What about running back?

[madlithuanian]

I think we need both...

 

We do need a home run hitter, but we also need a bruiser who can get 2-3 tough yards. Right now, Forte is a tweener...

 

I hate, HATE, the idea of getting a RB with any pick near the beginning of the draft. The idea is horrible. Forte was a stud in his rookie year, and has been injured this year. Add that to the ATROCIOUS OL, and the incompetent OC. Fire Turner and draft OL, and suddenly Forte will not only be great again, but an all star.

 

As for a complimentary back, Bell has looked good in limited action, and we STILL don't know what Wolfe can do (thanks to Turner). But if we DO get another RB, please let us get a homerun hitter like Chris Johnson, and not a plodding big guy like Brandon Jacobs. Isn't it about time we had a guy who can take it to the house on every play?

 

[madlithuanian]

A real FB! What a novel concept!

 

Amazing how this team settles for garbage at that position...

 

I agree 100% that we don't use a high pick on a RB. Sad that a 3rd round pick will be a high pick for us next year. I would consider a RB w/ as high as a 5th, but that's about it.

 

I disagree on the type of back we should be looking at though. I want a power back. If we added a speedy back, how does that compliment Forte? I realize Turner has stunk getting Wolfe time, but I think part of the problem is, when do you sub Wolfe for Forte? What does Wolfe do better than Forte? Forte (think more last year) showed solid speed, was an effective blocker, and a very good receiver. Maybe Wolfe has a touch more speed, but Forte is just too much better in the other areas. I don't think it would be that different if we looked at another speedster RB. You often look at those sort of players for 3rd downs, but Forte is an excellent 3rd down back also.

 

I think we are going to add a RB, and likely at the expense of AP. That means we keep Wolfe. What I want to see added is power, not speed. Forte has nice power, but not great power. A power back would better compliment Forte than a speed back IMHO.

 

Ideal would actual be to find a legit FB that can also take short yardage carries.

 

[jason]

If the guy getting the two or three yards is a traditional FB who plows holes during his day job, then I am cool with it. Otherwise, give me a homerun hitter nine times out of ten over a plodder who is thought of as a "short yard specialist."

[BearSox]

Another thing to keep in mind is that we need an every down back to backup Forte. What if Forte goes down for an extended period of time? I don't know about anyone else, but I don't see Kahlil Bell/Adrian Peterson and Wolfe being serviceable.

 

I have been highly criticle of Wolfe, but he is decent to use once in a while, but never for more than maybe 5 touches in a game. As for Bell or Peterson, I dont view either as every down backs but rather emergency guys/3rd stringers/special teams.

 

Lets say we did get a Toby Gerhart. Not only does he provide you with an everydown back to backup Forte, but he is also a bruiser.

[balta1701-A]

Another thing to keep in mind is that we need an every down back to backup Forte. What if Forte goes down for an extended period of time? I don't know about anyone else, but I don't see Kahlil Bell/Adrian Peterson and Wolfe being serviceable.

It seems to me that there are replacement options of adequate skill usually available midseason for cheap trades or after they're cut, most years. The Bengals, for example, have picked up a pair of them the last 2 years. There are also a multitude of UDFA RB's who have made impacts when put in behind solid O-lines (Ryan Grant, Willie Parker come immediately to mind).

[azbearsfan]

We need to fix O Line first.

 

I like the Bell kid.