Night Link: Michael Gaines Could Be An Option At Fullback

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 8:24 PM CDT Comment 37 comments

Since the signing of Michael Gaines we have wondered where that leaves Kellen Davis, our 2008 fifth-round draft pick. With Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen being primarily pass catchers the third TE needs to be a great blocker. This is what is supposed to be Kellen Davis' strong point. Maybe he hasn't shown much or maybe Michael Gaines is about to catch a case of DMS.

Gaines does have some experience as a fullback. With Detroit he also caught 23 passes. Could the Bears plan on keeping Davis as the #3 TE and moving Gaines to FB?

What would that mean for our beloved Fullback Dive? Would that actually work and we have to stop using it? Oh, the crisis.

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I know that the Bears can't totally please me this year

So I’m fairly positive McKie will stay on our roster, even though he’s worse than useless. Having him on the roster is as brilliant as a screen door on a submarine.

Regardless, I hope Gaines gets good looks at both the TE and FB spots.

I'M A MAN! I'M 23!

by ChiFan13 on May 12, 2009 8:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

if our offensive line wasn't a screen door on a submarine

maybe the fullback dive works last year.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 12, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree totally about McKie

but couldn’t we pick up someone who actually was a fullback? I don’t know much about Gaines and hope he works out well but it seems like there would be a regular fullback available somewhere. I just don’t think experimenting with players at the highest level of competition is the smartest thing to do. As you said though, the Bears have made me pretty happy with their off-season moves as a whole, so let’s see what he can do. Let’s say goodbye to McKie, and to show I’m not a cold-hearted jerk, let’s send Rahied with him so he’s not lonely.

by BearFan611 on May 12, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't see how they don't have enough options now.

W/ Gaines in the fold, who’s probably better but at least more versatile, and a younger, cheaper Ta’ufo’oa, they shouldn’t need him. Maybe they won’t be quiiiiite as good (which would assume pretty damn hard growing pains to be worse than McKie), but theme of my 2009 season is: “If it’s cheaper and has more potential, that’s the way to go this year.”

People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. --Bruce Bartlett

by tyger1147 on May 13, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since Forte carried the load,

it would have been nice to see a bigger full-back create a push behind our smaller line for him to run it in instead of that horrible play. I am sorry, but I hate that play and if I never see it again I will be one happy Bear fan. Love the screen door comment and I feel that Haines will serve that purpose behind a stronger OL.

Hear about the blind hooker, you gotta hand it to her.

by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on May 13, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i could see McKie leaving

either getting cut or traded. i doubt they’ll use a FB much and it makes sense to put Gaines in when they want one, lets them keep the other TEs. i think Gaines will be much more productive as a blocker and STer than McKie and McKie becomes very expendable.

by bufordht on May 12, 2009 9:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

with all the McKie hate going on in this place...

i feel it should be brought up that just two years ago, we all loved the guy when he destroyed that Rams DB and sent him cartwheeling sans helmet. The guy can still perform. Someone had to block for Forte.

"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka

by EricEmpire on May 12, 2009 9:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Block, yes

The man can’t run though. And if Ron is going to be stupid enough to keep running that play, at least get someone who can be successful at it.

I'M A MAN! I'M 23!

by ChiFan13 on May 13, 2009 4:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're citing one example from two years ago?

Given enough chances, I could make a block an NFL DB, too. Big whoop.

People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. --Bruce Bartlett

by tyger1147 on May 13, 2009 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're missing the point

I’m saying that just 2 years ago, everyone loved the guy. The fullback dive didnt work last year, and people blame him instead of the line, or the situational playcalling, or the fact that they were goalline or 4th down stands where the defense KNEW the run was coming and we sent a fullback up the middle.

He’s a running fullback and has proved he can bruise. I love chicago fans, but they flip flop from love to hate quicker than a christian mom who finds out her son is gay. Let him do one good thing this year, and the headline on this site will read “McKie AWESOME.” Angelo pulls off one great trade and we forgive him for plenty of years of terrible drafting. Lance Briggs holds out and we hate him, signs a long term deal and he’s the best player on the team. This guy was available for cheap for a reason.

