If Cedric Benson wasn't already a bona fide bust before Saturday, the Bears declared him thus by using their second-round pick, No. 44 overall, to select his replacement, Tulane running back Matt Forte. Forte, general manager Jerry Angelo repeated several times, is a three-down back. And Benson? ''Maybe he's not the featured back we thought he'd be ...'' Angelo admitted, distancing himself from a guy he used to habitually protect. ''When we thought we were starting to see a little something, then he breaks his ankle. I felt we needed to make sure that we protected that position.'' http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mulligan/917893,CST-SPT-mully27.article
HUGE mistake on their part to trade off Thomas Jones. Every Bears fan I know (and I know many) were in shock over that. Just a horrible move. So now they have a bust and a second rounder at RB, a brand new LT, and a crappy QB. I cant believe they think more of Grossman than Benson. If I was a Bears fan, I would be PISSED at this draft going into the season with Grossman and Orton still as the QBs.
I'm a Bear fan and I don't think trading Thomas Jones was a bad move. It was either Jones or Benson and we had just too much invested in Benson. The lack of performance in our run game this year was more in part due to poor offensive line play and injuries than a lack of Thomas Jones. Still, I don't buy the article at all. And as usual it takes all of Angelo's comments out of context. He made it clear that Forte is going to come in and compete and that Benson is still very much the favored runner at the moment.
Forte is a good pickup for Chicago. If he can tote the rock 10-15 times a game, and Benson 15-20 times a game, they might have to only have Grossman throw 20 times a game or so, which I think would be beneficial for him. Maybe Chicago will get a street free agent to come in and sign ...
Bears GM Jerry Angelo considers second-round pick Matt Forte a "three-down back." Beware Cedric Benson, your job is in great danger. "I felt like our running game obviously was one of the weak spots on our football team," Angelo said, referring to last year. "He gives us a big back, a three down back." Forte is already looking like the favorite to start for Chicago in 2008. http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx
Benson=Bust. I dont blame the Bears for drafting a guy who might replace him, but to go into another season relying on Rex is just nuts. Passing on Henne/Brohm will be something they regret for a long time.
The sad thing is Benson was who I wanted to draft in 2004. Sure glad we got Brown and I'm not the GM.
I know. I was certain they were going to address QB ASAP. In fact I was surprised they even re-signed Grossman.
I agree, why would you re sign a Florida QB after their history? ....... wait why would you sign a Florida QB anyways?
I thought they signed him as an insurance policy almost. IMO from what Ive been hearing, the Bears are hoping Orton can be their starter rather than Grossman. Still, how do you pass on a QB when both Brohm and Henne are there? Orton looked better than Grossman in stretches, but still not at all impressive overall. Even after passing on Brohm/Henne, they didnt take any of the third tier guys around. At least have someone else. And they have all but given up on Benson as fulltime back. I dont think their new back was a bad pickup, just that they needed to make a move at QB and failed to do so. IMO this team is going nowhere fast-unhappy players, big name FAs coming up they might not be able to resign, an aging defense, no QB, no WRs, a shaky line and a questionable running game. I can see them having a bad season.
Yeah, maybe that's it. It could be that Orton has been showing progress. This'll be his 4th year in the league. If he's got it, it's time to show it. It could be, too that there's a residual Wanny effect......."what can Brohm do that Kyle Orton can't do".....
Hmm if Wanny was still haunting the place they would have traded a first rounder for David Carr or something last year. Was reading an article that said they just werent high on anyone in this years QB class. Still, with projections pointing to a weak overall class again in '09, and Grossman and Orton (improving or not) as your main guys, dont you owe it to the fans to try SOMETHING?
Lol Benson in trouble with the police for boating while intoxicated. I wouldnt bet against him getting cut, thank god we got Ronnie over him, Benson had Bustville written all over him.
Benson is a fool, but not ready to label him a bust - yet. The bears need s GM, that guy is nuts to rely on Orton & Grossman.
The GM is nuts about grossman for some reason. Heck the Grossmans were almost positive that he was out of Chicago, they sold their condo in chi-town and everything.
The Bears have decided not to cut him according to ESPNEWS. There's a lot of suspicion that Benson's boat was targeted. I will dig up the link for you guys. EDIT: Here it is. http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/nfl?page=5