Analyzing Last Night's RB Performances

by Steven Schweickert on Aug 14, 2011 5:00 PM CDT in Notes

Essentially, Marion Barber is the Bears' second, or third depending on how you view Harvey Unga, attempt to fill the short-yardage goal-line back void in the last two years. And if you watched last night's preseason game, you saw Barber run seven times for 45 yards on second-stringers while Chester Taylor continued the same pattern of "blech" witnessed so often last year.

It gets better. Factor in Harvey Unga's rushing (I still can't get that image of the "pile of bodies" moving towards the end zone out of my head) and Kahlil Bell's excellent garbage-time production, and it becomes even more difficult to rationalize Chester Taylor's continued spot on the roster.

I didn't think last season's Chester Taylor represented the real Chester Taylor. And it's a small sample size so far, but it looks like I might have been wrong on that. Taylor's three carries on three yards was very uninspiring. But everything Taylor was not last night - failure to break tackles, not hitting open holes - Barber was. Matt Bowen pointed out Barber's aggressiveness in hitting holes and finishing runs, not to mention his complete shedding of Aaron Williams. He needs a repeat performance to solidify the number two spot, but in my opinion, he should already be there.

Kahlil Bell's night was also solid - at times, didn't display very solid footing, but when he got open space to run in and holes to hit, he capitalized. He looked especially good receiving from the backfield, better than I expected. It's these kinds of things preseason games are for, not just the numbers. Factor in Bell's special teams contributions (please tell me he won't be returning punts any time soon in real action, however...) and his execution converting fourth and one, and he's a lock.

That brings it to Harvey Unga. If Barber does what Unga is supposed to do, which is run with power and pick up short yardage, Unga might be left out to dry and that could be what saves Taylor if the Bears go with four RBs. But after last night, Unga has to get another chance. He had some rushes where he didn't have much room to work with, but the power is definitely there.

Taylor was signed to be both a complementary piece to Matt Forte and fill the power void, and all through last season and so far this year he hasn't come through. Again, trying not to overreact here, but it looks like he has to be running out of chances.

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CT problem is he is exactly what Forte is

and Forte is better at it than CT and cheaper. Now factor in a few real power backs (do i dare say full back) with Barber and Unga and I don’t see anywhere for CT to hide. Unless they carry him just out of veteran respect his days are numbered, oddly we are too rich in offensive skill players this year, do we keep an unproductive CT and deny Sanzabacher, Kris Adams, or Bell/Unga a roster spot? Go with the youth and see if anyone would offer a Guard in exchange for CT, someone could use him.

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by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Aug 14, 2011 5:17 PM CDT reply actions

exactly

CT problem is he is exactly what Forte is

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by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 15, 2011 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions

...

CT problem is he is ~~exactly~~ worse than what Forte is.

Openly acknowledged. He was signed to be that which he is not (short-yardage/goal-liner).

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by Steven Schweickert on Aug 15, 2011 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I was about to say

If he was exactly what Forte was then I wouldn’t have a problem with that at all… :)

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Aug 15, 2011 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Trade Taylor for a LT. Any one. It’s all we need. The guards aren’t great, but they can get the job done so long as we have a reliable LT. Webb needs to go. Carimi is an elite run-blocker and can stick to the right. I want Forte, Barber, Bell, and Unga. Bell is mostly special teams, but he proved he can get the job done when called to do so. That is a serious run threat to teams, and there aren’t many defenses like ours that can shut out the run, not even the Packers.

by Kurt Werner on Aug 14, 2011 6:37 PM CDT reply actions

Or pull a Bill Bellicheck and grab a few draft picks for CT

Its a perfect scenerio to use CT to secure this teams future. Get a 3rd and a 4th for him and move on. Hoarding draft picks has made the Pats a perennial contender, lets follow their model. Deal this guy and lets move on before it becomes a distraction.
The running game should be tight this season, looking forward to some good old fashion ground and pound, hope the Oline is up for it.

White Sox fans need not apply.

by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Aug 14, 2011 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions

3rd is optimistic

5th by itself is probably the best you can do.

by Th3T1ck on Aug 14, 2011 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions

After his performances, I’d be surprised if anyone gives up a 5th. Thinking he’s worth a 3rd and a 4th is blatant homerism. I mean, would you want Jerry trading those picks to get him?

Nope, I didn’t think so.

Just Dave (on possible new OL signings): JaMarcus Russell. He's been standing in front of better quarterbacks his entire career.

by Spongie on Aug 14, 2011 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Actually I meant to type a 3rd OR a 4th

but hell 3rd and a 4th sounds good, glad I thought of it…….

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by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Aug 14, 2011 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think we will get anything for him

running backs are a dime a dozen in the NFL. Taylor may have been like Forte before he lost a step now it’s kinda sad to see him struggle.

