LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Marty Booker has caught just one pass for 15 yards in limited action in the first three preseason games. But that doesn’t mean the veteran receiver isn’t in the Bears’ plans this season.

Already familiar with what Booker can do, coaches have given less established receivers more live reps in an effort to better evaluate a deep and well-balanced position.

Wide receiver Marty Booker remains the only player in Bears history to catch 100 passes in a season.

“I would like to be out there a lot more,” Booker said. “But sometimes you have to get the other guys some work and get them going. If I have to take a backseat and get some spot work here and there, I guess my time has to be in the classroom and studying and learning.”

Booker is back for a second stint with the Bears. He spent his first five NFL seasons in Chicago after arriving in 1999 as a third-round draft pick, but was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2003 along with a third-round pick in exchange for defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.

Booker set a Bears record with 100 receptions in 2001 and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2002 after posting his second straight 1,000-yard season while making 97 catches.

Although he is back in familiar surroundings, the 32-year-old receiver had never played for offensive coordinator Ron Turner and therefore has had to learn a whole new system.

“It’s coming along pretty good,” Booker said. “There are just a few wrinkles and stuff here and there that I’m still trying to pick up on. As far as the concept and main part of the playbook, I pretty much have it. It’s just getting the little things and trying to get myself ready for Indy.”

Keep it going: The Bears offensive line hopes to pick up Thursday night in Cleveland where it left off a week earlier against the 49ers when it opened holes for Matt Forte (11 carries for 44 yards) and Kevin Jones (3-30) and didn’t allow a sack of Kyle Orton or Rex Grossman.

“We have a lot of proud guys on offense,” said veteran left tackle John St. Clair. “We try to do what we do in practice every day, and that’s work hard. We believe in each other and we definitely think we’ll be good this year.”

With new starters at three of the five positions this season, the Bears offensive line should continue to improve on a weekly basis as it develops more cohesiveness.

“Guys were playing out of position, but guys have been getting more comfortable as it goes on,” St. Clair said. “We’re just excited about where the line can go and where the offense can take us this year. We’re real confident in what we can do.”

No worries: Robbie Gould also remains confident despite missing a potential game-winning 47-yard field goal attempt in Seattle and a 48-yarder last week against the 49ers.

“It’s preseason,” Gould said. “You’re trying to find a rhythm. I’ve been kicking well, I really have. Obviously I wish I would have made the other two, especially the game-winner. But you can’t dwell on your last kicks.”

A year ago, Gould made 5 of 8 field goal attempts in the preseason, missing from 52, 53 and 53 yards. He then converted 31 of 36 tries during the regular season.

“I wouldn’t be concerned right now,” he said. “Last year I had the same type of preseason that I’m having this year. I really wouldn’t worry about it too much.”

Final chance: Defensive end Dan Bazuin, a 2007 second-round draft pick who’s trying to earn a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster, knows what’s at stake Thursday night in Cleveland.

“It’s definitely a big game, especially for the guys who aren’t starting,” Bazuin said. “We’re going to get a lot of playing time. It’s the coaches and scouts’ last chance of seeing us on the field before they make their final decisions.”

Bazuin, who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, is focusing more on what he has to accomplish on the field than his chances of sticking with the Bears. 

“I’m not concerned with the roster,” he said. “That’ll take care of itself. I just have to go out there and play my game and show the coaches and the personnel people the progress I’ve made both with my injury and as a football player.”