"Coaches love competition, and there's a fascinating battle developing at wide receiver in Bears camp — specifically at split end.

Johnny Knox is the incumbent. He led the Bears with 960 receiving yards last season and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (five) and receptions (51).

Devin Hester will be the starting flanker, and Earl Bennett is the clear-cut slot receiver. But Knox must compete with newcomer Roy Williams, who caught 82 passes for 1,310 yards under Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz with the Detroit Lions in 2006.

''We need a position battle,'' Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake said. ''Roy isn't going to be handed anything. He's got to earn his stripes, and Johnny's got to improve from where he's at.

''For me, it's a good thing. We've just got to keep them going in the right direction. And when they get their

opportunities, they've got to take advantage of them.''

But Knox didn't practice Friday or Saturday because of a minor back injury, and Williams missed part of practice Saturday to ride a stationary bike.

Asked how he feels about his role, Knox said: ''I feel real good. [It's] too early to tell where I'm going to fit in. I'm just going to keep going through the practices and just keep on playing.''"