Kahlil Bell, Armando Allen pushing for Bears’ 3rd RB job

**Riczaj01** · 08-19-2012, 01:58 PM

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/footb...rd-rb-job.html

Kahlil Bell, Armando Allen pushing for Bears’ 3rd RB job BY SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com August 17, 2012 8:56PM

One of the intriguing battles heading into the Bears’ second preseason game against the Washington Redskins today is for the third running back spot. Ads by Google

(5) Signs of DepressionThese 5 Signs of Depression Will Shock You. See the Causes Now! Depression.DailyLife.com/5-Signs

Both starter Matt Forte and backup Michael Bush are locks to make the 53-man roster, given the healthy investment the Bears have made in both — a combined $24.25 million in guarantees. But nothing’s for sure for Kahlil Bell, Armando Allen and fullbacks Harvey Unga and Tyler Clutts.
Plenty can happen between now and the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. But the Bears may be inclined not to carry a traditional fullback, and there may not be room for four running backs.
Bell clearly has the experience, but could Allen have the edge?
Bush is a complement to Forte, but Allen’s advantage is that he’s vastly different from every other running back on the roster. At 5-8 and 199 pounds, he’s more of a scat back, quick and explosive — an obvious change of pace from the bulldozing Bush and the big-but-still-fast Forte.
‘‘Armando has had a good camp, but I can’t say anything bad about anyone we have,’’ running backs coach Tim Spencer said. ‘‘We’re not going to ask [Allen] to get in there and pound it. But he’s done the things that we need him to do. He’s got good speed and quickness. He’s not a big guy, but he’s tough.’’
Bell has done an admirable job whenever he has had to step into the lineup, averaging a robust 4.7 yards per carry. But in just 79 carries last season, he fumbled three times, though he lost just one. He’s a well-rounded back and scheduled to make $1.26 million in 2012 — if he makes the roster.
Allen, meanwhile, is signed through 2013, with a salary of just $390,000 this season. His most notable performance last year was gaining 40 yards on 11 carries in a 35-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Christmas.
‘‘I think it’s going pretty good right now,’’ Allen said. ‘‘It’s definitely at that point where I’ve got to stay focused and continue to get through the grind and show that I’m mentally tough and prepared.’’
Allen and Bell downplayed any ill will toward one another, insisting the unit is close.
‘‘I look at myself as a starter in this league, and I wait for my opportunity,” Bell said. ‘‘When I come out, I don’t compete against Matt, I don’t compete against Bush. I just try to get better every day. When you start worrying about numbers and things like that, it takes away from your game play. I’m going to be all right no matter what happens.’’
No hard feelings
Running back Cedric Benson, the fourth overall pick of the 2005 draft, has signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers. Benson, 29, who was released by the Bears in 2008 after several off-the-field incidents, rebounded somewhat with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He’d had a tough time landing a job this offseason.
Former Bears teammate Charles Tillman is happy for him.
‘‘I’m glad he got picked up,’’ Tillman said. ‘‘My goal for every player — teammate, ex-teammate, whoever — is to play as long as you can and make as much money as you can because it’s such a short time frame for your life and career. I never had a problem with Cedric.’’

**Riczaj01** · 08-19-2012, 02:01 PM

I'm really pushing for Allen on this one, I think he's a good change of pace guy, and he's a cheaper option by about 1/3rd. I think there is also more upside to him. If we keep four I hope Unga is the 4th, and let Clutts be the 1 FB but I don't see that happening, I see Clutts being the 4th RB/FB/LS and then keeping 4 TE's.

**MPBears68** · 08-19-2012, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

I'm really pushing for Allen on this one, I think he's a good change of pace guy, and he's a cheaper option by about 1/3rd. I think there is also more upside to him. If we keep four I hope Unga is the 4th, and let Clutts be the 1 FB but I don't see that happening, I see Clutts being the 4th RB/FB/LS and then keeping 4 TE's.

A rare "good problem to have" with our RBs. I gotta believe it is Bell's job to lose so to speak (he could probably be a #2 man for several teams as long as ball security doesn't become an issue again) but the fact that he's more expensive and probably would be here only one more year anyway, may allow Allen to get the nod given his different look running style. Is Allen still PS-eligible if need be? Booker, despite his TD return, is a long shot imo.

