jason

I've seen mention of Taylor getting more carries than Forte, but I just don't see how that can be. Taylor last year with a great OL got the same YPC as Forte got behind the paper mache OL. Actually, this is why I'm not all that impressed with the signing...aside from it being a minimal concern in regards to other needs. On a semi-related note, does everyone think the prevailing theory that every team needs TWO top-line RBs is a load of crap? I believe a 30 carry RB is still feasible, and signing two starter-quality RBs is somewhat wasteful considering the team's performance and record last year which indicated glaring needs for multiple other positions.

Check out my list, NFO. I thought backup-RB was a low need...about 5th or 6th. If the whole time EVERYONE thought it was FS, OL, DL (in whatever order) and THEN backup-RB, then there was no real disagreement. The talking heads, however, don't stay current or just plain get lazy. RB was not a high need, but it was, like most positions, one that could be upgraded. It's just that my philosophy is to fix the completely broken before the undesireable.

The talking heads are idiots who get lazy and make their judgements based upon stat lines and highlight reels. WR was at BEST the sixth most needed position. 1A) OG 1B) OT 3) FS 4) DT 5) #2 RB

Nodding in agreement at the obviousness.

So maybe he just makes really bad play calls when the game is on-going.

He damn well better be. I'd rather see Manumaleuna get a hand off than McKie.

Once again, youre a dick Your posts are childish, and this reply doesn't surprise me. How many times do you have to threaten quitting being a Bears fan, or posting comments that make you appear that you don't have a clue about football, before you grow up? Seriously, just take a step back and think about what you post some time. I know I come off as abrasive, and I can respect dissenting opinion, but you continually post ignorant comments and it gets quite tired (see a recent thread when other board members didn't seem too unhappy with your threat to quit on the Bears).

Ironic from you considering your incessant harping for more WRs. Regardless of that, however, I agree. I'm not that big on this signing because I didn't see it as such a huge need, but I can't fault the management for making a shrewd move to get a starter quality RB as a second guy. Also, think of how much he'll want to hand the Vikings their asses!

Great post. I have absolutely NO problem with Jerry and the crew getting rid of first and second round picks if it means they pick up proven all-star talent with the money that would otherwise have gone to an untested rookie. Bravo JA.

Once again, you post the ridiculous. Yes, the OL is bad/horrible...but the WRs are not. They showed great promise last year, and if not hindered by a horrible OL, a braindead OC, and a rattled QB, they would have done much better than what they did (which was still pretty good). Four receivers over 500 yards, Forte in an off year was damn close, and that doesn't even count Aromashodu who absolutely blew up at the end of the year. -- Today has to be considered an overwhelming success from even the most close-minded Bears fan.

Would I like to have Boldin? Yes. Do I think the Bears should give up a 3rd rounder for him when there are so many holes on the team? No. Do I think the Bears should trade Olsen for Boldin, giving up a first round talent at TE for a WR who is about to be on the back end of his career (who would also want to get paid some serious jack)? No. Pass on Boldin unless he can be had in FA for a decent price (which I doubt).

1) You can say that again. I'm sick of seeing players out of their positions just because Zombie and staff think a player has athleticism, or whatever. 2) Did you not see Bennett catch everything thrown his way, Knox turn into a legit deep threat, and Aromashodu emerge as a possible big WR threat? All this happened last year. Where were you? Players can't develop if they never get a chance to see the field.

Wondering? WONDERING?! Are you effing serious? If you're just now wondering, I don't know what games you've been watching for the past three years.

Two reasons, and two reasons only: I think he's still got major talent I think he can be had for cheap If either of the two aren't true, then pass. I'm not for adding a WR, but I don't think the Bears should put too much focus into it. If a top-notch WR falls into their laps for relatively little effort/money, then you have to make the move. Like him or not, TO's still better than any WR on the roster, and if he's on the trash heap you take a stab at him.

First, thanks for the links to the film breakdown. I don't know what program he used to do this, but I've done the same things with DVR copies of the games. Second, I think it's kind of ironic that you of all people would post these links in support of your argument (which I kind of agree with, BTW).

Clearly, yes. But I don't think RB is a position of need considering that Forte was obviously off his game this past year, Wolfe has never been used, and Bell showed a bit of spark. I always loved TJ, and never thought we should have gotten rid of him...let alone drafted Benson. But adding Westbrook or LT would obviously be an upgrade. Adding Sproles, however, I'd have a problem with.

