The kind of a debacle that the actions of Cedric Benson and Jerry Angelo created at the running back position would get most people fired.
It all started last offseason when the Chicago Bears' GM Jerry Angelo decided that Cedric Benson would get the shot to be the number one running back. In deciding this, he traded Thomas Jones for a second round draft pick, basically giving him away.
Angelo decided that his number four overall pick was a can't miss guy, even though he had barely proved himself thus far as a number two. So he sent the Bears' leading rusher of three years over to the Jets, just to please his ego.
Then the 2007 regular season happened. Benson struggled as the number one back averaging just 3.4 yards a carry while scoring only four touchdowns in 11 games. He also sat the final five games with an injury, which left most Bears' fans feeling that he didn't have the heart to be a Bear.
His backup Adrian Peterson, although carrying about the same statistics on the ground, was a considerably better receiver out of the backfield and presented a much better option for the Bears' lackluster offense.
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Next came the NFL Draft. In Jerry Angelo's infinite wisdom, he passed up QBs Brian Brohm and Chad Henne in the second round so that he could draft RB Matt Forte out of Tulane.
Now I'm not knocking Matt Forte, he may turn out to be a good back, but there were plenty of other better running backs available on the board. Such as Ray Rice of Rutgers, Kevin Smith of Central Florida, and Steve Slaton of West Virginia.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Jerry could have taken one of the QBs in the second round and would have still gotten Forte in the third round. Just a guess though.
Drinking was the cause of the next problem for the Bears. When Cedric Benson got himself charged with drunken boating and resisting arrest, he placed himself in the spotlight. The incident infuriated Bears' fans and management with him even more.
Then, as if that wasn't enough, he decided that within a month of the incident that he would break curfew and go out drinking and driving. This was basically the last straw for the Bears, ultimately bringing about Benson's subsequent release.
So Jerry Angelo has left coach Lovie Smith with Adrian Peterson, an undersized career backup and rookie Matt Forte to battle for the Bears' starting running back job. Throw in the fact that Adrian Peterson will be out until the start of training camp and anyone can see that the Bears need some help at the position.
Why not look at some veteran talent?
I propose that Angelo can fix this situation that he caused of his own will, and save his job. What he needs to do is go out and get a veteran running back to help these guys out. If this veteran could be a third down or goalline back, he would especially help out the team. It wouldn't hurt if the veteran had some playoff experience as well.
Well, there is one such player on the free agency list and that is Shaun Alexander. He has suffered from injuries the past few seasons, but why not give him a chance? He'll only be turning 31 this season and probably still has a few years left to give, that is, until Forte or a future replacement is ready to go.
So Jerry, just take a look at Shaun Alexander and try to fix this debacle that you helped to cause last offseason when you traded away Thomas Jones, please.
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6 months ago
Great Article but Chicago needs a quarterback.
At one point in time you had Gale Sayers than Walter Payton so asking for more is just being greedy haha. But historically your quarterbacks have frankly been shit, and considering the Bears are one of the oldest teams its surprising. Had that 80's defense had more than Jim McMahon (fun to watch and good leader but lets face it; minimal skills) they surely would have captured another Superbowl.
from 6 months ago
Definitely not arguing with you on that point, I think I noted that I wish they would have drafted a QB in Round 2 instead of Forte, but apparently Angelo had other plans. Its just right now I don't see a free agent quarterback we can go get, so it will have to wait until next season.
from 6 months ago
Haha ya. But then again, the quarterback class this year was rather weak. Perhaps the Bears organization is banking on Rex Grossman running the team into the ground so they can have a shot at Matt Stafford or Tim Tebow haha
6 months ago
I have a feeling within the next two weeks they will sign Kevin Jones to at least compete with Forte for the starting job. That way they aren't just handing a rookie the title of #1 RB right out of college. Even Forte knows he is better than Wolfe and Peterson before taking a single handoff. By brigning in Jones, at the least Forte will find some motivation to push himself harder
from 6 months ago
Jones would definitely work as well, I just really think they need to bring in a veteran to compete with this kid. I like Alexander, just because he has been a top RB in the league before and at 31 I still think he has a few years in him, but Kevin Jones would definitely work as well. After all Jones is considerably younger, 26, and has better receiving skills which kinda fits the Bears' scheme a little better.
