"It's a great opportunity," Basanez told the Bears' web site. "It's a good system, and I really feel like this organization is giving me a shot to come in and fight for a (roster) spot, and that's really all you can ask for."

Basanez started 46 games at Northwestern, including 40 in a row and was the Big Ten offensive player of the year in 2005. He broke 32 Northwestern career records, including career passing yards (10,580), total offense (11,576 yards), completions (913) and passing touchdowns. He came up four rushing yards shy of becoming the first quarterback in NCAA Division I-A history to finish his career with 10,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound 25-year-old was rated the ninth-best quarterback in Pro Football Weekly's 2006 Draft Preview, one spot behind the Vikings' Tarvaris Jackson and one spot ahead of the Browns' Bruce Gradkowski. But Basanez went undrafted partly because he lacked ideal size and arm strength, although he signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers where he spent the previous three seasons.

Playing behind Jake Delhomme and Chris Weinke in Carolina, Basanez spent most of the 2006 season on the practice squad but played in his only NFL game, completing 6 of 11 passes for 56 yards with an interception and a passer rating of 30.9 in a 37-3 loss to the Steelers on Dec. 17. He spent all o the '07 regular season on injured reserve after suffering a torn ligament in his wrist in the preseason and was on the Panthers' practice squad last season.

"It really is about being patient," Basanez said. "You've got to look at someone like Tony Romo (undrafted out of Eastern Illinois in 2003). No one hears about him for four years, and then all of a sudden he blasts on the scene, and now people argue that he's one of the best in the league. It's about the opportunity and just a bit of luck trying to get that shot, and when you get that shot being ready to take advantage of it."

With Rex Grossman's departure imminent, Basanez, for now, will be competing with Caleb Hanie for the backup spot behind Kyle Orton. But the Bears are still expected to add a veteran quarterback in free agency and/or the draft.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

It wouldn't bother the Bears much if they didn't re-sign any of their own unrestricted free agents, although OL John St. Clair has proven his value over the years by being able to start games at three different positions, including all 16 at left tackle last season. SS Mike Brown has been the heart and soul of the secondary for the past nine seasons - when healthy. The problem is that last season, when he started 15 games, was the first time Brown played more than 12 games since 2003. If he's healthy, Brown is a valuable, even though he's lost a step. But he can't be counted on to play a full season anymore, so the Bears won't pay him starting money. But if no one else does, he'd be worth having back just for his leadership qualities.

TOP THREE TEAM NEEDS

1. Wide receiver: The Bears don't have a No. 1, and it's still a stretch to call Devin Hester a No. 2. There also isn't any quality depth. Bigger receivers like Hakeem Nicks and Darius Heyward-Bey make more sense than a little, injury-prone guy like Florida's Percy Harvin.

2. Offensive tackle: Last year's No. 1, Chris Williams, should start after missing much of last season with a back injury and barely playing. But ORT John Tait is 34 is last year's OLT, John St. Clair, will be 32 in July and is an unrestricted free agent.

3.Pass-rushing DE: Nobody on the team had more than six sacks and if the Bears can't get pressure with the front four, the defense struggles, as it did much of last season.

MEDICAL WATCH: CB Charles Tillman had shoulder surgery shortly after the regular season ended but should be 100 percent long before OTAs begin.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--S Mike Brown makes the defense better when he's on the field, but in the past few seasons he hasn't been able to stay healthy, so he's unlikely to be brought back.

--QB Rex Grossman will be allowed to leave and seek a fresh start with a change of scenery.

--RB Kevin Jones didn't contribute much last season, and the Bears will be looking for a more productive complement to Matt Forte in free agency and/or the draft.

--WR Brandon Lloyd started off impressively last season but then missed six weeks with a sprained knee and disappeared for most of the remainder of the season.

--OLB Darrell McClover doesn't figure as a defensive contributor, but he was a standout on special teams.

--S Brandon McGowan is a physical, in-the-box type but has been hurt more often than not, but he could be back at a bargain price.

--OT Fred Miller was signed late in the season strictly as insurance and never played. He will give retirement a second try.

--OL John St. Clair filled in admirably at LT last season but is not the guy you want starting there for very long, but he is a valuable backup because of his versatility. However, with 2008 first-rounder Chris Williams waiting to take over at LT, the Bears won't pay St. Clair as a starter, although some team might.

--S Cameron Worrell was brought back late as insurance but doesn't figure to return.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.

PLAYERS LOST: None.