Why is Berrian getting so much love?

[azbearsfan]

you beat me to it connor... This team has spots on the team to just pure special teamers like Ayanbadejo, Roach, McClover, etc.

 

 

Good thought too.

[bradjock]

I agree he'll never be much more than a 3rd down back/special teamer but I think he could be very, very good in that role.

 

Peace

 

Damn I can't believe we wasted a 3rd round pick on him. Maybe "wasted" is a harsh word, but he was projected to be around in the 5th, and you expect to get 3rd down back/special team guys in the 5th. You want every down starters in round 3.

[AZ54]

I think it's AP who is going to depart. He offers nothing great in the running game and he's a good special teams player, of which we have many. Resign Ayanbendejo and draft a RB to compete with Ced and AP and the top 2 stay. Little Wolfie showed enough on 3rd and long to warrant sticking around IMO. He'd be even more dangerous if we actually had a passing game that forced DBs and LBs to backup. If Ced doesn't show up after this injury then he'll go and it'll be AP, new guy, and Wolfie.

[Pixote]

I can not see AP leaving, period. He contributes in so many ways I think he is safe to stay.

[Mongo3451]

I can not see AP leaving, period. He contributes in so many ways I think he is safe to stay.

 

I hate to say it, but if we got another RB to compete with Ced, I could see AP going. He is one of those players that people love, but he doesn't separate himself as a running back and Brendan is better on ST. I hope he retires a Bear though.

[Controlled Chaos]

Let's not forget AP was running behind the same shit line benson was. Actually, it was worse cause Brown with one arm was better than what we had out there at the end of the year. Peterson is the perfect backup RB. I agree he isn't an every down back, but he is a good change of pace guy. He works hard and fights for every inch when he gets an opportunity. It takes a certain type of person to play second fiddle. Peterson knows his role and accepts it. He can pass protect(every back in the league would have had trouble pass blocking with this O line) and he is stellar on special teams. He's signed thru 2009 at what I'm guessing is a pretty cap friendly price...so why get rid of him?

 

To me Wolfe is the big question mark? If he can't pass protect cause of his size, then how the hell can he be a 3rd down back? I mean we can do what we did this year, which was pretty much whenever we put him in...he got the ball, but that just ain't gonna fly. He is going to have to be the guy picking up blitzes on third and long...and I'm just not sure he can handle it. The only way Wolfe can block anyone is by cutting them. If he tries to stand up and block he's toast. The cut block works when the defense doesn't know it's coming, but with Wolfe it's all he can do, and I think defenders will be jumping right over him. I'm definitely willing to give him his shot to see if he can handle it. We didn't get to see much of his pass blocking this year and the guy has done nothing but overcome every obstacle in his path his entire football career. We spent the pick on him so it's worth it to give him that look. I hope he proves me wrong.

[ostrogoth]

Leave Wolfe at RB and carry 4 next yr and only 5 receivers. Hell, we carried 6 receivers this yr and the sixth never saw the field. Carry a WR on the practice squad if necessary.

 

Here's how I look at the RB situation:

 

- Benson: will stay but will not be given the starting job

- AP: Too good of a team player to let go. Can start in a pinch, is a very good 3rd down back, and a great special teams player

- Wolfe: Shows huge potential as a 3rd down back; showed he can play special teams

- X back: competition for starter

 

Peace

I think Wolfe has more of a Maurice Jones-Drew appeal, maybe he can but based on what I've seen I'd be surprized if he comes back next year!

[ChileBear]

I think Wolfe has more of a Maurice Jones-Drew appeal, maybe he can but based on what I've seen I'd be surprized if he comes back next year!

I think he comes back and the competition in TC ends with him being released. They just have to bring in someone who can block as well as compete with Ced for the starting RB spot.

[jason]

I don't understand the hatred for Wolfe.

 

Seriously, what games were you guys watching?! Whenever he was given a chance in space, he made things happen. Hell, I'd go so far as to say that he actually broke more tackles than Cedric Benson! He may not have run anyone over, but he juked them enough to break an arm tackle. Furthermore, he made a few really great, shifty, potential-showing plays when he was in there.

 

What the hell did Benson do?

What the hell did Peterson do?

 

The guy has the ability to make defenders miss. That is not something that can be taught. He's also quick/fast enough to make a small play turn into something big...or maybe that wasn't him busting out a large gain while I was screaming from the stands at the Saints game.

 

I just don't get why you guys are so ready to get rid of him already. Suppose he gains 15 pounds of muscle and learns to block better (not that Benson is a good blocker with the added size)...does he then get to stay? Personally, I see just as much potential with Wolfe as I do Benson.

[fenom283]

I guess they were expecting him to bust off 80 yard runs up the middle well at least Turner was. This guy gets in space and becomes one of the few playmakers we have on offense. We are gonna carry 4 RB's next year and the loser gets cut or traded after the season.

