It's looking as if J'Marcus Webb will start at left tackle for the Bears, but Chris Williams can still make a case for himself if Webb falters and he shines in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Browns.
Left tackle whiffs: It would seem Webb has the Bears' left-tackle spot for the taking; he has practiced and played there with starters more often than Williams. But if Webb misses blocks Thursday night against the Browns in the final preseason game and allows Jason Campbell, Josh McCown, Matt Forte, Michael Bush to get clobbered, it's the one sure way Williams can still earn starting consideration.
Safety health: It's not so much the effectiveness of Craig Steltz, Major Wright, Anthony Walters and others. Rather, it's whether they avoid injury with starter Chris Conte (shoulder) missing this one and Brandon Hardin (neck) out for the season. They can't afford any more safeties going down.
Third back: Will it be Armando Allen or Lorenzo Booker? Both are good receivers. Booker is the better special-teams player. Allen needs to make some big plays because Booker has done a better job to date.
Inside pass rush: There are no questions about Julius Peppers. And Israel Idonije had 2 1/2 sacks in one preseason game. Even rookie D-end Shea McClellin had a sack. But the defensive tackles haven't shown much push. Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina, Nate Collins and, in particular, Brian Price need to step forward and put heat on the passers.
Punter: For the second straight game, Ryan Quigley gets to audition as a short-term replacement for Adam Podlesh. He stood out last week, but personnel and coaches are apparently not impressed; six punters were brought in for a workout earlier this week.
Whatever else is on TV: Possibly only a political convention could be more boring than the final preseason game.
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLCHI.
