Wide Reciever Still Bears Biggest Concern Heading Into 2009

The biggest concern for Bears fans, and probably the coaching staff, heading into the 2009 season is the wide receiver position. It's been lamented for decades that the Bears have not had a franchise-caliber quarterback, which has been true.

But the team has also lacked a highly skilled wide receiver in the prime of his career for many of those quarterback-deficient years.

To give you some perspective, the franchise's all-time leader in receptions is running back Walter Payton with 492.

Names like Marty Booker and Marcus Robinson top the single season receptions and yards categories.

And while it's true no quarterback has ever thrown from over 4,000 yards in a season for the Bears, the franchise's career receiving yardage leader is Johnny Morris with just 5,059 yards. Morris played some running back too, rushing for over 1,000 yards for his career.

2009 is no different for the position.

Rashied Davis, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Juaquin Iglesias, Johnny Knox and Brandon Rideau are currently listed as the Bears' top six wide receivers on the depth chart. Only Davis and Hester have caught a pass in the NFL.

In 2008 the duo combined for 85 catches, 1,110 yards and five touchdowns.

There were some rumors that the Bears were targeting free agent Torry Holt, but that idea fell through and Holt signed with Jacksonville.

Marvin Harrison is still a free agent, and he would likely help Chicago this year. But Harrison is on the back end of a great career and provide a long-term solution at the position, and I don't foresee the Bears signing him.

The Bears will do what they have done at wide receiver for the past few years by working best with what is currently on the roster.

This weakness could stand out for Chicago. By adding Jay Cutler, the Bears have a legitimate passing threat for the first time in a very long time, but who will be there to catch his passes?

Maybe just having Cutler can help a major receiving target emerge for Chicago.

Brandon Marshall of the Broncos has become one of the better wide receivers in the league over the last two years with Cutler throwing him passes. Marshall was just a fourth-round pick out of UCF, though. It couldn't have been expected that he produce like he has.

Granted, just from watching him on TV, Marshall possess far greater skills than any of the receivers on the Bears roster, most of whom weren't even fourth round picks.

But just maybe Cutler can develop some chemistry with one Bears receiver and the two can develop into a great tandem.

I imagine to help alleviate the problems at wide receiver, the Bears will do what they usually do by throwing to running backs and tight ends.

Running back Matt Forte lead the team in receptions last year with 61. Tight End Greg Olsen was second with 54 and led the team with five receiving scores. Desmond Clark, another tight end, was fourth on the team with 41 catches.

Even if those players have the same large roles in the passing game, the Bears will still need to find a receiver that can consistently stretch the field and make the catch when he does.

Hester obviously has the speed to run past defensive backs, and Cutler obviously has the arm to throw it to him. But Hester has to secure the catch when the ball arrives, and Cutler has to be accurate with his deep throws.

If the Bears can't stretch the field, or at least make opponents think they can stretch the field, the offense is going to look very similar to what it has been for the past several years.

Which means a lot of running the ball, dump passes to tight ends and swing passes to running backs.

If the Bears are going to have a significant improvement in their record, finding a consistent top receiving target for Cutler is essential.