Chicagoist: Guess Who's Back?

jmagic

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:10:55 -0600

Well, if Angelo drafts a running back - hopefully one larger than 5-8, 175 lbs (not that I have anything against Wolfe, I thought he was great at NIU) we can assume that Benson's days are numbered if not over. I agree in giving AP more carries, but his progress is going to be based on how the offensive line plays. Averaging less than 4 ypc is awful and when you have two backs averaging that, you see that the real problem isn't them, but the people up front. meanwhile, Thomas Jones will run for over 1,200 yards this year with the addition of Faneca to the Jets. Isn't that just a nice kick in the crotch!

plumbum82

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:19:33 -0600

I think we should give Adrian Peterson a chance to feature for a little bit. He did break a ton of Walter's D-IA Records. And this should totally be Cedric Benson's last shot. I just don't see this season as a good one for the Bears, so why not run the freaking ball 200-400 times a game and see who pans out?

jmagic

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:46:17 -0600

ok ... say we draft Mendenhall as ESPN heads project in their updated mock draft. do we: a) cut Garrett Wolfe b) trade Cedric Benson (only, I don't know who would want him) c) platoon Mendenhall and Benson d) don't draft Mendenhall even if he's there and take an offensive lineman hmmm ...

plumbum82

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:54:48 -0600

Yeah, but on offense? He's hardly Jerry Rice. He seems better running into a crowd better than running with one.

jmagic

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:51:33 -0600

it helps a little Pb ... and lets not forget Hester.

plumbum82

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:36:33 -0600

@Jmagic: I'm comfortable with them at Center, Tight End, and Fullback. Does that help a little?

jmagic

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:25:02 -0600

the Bears need to address offense - period. they need a line, wide receivers, running back, quarterback, coordinator ... you name it, this team probably doesn't have it. I don't think Angelo has figured out that typically, to beat other teams in the NFL, you need to score points. Scoring points is a part of the game. As John Madden says, "the team that scores the most points and makes the fewest mistakes, usually wins." Gee, thanks John. Angelo lives by this mantra: "The team that overpays the most and makes the most mistakes, usually ends up holding its own dick at the end of the season."

Benjy Lipsman

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:16:21 -0600

I certainly agree that the Bears have other potentially bigger areas to address at running back and o-line, but it's also often easier to keep guys you've got than to convince guys to come -- just like those of us in marketing know it's easier to sell to existing customers than acquire new ones. Since they already waived Moose and rid themselves of his contract, I'd have been OK with them overpaying Berrian a bit to have some stability at WR. Doesn't this make Mark Bradley their #1 receiver?

Mondegreen

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:43:42 -0600

Does this give the Bears the ammo to continue the Rex Grossman experiment indefinitely? Next year when Rex puts in his typical Rex season, will he have to get another chance because he had no one to throw to?

plumbum82

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:07:36 -0600

I agree with Chuck. You don't win games in Soldier Field in November by chucking the ball 60 yards downfield. And you almost certainly never go deep in the playoffs without a running game (unless you're the Patriots. And we all saw how that went...) You win those type of games by slogging it out between the tackles and making the opposing defense respect the run. THEN you can pass. We've tried Salaam, Enis, and Benson to little to no success. Thomas Jones was solid, but not a home run hitter by any stretch of the imagination. We need RB help fast and a line to run behind before we splurge on a deep threat.

Chuck Sudo

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:01:52 -0600

The Bears offense has more problems than overpaying for a streaky receiver would have solved. They need major upgrades at RB and on the offensive line, and who knows if Orton or (shudder) Grossman will pan out.