I'd keep Clutts over Unga for blocking and STs (Unga seems to be always around in TC but rarely involved in PS games much). The question is do we keep 3RBs + 1FB + 3TEs or 4RBs + 4TEs and no FBs. The guys on the bubble seem to be Clutts vs. KAdams with Clutts being the better blocker and KAdams being the better receiver. I kinda like them both (pull for UDFAs and long shots to make the team). It will come down to STs I guess. I wonder again if KAdams is PS-eligible (think so)?

I hadn't really considered seriously the scenario you laid out, Ric, with 4 RB/FBs AND 4 TEs. That would leave 8 spots left for OL (yes, I'm figuring 6 WRs + 3 QBs here). Webb, Carimi, Garza, CWill, & Louis are roster locks so that would mean cutting one of the other/backup linemen out of EWill, Rachal, Brown, or Spencer...who would it be?

**short faced bear** · 08-19-2012, 04:52 PM

We need the blocking and we need Clutts imo. Need that GL punch-would like to see him w/Bush in GL set. Unga looks like he'll see the PS. Not sure we should keep Rachal vs Brown. If Booker keeps having good returns he's going to be tough to ignore. Summers should be PS.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 08-19-2012, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by short faced bear

We need the blocking and we need Clutts imo. Need that GL punch-would like to see him w/Bush in GL set. Unga looks like he'll see the PS. Not sure we should keep Rachal vs Brown. If Booker keeps having good returns he's going to be tough to ignore. Summers should be PS.

That 1st rushing TD with Clutts lead blocking for Bush, sure looked sweet. It's a MUCH different team with those two on the goal line. We'd be nuts to let Clutts go. He's extremely valuable if we want to get TD's rather than settling for field goals, in those situations. A fast 260 pound FB lead blocking for a gifted 245 pound running back. They scored with ease.

**short faced bear** · 08-19-2012, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

That 1st rushing TD with Clutts lead blocking for Bush, sure looked sweet. It's a MUCH different team with those two on the goal line. We'd be nuts to let Clutts go. He's extremely valuable if we want to get TD's rather than settling for field goals, in those situations. A fast 260 pound FB lead blocking for a gifted 245 pound running back. They scored with ease.

If were going to have better GL punch we need Cwill back at LG as well as Bush and Clutts in the reg. season. I believe there is a ton of potential to improve inside the 5yd line.

**MPBears68** · 08-19-2012, 06:00 PM

^^^^^^^^^

"unless you're nuts, ya gotta keep Clutts!"

Johnny Cochrane

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 08-19-2012, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by short faced bear

If were going to have better GL punch we need Cwill back at LG as well as Bush and Clutts in the reg. season. I believe there is a ton of potential to improve inside the 5yd line.

The more I see of Spencer and Rachal at LG, the more I realize the mistake the team made pulling C.Will out of that role to push Webb this year. Webb has the job, and I don't think they ever seriously considered C.Will taking it from Webb. C.Will was just used to push Webb. Just mind-games to light a fire under Webb's butt.

C.Will is coming up for a new contract. Now they won't have to pay him starting oline money. Not at LT. Not at LG.

But Webb got the "treatment" that the Bears wanted. He felt some heat to get it in gear this year because they threatened his job with a good lineman in C.Will. Looks like it worked. Webb has the job locked up (and he always DID have it locked up). They were going with Webb all along.....he's always been Tice's pet project.

C.Will? He got hosed. He'll get tossed aside like a used condom now that they're done with him. He'll get to be the backup tackle. He should be our starting LG. What did he ever do to lose his job there?

**GermansbombedPH** · 08-20-2012, 07:42 AM

I would try to trade Bell or Allen to the Fins with a good solid pick and try to get Long THIS Season (if we find a way to fit his salary in)

**BearJim** · 08-20-2012, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by short faced bear

We need the blocking and we need Clutts imo. Need that GL punch-would like to see him w/Bush in GL set. Unga looks like he'll see the PS. Not sure we should keep Rachal vs Brown. If Booker keeps having good returns he's going to be tough to ignore. Summers should be PS.

I agree SFB. The dude has some sick moves. That KO return was awesome. The blocking on that return lousy. It was all Booker. He's got my vote for 3rd RB.

Thread: Kahlil Bell, Armando Allen pushing for Bears’ 3rd RB job

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Kahlil Bell, Armando Allen pushing for Bears’ 3rd RB job

Posting Permissions