After breaking down the quarterbacks from the last installment of Position-by-Position Breakdown, we will stay in the offensive back field and breakdown all the tailbacks on the roster including running backs and fullbacks.

Running Back. A position that was once the most important position in the NFL has dwindled down the list of positions. In the 1970s teams used to run the ball over 60% of the time on offense. Nowadays, teams in the NFL only run the ball 40% of the time. Lets look at it this way, are there any "run first" teams that are in the Superbowl? But none the less, having a sound running attack is important no matter what type of offense you run.

The Bears have always been a running team ever since George Halas started the team in 1924. Lovie Smith has that same mentality, as he would like to call it "getting off the bus running." Well this year, that "bus" never really got going. The Bears ranked an atrocious 29th in rushing, one of the lowest rankings in Bears history. Although there was a somewhat effective passing game, the "one-legged" running game negated it, ranking the Bears 23rd in total offense. Lets take a look at the players who were apart of this more than disappointing performance.

MATT FORTE- Forte broke out onto the scene as a rookie rushing 315 times and caught 63 passes. Many said he was going to be the next Edgerrin James with his ability to explode thought the hole, juke defenders, catch the ball and pass block effectively. In fact, Matt Forte was so highly thought of after his outstanding rookie season that most fantasy experts predicted him to be in the top five. Sadly for the Bears and his fantasy owners around the world, Matt Forte went into what people call "the sophomore slump". Forte saw his carries go down to 258 and 57 catches. Although those numbers may be misleading, what's not is the fact that his yards per carry went down from 3.9 to 3.6 which in football terms is a significant amount.
But his poor numbers were not completely his fault. Offensive coordinator gave the Bears some of the worse play calling we've seen in a while, passing in third and short and running the infamous draw in third and long. The offensive line was also one of the bigger factors that held Forte back as he was met by defenders consistently behind the line of scrimmage.
The Bears told the media at the end of the season that Matt Forte was playing with a nagging knee injury that he acquired in week 3 against the Seahawks.

MATT FORTE'S FUTURE- In the last two weeks, Matt Forte had arthroscopic knee surgery to fix the injury that restricted him from being the explosive player he was in 2008. But he should be back 100% by the time summer rolls in. Forte remains the best running back that the Bears have on the roster and is a definite lock to be the starter next year. But with his soft hands and uncanny ability to pick up the blitz, Forte would be the ideal "long yardage situation"/change of pace guy for any other team with an elite running back. Can Forte be an elite back? Stay tuned.

KAHLIL BELL- Undrafted free out of UCLA couldn't have started his career better. A 70 yard gallop that was immediately trenched in Bears lore. Bell made the most out of his carries averaging 5.5 yards per carry, an astonishing number for any running back in the NFL. But Bell still needs to prove that he can produce on a more consistent basis.

KAHLIL BELL'S FUTURE- Bell showed explosiveness, great acceleration and good vision. But Bell lacks that break away speed and to seal the deal and the power to pick up short yardage. Still, Bell excelled when given the opportunity and that's the reason he should be given the chance to come back next year and compete for the backup position. Bell is under contract terms undisclosed.

GARRET WOLFE- Ah, the poor man's Darren Sproles. The Chicago native has been used sparingly in his first two seasons but saw his carries more than double this year and he delivered averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry. Wolfe seemed to be the change of pace guy until he was placed on injured reserve due to a lacerated kidney.

GARRET WOLFE'S FUTURE- Wolfe possesses great speed to get to the outside, soft hands and the ability to make defenders miss in the open field but does not have the ability to power forward, shed off tacklers and pass block. The biggest thing that sets Wolfe back is his size, at 5'6 185 lbs. he is not the ideal running back for any NFL team. It was disappointing to see Wofle end up on IR again. He's set to make $550,000 this season, so his chances of staying are 50/50. The only life line he has right now is his outstanding special teams performance.

KEVIN JONES- Former first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2005. He was outstanding his first few seasons with Detroit and showed the league that he was the real deal. Unfortunately , an ACL injury ended his season and he was never the same. Last year he signed with the Bears and was barely ever used. In fact, he was inactive for most of the season. The Bears promised to increase his carries and make him the official backup for Matt Forte. But in a preseason game against the Browns, Jones sprained his MCL and was placed on injured reserve.

KEVIN JONES' FUTURE- Yes, Jones had the potential to be one of the better backup running backs in the NFL this season. But no matter how good he is, injuries have set him too far back. It's time to let Jones go now especially since he is due to make $350,000. It would be a surprise to me if the Bears decide to keep him.

ADRIAN PETERSON- The real Adrian Peterson. Good ol' reliable. He's not flashy or anything close to it but the best part about Peterson is consistency. In his 8 year career, Peterson has averaged 4.1 yards and added to his resume by posting 9.3 yards per carry this season. Only problem with that figure is that he only ran the ball 7 times. Even then, Peterson gets the yardage that's given to him, not an inch less. He has been one of the best non-linebacker special teams player this organization has ever seen. Don't understand why he wasn't used more often. You can't go wrong with AP.

ADRIAN PETERSON'S FUTURE- Peterson is set to become a free agent after the Super Bowl. Peterson is definitely a fan favorite and it would be painful to see him leave. But with the Bears situation right now and the way contracts are structured nowadays, a deal isn't going to happen for the faithful veteran. But there's no doubt he can be helpful elsewhere.

JASON McKIE- Effective yet ineffective is the only way to describe the veteran fullback. Doesn't possess good speed, size, run blocking skills or power to be considered a "good" fullback. But he is still one of the more solid fullbacks in the NFL just because of the fact that he knows his assignments and doesn't make mistakes.

JASON McKIE'S FUTURE- With the Bears implementing more shotgun and double tight-end sets, the need for a fullback has dwindled but the Bears would do the right thing by keeping McKie to stay on the safe side.

WILL TA'UFO'OU- If you've seen Will (First names easier.), you've witnessed a tank. He looks like the ideal fullback, compact yet huge. We saw his athletic ability in the preseason game against the Bills when he hauled in a pass from Basanez and raced towards the pylon for a spectacular touchdown (the only one of his entire football career). Power, speed and hands. Not much more you can ask for in a fullback.

WILL TA'UFO'OU'S FUTURE- Placed on the practice squad this season but is invited to training camp. He has a good shot at beating out veteran Jason McKie for the starting position. If not, he will be a practice squad lock.

OVERVIEW- As of now, Forte looks to be the answer going forward with Bell or Wolfe spelling him. If our hoping that the Bears will sign one of the amazing free agents out there like Sproles or Chester Taylor, think again. Jerry Angelo will never sign anybody they don't need for the wrong price. Don't see the Bears drafting any running backs or fullbacks this season because of the lack of draft picks.


Stay tuned for the Wide Receiver edition.
Go Bears!