Who's Number 1

The decision to draft Purdue QB Kyle Orton in the fourth round solidifies the fact the 2005 season comes down to Rex Grossman-or-bust at the quarterback position. The team said it wanted to bring in a veteran quarterback after last year's debacle in which four different players started at the position after Grossman went down. Instead, it settled on Chad Hutchinson, signed off the scrap heap late last year, to perform that roll. GM Jerry Angelo said after the draft that the team was not trying to create competition for Grossman because the decision was made a couple of years ago that he would be the No. 1 guy and "we want to see that come to fruition." The problem is that Grossman, like everyone the team uses at that position, has proven fragile, suffering two serious injuries in six starts over two years.

The Bears have needed at least two starting quarterbacks for nine straight years, including at least three in seven seasons. All of which means Orton may find his way on the field a lot sooner than anyone expects. Craig Krenzel, a fifth-round pick last year, may end up in training camp, but is now a long shot to make the team. He won his first three starts last year and had a 3-2 record as starting quarterback.