Bears vs. Seahawks, Sunday Jan 16 at noon

[javy knows my name]

I really love the prose. Sentence fragments galore with all the non-sequitors you can handle. I picture Rocky or maybe Tarzan giving the breakdowns. This is probably my favorite:

 

Forte bounced back from an off year to lead the Bears’ offense. “He was fat last year,” another scout said. “He never got in shape. He’s playing great."

[rawaction]

Nice link, sneaky.

 

I laughed at the comments on Forte last year and Manamaleuna this season. Way to show up in shape.

 

As bad as Taylor and Manu have been, I still don't see them being cut as the Bears still have some holes to fill. Unless they think two guys who got a combined 0 plays this year, Bell and Unga (respectively) can fill those 2 spots, I think both of those guys are back next year.

 

Anybody can fill backup RB, especially at the success rate of Taylor.

 

Yeah, but do you really want to use resources on a backup RB for the 2nd offseason in a row? Granted, a good backup RB can be found in the 6th round or later. But I think part of Forte's effectiveness this year has been due to him having fresher legs thanks to Taylor getting a 1/3 of his touches.

 

I think Khalil Bell would be fine as the #2 RB (then sign an UFA to be the #3), but the Bears obviously don't and didn't last offseason so they signed Taylor. Khalil Bell hasn't gotten on the field to prove that he has earned their trust enough to be the #2. Maybe he has shown something in practice, but he's rarely been active on gameday.

 

I think without Taylor (or a proven RB), you run the risk of getting Forte back into the 320-370 touch range again.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, but do you really want to use resources on a backup RB for the 2nd offseason in a row? Granted, a good backup RB can be found in the 6th round or later. But I think part of Forte's effectiveness this year has been due to him having fresher legs thanks to Taylor getting a 1/3 of his touches.

 

I think Khalil Bell would be fine as the #2 RB (then sign an UFA to be the #3), but the Bears obviously don't and didn't last offseason so they signed Taylor. Khalil Bell hasn't gotten on the field to prove that he has earned their trust enough to be the #2. Maybe he has shown something in practice, but he's rarely been active on gameday.

 

I think without Taylor (or a proven RB), you run the risk of getting Forte back into the 320-370 touch range again.

 

Well, if they do that without signing him to an extension, so be it.

 

Using resources in back to back years on the same position doesn't bother me if it means improving the spot in a cost effective manner. Taylor is an expensive and bad backup running back. Take any street free agent and get the same thing. He's getting every chance to earn his contract this year, but that doesn't tell me they will just bring him back because he's more experienced than Bell.

[rawaction]

Yeah, but do you really want to use resources on a backup RB for the 2nd offseason in a row? Granted, a good backup RB can be found in the 6th round or later. But I think part of Forte's effectiveness this year has been due to him having fresher legs thanks to Taylor getting a 1/3 of his touches.

 

I think Khalil Bell would be fine as the #2 RB (then sign an UFA to be the #3), but the Bears obviously don't and didn't last offseason so they signed Taylor. Khalil Bell hasn't gotten on the field to prove that he has earned their trust enough to be the #2. Maybe he has shown something in practice, but he's rarely been active on gameday.

 

I think without Taylor (or a proven RB), you run the risk of getting Forte back into the 320-370 touch range again.

 

Well, if they do that without signing him to an extension, so be it.

 

Using resources in back to back years on the same position doesn't bother me if it means improving the spot in a cost effective manner. Taylor is an expensive and bad backup running back. Take any street free agent and get the same thing. He's getting every chance to earn his contract this year, but that doesn't tell me they will just bring him back because he's more experienced than Bell.

 

I hope you're right. I'd really like someone new back there, just don't know if the Bears would. And good point about Forte due for an extension. Maybe if he signs a new contract, then the Bears won't want to spend a lot of money on the RB position and send Chester packing.

[Banedon]

Excellent placement sounds like to me he either kicks it toward the sideline and it goes out of bounds thru the side of the endzone or that he angles it and the ball bounces away from the returner far enough that he has to field it 5 yards deep and can't get momentum to run it out.

 

Frankly, I haven't noticed any of those things and can't believe his touchback numbers are that good.

 

Finally found somewhere with his touchback stats....

 

http://dallasnews.stats.com/fb/playerstats.asp?id=7520&team=3

 

He's got like double the touchbacks of last year, but his average distance last year was like half a yard more. Weird.

[Soul]

Excellent placement sounds like to me he either kicks it toward the sideline and it goes out of bounds thru the side of the endzone or that he angles it and the ball bounces away from the returner far enough that he has to field it 5 yards deep and can't get momentum to run it out.

