Kahlil Makes the Most of an Opportunity Saturday...............

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08-15-2011, 04:07 PM
soulman

Kahlil Makes the Most of an Opportunity Saturday...............
Bears' Bell makes noise in crowded backfield

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...5-13213909.jpg Photos: Preseason: Bears 10, Bills 3

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By Vaughn McClure Tribune reporter 2:45 p.m. CDT, August 15, 2011

Chicago Bears running back Kahlil Bell made sure he was noticed in Saturday’s 10-3 preseason victory over Buffalo.

Bell carried the ball 13 times for 73 yards and also caught two passes for another 46 yards. He sprinted 27 yards off a screen pass from rookie Nathan Enderle.

"He ran hard,’’ running backs coach Tim Spencer said of Bell. "He caught the ball well. He had nice timing on his screens. And he ran a lot of successive plays in a row where you had to see his wind to see if he had the wind, and he did a good job with that.’’

Bell was in on 27 plays, the most of any of the running backs. Much like last season, he’s battling for a roster spot somewhere behind starter Matt Forte.

Marion Barber, who picked up 45 yards on seven carries against the Bills, likely secured his place as the Bears’ short-yardage back this season. Bell might find himself battling veteran Chester Taylor for the third running back spot.

The fact that Bell plays special teams could give him an edge over Taylor. Plus, the high-priced Taylor, who is due a base salary of $1.25 million this season and collected $7 million last season, hasn’t shown much in training camp and was all but invisible Saturday night.

"Chester only had six plays, as Matt (Forte) had three plays,’’ Spencer noted. "Is it possible to make plays in three or six plays? It’s possible. But the opportunity didn’t present itself in the game for either of them.

"In the end, the guys will make the decision. You give them the opportunity and everything else usually shakes out itself. I’m in a good position because I get to coach all these guys that are making some play. I think that will all work out in the end. They’ll make is easy for us based off their play.’’

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @vxmcclure23

Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune
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08-16-2011, 04:59 AM
4th and 26

If we cut Taylor that would mean he would be another failed project at the hands of Jerry Angleo.
08-16-2011, 05:23 AM
Henry Burris

I know at least soul and I aren't surprised that he'd be able to pull that off...
08-16-2011, 08:07 AM
GrizzlyBear91

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4th and 26

If we cut Taylor that would mean he would be another failed project at the hands of Jerry Angleo.

how do you call bringing in an experienced back up a "project".... Everyone who's anyone knew that was a no Brainer for Angelo and the Bears organization...

has it panned out?... Hell no. but you can't blame anyone but Taylor for that considering our #1 had a fair ammount of success last year.... over 1,000 yards I believe?....

"failed project"....

Really 4th?... you've gone past reaching for crap, to just flat out flailing in the wind, and it's rather ammusing.
08-16-2011, 10:06 AM
soulman

http://us.bc.yahoo.com/b?P=cedf5b98-...B%3d-1%2fV%3d5
Bell makes the most of it, but can Bears back make the team?

Article updated: 8/14/2011 11:58 PM
Bell makes the most of it, but can Bears back make the team?

http://dailyherald.com/article/20110...rts/708149802/

By Bob LeGere

There shouldn't be any reason why he won't make the team after that performance Saturday. Bell has outperformed Taylor at every turn, he far less expensive, and he can play ST's. Watch his blocking on Johnny Knox's kick off return.

If the even think about keeping Ches "the less" ter Taylor over Kahili Bell the entire offensive coaching staff, Lovie and JA should be shipped off run the next CFL franchise that league creates, if the ever create another. The kid is flat out a better football player in every sense.
08-16-2011, 10:45 AM
soulman
RB Bell doing all he can to get noticed

By Sean Jensen sjensen@suntimes.com August 14, 2011 7:36PM

http://www.suntimes.com/csp/cms/site...YPE=image/jpegChicago Bears running back Kahlil Bell (32) is tackled by Buffalo Bills center Michael Switzer (62) and defensive tackle Lionel Dotson (97) in the second half an NFL preseason football game in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Updated: August 15, 2011 2:11AM

Three proven veterans top the Bears’ depth chart at running back. But Kahlil Bell did what he could Saturday against the Buffalo Bills to make sure his coaches don’t forget about him. ‘‘I can’t control what’s going to happen with me,’’ Bell said. ‘‘But I know the coaches are going to give everyone an opportunity, and hopefully I can impress them enough to get on the field.’’

In 2009, as starter Matt Forte battled through injuries, the Bears were thin at running back. To address that issue, they signed former Minnesota Vikings starter Chester Taylor to a three-year, $12 million contract in the spring of 2010. Then the Bears couldn’t pass up former Dallas Cowboys starter Marion Barber at the start of free agency last month. Against the Bills, Forte barely played, Taylor mustered only three yards on three carries and Barber distinguished himself with 45 yards on seven runs. Bell, though, topped them all with 13 carries for 73 yards and two catches for 46 yards.

That shouldn’t have been wholly surprising because Bell has flashed potential before. Undrafted out of UCLA, Bell started on the Bears’ practice squad but gained 72 yards on his first NFL carry in 2009.

The veterans might have better NFL credentials than he does, but Bell is easily the most proven special-teams player of the four.‘‘The more you can do, the longer you’ll stick around,’’ Bell said. ‘‘If you’re just a running back, unless you’re Barry Sanders, it’s not going to pan out for you. But the more you can do, the better off your chances are.

‘‘I’d like to think of myself as a football player, not just a running back.’’
08-16-2011, 11:14 AM
Riczaj01

Go KB!!!!
08-16-2011, 11:18 AM
soulman

If they don't keep this guy and use him this year I'll be royally pissed. I don't know what more he has to do to prove himself but if they let him go he's gonna be a player somewhere. Bell is the best cushion we've got against and injury to Forte. Neither Barber or Unga are every down backs.
08-16-2011, 06:11 PM
vmx12

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrizzlyBear91

how do you call bringing in an experienced back up a "project".... Everyone who's anyone knew that was a no Brainer for Angelo and the Bears organization...

has it panned out?... Hell no. but you can't blame anyone but Taylor for that considering our #1 had a fair ammount of success last year.... over 1,000 yards I believe?....

"failed project"....

Really 4th?... you've gone past reaching for crap, to just flat out flailing in the wind, and it's rather ammusing.

Gotta agree. When Taylor was a Viking he scared the heck out of me. I was happy ass shit when we picked him up. he hasn't worked out but that shit happens. Now it's time for him to move along. I just hope Martz changes his tune and realizes the should and has to be a run offense.
08-16-2011, 10:50 PM
soulman

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmx12

Gotta agree. When Taylor was a Viking he scared the heck out of me. I was happy ass shit when we picked him up. he hasn't worked out but that shit happens. Now it's time for him to move along. I just hope Martz changes his tune and realizes the should and has to be a run offense.

Picking up vet RB's is an expensive and often disappointing experience. Many teams find RB talent to fit their needs in the mid to lower rounds of the draft and as rookie free agents. I think Taylor was kind of a panic move to appease Martz and to insure against Forte not coming back to par after that 2009 season.

We took an expensive swing and we missed and you're right brother. Now it's time to move on. Cut Taylor now and let him pick up with another team and give Bell his reps. He's earned them. Forte backed by Bell at RB and Barber backed by Unga at Power Back is the route we need to follow.