Schizophrenic’s Guide: Bears Running Game…
I, Daniel Trump, love the Chicago Bears so much.
I love them like people love their dogs or their cars. I love them desperately and fully.
They went 3–14 last year, but they were first in something special last year: rushing offense.
They ran the ball very, very well last year. Justin Fields, the quarterback for the Bears, both passed and ran very well. He rushed for 1,143 yards on 160 carries for a scintillating average of 7.1 yards per rush. Outstanding. The only problem with that is that it is a pace that will get him injured a whole hell of a lot, and that he should pass the ball a little more and run a little less. The Bears want him to run for 600–800 yards this year — a modest decrease but still have him be a weapon in the ground game.
David Montgomery ran 201 times for 801 yards for a 4.0 yards per carry average — pretty good but not great. He also had 34 receptions for 316 yards and 6 total touchdowns — excellent work. He left for free agency and signed with Detroit to be part of their upgraded backfield with a new splash rookie draft pick. Montgomery will be missed, but the Bears can survive without him. He was known for a lot of effort but not much explosion.
Enter the new number one running back. Khalil Herbert ran 129 times for 731 yards last year for a 5.7 yards per carry average and 5 overall touchdowns. He played very well at the Bears outside zone running scheme — he is an excellent one cut and go back with speed and elusiveness and power. He is ready to be the main back for the Bears.
The Bears added several new backs. D’onta Foreman signed in free agency from Carolina. He rushed 203 times for 914 yards last year for 4.5 yards per carry — after the other back was traded to the 49ers. He is a good physical back with speed. He is 6' and 235 pounds so he is a bigger kind of a back than Herbert, who is 5'9" and 212 pounds.
Enter the draft pick. In the fourth round of the draft Chicago, even though it didn’t need to, selected Roschon Johnson out of Texas to their squad. He is yet another big, strong, bruiser of a running back who fights for every yard. He ran twelve times for 44 yards in his preseason debut and figures to play in the regular season — but maybe not as the starter right away. He is supposed to be a natural leader and high-character guy.
Next comes the special team/third down back expert: Travis Homer. He looked good in the first preseason game. He catches the ball well out of the backfield and blocks well in the passing game. He plays special teams well. He’s a solid backup.
Last year Trestan Ebner had less than three yards per carry, struggling mightily in his first season. We will see if he improved enough to make the team in his second season. He is definitely a project.
Then comes the fullback. Khari Blasingame had no rushes nor passes nor passes caught last year according to espn.com and its statistics. He is, however, a wonderful run blocker and a smart guy who helps the team.
The Chicago Bears run a zone-blocking scheme in which their offensive linemen need to use speed and agility to get to the second level and make blocks down the field. They have overhauled their offensive line in order to make that running game more effective. Nate Davis and Darnell Wright were hired to upgrade the right side of the offensive line. Nate Davis was a mauler of a guard for Derrick Henry in Tennessee and Darnell Wright was selected number ten in the draft to be the Bears right tackle of the future. This enables the Bears to play their three best offensive linemen from last year and not play the two weakest players from last year. This is a massive upgrade.
The question: will the Bears pass the ball more? They probably will because they have DJ Moore now and that helps their passing game. Still that should help the running game that happens to be more effective.
Overall this is a strength for the Bears. I only regret that these wonderful runing backs have to compete for playing time. It’s too bad that not all of them can get enough opportunities to play. Oh, and one more thing: Bear Down.
Thanks, and take care, friends.
