Should Bears go RB Early in 2010 Draft?

[NoahISmyNinja]

I don't know about you guys but I'm starting to believe that Forte is closer to being a Chester Taylor type guy than a Top Flight RB. Say what you will about the O-Line, but Adrian Peterson has looked pretty decent behind those same guys.

If the opportunity arises next year to get a good RB prospect in the third round (2nd Round pick should be a LT), then I think we take him. I'd love to see us take a faster more explosive guy in the backfield then and use Forte on 3rd downs and for spelling that guy.

I like Forte on 3rd down and obvious passing situations, but to me he runs WAY too high, not very physically, and lacks explosiveness.

Theres no way that Jahvid Best makes it to the 3rd round,
Some of the guys I like are

Alfonso Smith (my sleeper RB pick of the Draft)
Keiland Williams
Brandon Minor

[Cliff Levingston]

Chester Taylor is a pretty darn good back, he's just behind the best back in football. Forte is better and capable of being the lead back, but we could definitely use a guy to admirably take some carries or even split carries with him.

As far as the running game goes though, we really need to address the offensive line before we address the running back position. Cliff Levingston literally wouldn't mind if we spent all our picks in the next draft on the line.

[NoahISmyNinja]

Chester Taylor is a pretty darn good back, he's just behind the best back in football. Forte is better and capable of being the lead back, but we could definitely use a guy to admirably take some carries or even split carries with him.

As far as the running game goes though, we really need to address the offensive line before we address the running back position. Cliff Levingston literally wouldn't mind if we spent all our picks in the next draft on the line.

Cliff I agree, in all honesty, we should go OL in the first 2 rounds at least. 2nd Round LT 3rd Round RG. I don't want Williams on the left side. I don't think he is LT material, but he is a pretty decent RT and could really be a fixture. Roberto Garza should be a backup. Next year ideally would be Kruetz last as a starter where I wouldn't mind seeing Beekman moved into the starters role.

The only downside to that is that I'm not that confident in Angelo's ability to draft linemen, which is kinda sad considering thats OL is generally the safest investment you can make with a high pick as a GM.

All that being said, noone seems to be able to explain how come Adrian Peterson hits the holes and doesn't get stopped in the backfield. This weekend is going to be tell-tale. Peterson is slated to get more carries in the Lions game. If he continues to look good back there, then we have to conclude that a lot more of this rests on Forte than we were previously willing to admit.

[NZB2323]

Adrian Peterson gets more yards per carry because when AP is in the game, defenses play us for the pass. When Forte is in, defenses play us for the run.

Were you hating on Forte last year, when as a rookie he led the NFL in percentage of team's total yards by a non-QB? Or do you think that he's gone from good running back his rookie season to bad running back in his sophomore season? Forte didn't run to high last year, was physical, and had lots of explosiveness. I've seen that in the few plays this year when the o-line is actually doing its job.

He's great at blocking, catching, and running when he gets holes. Show me a clip where Forte gets good blocking and he isn't productive. I've seen multiple times this season where he gets tackled behind the line of scrimmage, blockers got pushed into Forte and caused him to fumble, or he's had nowhere to run so he's had to go to the outside. This Bears o-line is the worst run blocking o-line that I have ever seen in my life.

The needs of the Bears
1. O-line
2. D-line
3. Secondary(This is actually a bigger need than D-line but I believe that having a good D-line is much more important because a d-line that can pressure a QB makes a bad secondary look good and a D-line that doesn't pressure the QB makes a good secondary look bad.)

--Then there is a huge gap--

4. Wide Reciever

--Then there is another big gap--

5. Linebacker
6. QB, RB, TEs, special teams guys.

[Friend_Of_Haley]

Even at the beginning of the season, before Forte's slow start, I was thinking we could use another good back. There aren't many backs that should get the overwhelming majority of their teams carries. Forte probably isn't one of those few.

[NoahISmyNinja]

Adrian Peterson gets more yards per carry because when AP is in the game, defenses play us for the pass. When Forte is in, defenses play us for the run.

Were you hating on Forte last year, when as a rookie he led the NFL in percentage of team's total yards by a non-QB? Or do you think that he's gone from good running back his rookie season to bad running back in his sophomore season? Forte didn't run to high last year, was physical, and had lots of explosiveness. I've seen that in the few plays this year when the o-line is actually doing its job.

He's great at blocking, catching, and running when he gets holes. Show me a clip where Forte gets good blocking and he isn't productive. I've seen multiple times this season where he gets tackled behind the line of scrimmage, blockers got pushed into Forte and caused him to fumble, or he's had nowhere to run so he's had to go to the outside. This Bears o-line is the worst run blocking o-line that I have ever seen in my life.