6 months ago
Without trying to defend Cedric too much, the major soft spot in the Bears 2007 Offense was the O-line. I think that Denver has proved that with the correct system even a 'mediocre' running back can rack up the stats. I am not worried about RB or QB this off-season, I actually like Rex (who plays well when he has time to step up) and Peterson (the original AP) I am happy with the situation at TE, and I'm looking forward to some surprises from the WR corps. But all that goes out the window if the line can not give the protection that the passing game needs or the holes that the running game needs. 2006 saw the line stay healthy and mostly together, while 2007 did not. I like Olin, and see him as a team leader up there with Brian, but if he plays like he did last year it's going to be a long 2008 season.
from 6 months ago
"I actually like Rex , who plays well when he has time to step up"
This just isnt true; unless rex grossman has a complete change of skill sets and ability he'll continue to be the turnover machine he is. Here is a nice little breakdown for you.
In 30 NFL game starts (relatively low for a 5 year vet so hes got time i suppose)
-thrown 33 INTS (to 30tds)
-19 fumbles
-10 fumbles lost
-54.3 career completion percentage (thats worse than vince young / michael vick)
If i just count fumbles lost and add that to interceptions your boy Rex is averaging almost 1.5 turnover's a game; that is absolutely unacceptable for an NFL qb if you want to win.
As for all these sacks you speak of; well he's been sacked 56 times in his career making it 1.8 a game which isn't very high by any means. In the last two years he has been sacked an average of twice a game; still not great but manageable. While last year's offensive line was putrid allowing rex to get sacked 25 times in 8 starts dont let that fool you, the guy is not a leader, lost the support of his team along time ago, and really just isn't an NFL quarterback. Too bad the Bears organization can't read or watch film.
from 6 months ago
I don't know how we can feel comfortable with Grossman back there, I'd rather Orton be the starter not that he makes me feel that much better. Either way they should have drafted Brohm in the second in my opinion, thanks for the comments on the article though.
6 months ago
First off, Forte "proved" that he was better than the 3 backs that you say are better than him (see the 2007 season stats, and the NFL Combine sir). Second, he' would have never lasted till the 3rd round. We all know that its important for an "every-down" back to be able to catch the ball, Forte gives them everything that they're looking for in the starting back. his overall attributes are better than most 1st round backs. Oh and lets not forget the deal breaker because I know you didn't know this but the kid does not "drink" alchohol, like some 1st round flops do.
6 months ago
I wouldn't say he proved he was better than those three guys at all. First of Smith had more rushing yards (2567 to 2127), and almost as many receiving yards on less catches (24 for 242 vs. 32 for 282). They played a lot of the same opponents and there seems to be a wash there, but if you look at their stats against big teams, Smith played Texas and NC State and averaged 183 per game against BCS schools, where as Forte played Mississippi St and LSU and average only 60 yds per game in those two games. Then you have Ray Rive who rushed for only 115 yards less than Forte on the season and again had almost the same amount of receiving yards on less catches (25 for 239), and he played a considerably tougher schedule in the Big East than either Smith or Forte played. Plus Rice and Smith were basically career starters, that have the experience of being the every down guy, where as Forte was just placed into that role this year. Now the not drinking thing is nice and I'll commend him for that, good for him, but I still think he would have been available after those two were gone, and I still think Slaton would have gone ahead of him, even though he didn't have the numbers this year. Slaton did have more receiving yards again on less reception (26 for 250) though. Also almost every scouting service, rivals.com, and Mel Kiper Jr.
6 months ago
i like for the bears to pick up Kevin Jones as a #2 running back, but not Shaun Alexander he is past his prime. I like the selection of Forte over any of those QB's because they need a runner before a QB plus who knows if those guys would have been good anyway.
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