Bears Looking to Draft a RB

[Sculpt]

The Bears have met with at least 4 RB coming up the draft so far.

Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA (SR)
Stefphon Jefferson, RB, Nevada (COM)
Zach Line, RB, SMU (EW)
Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M (INT) (EW)

Key
R - Senior Bowl meeting.
EW - East-West Shrine meeting.
COM - Combine meeting.
INT - Interested.
VINT - Very Interested.
PRO - Pro Day meeting.
PRI - Private Workout.
% - indicates more than one meeting.
# - indicates meeting set up outside of the 2013 Senior Bowl or the 2013 East-West Shrine Game
$ - unsubstantiated

Could it be Emery/Trest is just looking for a speed RB? And Allen isn't considered fast enough? Bears looking for Returner to replace Hester?

Or are they preparing for a Forte injury? Or are Bears preparing to replace Forte, maybe seeing his contract too expensive?


Other meetings with players:

Terron Armstead, OL, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (EW)
Josh Evans, S, Florida (EW)
Matt Evans, LB, New Hampshire (EW)
Tyrone Goard, WR, Eastern Kentucky (EW)
Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma (COM) (INT)
Edmond Kugbila, OL, Valdosta State (PRI)
Robert Lester, DB, Alabama (SR#)
Bradley McDougald, S, Kansas (EW)
Brandon McGee, DB, Miami (PRI)
Jordan Mills, OT, Louisiana Tech (COM)
Keavon Milton, TE, Louisiana-Monroe (PRI)
Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia (PRI)
Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M (COM)
Eric Rogers, WR, Cal Lutheran (PRO)
Brandon Williams, DL, Missouri Southern (SR)
DJ Fluker $
Jordan Mill $
Garrett Gilkey $
Jonathan Cooper $
Sean Porter $
Manti Te'o $

 

[KittiesKorner]

nvm

 

[Monk]

Forte feels disrespected.

 

[Space Invader]

out of those, I'd pick CM. Guy seems to have some potential.

 

[northsiderbearcub]

I'd take a talented RB we need a quality backup

 

[Globetrotter]

I'd take a talented RB we need a quality backup

What was wrong with Bush? Don't like RB's breaking tackles?

 

[Camden Cutler]

good...fortes replacement

 

[MakeMyDay]

Armando Allen is pretty unimpressive...He even lost out in training camp last year to Lorenzo Booker.

He just was the last man standing after a few games in..

 

[Stapler]

Stefph Jefferson was a stud for Keapernick at Nevada.

 

[Wild_x_Card]

What was wrong with Bush? Don't like RB's breaking tackles?

Bush won't be here forever. A guy like Micheal from A&M can break tackles as well as ankles and hit the home run. Its better to have a cheaper number two on a rookie contract then an overpaid vet.

 

[Old Dirty Curtis]

Out of all of them I would have to go with CM too... Franklin would fit good too I think but no to the other two.

 

[pnch40]

Bush won't be here forever. A guy like Micheal from A&M can break tackles as well as ankles and hit the home run. Its better to have a cheaper number two on a rookie contract then an overpaid vet.

Bush makes 3.5 this year with forte making just over 7 mil. That's a lot of cap space tied up in your rb position. Bush isn't that special and either is forte for that matter. Forte doesn't have a good year this year I think he's asked to be disrespected...I mean take a pay cut.

 

[Wild_x_Card]

Bush makes 3.5 this year with forte making just over 7 mil. That's a lot of cap space tied up in your rb position. Bush isn't that special and either is forte for that matter. Forte doesn't have a good year this year I think he's asked to be disrespected...I mean take a pay cut.

Lol. Regardless of what happens, I don't expect Bush back after next year. If we draft a guy this year it will be almost a certainty.

 

[Tjodalv]

The thing is, that unless you cut or trade either Bush or Forte this pre-season drafting a RB is pretty much useless. RB is one of the easiest positions to transition between the college and pro game at (i.e. not a spot that generally requires a year or two to "groom"). So why waste a pick in a year we're short on picks to begin with and deep at the position when you have so many other spots to fill? Not saying it isn't a possibility...just that the wisdom behind it isn't particularly sound.

 

[malcore]

Maybe Trestman forgot that that he no longer has a dozen in the NFL. Although Line might make a good slotback.

Forte would be an amazing slotback.

 

[Escobar's Army]

The thing is, that unless you cut or trade either Bush or Forte this pre-season drafting a RB is pretty much useless. RB is one of the easiest positions to transition between the college and pro game at (i.e. not a spot that generally requires a year or two to "groom"). So why waste a pick in a year we're short on picks to begin with and deep at the position when you have so many other spots to fill? Not saying it isn't a possibility...just that the wisdom behind it isn't particularly sound.

If you only draft in years of need you make bad picks way more often. If a running back the staff thinks will excel in our system, you take him. Way too much money tied up in the RB position.

If Forte stays healthy, he will have career best in most of his categories. The WC offense is built for a RB with his skill set.

 

[Wild_x_Card]

I feel ya Tj. Bush doesn't seem like a fit in coach T's philosophy. At least what he's used in the past at the RB position. Alittle more on Christine Micheal. He is very much a first round talent. A broken leg and bum ligament slowed him down. He still crushed the combine. Set the record for highest vertical for RB 43 inches. Was first in the 3 cone, 20 yard and short shuttle among all backs and 2nd in broad jump.

 

[malcore]

If you only draft in years of need you make bad picks way more often. If a running back the staff thinks will excel in our system, you take him. Way too much money tied up in the RB position.

If Forte stays healthy, he will have career best in most of his categories. The WC offense is built for a RB with his skill set.

I always felt Forte had a similar skill set to Roger Craig. The major difference being Craig began as a FB and had the power to get the tough yards. If the game wasn't so WR oriented these days, Forte does have the potential to match Craig's 85 season, 1k rushing and 1k receiving.

A guy like Michael in the backfield with Forte in the slot or out wide as an option would excite a guy like Trestman.

 

[nwfisch]

Armando Allen is pretty unimpressive...He even lost out in training camp last year to Lorenzo Booker.

He just was the last man standing after a few games in..

:smh:

 

[dondraper]

Forte gets no respect. He is still in his prime and ppl are Calling for his replacement.