 

Frankly, I haven't noticed any of those things and can't believe his touchback numbers are that good.

 

Finally found somewhere with his touchback stats....

 

http://dallasnews.stats.com/fb/playerstats.asp?id=7520&team=3

 

He's got like double the touchbacks of last year, but his average distance last year was like half a yard more. Weird.

Weird. That's not how I've been perceiving it.

[UMFan83]

In the Scouts Inc breakdown of the game, the Bears have the edge at every position but QB for some reason. Despite that they pick a Bears win 16-13.

[Banedon]

In the Scouts Inc breakdown of the game, the Bears have the edge at every position but QB for some reason. Despite that they pick a Bears win 16-13.

 

Experts love to hate Jay Cutler.

[Guest]

Yeah, but do you really want to use resources on a backup RB for the 2nd offseason in a row? Granted, a good backup RB can be found in the 6th round or later. But I think part of Forte's effectiveness this year has been due to him having fresher legs thanks to Taylor getting a 1/3 of his touches.

 

I think Khalil Bell would be fine as the #2 RB (then sign an UFA to be the #3), but the Bears obviously don't and didn't last offseason so they signed Taylor. Khalil Bell hasn't gotten on the field to prove that he has earned their trust enough to be the #2. Maybe he has shown something in practice, but he's rarely been active on gameday.

 

I think without Taylor (or a proven RB), you run the risk of getting Forte back into the 320-370 touch range again.

 

Well, if they do that without signing him to an extension, so be it.

 

Using resources in back to back years on the same position doesn't bother me if it means improving the spot in a cost effective manner. Taylor is an expensive and bad backup running back. Take any street free agent and get the same thing. He's getting every chance to earn his contract this year, but that doesn't tell me they will just bring him back because he's more experienced than Bell.

 

I hope you're right. I'd really like someone new back there, just don't know if the Bears would. And good point about Forte due for an extension. Maybe if he signs a new contract, then the Bears won't want to spend a lot of money on the RB position and send Chester packing.

 

It's not that hard to draft a guy like Deon Lewis, Jacquizz Rodgers or Noel Devine in the 4th round and cut Taylor. As long as they address the OL somewhere in the first 3 rounds, that seems like a good use of the pick and money. A backup RB could be a very valuable additional weapon for Cutler and you need to ensure you have a good one so they're not tempted to overuse Forte (after a while, they'll sour on trying to justify Taylor's contract with PT). I'm not a big Kahlil Bell fan, especially since he's similar to Forte and doesn't provide anything additional.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's not that hard to draft a guy like Deon Lewis, Jacquizz Rodgers or Noel Devine in the 4th round and cut Taylor. As long as they address the OL somewhere in the first 3 rounds, that seems like a good use of the pick and money. A backup RB could be a very valuable additional weapon for Cutler and you need to ensure you have a good one so they're not tempted to overuse Forte (after a while, they'll sour on trying to justify Taylor's contract with PT). I'm not a big Kahlil Bell fan, especially since he's similar to Forte and doesn't provide anything additional.

 

Yeah, I want a true change of pace guy or track star type. There's no point in having three of the same type of non-dynamic RB.

[Banedon]

Some pretty good analysis about what the Bears offense has done better in the 2nd half...

 

http://seahawks.sportspressnw.com/2011/01/09/bears-ready-for-rematch-with-improved-offense/

[rawaction]

Yeah, but do you really want to use resources on a backup RB for the 2nd offseason in a row? Granted, a good backup RB can be found in the 6th round or later. But I think part of Forte's effectiveness this year has been due to him having fresher legs thanks to Taylor getting a 1/3 of his touches.

 

I think Khalil Bell would be fine as the #2 RB (then sign an UFA to be the #3), but the Bears obviously don't and didn't last offseason so they signed Taylor. Khalil Bell hasn't gotten on the field to prove that he has earned their trust enough to be the #2. Maybe he has shown something in practice, but he's rarely been active on gameday.

 

I think without Taylor (or a proven RB), you run the risk of getting Forte back into the 320-370 touch range again.

 

Well, if they do that without signing him to an extension, so be it.

 

Using resources in back to back years on the same position doesn't bother me if it means improving the spot in a cost effective manner. Taylor is an expensive and bad backup running back. Take any street free agent and get the same thing. He's getting every chance to earn his contract this year, but that doesn't tell me they will just bring him back because he's more experienced than Bell.

 

I hope you're right. I'd really like someone new back there, just don't know if the Bears would. And good point about Forte due for an extension. Maybe if he signs a new contract, then the Bears won't want to spend a lot of money on the RB position and send Chester packing.

