Of all the factors offered as explanations for a decline in Urlacher's tackles, sacks and interceptions, the Bears general manager knows only what the problem isn't.

"It's not lack of effort," Angelo said Sunday before Urlacher made his first interception and was as active as he had been all season. "He's doing that."

Angelo draws his own conclusions by breaking down tape of Urlacher and other players after every game. He sees many of the same traits in the middle linebacker that were obvious during dominant seasons.

"We're not seeing the big plays from Brian that he's noted for," Angelo said. "We just haven't seen it. It's the same scheme he was [defensive] MVP in [in 2005]."

That trust in a veteran's ability also guides Angelo in his evaluation of struggling cornerback Nathan Vasher. Vasher, who started in the loss to Green Bay despite being beaten two weeks in a row, got the nod over the defense's most pleasant surprise, cornerback Corey Graham.

"It's a little bit of a funk, for lack of a better word, but we feel we've seen him do it in this scheme and we know what's underneath the hood," Angelo said. "I can't put my finger on it."

Missing three games this season due to wrist surgery after having a groin injury wipe out 12 games of 2007 has affected Vasher, who signed a $28 million contract extension in the summer of 2007. He struggled again Sunday and was benched for key parts of the second half.

"Corey has been playing good for us, but Nate is at a point now where he's got to perform to the abilities we've seen," Angelo said. "I'm expecting big things from him now."

Same goes for quarterback Kyle Orton, who raised the standard by which the Bears will measure him with an outstanding first half of the season. His deal expires in 2009.

Has Orton's progress been enough for the Bears to begin negotiations on a contract extension?

"I don't want to say time's an ally, but we want to take our time and we do have time," Angelo said.

"We want to see a body of work. What we've seen so far has been very, very good, and we're very optimistic, not only in terms of his play but his durability."