A Running Back Controversy in Chicago? Already?
by Kev H on Aug 16, 2010 3:01 PM CDT
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Well it hasn't taken long. A hot topic of conversation, both on these boards and afar, is who exactly the starting Running Back for the Chicago Bears should be.
And we've only had one preseason game. Go figure.
At any rate, I thought it'd be a great Monday afternoon discussion, and gauge how the members of our beloved community are feeling after getting the first taste of "real" Chicago Bears football action since January. After the jump, let's look at some quick facts about the performance of the two on Saturday, and make sure to have your voice heard in the poll and the comments.
Let me preface these comments, real quick, by saying that the run blocking was atrocious, and neither of them really stood much chance at all.
Matt Forte - didn't have much going in the run game (4 carries, 7 yards), and was intermittent, at best, in his pass blocking. He had one really good play where he sealed off the blitz and spun him around, creating the pocket for Cutler to step up and do his thing.
Then, a couple plays later, he whiffed hard on a safety blitz, got shook off like a bug, and gave up the sack. He had no receptions out of the backfield.
Chester Taylor - Taylor didn't have any super egregious errors in terms of blocking, but didn't fare much better in terms of running (6 attempts, 10 yards) He did, however, have one reception for fourteen yards.
I really have to stress, both to this community and abroad, that I believe it's Forte's job until he truly loses it. This is a discussion that we'll revisit, most likely, after preseason week 3, and then during the season if necessary.
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While Forte has been....
stale and has not produced very well last year and in the first preseason game. Give him a break..we are 1 game into the PREseason, and Taylor has not done anything spectacular to take the job from him, so it still should be Forte’s job without a doubt in my mind..
by Patriotbball5460 on Aug 16, 2010 3:07 PM CDT reply actions
I'm giving him a break.
If I did what I love for a living, what would I do in my free time?
Writer at windycitygridiron.com {-/-} http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
hahaha
I know, I am just posting in preparation for the “Taylor for 1st string” posters
by Patriotbball5460 on Aug 16, 2010 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I wanna vote for Bell.
That one 70-something run way back when is proof enough for me.
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Stupid babies need the most attention!
Since we're on the subject
Hanie should start for Cutler, Malast should start for Urlacher, and Mayberry should start for Briggs.
Oh… and the Bears should reacquire Brandon Rideau and Mike Haas.
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 16, 2010 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Can't Rashied be the one?
Oh and can we bring back Mark Bradley, Tank Johnson, Cedric “The Entertainer” Benson, and trade Hester for Matt Jones? Oh and when is Plax getting out of the clink?
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 16, 2010 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Too Early for a RB Controversy.
… There was only 8 plays and 4 runs for Forte.
Chester Taylor based on 4 runs in the preseason??
Semper Fi
PREDICTION for 2010-2011 NFL Season: "The England Patriots will finish 8-8 plus or minus 1" ~8/13/10 1230p
Don't think it matters who starts
They’ll get roughly the same amount of carries IMO.
WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!
Agreed.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 16, 2010 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Didn't see the game
But instead of having a controversy on who should be starting runningback, how about we have a post on who should be our starting Left Guard, Right Guard, and Right Tackle…I’m much more interested in that.
I'm actually pretty good with Lance Louis at RG.
He actually looked pretty good in pass protection. The run game as a whole was not that impressive, but I wouldn’t say that the OL is in trouble.
Also, remember that the Chargers were jumping all over the place and the Bears line did pretty good against an “all-out” blitz by Rivera and the Chargers.
Semper Fi
PREDICTION for 2010-2011 NFL Season: "The England Patriots will finish 8-8 plus or minus 1" ~8/13/10 1230p
by ChicagoMarine on Aug 16, 2010 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
RB
While I agree the OL didn’t look good, it’s way too early to talk about a RB controversy, both these guys should play about equal time anyway.
My vote was for CT.
I really think they will get about the same amount of carries God willing neiter one of them gets injjured. I am by no means anti-Forte. I just think he has a whole lot to prove to everyone this year including myself. Bottom line to me is…i just want to see production out of whoever is carrying the ball and nothing would make me happier than to see a nice one two punch between CT and Forte.
Walter Payton lives on!!!
Now lets hope our OL can sack up...
and become somewhat of a successful unit!!
Walter Payton lives on!!!
Heard lots of rumors....
that they wanted to name the starters for the OL after that game so they could work together and ‘Gel’. Anyone heard any announcement?
Forte will start.
No controversy.
I’m all about supporting sponsored links.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
As i have stated before
Forte is the starter. Taylor is the backup. There’s a reason why Taylor has been a career backup. It’s because he excells in that role.
All in all thought, they are, for the most part, the same running back.
Quick guys with great hands. Taylor seems to be quicker to hit the hole, and Forte seems to be the better pass catcher, but they are so simliar in their styles that either could be the starter and the offense wouldn’t suffer.