The needs of the Bears
1. O-line
2. D-line
3. Secondary(This is actually a bigger need than D-line but I believe that having a good D-line is much more important because a d-line that can pressure a QB makes a bad secondary look good and a D-line that doesn't pressure the QB makes a good secondary look bad.)

--Then there is a huge gap--

4. Wide Reciever

--Then there is another big gap--

5. Linebacker
6. QB, RB, TEs, special teams guys.

AP is HITTING the HOLES and NOT dancing. I'm not hating on Forte. The reason why he was such a big part of the offense last year is because we didn't have a Quarterback that defenses respected.

Forte as NOT seen an 8 man front yet this season. I'm also inclined to believe that if OUR Adrian Peterson had gotten 370 touches last year, that he'd have had a decent season also.

I'm not saying 29 is better than 22. I am saying that 29 is running harder, smarter, and with more explosiveness and purpose than 22 is right now.

Right now, Forte is playing like a glorified 3rd down back. He's even getting tackled out in the flat by cornerbacks. Besides a couple of big runs last year, it was basically the same thing. Same this year.

[NoahISmyNinja]

I'd also like to say that while Forte has darn good TOP END speed. His burst I think is below average.

[emperorjones]

I think all we need on the line is a stud RT. If we went RT in the second round we could probably take the best one off the board. Switch Williams back to LT and grade out this year to see if Beekman should go back to starting LG. I'd rather not draft any other O-Line positions - get proven Guards in FA.

After that I'd look at CB's and Safeties - we just don't seem to be able to stay healthy back there.

[Chewie]

To answer the original question, I'd say we do need to get a RB early. Kevin Jones is a goner and clearly the plan was to give him more carries this year - I have real doubts if Peterson would have even made the team had Jones not been hurt. I think we've all seen enough of Wolfe at this point to know he shouldn't be seeing the field. I have little to no doubt we'll be pulling the trigger early and that has nothing to do with Forte's avg this year and everything to do with having some security and someone to share the load with.

And for the record, I'm placing zero blame on Forte for our lack of a running game. Zero.

[Howling Mad]

I don't know about you guys but I'm starting to believe that Forte is closer to being a Chester Taylor type guy than a Top Flight RB. Say what you will about the O-Line, but Adrian Peterson has looked pretty decent behind those same guys.

AP is AP.

Chester Taylor is a pretty darn good back, he's just behind the best back in football.

Chester Taylor is nothing to scough at, he's a good back. A starter for half the teams in the NFL.
Jump in the time machine and ask yourself who was Michael Turner?
If I cut your arms off, will you be able to shoot a basketball?
If I have my high school team blocking in front of Forte, how many y/c is he going to have?
Ya get what I'm trying to say?

O line matters, and being a backup doesn't automatically make you suck in the NFL.

Forte needs an O-line. Period. He's got a mish-mash group mixed together. Guys are playing out of position, and others are too old or too young, or just plain suck. Pace is no longer Pace. Garza is on the left side because if you put Franky O and Chris Williams together on the right side, we might as well never run strong side. Chris Williams shouldn't even be on the right side, he's a pass blocker, he belongs on the left side. Olin is the closest thing we have to consistency, and he isn't what he use to be, but still somewhat solid.

The needs of the Bears
1. O-line
2. D-line
3. Secondary(This is actually a bigger need than D-line but I believe that having a good D-line is much more important because a d-line that can pressure a QB makes a bad secondary look good and a D-line that doesn't pressure the QB makes a good secondary look bad.)

--Then there is a huge gap--

4. Wide Reciever

--Then there is another big gap--

5. Linebacker
6. QB, RB, TEs, special teams guys.

Agree with it all except for the QB part.

I'd also like to say that while Forte has darn good TOP END speed. His burst I think is below average.

The consensus is actually the opposite. Forte's known to have good burst and vision but no top end speed. Take a look back at his very first TD against the Colts. Also, this preseason when Cutler audibled to a run play when he saw the safety cheating. He knew Forte could burst his way to the 2nd level and when you have a 6'2'' physical RB, you take one on one with the safety all day. Both runs you can see his speed drop off.

I think all we need on the line is a stud RT. If we went RT in the second round we could probably take the best one off the board. Switch Williams back to LT and grade out this year to see if Beekman should go back to starting LG. I'd rather not draft any other O-Line positions - get proven Guards in FA.

After that I'd look at CB's and Safeties - we just don't seem to be able to stay healthy back there.

And for the record, I'm placing zero blame on Forte for our lack of a running game. Zero.

[Balance-a-Bull]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/fo ... 0543.story

Chicago Bears look for answers for dormant running game
Is new mix on offensive line hindering Matt Forte?

By Vaughn McClure Tribune reporter

September 30, 2009

A confident Matt Forte believes the Bears should have success running the ball against the Lions on Sunday even if statistics say the Bears are the fifth-worst rushing team in the league.

