Cut or Trade Immediately

by #23 on Jan 7, 2008 10:23 AM CST

Personally, I think we have learned all we need to know about a few of our players.

Benson is a very expensive backup running back. Trade him immediately and save his salary to put toward someone else. I would love to see us go hard after Michael Turner. I do realize that it won't be easy to trade him, but we need to do whatever it takes. Give some dough up to to get rid of him and get a 3rd round pick or something.

Moose served his purpose, but is now old, slow and only catches the ball when life is good. Anyone remember the Orton season. The guy couldn't catch a cold. There were signs of that this year too. He played well last year and was a mentor this year. We don't need him anymore. He commands too high of a salary and only plays well when the offense is good. Cut or trade. I don't know how the penalties toward the cap work on a cut, but he is taking time away from Bradley, Davis, and Hester who all are fast and could actually break off a big play.

Fred Miller has to go. Someone has to take the fall for this line and Fred you are the man. I remember watching the Giant game and seeing 4 straight plays a guy running right you and not even being touched. Hello you block for a living. I don't know if he is hurt, but I think the writing is on the wall and his career is over. Oh and the penalties this guy racked up. Get rid of this guy, way too much salary.

Adam Archaletta was a huge mistake. The guy can't cover a pass. He hits pretty well when in position, but how many times was he out of position. Then he missed so many big tackles. That was suppose to be a strength of his. This was the worst move we have made in the last 3 years. Wasted money. It even ended up costing Chris Harris. Bye, bye, Adam. Good luck at your next stop.

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benson?

Benson is a very expensive backup running back.

Perhaps... but right now he isn't a backup running back.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Jan 7, 2008 11:17 AM CST reply actions

Benson is going nowhere

Teams don't give up on top 5 picks this quick.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jan 7, 2008 11:39 AM CST reply actions

Give up on Benson, please!

Yes Benson is currently a starter, but he really plays like a backup. I think on most teams in the league he would be a backup and should be viewed as a backup that is being forced to start out of need.

Teams maybe don't normally give up on top 5 picks that quickly but the writing is on the wall. We need to make a move with him before he's worthless. How much is Mike Williams worth these days?

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 7, 2008 11:50 AM CST reply actions

There is a difference

Mike WIlliams was a huge bust and a terrible, useless football player. The same cannot be said for Benson. You can say that is was not worth a #4 pick but he still can play the game.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jan 7, 2008 11:55 AM CST up reply actions

Gotta do better than that Benson.

You are correct he can play and honestly, with a better line he would have done better, but he is pretty expensive. If we can save money on him and try again through the draft, I would prefer that option. I think there are a lot of backs could have done what he did. I know that there are a lot of backs who are getting his salary, who are doing better than he is doing.

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 7, 2008 12:31 PM CST up reply actions

ok

I agree with most everything you just said. But my original point is that nfl teams don't like to give up that easily on high first round picks. Any first round pick as a matter of fact. They gave Michael Haynes 3 years and he was total garbage.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jan 7, 2008 12:43 PM CST up reply actions

also, RBs don't suddenly forget how to run

benson was a stud in college, was a great complement last year, and only dropped substantially this year. getting hit in behind the line of scrimmage on a large share of his carries explains a lot. not saying i was satisfied with his play, but i want to see him play behind a good OL. i think he could still be a very good RB. get him a decent line...if he doesn't do well, then yeah, he's a bust. i suspect he's not, though.

by guy incognito on Jan 8, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe Benson Did Forget...

Did anyone other than me notice that the games that Benson finally started playing well in he ran differently than he did previously in the year. He was very decisive quickly and was much more passionate in his effort. Although blocking was slightly better down the stretch, I think he played with a different attitude.

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 8, 2008 10:01 PM CST up reply actions

benson

may also be dealing with some issues associated with being oft injured. benson was never injured all throughout college and since he has been in the nfl he has had a few pretty painful injuries. he may be hesitant to hit holes the way he used to out of fear of getting hurt again. it happens, wether or not thats what is going on in this particular case, i couldn't tell.

by lopey986 on Jan 9, 2008 2:57 AM CST up reply actions

yes - and i bet it was line-related

when you get hit in the backfield as often as benson did, you may start dancing around a little more instead of being a power runner in order to try to get more yards. problem is, benson doesn't dance...he's a north-south runner. look at last year. the line blocked well for him and look at his running style - entirely in line with the way he's run his whole life, which is hit the hole hard. get benson a decent line, and i suspect you'll get a pretty good RB.

by guy incognito on Jan 9, 2008 7:48 AM CST up reply actions

i think

benson will pick up what the oline gives him, nothing more. he'll break off a nice 12 yard run if he has a nice hole, maybe extend it to 20 something if the safety makes a poor tackle attempt. but i don't see him reversing field or juking his way to big runs. combine that with his blocking ability and you've got one hell of a back.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Jan 9, 2008 7:52 AM CST up reply actions

blocking ability?

benson isn't a very good blocker, which was one of the main reasons he could never bump TJ down the depth chart. but the coaching staff continues to just say benson isn't a great blocker or pass catcher...maybe they should teach the guy these things instead of just acknowledging that he isn't very good at them and putting in peterson to fill those roles.

by lopey986 on Jan 9, 2008 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

it was sarcasm

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Jan 9, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks

I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw the difference in Benson. I agree that Benson did look better last year with protection. I'm also not sure that he is a playmaker, but is a playtaker. If it is there, he'll take it, but he does little to create it. It kind of puts Benson in the Grossman class. We really don't know what we have because of inconsistency.