"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka

by EricEmpire on May 13, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The real power running game?

Keep Gaines, and dump McKie. I can guarantee the Bears short yardage will be better with him at FB.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on May 12, 2009 9:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

So many instant experts on the “game” that the here to fore unknown TE Gaines brings :)

by pete banachi on May 12, 2009 9:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sure give him a try

Whats the worst that happens? It works?

by GallopingGhost on May 12, 2009 10:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Unless the know something we don't

I have real hard time with thinking that the Bears would dump a 5th round pick after just one year. Especially after how he performed in the preseason last year. When they drafted him, I think I read that he wasn’t a great blocker but that they hoped to turn him into one. I say if Kellen is as good a catching TE as he showed last preseason, we’d be insane to let another team grab him. Especially since Clark is likely doing to get less effective over the next couple of years. I would think we’d keep him around until Clark’s contract was up in 2010 anyway.

by lindemrm on May 12, 2009 10:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

and in the title, I of course mean "they know", not 'the know' typing's not my forte.

by lindemrm on May 12, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

clark....

doesnt have too much longer so let him train his replacement

Bring back our honey bears...sick and tired of hearing about the dallas cowboy cheerleaders and the bars they go work at when they quit. cold weather + cheerleaders in skimpy outfits = lots of fun

by tomh115 on May 12, 2009 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Gaines

Should be the fullback. McKie = empty roster space

by Bearsguy34 on May 12, 2009 11:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

Its real easy to make that assessment because they’ve mentioned him switching the the backfield, right? Do we have any tape on Gaines running the FB position? We signed him to be the new John Gilmore, that’s it. People are over reacting.

"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka

by EricEmpire on May 13, 2009 7:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As mentioned he played some FB with Detroit

so there is some tape.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on May 13, 2009 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it says

“[He] does have some experience playing fullback. He also caught 23 passes with Detroit” Says nothing about how often or to what extent. Everyone is jumping the gun on this a little bit, I think.

"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka

by EricEmpire on May 13, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too early to speculate.

Thank you EE. Alright everybody, relax. We’ll see in camp! :)

by pete banachi on May 13, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we keep Gaines and Ta'ufo'ou as fullbacks

and dump McKie and Jason Davis. That way we get to keep Kellen Davis too because he definitely has some skills catching the football, especially with a legitimate threat at QB.

"One time I went to a social gathering, I brought a bottle of Tanqueray and a shotgun and showed those motherf&#@ers the best time they ever had!"- Kenny Powers (Eastbound and Down)

"Why give 100% when 35 can still get you paid and laid."- Kenny Powers

by gridiron_assassin on May 12, 2009 11:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

Willy T (yes, I’m nicknaming again) is a pretty good player…if we don’t sign him relatively soon, he’ll sign with someone else.

Then again, maybe he had a really poor showing with the Bears and Lovie doesn’t want him.

I'M A MAN! I'M 23!

by ChiFan13 on May 13, 2009 4:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't heard anything about Ta'ufuo either

I really hope he makes the roster, we need fresh FB blood.

Gaines, i don’t see why he can’t be a FB/TE hybrid. He has experience with both and his shear size is pretty intimidating as a FB. Imagine the holes he could open up for Forte. No matter what happens tho i just think Ron T and Lovie just have a man crush on Mckie, i don’t see him going anywhere.

by Chitownproduct on May 13, 2009 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I think that is a great idea.

Each for their own purpose. Ta’ufo’ou to be another option to run or catch and Gaines to block and sure up the short yardage.

Hear about the blind hooker, you gotta hand it to her.

by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on May 13, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kellen Davis is promising as well, I would like to see us give him a chance.

Mckie and Jason Davis should be shown the door.

Hear about the blind hooker, you gotta hand it to her.

by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on May 13, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not a big stat guy but

I checked decided to waste some time at work and for once in my life provide a somewhat informative comment. So you can look for yourself I’ll provide the links, for McKie and for Gaines.