I forsee them getting pretty close to the same amount of touches this year .
by suckmyditka on Aug 16, 2010 4:30 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Thread buttoner.
Stop making sense. Can’t you see they’re trying to have a controversy here?
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
all good points, except....
that Taylor wasn’t a backup because he excelled at it, he was a backup because pretty much every back in the league would have been a backup to Jamaal Lewis in the mid-’00s and to Adrian Peterson since he was drafted. In Taylors one season as a starter he was, well……Matt Forte.
I think every other point you made is spot on but I think you left one important point out.
Forte is 24. Taylor is 30. They are effectively the same back, and have performed about equally as starters. So in terms of starting, isn’t it smarter to go with the guy who is on the upside of his career and his development path rather than the guy who has already crested the hill?
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Aug 16, 2010 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
BTW, rec'd...
And for the record, I think Forte will edge Taylor in carries (or vice versa if Taylor starts) by at least 100 carries.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Aug 16, 2010 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions
lol since when is 100+ more carries carries edging? More like landsliding.
Just messing with you, i think it won’t be as much, maybe 40-60 barring any injuries on either side.
by Chitownproduct on Aug 16, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
lol, yeah...
probably could have worded that better :)
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Aug 17, 2010 6:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I voted Taylor and it has nothing to do with Saturday's game
Taylor’s averaged 4.3 yards/carry throughout his career. Forte’s averaged 3.8. I think you have to give Taylor the benefit of the doubt since he’s simply been better throughout his career
Pat Riley is the devil.
I'll give Taylor his due if he can = or surpass that average behind our line.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 16, 2010 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
The past is important, but so is the present. Both men are running behind the same line. If Taylor can provide more ypc or yards after contact then he can have the job, as far as I’m concerned. But if he plays equal to Forte, then given Forte the job on the basis that Forte is still at a point in his career that he can improve and develop. Taylor is already developed.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Aug 16, 2010 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions
There was a gentleman named Jonathan Ogden
that may have had a bit to do with that.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
WAAAAAAY too early
especailly when both backs did little to nothing running the balll
To me Bell had the most burst does that mean he should start?
i am going to see how the next few games go before i make a case
-Forte+Taylor
I like Forte but he falls with shoe string tackles and cant shake anyone in the open field,unless he shows that he can break a tackle Taylor needs to be #1
Forte and Tayor are not the problem...
the O-line played like crap, plain and simple. They were manhandled and tossed about regularly by a team that had a statement to make. Let’s hope next week’s effort is a bit more focused.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
I think it's some of both....
but I place more of the issues on the line. Seeing a tackle evaded or broken once in a while would be nice, though.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Aug 16, 2010 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I gotta go with bad O-line .....
….. run blocking more than the two backs . And for the record I went with Forte .
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Aug 16, 2010 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I LOVE FORTE!
I’m sure no one is surprised… :P
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com
Flavor Flav's baby?
WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!
by Acreman20 on Aug 17, 2010 1:09 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
And that's a wreck.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 17, 2010 5:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I second that!
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Aug 17, 2010 6:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Ew..
I don’t like monkeys… I think they’re kinda creepy… and not that cute… lol.
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com
by Ashley Czuba on Aug 17, 2010 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes...
but can’t at the moment. :[ Lol.
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com
by Ashley Czuba on Aug 17, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh c'mon.
They’re cute and fuzzy and cuddly and will enrich your life and you can name it Ditka (I personally like “Flea-Flicker”).
Plus you can start up your own cat-sh!t factory like me.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
Haha.
It’s not whether I want one.. it’s the fact that I have no place to keep it unless it stays in the barn… but will have to make friends with the raccoons. lol
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com
by Ashley Czuba on Aug 19, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
How can you not like monkey's, this one has an IPOD, how cool is that?
This one is a black belt.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 17, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah,
which makes them even creepier! The first one looks like he’s going to rip the photographer’s head off. Lol
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com
by Ashley Czuba on Aug 17, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe GG should get his good side next time.
It’s not his fault he’s working with amatuers. And another thing they may look creepy to you but they might actually be useful, link pops like Favre’s Ankle.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 17, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Beautiful. Thanks.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
You're welcome and well done yourself.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 17, 2010 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Okay,
that one is kinda cute. The puppy is so adorable he makes up for the creepy monkey. Lol
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com
by Ashley Czuba on Aug 19, 2010 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Ridiculous
why are we even discussing running backs
does it even matter which running back starts
by 62bearsthe best on Aug 17, 2010 6:29 AM CDT reply actions
why are we even discussing running backs
because we’re a Bears website… and that’s what we do.
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Stupid babies need the most attention!
by David Taylor on Aug 17, 2010 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions
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