Do you think Matt Forte will have a bigger role in the offense this year? He didn’t have the greatest playing time in 2010 but he still managed to beat Walter Payton’s record.
Lance, Phoenix, Ariz.
I think Forte should have more production this year for two reasons. The first is the team and offense was more successful in the second half of the year when Forte’s role was increased. The Bears would be foolish to back off the run this year. Also, I expect the offense should be more efficient given that this will be the second year under Mike Martz and Mike Tice. If the offense is more efficient, that means it will have more snaps, and more of those snaps should result in handoffs to Forte.
Why is he Matt Forte not recognized as an all star running back? He is a good team leader, very fast, strong, and agile. I just don’t understand why he is rated below so many other backs.
Ryan, Reserve, La.
I know the Bears appreciate Forte, and would like to show their appreciation by signing him to a long-term deal before the end of the year. If Forte doesn’t get as much credit from the media and public, it’s probably because running backs tend to be judged mostly by rushing yards and yards per average. Over his career, Forte hasn’t always been a league leader in those categories, even though he has helped his team in many ways. K.C. Joyner, who writes some compelling columns for ESPN.com, believes, as you do, that Forte is underrated. Joyner argues that Forte is every bit as valuable as the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson. He supports his theory by looking at the scrimmage yards from both players, the fact that Peterson has fumbled more and the fact that Peterson has had better blocking.
Do you see the Bears making a play for Roy Williams if he is released by the Cowboys? Wouldn’t he reunite with Mike Martz from his days in Detroit? Maybe that would be a good change for Roy and would motivate him again because he would be the big WR we’re looking for while already knowing some of Martz’s system. Also, I would just like to put my vote in for Sidney Rice and Mike Sims Walker.
Kevin, Chicago
I think there is a chance the Bears could go after Roy Williams if he is released. But we probably shouldn’t read too much into the Martz connection. Williams was drafted by the Lions before Martz got there — he wasn’t Martz’ choice, as Calvin Johnson was. Williams did have his best season as a pro under Martz, catching 82 passes for 1,310 yards in 2006. But there may be other receivers who are better fits for what Martz is looking for. I wouldn’t get too excited about Rice or Sims-Walker. The Bears aren’t going to pay Rice $10 million a year, which he thinks he can get. Sims-Walker’s off-the-field issues likely will dissuade the Bears from pursuing him. The Bears probably will let some of the big-money receivers cut their deals, and then see if they can get a good player at a good price. It’s not like they have one player circled and they have to have that one guy.
Mike Martz’s playbook supposedly calls for precise route running and timing passes. Last year, the offensive-line play didn’t let the longer or more complex routes develop. That being the case, why wouldn’t the Bears get a Plaxico Burress kind of receiver who can outmuscle or outrebound defenders?
Chazz Boswell, New York, N.Y.
I don’t think Plaxico is the answer, but the Bears could use a big-body receiver who could help them in special situations. Martz, however, is most interested in receivers who can run crisp routes and break without slowing down or shifting their weight. Size is not a priority for him, and it never has been.
What about Ocho Cinco? Seems like that perfect player isn’t out there as far as a free-agent WR. What do you think about trading a late rounder for 85 or another WR who might be on the trading block? Outside of just the free-agent WR class, do you see any WRs worth trading for that can come in and take over that No. 1 WR position and shift Johnny Knox to No. 2?
Will, Denver
I don’t think the Bears will be on the market for a No. 1 wide receiver. They likely will end up signing a player who can be a complementary receiver, either a No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4. Ocho Cinco is an aging player who draws attention to himself and makes waves. He wouldn’t fit in Chicago.
How does the supplemental draft work? Are the Bears in the 29th position? Roughly how many players enter this part of the draft and do all teams get to pick? Would Terrelle Pryor be a possible Bears pick to develop him as a wide receiver?
Andrew, Los Angeles
The supplemental draft is for players who decide to go pro after the April draft. This year, there are only two supplemental draft prospects — Pryor, the Ohio State quarterback and Caleb King, a running back from Georgia. Teams can choose in the same order they picked in the April draft, meaning the Bears would get the 29th shot to select. If a team uses a pick on a player, it will lose a pick in the same round in the following April draft. I do not believe the Bears will choose Pryor. And I don’t believe Pryor will be playing wide receiver in the NFL.
I am amazed at the amount of players that were arrested during this uncalled-for lockout. My question is what punishment if any can the league bestow upon them, seeing they have been disbanded. Will Goodell have the authority to lay down punishment for conduct detrimental in the eyes of the NFL after things are sorted out and the fog is lifted? Keep up the good work.
Chuck Durante, Gulin, China
All along, the NFL has maintained that they can punish players who ran afoul of the league’s conduct policy during the lockout. Whether they will, or whether they can get away with it legally, remains to be seen.
The Bears are very quick to sign rookies. I have attributed this in recent years to the fact that we have only had third round or lower picks. With the Bears drafting in the first and second round, how will the signing of newly drafted rookies be affected by the lockout? Are teams able to contact rookies for salary or contract negotiations during the lockout?
Nathan, El Dorado Springs, Mo.
The Bears have been pretty good — better than most, certainly — about quickly signing rookies who are picked in any round. This year has been different because negotiations have not been permitted during the lockout. It also will be different because there are new rules about how much rookies can be paid. I expect that Gabe Carimi, Stephen Paea and every other Bears rookie will be signed expeditiously once the lockout is lifted.
What’s your opinion of the 3-4 and does it have any real advantages over the 4-3?
Bryan Jones, Naperville
There certainly are many examples of teams having great success with both fronts. I love the way the Packers run the front, but would not advocate that every team use a 3-4. There are two advantages with a 3-4. Theoretically it should be a better run defense because you have an extra man standing up and mobile who can pursue a ball carrier. And the 3-4 gives a defensive coordinator more pass rush options, so it’s more confusing from a protection standpoint.
