"The Bears made Roy Williams their No. 1 split end at the start of training camp. Now the big question is: Will they give him time to prove he deserved it?

With Johnny Knox outplaying Williams in the preseason, that's the delicate issue the Bears could face with their opener against the Atlanta Falcons beckoning Sunday at Soldier Field. Of all the key figures in the spotlight — Jay Cutler, Mike Martz, Lance Briggs, Matt Forte, Lovie Smith, Gabe Carimi among them — few will have a leash as short as Williams.

''First of all, let me say this: They all have to produce,'' wide receivers coach Darryl Drake said Wednesday after practice at Halas Hall. ''He's in the same boat they're all in. It's no different for him than it is for Earl [Bennett], Devin [Hester], Johnny [Knox] or any of them.''"