[Connorbear]

I guess they were expecting him to bust off 80 yard runs up the middle well at least Turner was. This guy gets in space and becomes one of the few playmakers we have on offense. We are gonna carry 4 RB's next year and the loser gets cut or traded after the season.

I agree. Ced will be given 1 more chance. AP is too valuable. Garrett has shown good potential. They will bring in another RB to compete for the #1 job.

 

Peace

[DrunkBomber]

Wolfe hasnt shown anything, and it isnt a hatred for him its reality. He doesnt have the tools to be in the NFL. He isnt gonna be our third down back and he isnt gonna return kicks so he is useless to us.

[AZ54]

His 13yd average per catch is pretty good, his 2.7ypc is pretty bad and he sucks at runs up the middle when there's no hole. Looks like he got hit by a fly swatter everytime a DT reaches out and touches him. Yet I think we can do better in how we utilize his strengths. He competes with the other RBs in camp for a job but I still think he'll stick around. I don't think he'll necessarily become our fulltime 3rd down back, that job will depend on who we pick up this offseason and who sticks around after training camp. But I can see him being in for 5-7 plays a game.

 

I love AP and he's a good back to have on a roster but we load up on special teams players every year . While he's good at special teams, this being a focal point for keeping him around doesn't have as much value for us as it did a few years ago. He's just average as a runner and really not that great as a blocker as he often just does cut blocks. Are his cut blocks are better than Wolfe's we'll see in preseason next year.

 

There will be 4 RBs in camp and I don't think any are guaranteed a job depending on when/how we pick up the 4th RB. All 4 will be competing for a job or at a minimum the 3 current RBs will compete. It's gonna be fun to watch and anyone getting injured, even a minor one, might be SOL.

[AZ54]

I'm not sure we'll Franchise tag Berrian but a Transition tag is likely. At least that gives us the option to match the offer he signs and if it were me I'd want that ability. We won't get any draft picks if we lose him but a side effect could be the fact it might force his new team to front load a lot of the contract. That might force some teams out of the mix and if signs with an NFC rival maybe it squeezes their cap space a bit more than they wanted keeping another FA off their roster.

 

We can only use one tag or the other and I don't think there's anyone else we'd consider for either tag.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

I think Wolfe has more of a Maurice Jones-Drew appeal, maybe he can but based on what I've seen I'd be surprized if he comes back next year!

Maurice Jones-Drew is a strong back. He may be small, height wise, but his body type is not that of a skinny/undersized running back. Drew can run strong through the holes and take a beating while not losing his speed. He is the exact opposite of what Wolfe is currently and what Wolfe will ever be.

 

Garret Wolfe will be nothing more than a potential 3rd down back. He was a horrible pick and I hope somehow the Bears figure out a way to make him productive but I am not holding my breath. That isn't to say he wasn't great on those screen passes, but I don't see much value in a guy who does one thing right and everything else poor (when you can't run inside the tackles you are pretty worthless in my book as a RB).

[nfoligno]

I do not think anyone necessarily "wants" to get rid of Wolfe. I was never in favor of drafting him, particularly day one of the draft, but that has nothing to do with why I would cut him.

 

We are not dumping Benson. Your feelings on Benson are well known, and have been since prior to our taking him in the draft. But the fact is simply that he is going no where. At least not this year. Angelo has however said we wish to add competition for Benson. To me, that means we can assume two RB spots filled.

 

So then we have Wolfe and AP. We just drafted Wolfe, but we also just re-signed AP. AP is also a coaches favorite and one of our best special teams players. In fact, if we lose Ayenbedajo to FA, AP may well be our best special teams player. Wolfe is better in space than AP, but I would argue AP is better creating space. AP is the better WR (at least more proven) and a better blocker (even though I am not high on his blocking). Wolfe simply does not bring that much more than AP does, while AP is more proven and a far superior special teams player.

 

So assuming we only keep 3 RBs, and until I hear the coaches talk about 4, that will be my assumption, I think Wolfe is the most likely to go. That isn't to say I want him to go, but I simply think he would be the odd man out.

 

For the record, one thing that is rarely discussed is one of the big reasons why I believe we drafted Wolfe. It was known last year that teams would try to avoid Hester, and we may need to replace a blocker or two w/ return man in the middle levels. When we drafted Wolfe, and again in camp, Wolfe was a player we talked about using in such a way. As I recall, he struggled in the return game though, which is why we used Davis and whoever else as opposed to Wolfe.

 

So while you focus on him as a RB, remember that special teams was a big reason he was drafted as well, and thus far, he has not been able to make strides in that area.

[dasox24]

I really don't see the problem with keeping 4 RBs. You can't cut Wolfe at this point. He does very well when he gets out in space and is hard to bring down one on one b/c of his low center of gravity and shiftiness. It allows him to keep on his feet and gain a few extra yards out of a play. He'll never be a guy that you run straight up the middle b/c a DL or LB with just flat him head on. But, what you do is throw him a screen pass or pitch him the ball, and it gives him an opportunity to make something happen.