I like the concept of Gaines as a Fullback given that he is said to be a good blocker. Looking at Mckie’s rushing stats they just don’t jump off the page at you. FB’s aren’t normally big rushing stat guys anyway; but Gaines has not rushing attempts ever so McKie would win that category hands down. However Gaines would probably win the reception category. So I guess it all comes down to who is the better overall Football Player. If Gaines is better overall we should see more production out of the FB position if that is indeed where the Bears plan to utilize him.

I also thought maybe ST would be a factor but it looks like both players only logged 1 tackle last year, so to me that mean neither one of them are ST guys. I’m sure we have plenty of players who are better suited for ST and it doesn’t mean they weren’t utilized on returns and what not.

I guess my question is this, is it better to have a FB that can only be a mediocre FB, or a TE who can be a decent TE and an decent FB? I for one would actually one time in my life like to see the FB dive work.

Because as far as we're concerned, there is still no team in the history of the NFL that could beat the '85 Bears.

by Ditkavsworld on May 13, 2009 10:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't understand?

For a team that “… gets off the bus running” …
The Fullback Dive should be a bread & butter play. It should be money in the bank.
Good coaching would find the players to make it work!
Good coaching would teach the mechanics to make it work!
Can we make it work, coaches?
(was that a gauntlet that just hit the deck?)
Go Bears!

by pete banachi on May 13, 2009 12:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

FB dive

Usually only works with a spread formation, alla the draw/delay, but a FB has no business running the ball in the NFL.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on May 13, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why shouldn't the FB run the ball?

I get why he shouldn’t run it everytime but if he doesn’t run the ball what’s the point of having a full back? If you just want someone to block why not throw a 2nd or 3rd TE back there and let him do the blocking, at least then you’ll have another option for the player. Enter Gaines and his ability as a pass catcher.

Because as far as we're concerned, there is still no team in the history of the NFL that could beat the '85 Bears.

by Ditkavsworld on May 13, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK! OK! OK!

We are going off on tangents and getting tangled up in semantics.
1.) We need to be able to run in short yardage situations!
2.) We need to have coaches that can teach/coach this!
3.) To get #1 we need to realize #2.
Simple, Yes :)

by pete banachi on May 13, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Onboard with everything you're saying, but...

McKie, for being such a big guy, just never seems to extend a play. Whether it’s a dive or flat pass, he gets tackled too easily and doesn’t move the pile. I know, the line has to do a better job of making a hole, but when your fullback is in that hole, he has to drive the first and even the second defender back a few steps. I hate to think of how many times, he seems to just hit a wall and how many times he’s been in the flat with one guy to run over for the first down and he comes up short. He is not a tough runner, in my opinion. I also disagree with the earlier comment about the FB not being allowed to run in the NFL. I think that any team that goes back to a better running FB will start a whole “new” trend of the defense not being able to key on one guy. It will never be equal carries, but I never could understand why the pros got away from the “Matt Suhey” and “Roland Harper” type of players who could block and also present a running option in the middle of the field and not just at the goal line.

by BearFan611 on May 13, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Brad Muster

I loved his 1-2 with Neal Anderson. Guy was a good receiving option too, so LBs couldn’t just key on Anderson coming out of the backfield on passing downs.

by Spongie on May 13, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Mike Alstott

Use to love watching him meet Urlacher in the middle. Clash of the Titans stuff, that.

"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka

by EricEmpire on May 13, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True, to play smashmouth football you need to be able to smash it in someone’s mouth. We haven’t been doing that.

by Spongie on May 13, 2009 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great addition

Alstott was probably the last really good “running” fullback in the league. Kleinsasser with the Vikings did it a little (usually against us) but they never stuck with that philosophy.

by BearFan611 on May 13, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

McKie

doesn’t have the skill to make a play, or let alone 1 yard. That’s why I think the Bears should go to a single back set, with Gaines going in motion or set on the line with Forte or Jones running the ball. There’s no secret the Bears were going to run the ball most of the time last year, thus no surprise.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on May 13, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs