Where's the Adrian Peterson love?

[bradjock]

I'm rather astounded there hasn't been more "love" for Adrian Peterson. AP is a complete back. He's a good receiver and he's a good blocker. He's also a "power runner" which is supposed to be ideal for Turner's system. He'd never be a pro-bowler, but he demonstrated that's he's easily the best running back on this team. While some are demanding that Orton should be the #1 QB next season, where's the love for AP?

 

IMO AP should be named the #1 ASAP. The sad truth is, I don't see us bringing in anyone else. I'd love for us to dump Benson (today on the SCORE I heard him say that he wasn't going to do anything different this offseason . . . what a jack-ass.) There's no way we dump Wolfe. AP makes damn near the veteran minimum so it'd be pointless to cut him. So unless Cedric pisses off Tank Johnson (wishful thinking) we're stuck with the same crappy trio. Why not make the best of the 3 your #1?

[nfoligno]

Well, I would rather give Benson another shot, though I would have no issue allowing AP a change (legit chance) to compete.

 

I think Benson is a better runner than AP. Sorry, but I simply do not see what has been impressive about him. I heard all year long how it was all Benson, w/ many saying how much better our run game would be w/ AP. Well, I never saw it. Also, I was VERY unimpressed w/ his blocking. He reads better than Benson, no question, but I saw AP getting killed by blitzes. He either was flat out blown up, or he dove at ankles and was leaped over.

 

The biggest plus w/ AP IMHO was in his receiving, and thus our ability to not be as predictable.

 

Still, I simply do not see the upside w/ AP, while I do still believe there is upside w/ Benson.

[BearSox]

Well, I would rather give Benson another shot, though I would have no issue allowing AP a change (legit chance) to compete.

 

I think Benson is a better runner than AP. Sorry, but I simply do not see what has been impressive about him. I heard all year long how it was all Benson, w/ many saying how much better our run game would be w/ AP. Well, I never saw it. Also, I was VERY unimpressed w/ his blocking. He reads better than Benson, no question, but I saw AP getting killed by blitzes. He either was flat out blown up, or he dove at ankles and was leaped over.

 

The biggest plus w/ AP IMHO was in his receiving, and thus our ability to not be as predictable.

 

Still, I simply do not see the upside w/ AP, while I do still believe there is upside w/ Benson.

I couldn't agree more with you on this one.

[Bears4Ever_34]

Frankly, I really don't think Peterson is starters material. He's a complete back but he isn't great at anything, just good at everything which is fine, but I think Cedric still has things to prove and I think he started to take off a little bit before his injury. I'll give him another shot but I'd still grab Rashard Mendenhall if he's there with the 2nd or 3rd round pick. IMO he is the perfect running back for the Chicago Bears. Strong, fast, elusive, powerful, he's got it all.

[Connorbear]

I'm rather astounded there hasn't been more "love" for Adrian Peterson. AP is a complete back. He's a good receiver and he's a good blocker. He's also a "power runner" which is supposed to be ideal for Turner's system. He'd never be a pro-bowler, but he demonstrated that's he's easily the best running back on this team. While some are demanding that Orton should be the #1 QB next season, where's the love for AP?

 

IMO AP should be named the #1 ASAP. The sad truth is, I don't see us bringing in anyone else. I'd love for us to dump Benson (today on the SCORE I heard him say that he wasn't going to do anything different this offseason . . . what a jack-ass.) There's no way we dump Wolfe. AP makes damn near the veteran minimum so it'd be pointless to cut him. So unless Cedric pisses off Tank Johnson (wishful thinking) we're stuck with the same crappy trio. Why not make the best of the 3 your #1?

 

As much as I love AP, once he got the starting job his production went way, way down. He really looked no different than Cedric. I really believe the Bears will bring in another RB this yr for competition.

 

Peace

[Pixote]

I like AP as a #2 RB but not as a #1. I, like many, have questions about CB (I doubt his mental approach to the game than his abilities. I think he could be the RB he was in Texas if his attitude was the same as it was then).

 

We need to bring in someone. Draft a RB, pick up a J Jones, Turner, or ??? I do not care how we do it but bring in a legitimate contender for our #1.

[Felix]

Peterson is a good backup, but if he's being looked at as a starter, then this team isn't doing its best to compete for the division. He just doesn't have the talent for a #1 back, but is a valuable backup and special teamer.

[Da Bears 88]

He's a 3rd string RB and nothing more.

[Iguana]

AP is an average back and a solid backup. nothing more, IMO.

[ParkerBear7]

Right now there is nothing special about the Bears Running Back as a group while each have some strongs suits what makes an opponent's Def Coord loose sleep at night schemeing to stop the Bears running attack.

 

Right now I love AP as a #2 / ST, Wolfe does a great job in space when there is any!

 

What I am mostly disspaointed in:

 

- Benson's attitude and lack of vision, cutback ability & assertiveness at times (it is very frustrating to see a RB just run into the back of his on OL and basically tackle himself and falldown series after series

- The OL poor protection & lack of push up front, the Center / QB Exchange, oh and the consecutive false starts at Home is just stupid and unexcusable!

- Wr's drops, missed blocks and poor routes at times

- QB's; the dumb turnovers (Mental Mistakes) like running backwards 15 yards for a sack instead of stepping up in the pocket, throwning the ball away or just taking a sack without a fumble or costing excess feild position.

- Play calling and overall lack of imagination, execution. Just how much more pitiful would this group's production have been without the points put on the board by Hester?

- Coaching: lack of adjustments both DEF & OFF, lack of finding ways to get our playmakers invovled (esp. Olsen & Hester, Wolfe and even putting Orton in soon when it was clear Greise was not the answer); using timeouts or motivating this team to have a killer instict and putting teams away when we have a lead!

 

 

OFF Season Plan:

 

1. Get Healthy - mainly on DL

2. Revamp Offensive Unit:

a. OLine ( FA & Draft)

b. Get another RB ( FA- Turner, Draft) to compete for the #1 (Shanahan always brings in competition every yr regardless of who his starter is and it is to bad the Bears did not bring in FA Selmon Young in for T - Camp)

c. WR's Help ( FA- BB, another Vet, Draft)

3. QB ( FA- RG, Trade for another Vet, Draft)

4. Saftey Depth

5. Add a Offensive Specialist Coach i.e. B. Bilick or someone else, Get rid of the old play book; the one that John Shoope left here during his failed internship with the Bears a few yrs ago

6. Get rid of some of the dead weight (salary cap / poor production) - Arch, Miller, Greise, Moose? et al

 

Positives:

 

I do like the future and potential of players like: J. Williams, Dusty, McBride, Payne, Toeina, who should all help keep the Deffense unit strong which will hopefully allow the brain trust to add offensive weapons! Orton showed us that he can be counted on to replace Griese as a quality #2 and possible challenge for a number 1 in 'O8

[bradjock]

Well, I would rather give Benson another shot, though I would have no issue allowing AP a change (legit chance) to compete.

 

I think Benson is a better runner than AP. Sorry, but I simply do not see what has been impressive about him. I heard all year long how it was all Benson, w/ many saying how much better our run game would be w/ AP. Well, I never saw it. Also, I was VERY unimpressed w/ his blocking. He reads better than Benson, no question, but I saw AP getting killed by blitzes. He either was flat out blown up, or he dove at ankles and was leaped over.

 

The biggest plus w/ AP IMHO was in his receiving, and thus our ability to not be as predictable.

 

Still, I simply do not see the upside w/ AP, while I do still believe there is upside w/ Benson.

 

My saying that AP is better then CB I'd compare with saying McGowan is better then Arch. Neither one is great, but you go with the lesser of two evils. As for AP's blocking, what do you expect from a 5-10 running back? He's not as good as Thomas Jones but at least he gets himself into position.

 

I hope your correct that there is more upside with Benson. Either way, for whatever reason CB appeared to be better when he was the #2. We simply cannot continue with CB as our #1 when this coaching staff does not trust him. Do you think there's any chance in hell we'd consider letting CB throw a pass?

 

Adrian Peterson is not a great running-back, but he's the best one on this team. I'd love to see us bring in someone else, but then what the hell do we do with Garrett Wolfe?

[DrunkBomber]

if we go into next season with the same three backs we arent gonna have a running game again. As far as Wolfe, he isnt even in the ball park of an NFL player and wont be in the league or long.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

if we go into next season with the same three backs we arent gonna have a running game again. As far as Wolfe, he isnt even in the ball park of an NFL player and wont be in the league or long.

Wolfe showed some nice moves in open space on screen passes but it was still a horrendous pick because the Bears used a 3rd round pick on a RB who will never be anything more than a 3rd down back. The problem is the team already had the ultimate 3rd down back on the roster (Apete). The Bears would be best off keeping Peterson/Benson and a new back (hopefully via FA) but considering when they drafted Wolfe they will definitely hold onto him.

[nfoligno]

"My saying that AP is better then CB I'd compare with saying McGowan is better then Arch. Neither one is great, but you go with the lesser of two evils. "

 

Not to nit-pick, as I know it was just an analogy, but I don't care for the analogy. I think McGowan has potential as a starter. I do not feel that way about AP. Also, Arch has truly proven to be the bad player he is. I do not believe the same can be said of Benson, who looked good prior to this year.

 

Anyway, I know the main point was "two evils", but I disagree there too as I do not see Benson as a known evil. A potential one, yes, but known? I have not gone there yet.

 

"As for AP's blocking, what do you expect from a 5-10 running back? He's not as good as Thomas Jones but at least he gets himself into position."

 

I don't care what size he is. He is a RB in the NFL, which means he should be able to block. He is only 1 inch and 10 lbs lighter than Benson, and heavier than many other RBs I have seen put solid blocks on blitzers. He gets into position, but that is not enough. Far too often I saw him get into position, but then not so much as slow down the pass rusher. That is unexceptible.

 

I hope your correct that there is more upside with Benson. Either way, for whatever reason CB appeared to be better when he was the #2. We simply cannot continue with CB as our #1 when this coaching staff does not trust him. Do you think there's any chance in hell we'd consider letting CB throw a pass?

 

I have to question just a bit why some have not cut him a bit of slack after the injury. So many talked about how AP would do so well, but after Benson went down, it only continued to prove how poor our OL is. Even the best RBs struggle w/o blocking. I would point to Sean Alexander as an example. He has not looked nearly the same since losing Hutch. The simple truth is, few RBs look good behind poor OLs, and ours is most definitely poor.

 

People have also ripped Turner to shreds. Anytime Benson seemed to be getting into a nice rhythm and breaking off some nice runs, he would be benched, because "that was how we wrote up the plays during the week".

 

You say Benson was better as a #2. I would argue that it is very possible Benson stunk this year, at least in part, because of our OL and playcalling. It is VERY possible Benson is simply a total bust. But it is also VERY possible he can be a damn good RB if we put together an OL that can actually run block.

 

"Adrian Peterson is not a great running-back, but he's the best one on this team. I'd love to see us bring in someone else, but then what the hell do we do with Garrett Wolfe?"

 

I believe Benson is the better runner. I think AP is well ahead of Benson when it comes to smarts, but a part of that is experience. Given time, I believe Benson can be a good blocker. He was not always where he should be, but when he did engage, he flat out stood up the blitzer. Being where you are supposed to be takes experience, and that is something difficult to come by when we bench him on any passing down. His receiving leaves much to be desired, but there are quite a few RBs in the league who teams are very happy w/ that do not catch the ball great.

 

As far as Wolfe, while this is not a popular idea, I would not be opposed to cutting him. Frankly, I never saw the logic in drafting him. He will never be a starter. To me, I just do not see how you can keep both AP and Wolfe. One or the other, and I would much rather keep AP. What I would like to do is upgrade my #2 RB position and move AP back to #3, which is where I think he should be. If Benson fails again next year, then we will then be looking at a starting RB, but I think we need to give it another year and I do not see Wolfe being a factor in the future.

[nfoligno]

Disagree. If we improve the OL, then we will improve the run game. IMHO, the biggest difference between 2006 and 2007 was not the loss of TJ, which many argue, but the play of the OL. In 2006, our OL was very solid. Not great, but very solid. In 2007, Brown played 1/2 the year w/ one arm and stunk, but was better than our depth. Miller was awful, and now it appears injury was part of that too, but age was likely a factor as well. Tait and Kreutz both struggled, but part of that IMHO was trying to compensate for Brown. I think Garza was also affected by Miller.

 

If we can upgrade OG and OT this year, I think we can see a big improvement in our run game. If we can draft a LT in the 1st, and he can actually play LT, we could then move Tait to RT, and upgrade two positions. If we can sign a upper tier OG to replace Brown, I think you then upgrade at OG and would then see Kreutz return to form as well. So by adding a LT and LG, I think you would see improvement accross the OL, and I believe you would then see a significant improvement in the run game as a whole.

[StrangeBears]

If Adrian Peterson is your #1, you've got problems.

[adam]

AP is a good back, but he is not a #1. Benson appears that he is not one either. That is the problem. The Bears need a legitimate #1 back to be a successful team.

 

Give Benson one more shot with an improved O-Line.

[BearFan2000]

If we enter next season with the same trio of back (Benson, AP, and Wolfe) I will be greatly dissapointed. Benson has yet to prove he can be durable and effective with any consistancy. AP is more the jack of all trades back, does well in many areas but excelles at none. Wolfe is the quickest of the three but also the smallest of the three. He does well in space and is elusive but just doen't have the stature to be a between the tackles kind of runner. I think they should bring in a FA back whever that might be and have a competition. The odd man out gets cut.

 

It was mentioned earlier in this thread about predictability. Mone of the more maddening things about our backs and how we used them is that when Benson was in the play was likely a running play. When Peterson was in the play was more likely to be a pass play. You could litterally predict the play based on the player groupings. This goes beyond the backs but look back to last season. Jones wasn't taken out based on pass or run. This leads me to believe Benson either isn't picking up the pass protection and has yet to earn the coaches trust in those situation. IMHO a 4th overall pick should have by now taken over the position and made it possible for him to be on the field reguardless of the play call. If at this point he still hasn't made the necessary improvements in his game to stay on the field then I question whether he ever will.

 

If you bring in a guy like Turner then my guess is that the odd man out would be Benson. Lovie has said many times that AP will always have a spot on this team as long as he coaches here. Wolfe is in his first season so he's likely safe. Why not have Wolfe and Hester back deep on kicks or have Wolf be the short man on the return game. If they're going to kick it short have someone there that can make things happen. But that's off topic. I don't know what the hit would be for cutting Benson or if there's much of any trade value for him. I get the impression he's not well thought of by the coaching staff or the front office.

 

What I don't want to see happen is us enter the season with the same backs we started this season with. I want to see an open competition this offseason to improve the production from this unit. Improving the line will help a lot but all areas must be looked at.