It's all about perspective: Emerging stars, big changes, and key decisions

by Dane Noble on Dec 16, 2009 4:23 PM CST in News Comment 11 comments

As is all the buzz in the media this week, Devin Aromashodu made the most of his playing time this past Sunday against the Packers, but we need to be careful with our evaluations and opinions of him right now. He did look good, but should we be proclaiming him the Next Big Thing in Chicago?

Let's take a moment to go back in time a few years, November 2004 specifically, and take a look at the Dallas Cowboys. Their first 9 games saw a troublesome rushing attack, with guys like Eddie George, ReShard Lee, and Richie Anderson struggling to rack up any yards or TDs for the Cowboys. Then, enter Julius Jones.

In his NFL debut against the Ravens, he rushed for 81 yards, the second highest rushing effort on the year for the Cowboys. The next week, against Chicago, he exploded for 150 yards and 2 TDs, then followed that performance up against Seattle with 198 yards and 3 TDs.

Thus, a legend was born... at least to the media and the local fans. Jones finished 2004 with 819 yards and 7 TDs, all in 8 games. I remember thinking how, after his first 3 or 4 games, folks were ready to put him into the Hall of Fame. Based on a few games.

But, we all know how this story would take a turn. Jones only rushed for more than 1,000 yards once in any season after that, and his TD total went from 7 his debut season, to 5 the next year... and has never had more than 2 in a season since. Not exactly HOF worthy numbers.

So, my point in all of this, let us not (fans or media) lose perspective on Devin Aromashodu. Let's not decide that he will suddenly be The Guy, that he is the true WR that Cutler has been needing, that Hester, Knox, or Bennett should be knocked down a peg to make room for a guy who has spent nearly his entire NFL career on the Practice Squad.

How about we just wait and see.

On to other news, I've found a couple of articles from 'round the web...

First, #23 talks about all the changes that are coming for the Bears, both in the player ranks and "other areas".

And next, a very good article from Mike Mulligan on who really makes the big decisions for the Bears.

Have fun!

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Comments

exactly how i feel about Khalil Bell

by No It All on Dec 16, 2009 4:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well if we got the WRs that Jay wanted from the start

Our line up would probably be DA, BR, Johny Blaze, and Bennett. With hester just returning punts. Am I one of the few who likes Bennett. He seems to get no love around here. I can’t wait for a new OC next year. Unless they hire another college bust. I think I just want this season to end so we can see what is going to happen.

by Daseabeez on Dec 16, 2009 5:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if we did the same

With Matt Forte last year? I don’t think we did, he’ll get back to how he was, soon, I hope.

by GallopingGhost on Dec 16, 2009 6:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't understand

how anyone ever thought that about Forte. He was good last year, very good, but if memory serves he only had 3 100+ yard games.

Never die easy. Why run out of bounds and die easy? Make that Linebacker pay. It carries into all facets of your life. It's okay to lose, to die, but don't die without trying, without giving it your best.- Walter Payton

by Cosmis on Dec 16, 2009 11:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kind of agree here

Forte had 1200 yards but had like a billion attempts and had less than 4 yards per carry

by frenchbears113 on Dec 17, 2009 12:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably because most of us didn't look at him

through fantasy football glasses. The amount of 100 games didn’t matter. What mattered was that, as a rookie, he put the offense on his back and took care of the football. Having a rookie as reliable as he was, with the duel threat that he provided, was huge for our team.

You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.

by Dane Noble on Dec 17, 2009 8:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

as a rookie, he put the offense on his back

That can’t be understated. What would last season have been like if he’d been injured early on or turned out to be a bust? I dread to think.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Dec 17, 2009 12:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say..

..when we have a coaching staff that can evaluate talent accurately, then we will never know.
These questions should have been settled in training camp to a great extent.

"I am not an animal!" - Merrick

by Maelvampyre on Dec 16, 2009 8:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

correction

Meaning until we have a coaching staff that can evaluate talent…
Pardon the screw up.

"I am not an animal!" - Merrick

by Maelvampyre on Dec 16, 2009 8:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

Evaluating talent and getting some more is the job of the GM.
Coaches job is to take what talent is there and develop it as best they can.

by Dirt Road on Dec 16, 2009 11:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Who decides which players get playing time, though?

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Dec 17, 2009 12:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs