BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Bears wide receivers arrived at training camp Thursday with more than just pillows, blankets and television sets. They also carried a considerable chip on their collective shoulders.

Widely criticized as a group by media, fans and even an opponent they’ll face twice this season, Earl Bennett and his fellow pass-catchers are determined to prove their doubters wrong in 2009.

Wide receiver Earl Bennett is expected to line up as a starter when the Bears conduct their first training camp practice Friday.

“We’ve got to go out and show that we’re a strong corps and just show everybody what we’re capable of, and I feel like this training camp right here is going to be great for us,” Bennett said. 

“We’ve got some great guys, we’re just young and inexperienced. Once we get rolling, I think everybody will be all right.”

Bennett is expected to play a key role this season. While the 2008 third-round draft pick didn’t have any receptions last year as a rookie, he’s much more familiar with the offense after a year in Ron Turner's system and will benefit from reuniting with his former Vanderbilt teammate, quarterback Jay Cutler.

Devin Hester seemingly has also improved since last season, when the converted cornerback led Bears wide receivers with 51 receptions for 665 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Asked Thursday about what type of statistics he’d like to post this season, Hester said: “I try not to set any goals. At the end of the day, I want to be a complete receiver and at the end of the season for all the critics saying I’m maybe a third receiver to say, ‘Yeah, he is capable of being a No. 1 receiver.’”

Rashied Davis has returned to the slot position where he excelled in 2006, while Brandon Rideau displayed his playmaking ability in OTA practices and will challenge for playing time. In addition, rookie draft picks Johnny Knox and Juaquin Iglesias showed potential in offseason workouts.

“I’m excited about them getting on the football field, having a chance to work with Jay and then just having a chance to catch some balls,” said coach Lovie Smith.

“Every team gets into a position where you don’t have a lot of veterans at a position. You give the younger guys a chance to prove what they can do. We have some guys who are eager to kind of squash some of this talk that has been going on about the receivers. We have confidence in them.”

The latest criticism came from an unexpected source and no doubt provided some bulletin board material. Speaking on NFL Sirius Radio, Packers wide receiver Donald Driver reportedly said that while the Bears did a great job in acquiring Cutler, “One thing they don’t have is they don’t have the receiver group.

“They have the running back, they have the offensive line and they have a great defense. But you’re going to have to need receivers to make plays down the field, and they don’t have that right now.”

Asked Thursday about Driver’s comments, Hester declined to add fuel to the fire.

“I don’t try to get into all that,” he said. “We know what we have to do and we’re going to go out and play ball. At the end of the day, we let our playing speak for itself. That’s what the team is going to do.”

Cutler wasn’t as diplomatic when discussing the criticism that’s routinely heaped on the receivers.

“I’d be [ticked] off if I were them too,” said the Pro Bowl quarterback. “Everyone’s doubting them and questioning their ability, especially Devin and Earl and some of those guys. Hopefully they do come in here with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. I think that would be really good.”

Cutler is confident in his group of receivers, which also includes two emerging stars in tight end Greg Olsen and running back Matt Forte, who combined to catch 117 passes for 1,051 yards and nine touchdowns in 2008.

“We’re comfortable with what we’ve got,” Cutler said. “If we didn’t feel comfortable, I think they would have made a move. We feel great with Devin and Earl and some of the young guys and Rashied and Greg and Matt.

“Like I said when I first got here, I think we’ve got the pieces offensively to compete. Injuries are going to happen, so we’re going to have to find some guys who can step up when some of those holes present themselves.”