[azbearsfan]

Wolfe hasnt shown anything, and it isnt a hatred for him its reality. He doesnt have the tools to be in the NFL. He isnt gonna be our third down back and he isnt gonna return kicks so he is useless to us.

 

 

Guess you didn't see the realityof him turning that dump off pass into a conversion on a 3rd and 20+.

 

 

 

And to the argument that he can't "run inbetween the tackles" none of our rb's did that this year because the line sucked.

 

Gotta create holes to run inbetween the tackles....for any back not named Sanders, Payton, or Sayers.

[DrunkBomber]

Guess you didn't see the realityof him turning that dump off pass into a conversion on a 3rd and 20+.

And to the argument that he can't "run inbetween the tackles" none of our rb's did that this year because the line sucked.

 

Gotta create holes to run inbetween the tackles....for any back not named Sanders, Payton, or Sayers.

When you try to reference one play to prove your point it shows theres a problem. The guy had one good play, and on that play he could have scored but he got caught from behind.

[azbearsfan]

When you try to reference one play to prove your point it shows theres a problem. The guy had one good play, and on that play he could have scored but he got caught from behind.

 

 

13.7 ypc is more than one play buddy, thanks for playing though

 

i'm glad you think your random, false generalizations is much better to prove a point

 

[DrunkBomber]

13.7 ypc is more than one play buddy, thanks for playing though

Youre right. He is an elite back and the future of the Chicago Bears...

 

...he'll be out of the league in a few years though

[Connorbear]

When you try to reference one play to prove your point it shows theres a problem. The guy had one good play, and on that play he could have scored but he got caught from behind.

Wolfe wasn't really part of the offense until the last 4 games of the yr. During that time I believe he had 10 catches for 137 yds with 2 of those catches over 20+ yds. Further, he had 5 special teams tackles and 1 squib kick return for 27 yds.

 

So he did have more than one good play. To me, he has shown enough to keep 4 rbs and carry 1 FB. The backup fullback this yr only saw the field on special teams. Carry a FB on the practice squad.

 

Peace

[azbearsfan]

Youre right. He is an elite back and the future of the Chicago Bears...

 

...he'll be out of the league in a few years though

 

 

lol Never claimed he would be an elite back.....but he is not as bad as the doom and gloom you tried to portray.

 

You said he hadn't "shown anything", which is false.

Let it go, dont get all mad when you get called out on it.

[DrunkBomber]

lol Never claimed he would be an elite back.....but he is not as bad as the doom and gloom you tried to portray.

 

You said he hadn't "shown anything", which is false.

Let it go, dont get all mad when you get called out on it.

Having a few good plays doesnt "prove" anything either. When a team brings in a different back than the one that has been playing all game he is bound to do a little better because the defense is used to stopping a different style. this is also why change of pace backs always seem to have a higher averages than the starters.

 

If JA brings in someone to compete as the starter with Benson and we still AP there is no reason to keep Wolfe. He isnt going to be our third down back, ever, and he isnt going to return kicks. The only reason he even played this year was because we werent playing for anything. He wouldnt touch the field in a game of any significance. He barely got any playing time even after Benson got hurt and he was the only other back on the roster. You honestly think if Benson was healthy and there was a different back here AND AP he is gonna play?

 

We COULD carry four backs but why would we? Its a position that only uses one player at a time. We would be better served carrying an extra offensive lineman or WR. I also never said he was doom and gloom, Im just saying he isnt worth a roster spot.

[nfoligno]

If we keep only 3 RBs, then I agree Wolfe is most likely the odd man out, but I also believe we should keep a 4th RB. Seriously, how much value does the 2nd FB or 3rd TE give you? If we were talking about RBs who didn't produce on special teams (like Anthony Thomas) I could better understand the argument against keeping a 4th RB, but while I am not saying the coaches will do it, I don't see why it would be a bad thing.

 

One. Benson has not been able to avoid injuries in the pros as he did in college.

 

Two. While some want to add Turner, I simply do not see it. Far more likely, IMHO, we will add a RB that can compete w/ Benson, but will also have some question marks himself, whether those be injury or history or whatever. Point is, I think we are likely to go into the year w/ both our #1 and #2 having some question marks. That means RB depth is a greater concern.

 

Three. As said at the start, both AP and Wolfe play special teams. Someone mentioned that Wolfe had maybe 5 or so special teams tackles. Not bad at all. Often teams have special teams specialists. In the past, that was often a LB or DB for us, where we would keep one more than we might otherwise, but why not do the same at RB.

 

I would have absolutely no issue keeping a 4th RB, as opposed to a 2nd FB or 3rd TE. Frankly, you can have one player who fills the role of 3rd string TE and 2nd string FB. W/ that said, I simply am not sure I see us keeping 4 RBs.