John 'Moon' Mullin ponders what the Bears will do with Chester Taylor

Moon's article from last week was linked in the FanShot section by WCG member MidWayMonster54, and we had previously linked to that in the Den as well.  Today, Moon brings the subject up again, and is still pondering whether RB Chester Taylor will still be around next season.

A problem for Taylor, besides a decided lack of impact in the ground game, is that the Bears invested a seventh-round pick last July in the supplemental draft on BYU tailback Harvey Unga, whom they signed for a four-year deal. At 237 pounds Unga was a potential fit as a short-yardage back (Taylor’s best value-added for the Bears) as well as an H-back but was forced onto IR with a hamstring injury in training camp.

Moon think the Bears may wait until training camp to see how this fleshes out, which wouldn't be a bad idea for two reasons:

1- Taylor has already been paid the lump of his contract money, and

2- They may want to wait and see if Unga can bounce back and stay healthy throughout camp.

There were some that argued in defense of Taylor's low production, claiming that it was obvious that the Bears were in run-mode when he checked into the game.  Others argued that Taylor had plenty of chances to make plays, but that he just isn't the type of back that we thought he was.

We wondered before the start of the season if Mike Martz would work Forte and Taylor into the backfield simultaneously this season, but he didn't really add the 2-back package into his playbook, per usual.

My thoughts: If the Bears are looking for a smash-mouth, short-yardage running back, they need to find one that can still push a pile forward, even if the defense is expecting run.  Taylor just doesn't seem like that guy.

Moon concludes with this note:

This would not be the first time, nor the most costly one-and-done for the Bears. They signed veteran cornerback Thomas Smith away from the Buffalo Bills in 2000 for a $22.5 million package in 2000. That was Smith’s one year as a Bear.

He always has a way of reminding us of things, doesn't he?