 

It's not that hard to draft a guy like Deon Lewis, Jacquizz Rodgers or Noel Devine in the 4th round and cut Taylor. As long as they address the OL somewhere in the first 3 rounds, that seems like a good use of the pick and money. A backup RB could be a very valuable additional weapon for Cutler and you need to ensure you have a good one so they're not tempted to overuse Forte (after a while, they'll sour on trying to justify Taylor's contract with PT). I'm not a big Kahlil Bell fan, especially since he's similar to Forte and doesn't provide anything additional.

 

I don't see how you can pick a RB in the 4th with the needs at OL (at least 2 picks needed here), DT, WR, CB and LB depth. I like all of those guys you listed though I don't know if any are good fits, especially with the Bears need to help out the OL by leaving the RB in to block often.

[Guest]

I assume they'll have to go to FA to address some of the holes (specifically OL).

 

An investment in a solid #2 RB is just another much-needed investment in the offense.

[Banedon]

I assume they'll have to go to FA to address some of the holes (specifically OL).

 

An investment in a solid #2 RB is just another much-needed investment in the offense.

 

Brandon Jacobs is a FA. Could be a good pair with Forte...if you're ok with dealing with the personality.

[Keener98]

I assume they'll have to go to FA to address some of the holes (specifically OL).

 

An investment in a solid #2 RB is just another much-needed investment in the offense.

 

Brandon Jacobs is a FA. Could be a good pair with Forte...if you're ok with dealing with the personality.

I would imagine Jacobs is going to go somewhere he has a shot to start. The Bears won't offer him that

[jersey cubs fan]

I assume they'll have to go to FA to address some of the holes (specifically OL).

 

An investment in a solid #2 RB is just another much-needed investment in the offense.

 

Brandon Jacobs is a FA. Could be a good pair with Forte...if you're ok with dealing with the personality.

 

I'd much rather pair Forte with a more dynamic runner than a bruiser. And I'd rather keep my RBs young than get well worn free agents. Jacobs has almost twice as many carries as Thomas Jones had when they signed him.

[Banedon]

I assume they'll have to go to FA to address some of the holes (specifically OL).

 

An investment in a solid #2 RB is just another much-needed investment in the offense.

 

Brandon Jacobs is a FA. Could be a good pair with Forte...if you're ok with dealing with the personality.

I would imagine Jacobs is going to go somewhere he has a shot to start. The Bears won't offer him that

 

I'd like a bigger back to pair with Forte. Jacobs is a pipe dream for me.

[Banedon]

I assume they'll have to go to FA to address some of the holes (specifically OL).

 

An investment in a solid #2 RB is just another much-needed investment in the offense.

 

Brandon Jacobs is a FA. Could be a good pair with Forte...if you're ok with dealing with the personality.

 

I'd much rather pair Forte with a more dynamic runner than a bruiser. And I'd rather keep my RBs young than get well worn free agents. Jacobs has almost twice as many carries as Thomas Jones had when they signed him.

 

It seems like there's a lot of times that I'd really like to have a power back that can run over some guys. I think having Forte to pair with him would limit the wear and tear on both backs. I recognize that it's an unlikely scenario for a number of reasons.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hey, let's stop with the offseason talk. Bears need to beat Seattle and I think they will, and cover the spread.

 

Chicago is 9-6-1 AGS, Seattle is 8-9. Chicago is 5-3 AGS at home, Seattle is 2-6 AGS on the road.

[Banedon]

If the Bears win, but don't cover, it'd be the first time all season that Seattle has lost a game by single digits.

[jersey cubs fan]

If the Bears win, but don't cover, it'd be the first time all season that Seattle has lost a game by single digits.

 

 

Technically it could be a push at 10.

[UMFan83]

Originally I said 24-20 Bears. I actually think I'm going to change that. I've felt more confident about the game as the week has gone on. I'm feeling 34-17 Bears right now.

 

In terms of media perception, this is a no win game for the Bears. If they lose, the 2010 Bears are forever known as the flukiest luckiest team in NFL history. If they win a close one, they will continue to get very little respect and 95% of all prognosticators will pick whoever we play to blow us out. If we blow them out, we were supposed to so it doesn't change the perception of the team.

[Banedon]

"We might throw it 60 times, it depends on what they give us," Cutler said Wednesday at Halas Hall. "They have played some man (defense), they've played some zone, depending on who they are going against. So we're not sure what they're going to do against us. We'll figure it out in the first quarter and go from there."

[minnesotacubsfan]

oh this will not end well

[Banedon]

oh this will not end well

 

Haha...I think he was just saying that the gameplan is dictated by what happens on the field, but it should be good for talk radio fodder.