Bears running backs praise run-and-fun offense
Bears running backs praise run-and-fun offense
SEAN JENSEN ON THE BEARS .hideTime { display:none; }Dec 8, 2010 12:30AM
http://www.suntimes.com/csp/cms/site...YPE=image/jpeg Bears running back Matt Forte is tripped up on a reception against the Detroit Lions. | Paul Sancya~AP
On Sunday night at Ford Field as he dressed next to Chester Taylor, running back Matt Forte poked fun at receiver Earl Bennett, who was surrounded by more than a dozen reporters.
His exchange with Taylor was inaudible, but the two shared a hearty laugh.
What a difference a year makes.
After an impressive rookie season, Forte struggled in his sophomore campaign, playing through injuries that weren’t revealed until after the season. Worse, the Bears didn’t have anyone who could help fill the void. This season, Forte’s not making a Pro Bowl push, but he has been integral to the Bears’ 9-3 record, he has welcomed the addition of Taylor and he’s encouraged by his role in Mike Martz’s offense.
‘‘I feel good, and I’m glad Chester is here,” Forte said. ‘‘We just keep it rolling. When I get tired, he goes in, and when he gets tired, I go in.
“We kind of hit them with that one-two punch.”
In the two games before the bye — losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins at Soldier Field — Martz held back Forte and Taylor, calling only 30 runs in the two games. But during the Bears’ five-game winning streak since the bye, they’ve averaged 33 carries and more than 100 yards. That’s a marked difference, considering the Bears were held under 100 rushing yards in five of their first seven games.
But beyond that, Martz has emphasized their role, and they’re in a rhythm. Forte and Taylor only combined for 97 rushing yards in a 24-20 victory Sunday over the Detroit Lions, but they came up with timely plays that were key in the Bears’ victory.
None was bigger than a run in the second quarter. Forte lined up in his usual spot, but Taylor lined up in front of him in the I-formation. Cutler faked the handoff to Taylor, who burst right, then tossed the ball left to Forte, who breezed toward the left sideline and into the end zone.
“There are a lot of things we can do when we’re both in the game,” Forte said. “A lot of things we can do like that. Coach Mike knows the advantages of putting us in the game at the same time.
“We have different styles of running, and it suits the offense both ways. It kind of catches [defenses] off-balance.”
Both players, for instance, are versatile and solid-enough route runners that they can line up in the slot or even outside. In the fourth quarter, Forte lined up in the slot and went in motion, and he got behind a linebacker to catch a pass and gain 20 yards.
Two plays later, Taylor caught a pass for six yards, and the Bears scored three plays later.
“[The offense is] starting to get fun for us,” quarterback Jay Cutler said Sunday. “The guys aren’t thinking as much. They’re just out there playing.”
Taylor had a solid game after several rough ones. In the first four games after the bye, Taylor had 38 carries (more than any other four game-stretch this season), but he gained only 53 yards.
Taylor only averaged 3.7 yards on nine carries Sunday, but he scored a touchdown and caught five passes for 31 yards.
“It felt real good because the last couple of weeks have been kind of slow for me,” he said. “I’m glad I picked it up.
“All I want to do is the best I can to help my team. It seems like we’re doing whatever works, using us in the run game and pass game. It’s working right now, so we got to keep it up.”
The Bears’ run offense is only 22nd in the NFL, but it’s markedly better than it was earlier in the season. In addition, Forte and Taylor insist that they’re fresh.
“I’m good right now,” Taylor said. “We got four games left. We’ll try to finish strong and make a run.”
Balance has been important during the team’s 5-0 run. They’ve run the ball 52 percent of the time during that stretch, as opposed to 38.5 in the first seven games.
But center Olin Kreutz said he doesn’t care about the improved run-pass balance.
“We just keep saying we’ll do whatever it takes to win,” he said. “Whatever is called, we’ll do it.”
