Yes, the offensive line isn't helping Benson.
But lats week's performance against the 30th ranked Raiders rush defense that was giving up 150 yards a game and 5 yards per carry was inexcusable. Benson could only muster up 76 yards on 29 carries, for an daverage of about 2.6.
It can't hurt to see if the problem is more the O-Line or more Benson. The running game desperately needs a spark, and why not give Peterson a shot? Not necessarily start him but at least give him a solid chunk of carries.
Peterson has 30 carries on the season for 133 yards and 4.4 yards per carry. He also ranks 10th in the NFL and 4th in the NFC among running backs in receiving yards with 207, and 7th in the NFL and 3rd in the NFC among running backs in receptions. From the backup position that is pretty darn good.
Just give him a shot. The running game has been absolutely terrible.
What will it take for Peterson to get 10+ carries/game?
Moderator: chitownsports4ever
What will it take for Peterson to get 10+ carries/game?
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CBS7
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Cliff Levingston
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Howling Mad
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I'm down with Peterson as the feature back. I love him as a player. Hes my favorite Bear.
Tough, hard worker and does it all. The impact he made on special teams after he assigned there was huge for us. We have nothing going in the running game, its worth a try.
Plus, having a guy injured all year on the O-line didn't help matters, now that we've gotten over that situation might as well try anything.
Tough, hard worker and does it all. The impact he made on special teams after he assigned there was huge for us. We have nothing going in the running game, its worth a try.
Plus, having a guy injured all year on the O-line didn't help matters, now that we've gotten over that situation might as well try anything.
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Icness
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I think you all are coming to the realization that Lovie Smith is not nearly as great a coach as most of y'all thought he was, and the baffling scarcity of Peterson's opportunities when Benson so clearly isn't getting the job done is a great example. There is absolutely no reason Peterson should not be getting at least equal carries. Okay, one reason--$$$.
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richard
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i don't think its any question that its benson and not the offensive line. benson has been lethargic, slow, showed poor vision, has not broken any tackles, etc. add all that up and i don't think you can place any blame on the line.
peterson should start, get a boatload of carries, and then we can judge how good he can be. he has been with the team for what, 5-6 years?? he deserves a chance to show what he can do.
ef benson.
peterson should start, get a boatload of carries, and then we can judge how good he can be. he has been with the team for what, 5-6 years?? he deserves a chance to show what he can do.
ef benson.
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Howling Mad
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Richard your being a little hard on Benson.
If you look at the thread with O-line stats it clearly shows the O-line has been terrible. I'm not saying Benson is awesome, but his 4 years of uber success in college should be noted.
I put the blame on Benson himself for his contract hold up in his rookie year, which led to his limited playing time. I think those two diminished his skills as he sat on the bench. I think if he would've had the chance to make an impact right away he would've retained those skills.
He looks slower, less powerful, less explosive than his college years. Then again, maybe its just the NFL talent is too much for his own.
If you look at the thread with O-line stats it clearly shows the O-line has been terrible. I'm not saying Benson is awesome, but his 4 years of uber success in college should be noted.
I put the blame on Benson himself for his contract hold up in his rookie year, which led to his limited playing time. I think those two diminished his skills as he sat on the bench. I think if he would've had the chance to make an impact right away he would've retained those skills.
He looks slower, less powerful, less explosive than his college years. Then again, maybe its just the NFL talent is too much for his own.
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Icness
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_CBS7_ wrote:Forget his college years, he wasn't close to this bad last year.
I mean, there's a reason why the Bears thought Thomas Jones was expendable because of Benson.
Yes, and that was Jerry Angelo drafting him and the cap $$ invested in Benson. Plus the fact Benson ran quite well down the stretch last year against some pretty awful run defenses, often with zero pressure because the team was ahead and the OL was significantly better. Everyone (the front office, the coaches, the fans, the media) just focused on all the good things last year, instead of having an honest assessment about the real state of the team.
It's awful hard to focus on the problems when the good times are rolling, but that's what teams who stay consistently good (NE, IND, DEN, SEA) do better than other team. They anticipate that the fortune cookie might crumble a lot differently next season, and they address those issues. The Bears did the complete opposite, ignoring what many saw as very real potential issues with that team, and they're paying for it now. The Ravens did basically the same thing. The Dolphins did it as well about 3-4 years ago (whenever Ricky was great), and look at them now.