jones has not been shy about wanting the job as well, and the two could very well eventually split carries similar to how Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson split them in 2006. If you draft Forte (who I think starts out as a RB3 but has RB2 potential if he gets most of the carries), you probably want to draft Jones as his handcuff pretty soon afterwards. Garrett Wolfe showed his big-play ability on his 25-yard TD catch and run and added a 42-yard run (that might’ve been a 94-yard TD run if not for a nagging left hamstring injury). If Jones stays healthy and Wolfe gets some third-down touches, Adrian Peterson might be the odd man out of the tailback rotation, getting the occasional touch but concentrating mainly on special teams.

None of the receivers really distinguished themselves in the preseason opener, but rookies Marcus Monk and Earl Bennett each hurt their chances with a critical drop on the final drive. Monk dropped a pass that would’ve gotten the Bears deep into Chiefs territory, and Bennett dropped a pass that could’ve resulted in a TD if he got a block on the defender in front of him. Bennett still should make the team, but Monk really has to impress in the next two or three games or he might not make it, especially if the team keeps four tailbacks. Rashied Davis and Brandon Lloyd started the game and each caught one pass, as did Devin Hester and Mark Bradley, while Marty Booker did not catch any passes. What we’re likely to see from the Bears this season is wide receiver by committee. No matter who starts the game, different receivers will come in depending on the package, game situation, fatigue level, etc. That obviously doesn’t help any of their fantasy values, making most of them a non-factor in your drafts. Hester, Davis, Lloyd, and Bradley (if he can stay healthy) might have the most upside of this bunch at the moment.

Clark and Olsen started the game in a double tight end set, a scenario you might see often this season. Both will play a lot, lowering their individual fantasy values, but each of them should be in that middle tier of starting tight ends just below the top players like Antonio Gates and Jason Witten. Rookie Kellen Davis has been one of the pleasant surprises of camp, showing good hands, great athleticism for a big man, and pretty good blocking skills. Do not be surprised if the massive Davis occasionally steals a TD from Clark or Olsen in a three tight end goal line set.

Rookie left tackle Chris Williams had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back last Wednesday, the night before the team’s game against the Chiefs. This is obviously a huge loss for the Bears, who expected to plug Williams into the left tackle position and leave him there for years to come. Veteran John St. Clair started at left tackle in Williams’ place and apparently will stay there for now, though John Tait may eventually be moved back there if St. Clair struggles. St. Clair was also in the mix at left guard if Williams had stayed healthy. Speaking of left guard, projected starter Terrence Metcalf had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee one day before Williams’ surgery, forcing backup center Josh Beekman to start in his place against Kansas City. Beekman is considered by some to be undersized for left guard, but the Bears are running out of healthy options. The O-line situation here is so dicey that the team even put in a call to veteran Fred Miller, who was cut in the offseason. St. Clair and Beekman will remain starters for now, but how long this line will hold up as presently constituted is anyone’s guess.

Dusty Dvoracek was cleared to practice on Saturday morning after missing some time with a calf injury, but he has a lot of catching up to do with Anthony Adams currently starting at nose tackle and rookie Marcus Harrison showing a nice upfield burst in camp.

Hunter Hillenmeyer sat out the game against the Chiefs with a hip injury, so Jamar Williams started in his place at strong-side linebacker, making one tackle.

Strong safety Brandon McGowan was late coming over the top on a couple of pass plays. He is a big hitter who is pretty good in run support, but I’m still skeptical about his coverage skills. McGowan also suffered a sprained ankle in yesterday’s practice. While he is expected back soon, his injury opens the door for Kevin Payne (who took over for McGowan) and rookie Craig Steltz to get reps with the first team.

Coming later this month: a season preview with statistical projections.