Bears Blitz

Published by Gabe Salgado on September 21, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

It’s the last thing that Bears fans wanted to hear, but unfortunately this is reality. Matt Forte will not play on Sunday.

Forte sustained an ankle injury in the second half of last week’s game against Green Bay. He missed practice all this week, and as a result, Michael Bush will get the start against the Rams.

Kahlil Bell was brought back into the fold at least temporarily to fill Forte’s roster spot. The Bears have already made changes at the running back position this year.

Lorenzo Booker was put on injured reserve after missing the season opener against Indianapolis. Booker suffered a head injury in the preseason finale. The injury turned out to be severe enough that it forced the Bears to deactivate him for the season.

When Booker went down, Armando Allen was added to the active roster. Allen was demoted to the practice squad after the preseason in favor of Lorenzo Booker.

Allen will be listed as the No. 2 running back behind Bush on Sunday. Bell will be third on the depth chart.

While Bush will get the bulk of the workload, I do expect Allen to be used on third down. I also believe that Bell will be primarily used on special teams.

There is no way that the Bears can truly replace what Forte brings to the offense. But I do believe that Lovie Smith and Mike Tice have planned accordingly.

I am confident that the Bears’ coaching staff will find a way to incorporate the abilities of all three running backs into Sunday’s game plan.

While Michael Bush is primarily known as a short-yardage, goal line and power back, he is capable of being a full-time starter.

Bush has proven this in the past, and I know that he will be ready on game day. Armando Allen will be used in passing situations.

He can be a very dangerous receiver coming out of the backfield if used properly. The only thing Allen needs to prove is whether or not he can pick up the blitz in pass protection.

Kahlil Bell has voiced his desire to be a starter in the NFL time and time again. But for the moment, the Bears need him to contribute on special teams.

Look for Bell to get his fair share of kick-returning opportunities on Sunday. Bell has the speed, quickness and agility to be a solid return man in the NFL.

Of course the running game can only go as far as the offensive line will take it. So far the Bears as a team have rushed for 218 yards this season.

That’s an average of 109 yards per game. One thing that will boost the Bears’ offense is if they can get an individual 100-yard rusher.

Unfortunately that will be easier said than done as the 1-1 St. Louis Rams will not make it easy. They may not have the greatest defense in the league, but they play hard on every down.

Chicago Bears football has always been centered on a rushing attack. I feel that the Bears need to dig deeper into the ground game if they are to be successful later in the season.

Sunday’s game will be a transition point for the Bears offense.

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