Until he gets the carries, we'll never really know. What I have seen from him in very limited time has been borderline explosive. He has only had a few carries and receptions, yet there have been multiple WOW plays where he just breaks off a LB or someone else.I think you need to look the guy up on youtube to refresh the memory. He's much faster than you think. Better vision than you remember. Can cut on half a dime. He didn't just barely beat out people in college; he blew people away, ran away from them, spun off them. Besides, the leading rusher in NFL history (admittedly with the best OL ever) didn't have great measurables. Shows strength and speed Shows great cutting ability and speed Watch him destroy this LB and get Ditka's shorts in a bunch I haven't tried, but I'm willing to bet that finding three equally sick plays from Forte might prove difficult. I know it sounds blasphemous, but other than a few rookie year plays versus the Rams and Lions, I can't think of too many plays where I was wow'd by Forte. When he doesn't get blocks, he does nearly nothing. And when he gets blocks, he nearly never outruns anyone. Hell, his pathetic 09 stats are the reason this thread was even started, and if it weren't for gimme games against Cleveland, St. Louis, and two versus Detroit, he'd be getting destroyed by some on this board.

Pace, who has been contemplating retirement since mid-December, was replaced as the starting left tackle by former first-round draft pick Chris Williams with five games remaining this past season. Despite allowing only three sacks in 11 starts, it was clear he was nowhere near the dominant force he once was. I see the newer statistical categories were not factored in: 1) GBUs - Number of times an OL Gets Blown UP 2) RPs - Reverse Pancakes 3) PCPs - Pocket Collapsing Pressure (I think Pace may have led the league in this one) 4) GDWDTs - Getting Destroyed Without a Double Team

In order of desire/importance: 1) Rolle 2) Peppers 3) TO 4) Taylor But OL would obviously be #1 if there were any mentioned. Side note: I wouldn't mind TO on a flyer. People seem to think he has lost a step, but I watched several Buffalo games and I don't think he has. It's just that he was on Buffalo, with a garbage QB, with a garbage offense. He's still very fast, very strong, and more athletic than most. And the "drops" so often mentioned are highly overstated (i.e. bad balls that touch his finger are counted as drops).

I don't see the insult either. The WR corp showed potential last year with a bum at OC. With Martz - a guy known for prolific passing offenses - the WRs should put up much better numbers. There is serious potential for multiple 1000 yard WRs in a Martz offense QB'd by Cutler. In fact, I don't see how anyone disagrees with the article. Given that Martz is known for neglecting the running game in favor of the passing game, and nearly disregarding the TE in the passing game, it's almost a guarantee that the WRs flourish.

I agree that YPC can be misleading when the number of carries are low, but that's the point: We just don't know. And until Wolfe gets some more carries, instead of garbage carries going to our AP and/or Kevin Jones without much production, then we will never know if he could turn into a change of pace guy who can juke LBs and explode for big plays. The limited opportunities point to the very real probability that he can break big plays more frequently than most, and is easily as much of a weapon as the other backups who have gotten carries.

Why am I such a Wolfe fan? Because I think he can be what Sproles has been for SD. Unfortunately, we'll never know if he never gets a legit chance to play.

I'd say the yards gained has a lot to do with the fact that: 1) The Chargers have an offense, and the Bears do not 2) The Chargers had/have an OC that knows how to use a RB like the two, and the Bears have had that idiot Turner 3) The Chargers had/have a good OL, and the Bears have had a below average OL for several years As for earning carries, who can really say with this coaching staff? Hard to make people miss tackles when most the runs are up the pipe. Hard to break more big plays when you don't get the ball more than one or two times a game...which is what he has gotten. And, oh by the way, the inconsistency can't be proven if not given the carries, which kind of makes your two comments contradictory. How can he have the yards to compete with Sproles' yards if he doesn't have the carries? And vice versa? He can't. What I do know is, he averaged 4.6 a rush in 2008, and 5.5 in 2009. With a team that has struggled on offense for longer than I can remember, and especially a team that was horrible rushing last year, there is no excuse for not using him more often when considering his production during limited playing time. It would make much more sense to give Wolfe some carries to see if he can keep up production with more playing time, than it would to pay huge money for Sproles.

Sproles is 5'6". Google is your friend.

I can't believe anyone is even considering Sproles when the Bears have a Sproles-type back on the roster who has never been given a real shot to show what he can do. Signing Sproles would be stupid, IMO. Money would be much better spent giving the carries to Wolfe. Westbrook, on the other hand, is a different story since he's a taller, bigger back, and a vet. Of course, everyone knows his concussion problems could scare the team away.