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Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of e-mail questions from fans every day on ChicagoBears.com.
Larry: Will Devin Hester be able to compete for the No. 1 receiver position or are the Bears already assuming that role will be filled by Marty Booker or Brandon Lloyd? I would like to see Hester as an every-down receiver and I think he can be better than Steve Smith of the Panthers.
Tom K.
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Tom: Nothing has been decided at this juncture about who will fit what role at the wide receiver position. I expect a wide open competition in training camp with Devin Hester having just as good of an opportunity as anyone to win a starting job. I know that Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo both feel that Hester has the potential to eventually be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. However, I still think that Marty Booker will emerge as the Bears’ No. 1 option at the position in 2008. He’s a productive and dependable veteran who should help the young receivers develop.
Larry: What is Mike Brown’s status and how important is the safety position in the draft?
Scott L.
Alburtis, Pennsylvania
Scott: Mike Brown is continuing to rehab his torn ACL and is expected to return in 2008. But after the injuries he’s suffered each of the past four seasons, the Bears are not counting on him to be healthy for a full season. They value Brown as a talented player and a team leader, but any contributions they receive from him are a bonus. I don’t see the Bears taking a safety in the draft. Jerry Angelo described the crop of safeties in the draft as “anemic” and the Bears are high on young players such as Danieal Manning, Brandon McGowan and Kevin Payne.
Larry: My head agrees with you and most Bears fans that an offensive tackle should be selected in the first round of the draft. However, if Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall is still on the board, my gut says he should be the choice. How would you view such a decision?
Joe P.
Flemington, New Jersey
Joe: I wouldn’t have any problem with the Bears selecting running back Rashard Mendenhall in the draft. I think what they’ll do is pick the prospect they have with the highest grade from among four or five positions. I think most of us would agree that those positions would include offensive tackle, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and maybe defensive tackle.
Email your question to Larry
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