Kevin Jones out for the season

[Chewie]

I am not happy and content with this statement going into the season.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/

While he was a luxury addition last year, Jones was headed for an expanded role as Matt Forte's primary backup when he returned with a $3.5 million, two-year contract. Adrian Peterson might have been on the bubble to make the club and now he's a lock for the 53-man roster when it's officially announced later today along with Garrett Wolfe. The Bears could seek a free agent but word around the league was they are content to roll with three backs for now.

Ugh. Only the words "for now" give me hope.

[SportsWorld]

Anyone know where a position-by-position list of players *that have been cut* can be found? This would be a good way to see what RBs are available. AP could be decent, but if a free agent could be had that can catch out of the back field and block, then it is worth looking at.

Try this and search by "RB"
http://www.nfl.com/transactions?transac ... tionYear=0

[Balance-a-Bull]

It looks like we are too late for Sutton.....

http://www.rototimes.com/nfl/player.php ... &nid=62580

[

Sutton claimed by Panthers

According to the Twitter page of Green Bay Packers' beat writer Tom Pelisero, the Carolina Panthers have claimed running back Tyrell Sutton off waivers. Sutton led the Packers in rushing during the preseason.

Our View: The little guy impressed everyone during the preseson with the Pack, but the team decided there wasn't a place for him on the roster. He doesn't figure to make much of an impact in Carolina either, as the team is set at running back with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

[Icness]

This is probably not good news for y'all, but I know the Bears contacted Nick Goings about coming in for a look. He's choosing to stay retired for the moment.

One of two things is going to happen here...
1. the Bears ride Forte for another 400+ touches and while he takes the offense to great heights and becomes the top fantasy RB in the league, his career is dramatically shortened. Or
2. The coaching staff limits Forte to about 290 carries and 40 receptions, splitting the rest between Wolfe and Peterson, neither of whom would make any other team in the NFC North (South or East etiher). It helps Forte--and the team--long-term but blunts the offense in 2009.

I really don't see them going out and picking up anyone that would make much of an impact.

[Darth Celtic]

forte got so many carries last year and did fine. give him the bulk. bring in wolf for a change of pace midget package, and at end of games when we r up big (pray) put in ap and bulldoze

[NoSkyy]

Man I never thought I would go into a season thinking Cornerback and Runningack were our biggest needs.

[Icness]

Man I never thought I would go into a season thinking Cornerback and Runningack were our biggest needs.

wait until Briggs suffers an injury in the first couple of weeks...

[fleet]

One of two things is going to happen here...
1. the Bears ride Forte for another 400+ touches and while he takes the offense to great heights and becomes the top fantasy RB in the league, his career is dramatically shortened.

That Ole 370 touches phenomena appears to be solid.

I can see the Bears running Forte into an early grave just by the way they've handled the entire backfield for years, and running Adrian Peterson out there every season without serious/competant attempts at upgrading the position overall is exhibit A. For a team that famously mantras "We come off the bus running the ball", the backups have always been a joke (not to mention the starters). The organization has an institutional blind spot in the backfield. Cutlers aquisition signals change? I'm not holding my breath. Developing offense on the roster is something I suspect they may always b inept at other than usually aquiring a good enough O line. Hell Ron Turner still has a job.

Sure, the Bears have done unBears like things such as drafting Olsen (no brainer) and trading for Cutler. We'll see if there is a new wave acoming. *Yawn*

[Balance-a-Bull]

I agree with you guys in that we need a reliable back-up for Forte to spell him during stretches of the game to keep him fresh.... as to not over work him.

JA unfortunately is not looking to make any moves..... but left a glimmer of hope for us Bear fans that want to preserve Forte.


http://chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory. ... ry_id=6090

September 9, 2009
Bears not likely to sign another running back at this time

Last Updated: 9/9/2009 7:12 AM

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Senior writer Larry Mayer sits down with general manager Jerry Angelo to discuss the most pressing issues involving the Bears every Wednesday exclusively on ChicagoBears.com.

This feature will provide you with inside information directly from Jerry that you can’t get anywhere else. Jerry will candidly discuss relevant issues affecting the Bears that fans are most interested in.

LM: With Kevin Jones suffering a season-ending injury, will the Bears attempt to sign another running back or stand pat with Garrett Wolfe and Adrian Peterson as the backups?

JA: It’s unfortunate that we lost Kevin Jones. In all likelihood, we would have only dressed four running backs on Sunday, and that includes [fullback] Jason McKie. So there would have been an odd man out. We do have three backs [in Matt Forte, Garrett Wolfe and Adrian Peterson] who have been here. It’s not like we’re one short. If we need to go out and pick up another back, we have a short list where we can do that. But right now, nobody we would pick up would dress on Sunday. So we’re going to go with the hand that we have and we’re comfortable with, and then we’ll just go from there.

LM: If you don’t bring in another running back, who do you envision filling the role as the complementary No. 2 back behind Matt Forte: Wolfe, Peterson, or a combination of the two?

JA: It’ll be a combination of both of them, but I see more of an expanded role for Garrett, at least for the time being. He got a lot of work during our OTAs, in training camp and the preseason games as well, so I foresee that. Then we’ll go from there and see how our backs slot themselves.

[NoSkyy]

Man I never thought I would go into a season thinking Cornerback and Runningack were our biggest needs.

wait until Briggs suffers an injury in the first couple of weeks...

I actually wouldn't mind seeing Jamar Williams get some playing time, but not at the expense of Briggs.