(Written by kencraw)

Spring practice started yesterday. I’m hoping to make it down for a few practices as a reporter for Rivals, and I’ll give updates after I go down. Please let me know if you’re interested in any specific info because I’ll do my best to find out.

Until then, this is what I see as the keys to Spring Practice:

• Round out the defensive line: The biggest weakness of the 2007 Bears was the defensive line. They were unable to get consistent pressure on the quarterback. While their run defense and hole filling was acceptable to good, for the Cal defense to be successful in 2008, they’ll need to get better play from their defensive line.
• Who’s the 2nd cornerback: Is Conte ready to make the jump to a starter? Or is Darian Hagan, who has very little playing time, an alternative? Finding a 2nd solid cornerback will round out the secondary and make it a solid unit with Ezeff and Hampton Hicks at the two safety spots.
• Wide recievers: There’s no question that the most inexperienced position in 2008 will be the wide-receivers. With the top 3 guys all gone, guys that got all the playing time, there’s very little experience at WR to take the field this year. Also the talent level is a little down, although not horribly, from DeSean, Jordan and Hawkins, all of whom are NFL prospects. Finding dependable route runners will be key to the success of the offense.
• Starting running back: This is potentially a non-issue with so many promising talents in the backfield. Nevertheless, this is the first time in 4-5 years that Cal hasn’t had a proven backup with lots of gametime and proven starter potential to fill the gap, now that Montgomery has left the team. Yes Jahvid Best seems to have the potential to be as good as Marshawn, but with his hip injury last year, his amount of playing time was less than desireable for being the starter in 2008. The good news is that between Best, Slocum, Vereen and DeBoskie, there’s plenty of talent and at least one of them should have what it takes to grow into the starter role.
• Who’s our quarterback: It’s no secret that Longshore is more popular with the coaching staff than he is with the fans. To make matters more difficult for the coaching staff’s decision, he seems to have worked really hard in the off-season to correct his throwing motion that went downhill after his severe ankle sprain last season. Nevertheless, it would be wise for the coaching staff to have a good idea of who the starter is going to be early in fall camp. For them to do that, they’re going to have to know their strong preference by the end of spring camp.

If they can sort those things out, I think the Bears have the potential to be a contender in 2008. If a couple of them fall short, particularly the wide receivers and the defensive line, it could be a long season for Bears fans.