Offense
QUARTERBACK
10 Kordell Stewart: All eyes are fixed on anointed savior of Bears’ offense, but don’t expect a miracle right away.
12 Chris Chandler: Veteran provides security and has nothing to prove in preseason.
8 Rex Grossman: Bears fans probably will fall in love with his quick release and tight spirals by middle of fourth quarter.
WIDE RECEIVER
80 Dez White: Gets first chance to show off new and improved hands.
83 David Terrell: Third-year pro has practiced like he took GM Jerry Angelo’s draft-day challenge seriously.
18 Justin Gage: Best leaper on the team might be big-play answer for Bears.
LEFT TACKLE
69 Mike Gandy: He needs preseason reps as much as anybody on the roster, just to get comfortable at relatively new spot.
60 Terrence Metcalf: Keeps developing into dependable backup, following Gandy’s path.
LEFT GUARD
64 Rex Tucker: Has shaken off some of the rust coming back from injury and will ease way into form.
73 Shane Grice: Ole Miss product who once blocked for Deuce McAllister may get a shot to block for Anthony Thomas with No. 2 offense.
CENTER
57 Olin Kreutz: One of the best, he still can benefit from getting timing down on quarterback-center exchange with Stewart in game situations.
74 Bernard Robertson: Last year’s starter at left tackle still looking for a home.
RIGHT GUARD
58 Chris Villarrial: Quietly dependable veteran will lend experience to the guy lined up next to him.
67 Josh Warner: NFL Europe experience helped versatile second-year player get a look.
RIGHT TACKLE
78 Aaron Gibson: Will he play? And if he does, for how long? How well? Position is full of questions.
79 Steve Edwards: With Gibson and Marc Colombo out, no player on the Bears’ roster has a better opportunity to step in.
TIGHT END
88 Desmond Clark: One of the keys to the new-look offense should get involved early and often.
89 Dustin Lyman: Remember him? Caps amazing comeback from knee-ligament surgery by taking the field in Champaign.
FLANKER
86 Marty Booker: With so many other receivers who have points to prove, Booker’s main goal Saturday will be to stay healthy.
81 Ahmad Merritt: Must develop consistency with his hands and compete every play like it’s his last.
84 Bobby Wade: Smooth rookie reminds many of Bobby Engram and figures to be one of those players who most excites fans in preseason.
RUNNING BACK
35 Anthony Thomas: Thomas likely won’t start but remains No. 1 in coach Dick Jauron’s eyes. Has he earned it?
29 Adrian Peterson: Bears want to see if the promise shown in 19 carries in the final month of last season carries over.
22 Maurice Hicks: He’s one long run away from taking the lead in the fight for the No. 3 running back spot.
44 Brock Forsey: If he plays at the same speed he practices, Bears fans will love his style and coaches will notice.
FULLBACK
31 Daimon Shelton: He looks forward to a bigger role in the running and passing games, but there’s only one football.
36 Stanley Pritchett: Pass-catching specialist gives Bears another dimension at the position.
37 Casey Urlacher: Have the Bears ever had two brothers play in the same game?
Defense
LEFT END
93 Phillip Daniels: He reported 15 pounds lighter with something to prove. Look out, right tackles.
99 Joe Tafoya: Special-teams standout in 2002 will get chance to rush the passer in preseason.
LEFT TACKLE
92 Ted Washington: He takes afternoon practices off and will have no reason to play an extended period Saturday night.
70 Alfonso Boone: Boone can begin to separate himself from the rest of the reserve tackles with a strong outing against the Colts.
RIGHT TACKLE
98 Bryan Robinson: Each day, Robinson continues to look more and more like the player who might rate as the biggest surprise on defense this season.
94 Keith Traylor: Working in a three-man rotation with Robinson and Washington, Traylor still has ability to make plays and take up space.
RIGHT END
96 Alex Brown: He’s not a rookie anymore, so expect Brown to play with more confidence and abandon.
97 Michael Haynes: Bad foot slowed first-rounder’s progress or else Saturday night would have been a better gauge of his potential impact.
WEAK-SIDE LINEBACKER
53 Warrick Holdman: It will be good for Holdman to get back on the field for the first time since Sept. 29.
55 Mike Caldwell: Veteran feeling heat from rookie Joe Odom but still provides quality depth behind Holdman.
59 Joe Odom: Purdue product who knows all about playing in Champaign continues to show surprising athleticism.
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
54 Brian Urlacher: Needs to play for the same reason Barry Bonds takes batting practice; greatness is a process.
52 Bobbie Howard: Solid and dependable backup returns for another year of filling in wherever and whenever Bears ask.
STRONG-SIDE LINEBACKER
90 Bryan Knight: Rosevelt Colvin’s replacement has more to prove on this unit than any other defender.
91 Lance Briggs: Expect the rookie from Arizona to be one of those guys who sends fans thumbing through their programs to see who he is.
LEFT CORNERBACK
21 R.W. McQuarters: Even if it’s only for a few drives, Peyton Manning will provide good first test for cornerback who needs to get off to a good start.
20 Roosevelt Williams: Welcomes first chance to regain defensive coordinator Greg Blache’s confidence.
26 Todd McMillon: Veteran has had productive camp but hasn’t passed Williams–yet.
RIGHT CORNERBACK
23 Jerry Azumah: Nothing says the summer’s over like trying to cover Marvin Harrison deep.
33 Charles Tillman: Pressure is on rookie to show that coaching staff’s instant faith is justified.
STRONG SAFETY
43 Mike Green: Minor groin injury may limit Green from making plays he might need to make to hold off Bobby Gray.
25 Bobby Gray: Backup has made as big an impression as any defensive back during camp.
FREE SAFETY
30 Mike Brown: Has nothing to prove Saturday night but probably plenty to say.
32 Todd Johnson: Rookie from Florida has flown around the secondary and shown good field awareness.
KICKER
2 Paul Edinger: Watch how deep his kickoffs sail, an area in which the Bears would like to improve.
6 Alex Walls: Essentially, he’s auditioning for 31 other teams as well as Bears.
PUNTER
4 Brad Maynard: Never too early to practice “pooching.”
11 Brooks Barnard: All-ACC pick from Maryland has proved to have a lively leg during training camp.
KICKOFF AND PUNT RETURNER
81 Ahmad Merritt: Needs to make big plays on special teams to cement spot on roster.
84 Bobby Wade: Shows excellent ball control but probably isn’t a threat to break a long one.
LONG SNAPPER
65 Patrick Mannelly: Special-teams fixture returns for sixth year of putting his spin on the Bears’ season.
