The biggest not-so-well kept secret in the NFL is that the Bears’ receiving core is problematic. After an off season that saw them lose their number one and number two receivers, the Bears are left to fill the void with a pair of so-so free agent acquisitions, impending draft picks and two talented, yet still very raw and unproven, leftovers from the March raiding — Devin Hester and Mark Bradley.

Bradley, the Bears’ second-round pick in 2005, has shown flashes of brilliance only to be superseded by injuries and under utilization, something that even the coaching staff has admitted to. You can bet now, however, that Bradley will be given every opportunity imaginable to succeed as he is thrust into the thick of the starting receiver position battle.

In three seasons with the Bears, Bradley has played in 32 games, made 38 receptions for 583 yards and scored four touchdowns. Let us be honest. These statistics are not going to bestow much hope into the hearts of Bears’ fans, let alone strike fear into the minds of NFL defensive coordinators. Nevertheless, a case could be made that Bradley’s god-awful numbers are connected to the limited opportunities he has received when he is actually on the field.

As a matter of fact, Bradley showed he could be counted on when the ball was thrown his way while playing at the University of Oklahoma. In 2003, after transfering from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Bradley played in 10 games and caught 58 passes for 1,114 yards, leading the Sooners to the national championship. Maybe these are the numbers that the Bears found so attractive to warrant using the 39th overall pick on him three years ago.

Bradley’s quick to get out of his stance, possesses above average quickness coming in and out of routes, is effective at avoiding the jam with change of direction and swim moves, has decent concentration going for the ball in traffic, is not a shy blocker, has explosive jumping ability, runs good slants and has excellent sideline awareness, getting his feet down in bounds while adjusting to the ball. In the 2005 combine he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, had a 39.5 inch vertical jump and his arms and hands measured 31 3/8 and 8 7/8 inches, respectively.

The only obstacles standing in the way of Bradley and a breakout season are inconsistencies with the offensive line and uncertainty at quarterback. Bears’ general manager Jerry Angelo has made it clear that these issues will be at the forefront when April 26th and 27th comes around. This promises to be the Bears’ most offensive-minded draft since Angelo took the helm in 2001.

The Bears would do themselves a favor by finding talented replacements at left guard and right tackle. Their three remaining starters, John Tait, Olin Kreutz and Roberto Garza, range from solid to elite. Two additions to the line and a timely cohesiveness would mean big things immediately for the offense. The run game would certainly improve. How much, exactly, depends on running back Cedric Benson’s ability to push through initial contact and expand on his current game plan: 1. get ball 2. fall down.

Bradley would also need quarterback Rex Grossman (trust me, he is the starter) to stop his Jekyll and Hyde act and play with the consistency so many, including myself, feel he is capable of. Hopefully, Bradley and Grossman will be able to develop a chemistry in training camp, much like the one that “Sexy Rexy” shared with former Bear, Bernard Berrian, over the last couple of years.

In fact, Bradley has the potential to be much better than Berrian. He is just as much as the deep threat as Berrian was (Berrian ran a pedestrian 4.58 40 at the combine) and possesses better size and much better hands. Also, Bradley’s route-running ability will allow offensive coordinator Ron Turner to open up his playbook a little bit more.

If Grossman can finally play with that long-awaited consistency and the Bears can address their offensive issues properly and effectively, which they seem intent on doing, Bradley will have all the help possible to stand himself apart from the David Terrell’s and Dez White’s of the world – a challenge that Bears’ fans this year desperately need him to meet.