Who Should Be the Chicago Bears’ Primary Back—Matt Forte Or Chester Taylor?
Published by Bob Warja on June 20, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
It’s an admittedly nice problem to have, and, in fact, probably a necessity in the NFL these days: having two competent running backs.
The Bears could have had this previously if they had kept Thomas Jones or Cedric Benson, but that is muddy water under the bridge.
Still, it is a question that seems to be important to the modern NFL player: Why can’t both players get an equal number of snaps? Well, it’s not that easy.
Today’s contract issues and player egos almost demand to know who is No. 1. Plus, if there is to be clubhouse chemistry, players need to accept their roles.
Isn’t that why Benson is no longer here? I mean, other than the fact that he did not produce with the Bears?
In baseball, you don’t see many teams having two closers. Well, it’s a similar issue to have two backs, except when one knows he is the backup.
The obvious candidate to be the second banana would be Taylor, since he is much older and has only carried the ball as a primary back in one season in the NFL. But I am sure it is easier to accept that when you are backing up a guy like Adrian Peterson as opposed to a back like Forte.
Likewise, if the backs had very different strengths it would be much easier to figure out. But both Forte and Taylor share similar characteristics—either can carry the ball or catch it coming out the backfield, something that new coordinator Mike Martz demands.
If Forte indeed had more injuries than was publicly acknowldged last season, then he should be ready to go this season. Many blamed a bad offensive line for Forte’s bad games, but he did not seem to hit the hole like he did during his rookie year.
In fact, when Forte gained 101 yards in only 16 carries in the last game against Detroit, it was said that this was sign that the O-line was finally playing better.
But knowing what we know now, one has to question if it was instead a sign that Forte was finally feeling better.
If Forte indeed is healthy, Bears fans can expect maybe a 60/40 split this season. While he has relatively low mileage for a 30-year-old runner, Taylor has only been a featured back one season in his career.
That year, 2006 in Minnesota, he broke down after 12 games.
Still, it will be one of the things to watch as a Bears fan this season.
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