Chicago Bears 2016-2017 Season

#26      

champaignchris

C
champaignchris
Generally the difference between a HOF running back and simply a very good running back is what they do after they turn 30. Guys who can remain a elite or close to it after turning 30 get into the HOF. So, in terms of HOF entrance, Forte's next 4 years are his most important.

Every running back (E. Smith, Payton, Faulk, Sanders, M. Allen, C. Martin, T. Thomas, Dorsett) with more than 16,000 total yards is in the Hall except LaDainian Tomlinson, who I think becomes eligible next year and should be a complete shoe-in in the first few years of his eligibility.

Forte is a little less than 3,300 yards away from that 16,000 yard mark. He certainly could do it with 3 more decent years. However, running backs do have a tendency to fall off a cliff after they turn 30, and Forte turned 30 on December 10.
 
#27      

Illiniaaron

I
Geneseo, IL
Illiniaaron
If you look at the running backs who are in the Hall of Fame, the ones that don't have at least 12,000 rushing yards in general have multiple titles to their credit. I think Forte gets in if he gets to 12,000 yards but I think he still needs another 3200 or 3400, something like that. Another solid 3 to 4 years.
 
#28      

AutoPoster 3000

AutoPoster 3000
AutoPoster 3000
Illiniaaron said:
If you look at the running backs who are in the Hall of Fame, the ones that don't have at least 12,000 rushing yards in general have multiple titles to their credit. I think Forte gets in if he gets to 12,000 yards but I think he still needs another 3200 or 3400, something like that. Another solid 3 to 4 years.
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I just did a quick check. In 50 NFL seasons in the Super Bowl era, running backs over age 30 have rushed for more than 1000 yards 47 times. No player had ever done it more than twice and nobody has ever done it beyond age 33. Basically, to get HOF numbers, Forte would have to become the most productive 30-something RB in league history. True, he looks better if you consider yards from scrimmage but even then, best case scenario, he's in Fred Taylor/Edgerin James territory. Moreover, it's not just numbers; you have to beat out similar players from your era, and there are a number of them in the same range: Peterson, Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, Marshawn Lynch. All those guys have more scores because the Bears underutilized Forte at the goal line. If he had more hardware -- rings, MVPs, pro bowls -- then maybe, but without that to push him over the top, I'm just not seeing it.
 
#31      

jrichisamazing

J
jrichisamazing
Great start to the offseason. We get Trevathan and Forte doesn't go to the Packers or Patriots.

What's the deal with our TE's? I saw we're trying to trade Bennett and resign Miller. I don't understand bringing Miller back, he's old. Unless we get him for dirt cheap.
 
#33      

Illiniaaron

I
Geneseo, IL
Illiniaaron
jrichisamazing said:
Great start to the offseason. We get Trevathan and Forte doesn't go to the Packers or Patriots.

What's the deal with our TE's? I saw we're trying to trade Bennett and resign Miller. I don't understand bringing Miller back, he's old. Unless we get him for dirt cheap.
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I though Miller looked damn good last year. I don't get this thing with Bennett. To me he is much more valuable as a Bear than trying to trade him as a problem child, which really limits his value. I can't believe he and Fox can't work things out. Miller and Bennett as a tandem would look pretty good to me.
 
#34      

jrichisamazing

J
jrichisamazing
Illiniaaron said:
I though Miller looked damn good last year. I don't get this thing with Bennett. To me he is much more valuable as a Bear than trying to trade him as a problem child, which really limits his value. I can't believe he and Fox can't work things out. Miller and Bennett as a tandem would look pretty good to me.
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Yeah I agree. I guess it depends on how much we pay Miller. He did have a good surprise year, which means he'll probably be asking for more money. It would just be nice to continue getting younger, while getting solid veterans like Miller and Porter on the cheap.
 
#35      

Bomb Squad 217

B
Bomb Squad 217
Bears have had a good off season so far. I like who we have picked up. I feel like he signing of Massie and Freeman and Trevathan means we won't have to take an OL or lb first pick. Could go for the best DE available. Like Shaq Lawson maybe. Possibly Eli apple to hopefully sure up the other corner spot.
 
#36      

Prsh

Prsh
Prsh
Bomb Squad 217 said:
Bears have had a good off season so far. I like who we have picked up. I feel like he signing of Massie and Freeman and Trevathan means we won't have to take an OL or lb first pick. Could go for the best DE available. Like Shaq Lawson maybe. Possibly Eli apple to hopefully sure up the other corner spot.
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I still think there's a good chance we would take Ronnie Stanley if he was available (I think the Giants will pick him though). Vernon Hargreaves would be amazing at #11 in my opinion, also would think it's possible if he slides past the Eagles at #8.
 
