Yes, the season is still a brutally long four months away. We still have to endure OTA’s, training camp and the preseason but I still, somehow, felt it was a good time to ponder into who are starters (and back-ups) will presumably be for the upcoming year.

Quarterback

By all accounts, there will be open competition between Rexy and The Beard. As ok as Orton played at the end of last year, I don’t see him managing this team’s offense. Grossman starts. Back-ups: Orton, Caleb Hanie.

Running back

Do I really need to mention the Cedric Benson fiasco? Forget about his troubles with the law and whether he did or didn’t cry out for his mama, number 32 proved last year that he can’t do it by himself. He and Matt Forte (a.k.a. the savior according to overzealous people in Chicago named Zabrowski or bratwurst) will form a nice tandem running attack. Forte starts. Back-ups: Cedric Benson, AP.

Fullback

Jason McKie has a nice ride. You can see it on one of the episodes of “CB-TV” over at Chicagobears.com. I’m not about to look that up right now. Is J.D. Runnels still on the roster? Really? McKie starts. Back-up: Lousaka Polite.

Wide Receiver

Alright, now we’re getting to the juicy stuff. How is it all going to go down at wideout. There’s a couple of different ways it could go but none of them include Devin Hester as our number one — not yet. Marty Booker is an upgrade over Moose but losing Bernard Berrian to the Vikings does sting. But then why am I laughing? Oh, that’s right. Because they paid him $42 million. Earl Bennett will get an opportunity to start if he can learn the offense and Mark Bradley is poised to breakout. Shameless plugs aside, our receiving core will be stronger (not saying alot) than last year. Marty Booker and Mark Bradley start. Back-ups: Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, Rashied Davis and, gasp, Marcus Monk!

Tight End

Not that we needed a talent of his caliber, but drafting Kellen Davis makes us even better at a very strong position. Greg Olsen should progress and make even more plays this year. Dez Clark starts. Back-ups: Olsen, Davis.

Offensive Line

Chris Williams offers the type of finesse that a premier left tackle needs to have. John Tait is much better suited for the right side and obviously, is an upgrade over the effective-when-young Fred Miller. Unfortunately, Miller was 92 last season. Olin Kreutz is a staple in the middle and Garza does United Way commercials. That leaves the left guard slot wide open. Who will start at left guard? Josh Beekman, Terrance Metcalf and John St. Clair seem to be the early contenders. Williams, Beekman, Kreutz, Garza and Tait start. Back-ups: St. Clair, Big Cheese, Metcalf, Kirk Barton and Tyler Reed/Ryan Poles/Anthony Oakley (take your pick).

I think that’s enough for today. You’ve been a great crowd. Don’t forget to tip your waitress. Defense and Special Teams are up next.