by Brad Biggs, The Chicago Sun-Times , Chicago Sun Times

But Smith insists he is involved with the offense and solving its problems. In a city where everyone wants to blame Turner, Smith said the offensive coordinator is not the only one running the unit. That's the front the team put up Monday, a day after the Bears trampled the hapless Cleveland Browns 30-6 at Soldier Field in a game that gave more momentum to questions about the offense than anything else.

As lopsided as the game was -- the Bears controlled it from start to finish -- it still opened the door for critics and analysts to weigh in on the issues facing an offense that has yet to be in sync. The Bears scored touchdowns on two of seven red-zone opportunities. They are tied for 25th in the NFL in red-zone efficiency at 44.4 percent (12-for-27).

Here's the kicker: Entering Monday, only six teams had more opportunities inside the 20-yard line. If the Bears were 50 percent better on their missed chances, they would be regarded as an offensive juggernaut.

Smith said Monday he has been involved with the offense ''as much as I have been involved since I've been here,'' despite handling the defense.

''I'm not the offensive coordinator, never have been,'' he said. ''I know what's going on, pay close attention, behind everything that we're doing offensively. I feel good about what we're doing offensively. There are some things we need to do a little bit better, which we'll do and go from there.''

Curing the woes in the red zone has to rank at the top of the list. As bad as the Bears have been, they rank 16th in scoring, averaging 22.7 points per game. And they know if they trade touchdowns for field goals in upcoming games with the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, they'll be swapping wins for losses. Red-zone turnovers cost the Bears games at Green Bay and at Atlanta. At least they avoided turning the ball over against the Browns.

Turner, who signed a one-year extension through 2010 during the offseason, was exasperated after the victory. He has preached patience all along but knows the team needs to start clicking.

When asked what needs to improve, Turner provided an all-inclusive answer.

''Coaching, everything, all, playing,'' he said.

Here are five examples of red-zone breakdowns from Sunday:

EXECUTION

First quarter, second-and-four at the 9: False start on the right side of the offensive line.

PLAY CALLING

First quarter, second-and-nine at the 14: On the play after the penalty, Devin Hester is dropped for a five-yard loss by Kenyon Coleman out of the Wildcat, a formation the Bears rarely use. They settle for a 37-yard field goal by Robbie Gould.

Play calling

First quarter, first-and-10 at the 13: After a spectacular interception by Danieal Manning and 35-yard return to the 13, the Bears use tight end Greg Olsen as a lead blocker out of the backfield, and Garrett Wolfe runs into the middle of the line for a two-yard gain.

EXECUTION

Second quarter, third-and-goal at the 3: The Bears emptied the backfield as running back Matt Forte motioned to the left. Somehow, linebacker Kamerion Wimbley came unblocked from that side as Olsen released into the flat, leaving tackle Orlando Pace on end Robaire Smith. Wimbley sacked Cutler for an 11-yard loss. He should have been blocked by Olsen or Pace -- or Cutler should have gotten rid of the ball.

EXECUTION AND PLAY CALLING

Fourth quarter, first-and-goal at the 2: The game was well in hand when this chance came with six minutes left. But when an offense sets up six feet from the goal line against the league's 32nd-ranked defense, there's no excuse for not piling on with four shots. Two failed passes and two failed Forte runs gave Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan reason to be fired up on a day he was undeserving.

''It's frustrating,'' Turner said of this failure, ''but not a whole lot more than a lot of other things that went on.''

So where do Turner, Smith and the offense go from here? The playbook isn't being rewritten. Another shake-up on the offensive line isn't in the works. Turner said he's going to look at paring back the playbook, and Smith said that's the first thing teams do when they struggle.

''Of course we have tried to do some things differently,'' Smith said. ''When things don't work, you try to do some different things. It's a process like it is with everything else. I'm pleased with us continuing to get down in the red zone where we are talking about the red zone.

''Whether it be us protecting the Football or just making a play from time to time, it will come, as long as we maintain what we're doing and just continue to get the ball down there.''

As usual, Smith's glass is half full. You wonder how full his plate is with all that's going on.

WHERE THE Bears RANK

Total offense 20th 320.3 yards

Passing offense 14th 226.9

Rushing offense 26th 93.4

Points 16th 22.7

Third-down

percentage 15th 39.8

Red-zone scoring T-25th 44.4

Red-zone opportunities 7th 27

2009 Red Zone

Touchdown Percentages

1. Cincinnati (5-2) 69.6%

2. Atlanta (4-2) 68.4

3. San Francisco (3-4) 66.7

4. New Orleans (6-0) 65.6

5. Arizona (4-3) 65.2

6. Kansas City (1-6) 64.3

7. Miami (3-4) 62.5

8. Tampa Bay (0-7) 61.5

9. Minnesota (7-1) 60.6

10. N.Y. Jets (4-4) 60.0

11. Tennessee (1-6) 58.3

11. Baltimore (4-3) 58.3

13. Pittsburgh (5-2) 56.5

14. Indianapolis (7-0) 56.0

15. Carolina (3-4) 55.6

16. Houston (5-3) 53.6

17. Dallas (5-2) 52.4

17. Jacksonville (3-4) 52.4

19. Philadelphia (5-2) 50.0

19. Denver (6-1) 50.0

21. Green Bay (4-3) 48.0

22. Seattle (2-5) 47.1

22. Detroit (1-6) 47.1

24. New England (5-2) 46.7

25. Washington (2-5) 44.4

25. Bears (4-3) 44.4

27. San Diego (4-3) 42.9

28. N.Y. Giants (5-3) 40.6

29. Oakland (2-6) 36.4

30. Cleveland (1-7) 33.3

31. Buffalo (3-5) 27.8

32. St. Louis (1-7) 23.5

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