REBUILD: WHERE TO START (PT 3: RB)
Welcome back! As we continue to make our way through the offseason with a new regime of GM and head coach starting to build their hopeful dynasty, we look into what positions should be focused on; the why's and why not's. I'm going to try to stay neutral and focus on the Bears' history.
PART THREE:Running Backs
If you want to talk about game changers, let's talk about Bears' running backs: Bronco Nagurski, Walter Payton, Gayle Sayers, Matt Forte, and now we have David Montgomery. With running backs, you control the pace of the game. Do you want to kill the clock? Run the ball. Butts on the goal line? Run the ball to gain some distance. Inches from scoring? RUN THE BALL! *cough* Seahawks *cough*. Defense coming too hard, too fast? Running back screen pass. Add in someone who can do it all; catch, juke, spin, stiff arm, and just straight-up run someone over. Now you have something special that every defense has to game plan for. He was known as Sweetness:
Let's also not forget that Poles signed Khari Blasingame, bringing back the fullback position. This shows that he wants to run the ball. The fullback is the way to say we're going to run the ball and we're going to shove it down your throat. Just a little flash of some old-school football tactics. Maybe some Power-I formation. Remember that new offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy, was with the Packers when they were still using John Kuhn. I'm sure there will be some similar playing styles.
But the game has changed even since Sweetness and Forte's days. The Patriots have shown that running by committee works. Teams don't need workhorse backs anymore, now you have a back for receiving, one for power, and one for blocking. Trent Richardson was third overall in the 2012 draft. For the next three years, there were no running backs taken in the first round. This was the start of the decline for a big-name running back. Think back to our Bears' starters since Matt Forte. We had Jeremy Langford; cut him. Replaced him with Jordan Howard; liked him, then traded him to the Eagles. Tarik Cohen was our "human joystick," we let him go this year after dealing with injuries. All of these guys played well, but they were also all replaceable.
Currently, we have Montgomery, Blasingame, Khalil Herbert, and Darrynton Evans on the roster. Poles is sure to add a back or two to the room but through the draft or free agency? And how much/how high do we go? For now, Poles and Eberflus love what they see in Montgomery, but Getsy liked to use both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon in Green Bay. Is Blasingame our new Dillon? We could sign Wayne Gallman or Peyton Barber where they have more experience at a cheaper rate than someone like Leonard Fornette or James Connor. In the draft do you look at a guy like Pierre Strong from South Dakota State to be the "new Cohen"? A guy who can catch and juke to give Montgomery breaks from running north and south each place.
| POLL | ||
13 AVRIL | 121 ANSWERS REBUILD: WHERE TO START (PT 3: RB) In today's game, which Bears' great would be the most successful | ||
| Walter Payton | 71 | 58.7 % |
| Gayle Sayers | 18 | 14.9 % |
| Matt Forte | 22 | 18.2 % |
| Bronko Nagurski | 10 | 8.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