#39      

Bomb Squad 217

B
Bomb Squad 217
Prsh said:
Would be even better if William Jackson was there in the early second round. Just hoping the Bears don't take Ezekiel Elliott.
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Nah. I'd be very surprised if they took Elliot. They can afford to take someone in a later round with Langford and Carey appearing to be a very suitable duo.
 
#40      

Prsh

Prsh
Prsh
Bomb Squad 217 said:
Nah. I'd be very surprised if they took Elliot. They can afford to take someone in a later round with Langford and Carey appearing to be a very suitable duo.
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I hope so man, I do know they spoke with him though. You think we take a QB in Round 3-4?
 
#41      

ChiTownJH

C
ChiTownJH
Bomb Squad 217 said:
Bears have had a good off season so far. I like who we have picked up. I feel like he signing of Massie and Freeman and Trevathan means we won't have to take an OL or lb first pick. Could go for the best DE available. Like Shaq Lawson maybe. Possibly Eli apple to hopefully sure up the other corner spot.
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Depending on how Myles Jack does at this pro day today at UCLA, if that kid fall to the Bears at #11 (I think the Jaguars or Cowboys are gonna pick him), you take that kid. Jack is a baller! Otherwise, if Carson Wentz or Paxton Lynch are available, I would grab one of them, because the Bears need to start planning a future without Cutler.

If they did pick an edge rusher like Shaq Lawson, that would be great pick as well. They have a lot of options an #11 now, with the great free agency that are having; I still think the Bears should of kept Forte, to continue to mentor Langford and Carey, but oh well, that is a business of the NFL.
 
#42      

Bomb Squad 217

B
Bomb Squad 217
I don't see them taking an early round qb at all. Like it or not, Cutler is our guy and I think after this coming season, people will like it. After what he did last season, they should like it.

Myles jack would be a great pick as well. We really have a lot of seemingly great options. options at that 11 pick.

If like to see them take fej I'm a late round. I honestly could see a team picking him up somewhat early to mid rounds. He's going to be a player.

The Bears did offer Forte a deal to stay. He declined and has moved on unfortunately.
 
#43      

ChiTownJH

C
ChiTownJH
Bomb Squad 217 said:
I don't see them taking an early round qb at all. Like it or not, Cutler is our guy and I think after this coming season, people will like it. After what he did last season, they should like it.

Myles jack would be a great pick as well. We really have a lot of seemingly great options. options at that 11 pick.

If like to see them take fej I'm a late round. I honestly could see a team picking him up somewhat early to mid rounds. He's going to be a player.

The Bears did offer Forte a deal to stay. He declined and has moved on unfortunately.
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I'm not gonna lie, I wanted Cutler gone after that last season with Trestman (and this was after defending him for six years), I was fine with Cutler last year, because John Fox and Adam Gase controlled him. Some of my friends out here on the West Coast, have always asked me, can the Bears win with Cutler? My response was, yes but these three things must happen:

1) The Bears need a top 5 or 10 run offense, which will keep the ball out of Cutler's hands.
2) The Bears need a top 5 or 10 defense, so when Cutler throws an interception and we know he will, the Bears defense can stop the opposing team. FYI: Cutler's INTs did come down last year under Fox/Gase.
3) I got this one from Gase. All audibles must come from the sidelines. When Cutler did audibles from that last year from Trestman, it was a huge disaster.

Cutler is a serviceable QB. So as long as the Bears control him and continue to grow hopefully a lights out defense, I feel the Bears can be competitive.

You mentioned the Bears offered Forte a contract. Was that during the season? Because I read articles from NFL.com and ESPN a day or two ago, that Forte said they did not offer him a contract during free agency.
 
#44      

Bomb Squad 217

B
Bomb Squad 217
I got a message from ESPN a week or so ago saying hey offered him and he turned it down. And I thought the gm stated publicly, during an interview maybe, after he decided to leave that they offered him but that Forte declined. I'm guessing Forte still thinks he's worth more than what he was offered?
 
#45      

ChiTownJH

C
ChiTownJH
Bomb Squad 217 said:
I got a message from ESPN a week or so ago saying hey offered him and he turned it down. And I thought the gm stated publicly, during an interview maybe, after he decided to leave that they offered him but that Forte declined. I'm guessing Forte still thinks he's worth more than what he was offered?
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Who knows? I guess it's a game of he said, team said.
 
#47      

Illiniaaron

I
Geneseo, IL
Illiniaaron