"When we put our mind to it, we can run against any team," Forte said. "It's difficult running in the NFL. We know that. But if we get bodies on people and stay strong, we can run the ball."

Forte was by no means assessing blame. In fact, he put the onus on himself to run harder and break more tackles.

The bottom line is the Bears essentially are running in place. They enter Sunday's game averaging a dismal 2.8 yards per carry, second to last in the league behind the Chargers.

Forte is 29th in the league in rushing with 150 yards on 59 carries through three games. He is the only back among the top 30 averaging less than 3.0 yards per carry with a 2.6 average. And this is the same player who compiled 304 yards over his first three games as a rookie last season.

So what has changed? Not Forte. He still runs hard, still hits defenders with the occasional ankle-breaking cutback. And injury is not an issue, although some wonder if the hamstring injury Forte suffered during the offseason lingers.

"No, my hamstring does not hurt at all," he said.

What has changed is the offensive line, with three new starters and two players -- right tackle Chris Williams and left guard Frank Omiyale -- playing positions they were not initially projected to play. As natural left tackles, both gained more notice for their pass protection than run blocking.

The addition of future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace was supposed to give the Bears an added boost, but even Pace has had some difficulties.

"You just have to keep building, keep trying to get better," Pace said. "Every week, we're just going to try to get this thing going. We just have to work harder this week."

Most figured the Bears would have success running the ball against the banged-up Seahawks regardless. Instead the Bears managed just 85 yards on 28 carries.

"We obviously didn't run the ball like we wanted to," center Olin Kreutz said. "I wouldn't say we were happy with it at all. It just wasn't enough."

If the Bears can establish a running game, they won't have to rely on passes in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Sunday's game against the Lions would appear to provide the ideal opponent to jump-start Forte, considering he ran for 126 yards on 22 carries the last time the teams met. But that was the same Lions team that finished 0-16 and did not put up much of fight.

This year's version of the Lions broke a 19-game skid last week against the Redskins and held running back Clinton Portis to 42 yards on 12 attempts. The Lions somewhat limited Vikings star Adrian Peterson to 92 yards in Week 2. New Lions coach Jim Schwartz's defense ranks 16th against the run, a big jump from last season under now-Bears defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.

"I know they're running a new defense," Kreutz said of the Lions. "We want to run the ball on everybody. We say coming into the game that we can run the ball on everybody, but that hasn't happened yet. We have to get it going. We just have to."

[Howling Mad]

I swear, I made the post prior to reading this article.

[CjayC]

Nah. How about putting Chris Williams back where he belongs and getting a legit RT like Emperor Jones said. And while we are at it a Left Guard that can actually open holes up for our RB. The best RB's in the league would have trouble if the only hole that's being opened up is the one with Frank Omiyale laying on his back and the DT and LB is bursting through it.

Beekman is being groomed to become Kreutz's successor at Center. Although if Omilaye keeps sucking it won't hurt to at least try him out as a temporary solution.

Omiyale- Yeah...

Pace- His size and age are getting the better of him and now he has trouble blocking those smaller, fast DE's.

I don't know why Turner keeps running Forte right up the gut. At least try some pitches or off tackle stuff. If going right up the middle isn't working its not like trying something else will hurt us. . Forte's best run so far, was when he ran up the middle then decided to cut off the edge. He might be on to something there.

[SpinninHouse]

Hmmmm you pose an interesting question. With 13 games left in the season, i think it's too early to make a judgement call on Forte. in my opinion, the lack of production from Forte is the result of three things: 1) poor run blocking 2) Forte losing a step 3) Turner not calling his number enough or calling it at the wrong time. I expect improvement in all three areas.

[Chi Dynasty12]

Charles Scott or McKnight would make a good compliment to Forte.

[chitownsports4ever]

I would go new offensive coaches first .

[Kyben36]

NO, we need other things other than a RB, we need a CB, a FS ( still not impressed by manning ) some line help, not a RB.

[The Force.]

Forte is an outstanding back with above-average instincts in the backfield. Kevin Jones (a good change of pace back) was supposed to split carries with him but obviously that plan backfired.

I too am blaming the OL for Forte's lack of production. Hell, even in pass blocking you can see that teams are able to get a pass rush fairly quickly on us. I give Cutler a ton of props for being able to buy time and evade the blitz on several occasions. It literally seems like the pocket breaks down on every other play.

So no, the Bears don't need another RB w/out addressing the OL first because it will solve nothing.

[ChronicKerr]

the Bears don't need another RB w/out addressing the OL first because it will solve nothing.

+1

[cally25]

Newsflash.....we don't have an "early" part of our 2010 draft. we have jay cutler and gaines adams...that's our "early" portion of our 2010 draft.