"I'm not convinced 100 percent," Angelo said. "I believe in Kyle, but until Kyle puts a (full) year together, we can't say for sure. I think we have to have competition at that position, yes. I saw some really good things out of Kyle, particularly early on in the season. (But) he didn't have the second half of the season that he did the first half.

"Is that part of the growing pains that come along with the position? I can't answer that right now. We do believe that Kyle has some good things, (and we) really buy into Kyle the person. He's shown an exemplary work ethic (and) leadership. We really do feel good about Kyle, (but) he's still a work in progress."

The Bears finished No. 26 in total yards this season, and Angelo is convinced that finding the right quarterback, whether it's Orton or a veteran free agent, is the most important factor in building an effective offense.

"We have to get that position right," he said. "I know that there is going to be a lot of talk about a No. 1 receiver, (but) it starts with the quarterback. It's all about the quarterback. You don't win because of wide receivers. You don't win because of running backs. You win because of the quarterback. We've got to get the quarterback position stabilized. We're fixated on that, and I don't want us to lose sight of that. It starts with the quarterback, and that's the bottom line."

COACHING CAROUSEL: Lovie Smith is safe, but not so his defensive assistants. Defensive backs coach Steven Wilks was fired Tuesday, and at least a couple of other defensive coaches are expected to be let go or demoted.

Defensive coordinator Bob Babich is on the hottest of the hot seats, but the feeling is that Smith won't fire his long-time friend, although a demotion would not surprise anyone. Defensive line coach Brick Haley was in charge of a group that underachieved all season, and he could be gone.

The Bears are expected to make a strong push for fired Lions coach Rod Marinelli, whom they were interested in when Smith got the top job in 2004 and again in 2006 before Marinelli took the Lions job.

FREE AGENT UPDATE: S Mike Brown is still a good player and a great leader and locker room presence, but he's been hurt in each of the past five seasons, although he played 15 games this year. The Bears won't gamble too much money on his health.

Consider QB Rex Grossman gone. Next year the Bears will go with Kyle Orton or a proven veteran, if they can afford to bring one in and he beats out Orton.

WR Brandon Lloyd did what he usually does, flash some ability to make great catches for a short while and then disappear. He missed six weeks with a sprained knee and then was no factor for six weeks after that.

LT John St. Clair did a commendable job as a season-long, fill-in starter after first-round pick Chris Williams, who was slated for the job, had back surgery. St. Clair is not considered the long-range answer as a starter, but the Bears would love to have him back if they could get him for backup money because of his versatility.

LB Darrell McClover is a valuable special teams cover guy.

RB Kevin Jones was not even an afterthought this season, but if he makes more strides following his 2007 knee surgery, he might be a serviceable backup on a team with little depth behind workhorse Matt Forte.

S Brandon McGowan has been hurt more than healthy and is probably a longshot to be back, but he didn't play badly when he was in the lineup, especially down in the box.

FEELING A DRAFT: The Bears expect to draft 17th, and they will be looking for offensive linemen, a defensive end who can rush the passer and at least one wide receiver, if not more. Safety will also be an interest, considering the attrition rate they have experienced at that position.

TEAM NEEDS

Wide receiver: Other than Devin Hester, who is still a project, this is a weak group, lacking talent and/or consistency.

Offensive line: Adding LT Chris Williams, last year's first-round pick, was a start, but the group is old and the depth is thin.

Defensive end: The starters are solid but nothing spectacular, especially as pass rushers, and there's nothing behind them.

MEDICAL WATCH: S Mike Brown almost made it through a season healthy for the first time in five years, but a calf injury landed him on injured reserve in the final week. It's one of his lesser injuries, but his lengthy history of missing games may prevent the Bears from bringing him back.

NT Dusty Dvoracek played one half of one game in his first two years but started the first 12 games this year and played well until he suffered a torn biceps. His injury history will have to be weighed heavily, too.

CB Nate Vasher missed eight games with a fractured thumb and related hand injuries after missing 12 games last season with a groin injury. No one would be shocked if the Bears decided he wasn't worth his $28 million contract (signed before the 2007 season) anymore.

S Brandon McGowan has played well when healthy, but he usually isn't. This time it was a fractured ankle.

LB Darrell McClover (hamstring) was one of the Bears' better special teams players.