Thursday, June 6 Are the Bears good enough on offense to be a serious contender? The Bears were good enough last year and they have a chance to be a little better this year. Anthony Thomas is a solid, 1,000-yard runner. The receiving corps is deep and talented. David Terrell should be better now that he is in his second year. Marty Booker emerged as a go-to receiver and Marcus Robinson is still around to regain his starting job. More is needed from Dez White. The signing of Chris Chandler was brilliant. Starting quarterback Jim Miller is a great leader who has the skills to produce a playoff-caliber offense, but he has been burdened by bad luck because of injuries. But if he is hurt, Chandler can come off the bench and win games. The offensive line might have problems at left tackle because of the release of Blake Brockermeyer. Youth has to take over that important spot. That could lead to troubles.

Chicago was one of the surprise teams of 2001, winning 13 games and ending a five-year run of losing seasons (5-11 in 2000). The Bears used a stingy defense that allowed an NFL-low 12.7 points per game and a number of lucky bounces to win the NFC Central and earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

As good as the Bears' season was, one can't help but wonder if they will be able to follow it up. If the Bears are going to repeat it, they will need better play from an offense that ranked No. 26 overall in the NFL last year.

The offseason for the Bears was more about retaining key players than about adding new ones. The Bears made their boldest move on offense early in free agency, re-signing Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz to a six-year deal. Kreutz, just shy of 25 years old, has developed into one of the best young offensive linemen in the NFL and will be a cornerstone for the Bears for years. The Bears were also able to hold on to wide receiver Marcus Robinson, who restructured the final two years of his deal. Coming of major surgery on his left knee, Robinson played only five games last season. While Marty Booker has emerged as Chicago's No. 1 receiver, a healthy Robinson will provide the offense with an extra weapon.

Defensively, the most important, and probably the most difficult, decision the Bears made was matching Kansas City's offer sheet to linebacker Warrick Holdman. Second on the team in tackles last season (109), Holdman, 26, emerged as one of the best young linebackers in the NFL. He teams with Brian Urlacher and Rosevelt Colvin to form one of the league's best linebacking units. With Holdman's salary-cap hit jumping considerably in the second year of his contract (more than $4 million), the Bears might eventually have to choose between him and Colvin. But for the upcoming season, the unit will remain intact.

In terms of free agents, the Bears added linebacker Mike Caldwell (Eagles) and defensive end Keith McKenzie, who will provide depth. McKenzie's signing also provides insurance in case Bryan Robinson is slow to recover from the two broken wrists he suffered over the offseason. The biggest loss was the departure of safety Tony Parrish, who signed with the 49ers. Third-year defensive back Mike Green will replace him in the starting lineup.

	BEARS AT A GLANCE
	Brian Urlacher had 117      tackles last season.
	2001 record: 13-3 Team rank: Defense (15th); offense (26th) Bears team news

One free-agent move that could pay big dividends is the signing of veteran quarterback Chris Chandler. While Chandler is currently listed as the backup to Jim Miller, his signing could end up being the most important the Bears made this offseason. When healthy, Chandler is a better passer than Miller -- who is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in the playoffs -- and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him win the starting job. The Bears will be a better offensive team with Chandler behind center.