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 9, 2008 10:08 AM CST up reply actions

Dump Benson?

Everyone seems to love Peterson and think that Benson has obviously proved useless but even with the o-line playing better down the stretch Peterson's numbers were only on par with Benson (both avg 3.4yrd/att). I'd like to see what Benson can do full time with a line that can open a hole, he got met in the backfield way too often this year to consider it an honest assessment. Now I think he needs a better compliment who's a legit pass catching/home run threat so I'd like to see them target someone like Steve Slaton in the draft.

As for everyone else on that list I agree. The problem is all of their absurd contracts make it difficult. Maybe Miller will do the Bears a favor and retire and Archaletta has been paid most of his money at this point so he can go to. But I am worried Moose will still be here next year.

They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. *That's* the *Chicago* way!

by 2ndcitydiehard on Jan 7, 2008 12:41 PM CST reply actions

I concur

Give Benson one more shot with an improved line. If he doesn't do well, then he has to go.

GO BEARS!!!!!

by McRipper on Jan 7, 2008 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

As long as this doesn't prevent

us from going after a back. I'd hate to waste another year hoping that Benson is the guy.

by Adam T on Jan 7, 2008 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

From everything Larry Dingus and Angelo...

...have said, Benson won't be the reason they don't go after a RB. If they don't get one, it will be because they don't think the guy is worth it, not because they have Cedric Benson.

And as Chad and I argued yesterday, if McFadden (who is obviously a Top 5 talent) falls to the Bears at 14, they're taking him.

by tyger1147 on Jan 7, 2008 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

no chance

mcfadden falls. i'd like mendenhall however.

by lopey986 on Jan 8, 2008 3:53 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah

but how often do we see a great line make an under achiever look great and how many times has a great back look shitty with a lowsy line? Not to mention, the line will help in the passing game too.

GO BEARS!!!!!

by McRipper on Jan 7, 2008 1:51 PM CST reply actions

Use the stinkin' reply button!!!!

by tyger1147 on Jan 7, 2008 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

When being annoying

Please clarify with quotations "i am being annoying!"

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 7, 2008 10:41 PM CST up reply actions

Good job.

Here's a cookie.

by tyger1147 on Jan 8, 2008 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

MMM, Yummy!

Thanks for the cookie.

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 8, 2008 10:02 PM CST up reply actions

Forget RB Early

You need a line first. We can get a RB any year. There are always 2-4 good ones. A line will give us better QB play and better run game for whoever is back there. If some great RB is available 3-5 rounds go for it. But PLEASE give us a better line!!!!!!!!!

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 7, 2008 4:18 PM CST reply actions

Use "reply to this"...

...when replying to a message.

by tyger1147 on Jan 7, 2008 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

best available athlete

Now there are times when that does not apply. The Colts will not draft a qb in the first round even if he's the best available. But generally, that is how GMs draft.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jan 7, 2008 6:27 PM CST up reply actions

generally true

though, given our problems, i think we really target an OL or safety in the 1st round. if somebody drops, then sure, take them. otherwise, i suspect we grab the best safety or OL available at 14, unless they grade out as a lower pick, at which point, we trade down to still get our guy and pick up an additional pick.

by guy incognito on Jan 8, 2008 4:04 PM CST up reply actions

Moose

you cant get rid of moose, benson sure but not moose. Moose still has really good hands and even though he's old, he's still a reliable target

by Hester18 on Jan 8, 2008 8:48 PM CST reply actions

HAHAHA!!!

Moose has good hands.

HAHAHAHA!!!!

by tyger1147 on Jan 8, 2008 9:34 PM CST up reply actions

Moose Hands Are Like A Woman

Moose hands need a pep talk to play well. They more emotional than most women I know. Sure they are as sticky as glue when the offense is clicking, but when you need that veteran catch and the offense is struggling, those hands get depressed and don't seem to give much effort.

You play to win the game!

by #23 on Jan 8, 2008 10:04 PM CST up reply actions

Also...

I think if Hester has a prayer of being a premier wide receiver for this team, it's going to be helped dramatically by working with a veteran like Moose. Don't underestimate that.

--d

by itsugly on Jan 11, 2008 5:21 PM CST up reply actions

coaches?

Hmm.... isn't that what coaches are for?

I think that learning from "veterans" is highly overrated in most situations in most sports.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Jan 11, 2008 5:50 PM CST up reply actions

What I'd do

Try to sign Michael Turner in FA and Faneca. The two best offensive FAs around. Resign Briggs and Berrian. If the Bears can't get Turner they still need help at running back the most and i would say they should trade up to get mcfadden (maybe include benson ricky manning plus our number 1 pick). If Henne or Brohm are on the board in the 1st round (i doubt they trade up) I say we go for them, but there is QB depth that will likely be there in the 2nd round as well. The bears have a lot of $ so they can make this happen especially if they unload benson.

offense?

by BearZ on Jan 9, 2008 9:19 AM CST reply actions