Sunday, August 21, 2011

2012 vs. 2011: Post Free Agency Edition--QB's and RB's

A lot has been written about the state of the Bears in 2011.  Most of it has been emotional and negative.  So I thought it would be valuable to take the opposite tack and give an objective viewpoint (spoiler: when you look at the Bears new additions and returning players for 2011, the roster is VASTLY improved when viewed objectively). Note: For some positions I've named the roster as currently constituted--at the end of the preseason many of the players I've listed for 2011 will be cut in order to get the roster down to 53 players.  The first look is at the Quarterbacks and Running Backs.
Quarterback:
2010--Cutler, Collins, Hanie
2011--Cutler, Hanie, Enderle
Winner: 2011
Comment: Any unit that no longer has Todd Collins on it is VASTLY improved.  Hanie received some invaluable experience in the NFC Championship game that will assist in his development, and it's good to see a third QB that the Bears can develop.  Plus, Cutler is in the second year of the Martz offense, and has reported "in the best shape of his career" according to Lovie Smith.
Running Back/H-Back: 
2010--Forte, Taylor, Bell, Wolfe, Manumaleuna
2011--Forte, Barber, Taylor, Bell, Unga
Winner: 2011
Comment: Forte is now established as a legitimate upper tier running back, and has taken steps to be closer to the "Marshall Faulk" type that Martz wants at the running back spot through his receiving ability.  Barber and Taylor will push eachother in training camp, with the winner (hopefully Barber) serving as a compliment to Forte and a short yardage back.  Look for Bell to make the squad as the 3rd running back, as this position on the Bears requires Special Teams duties, which neither Taylor or Barber has done as an NFL player in the past.  Look for Unga to possibly replace the position Manumaleuna occupied last year, but as a more conventional fullback type.  Manumaleuna was out of shape and thus did not help in short yardage situations last year.  Hopefully Unga is hungry and ready to block when needed. Bottom line: I'll take Barber's skillset for what this team needs over Taylor's, and Forte has another year under his belt in the Martz system and is still well within his prime.

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