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Aug 14, 2011 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep, doubt they could get anything for him

especially with the recent success of low round or undrafted RB’s like Foster and Blunt last year.

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by ThorCo on Aug 15, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I’d trade him away for those pick in a heartbeat! However, I suspect ed_brown’s assessment is more accurate.

Just Dave (on possible new OL signings): JaMarcus Russell. He's been standing in front of better quarterbacks his entire career.

by Spongie on Aug 15, 2011 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Every preseason

Khalil Bell makes a case to catch on to that 2nd or 3rd RB slot. Just his bad luck that the Bears picked up Barber.

by Big Ike on Aug 14, 2011 7:32 PM CDT reply actions

CT needs to GO

Another factor is CT is about to be 32. Now Forte, Barber. Bell and Unga are all under 30 with Barber as the oldest at 28 and the other 3 in their mid 20’s. its becomes a no brainer that the Bears need to get what they can for CT. I mean what the point of keeping a guy over 30 if he’s not a intergal piece of your game plan.

by Maul 'em Bears on Aug 14, 2011 7:47 PM CDT reply actions

CT is soft

Not the same RB he once was with the Vikes. Marion Barber is a complete upgrade over Chester Taylor.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Aug 14, 2011 8:28 PM CDT reply actions

I'd avoid calling a football player soft, knowing that any of them could punch me right in the face if I said it to them.

That being said, it doesn’t seem like he has much of a clue what the hole looks like and how hard he should hit it.

(Preemptive TWHWS)

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by Steven Schweickert on Aug 14, 2011 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Taylor looked terrible to me until I saw Ray Rice's line.

Something like 7 carries for 5 yds. It is the preseason. We may want to consider cutting him but we may want to give him just a few more opportunities. I was ready to lead the lynching squad on CT until I saw the line on Rice. Ray Rice isn’t bad at all. Maybe CT deserves a few more carries and a less than vanilla offense?

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Aug 14, 2011 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with ya.

Unlike Rice, however, C-T doesn’t have a quality season as a member of his current team to fall back on, and I’m fairly certain last regular season/playoffs weren’t a vanilla offense.

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by Steven Schweickert on Aug 14, 2011 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions

But I'd definitely move him to the 3rd RB behind Barber.

Send the message. See if he can figure it out.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Aug 14, 2011 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

taylor should b gone

Let the youngsters get a chance behind barber cuz he ran like a madman along with unga then bell. If I had to pick 2 to cut it would b bell n Taylor without a.doubt

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by EmmCeee on Aug 14, 2011 10:07 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Unga as a FB?

One of the beat reporters, I don’t remember who, maybe Biggs or Jensen, tweeted in an answer to a fan question about Unga “look for him to end up as a FB”

That would be a convenient answer to the Bell v. Unga v. Taylor v. Barber situation but Martz has no use for a FB, he uses the H-back which is really a TE so then who do you cut from Spaeth, Clark and Davis to make room for Unga as another H-Back?

I suppose last year we had what; Bell, Taylor, Wolfe, and Forte at RB and Clark, Olsen, Davis and Manu at TE, right? So I guess we could keep the 3 TEs, lose CT and keep Unga thus keeping the same number of players for the 2 positions. I could see this end up happening.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost

by Sam Householder on Aug 14, 2011 10:29 PM CDT reply actions

3 TE, 3 HB, 1 FB/H-back.

No different really than last year’s 4 RB/4 TE situation, and you’re doing it with seven players as opposed to the eight. Taylor and Wolfe out, Barber and Unga in.

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by Steven Schweickert on Aug 14, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

which would free up a spot for an extra WR

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Aug 14, 2011 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Indeed.

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by Steven Schweickert on Aug 15, 2011 6:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Like it; carrying 4 TE last year seemed like a luxury at best, given that Dez Clark barely dressed for games.

Just Dave (on possible new OL signings): JaMarcus Russell. He's been standing in front of better quarterbacks his entire career.

by Spongie on Aug 15, 2011 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I really wanted Chester Taylor or work out

I always loathed him the least of the Vikings players, and was excited when we signed him, but he’s done. Let him have one last chance next week, but unless he blows the roof off the place, it’s time to cut him.

In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!" Theodore Roosevelt

by LRT on Aug 14, 2011 11:09 PM CDT reply actions

I really want to see Unga make this team...

I’ve been rooting for him since we used the supplemental pick. Before we added Barber, Unga gave us something we didn’t have: a BIG runner. And he’s still way bigger than Barber.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

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by SackMan on Aug 15, 2011 8:20 AM CDT reply actions

I would like to see

All the young RB’s make the roster. Imagine Forte, Barber, Bell, and Unga all getting carries this season. You would always have a fresh back to grind out the clock in the 4th quarter with the lead.

by Maul 'em Bears on Aug 15, 2011 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions