Free-agent running back inks deal with Chicago. Matt Bowen
The Bears continue to make moves with the signing of FA running back Chester Taylor to a deal worth a reported $12.5 million in total value with $7 million in guaranteed money.
As expected, with this type of money up front, Taylor will most likely come into camp this summer as the club’s No. 1 back, reducing last year’s starter Matt Forte to a backup role. But, with most NFL teams, you need two backs that can produce and two backs that can play within the system.
That system in Chicago now belongs to Mike Martz. And having seen that offense up close, I don’t see why the Bears wouldn’t consider this a positive play.
Martz’s backs have to be dynamic when it comes to the game plan, and they have to pass protect — something that Taylor has shown the ability to do throughout his career. Those third-down routes he was catching from Brett Favre in Minnesota become first and second-down routes under Martz. Taylor will get the ball deep in the backfield in the running game with ample time to cut back and find a hole.
Plus, with Martz, running backs are used creatively. He will align Taylor away from the formation — almost as a slot WR — where he can put him in favorable matchups and get him the football in open space. Think of Taylor running the option route, using the defender's leverage to get open. The rail route, the angle route, and any inside breraking route between the numbers that matches Taylor against a linebacker or a safety. He will see that with Martz and he will be productive.
I was high on Taylor when I ranked my top ten UFAs, and I do see him as an ideal fit for Martz, because despite his age, he isn’t the type of running back we usually see in his 30’s — players like Edgerrin James, Brian Westbrook or LaDainian Tomlinson. Only once in his career, during the 2006 season, was he used in a feature role. After the Vikings drafted Adrian Peterson, his number of touches were reduced, which prepared him for this point — to cash in.
Chicago can get the value they paid up front for Taylor, and in Martz’s system — along with QB Jay Cutler — his numbers should reflect an upgrade for Chicago. Forte will still see the ball, but when the Bears need a play and want to create those mismatches, Taylor should be in the lineup.
Up next? Julius Peppers, as the Bears continue to spend on talent.
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Great signing....he'll turn into the 'next' running back like Westbrook. The TE singing was also good for what Martz does, using him more as a blocker/Tackle. I'm not sure about Peppers, they may have been better off with Kauffman, but not if he can't return to his level of play as a result of his injuyry.
Now for a SAFETY!!!! Or do they already have one on their roster in Peanut Tillman....that means they need Corners....what a cluster this Organization is!
Kampman not Kauffman, sorry bud.
I like this pickup, if only to deprive our rivals the VIkings of a great player. But the whiny fan in me screams "Football is Won and Lost in the Trenchs!". Where is the o-line upgrades?
The O line upgrades will come in the draft, which is deep enough here that the Bears should be able to upgrade. They have a plan, amazingly enough, and it is working out. I think they'll go after DBs in the draft too, but if they can sign one in FA to go along with Peppers and Taylor, it will be quite a day.
I plan on spending some serious time at BearBonnais this July.
I like this pickup, if only to deprive our rivals the VIkings of a great player. But the whiny fan in me screams "Football is Won and Lost in the Trenchs!". Where is the o-line upgrades?
The character returns to their run game, something missing since Thomas Jones.
Manamaleuna brings a physical presence. He lines up, you had better fit the run front to him. Now the Martz system is setting up play action, vertical looks, mismatches. All because you had to fit the front, and in doing so their protections match, and the pass game can develop a tempo to rival any identity they can have when they run with character.
That's where Taylor's consistency fits so well. You have a passer ready to rip it and now a back can execute all phases of the game plan. The offense should always remain a step ahead of the defense from a matchup standpoint.
Getting those linemen lined out can be another story, that will probably be the item that connects with great eras of Bear football. It's a great time to be investing in beef, the Bear market is hungry for it. Get some people who can fit their identity to the front and help them play aggressive football once again.
The Packers demonstrate that you don't find instant protection in the draft. The Bears O-line is as suspect as anyones and how are the Bears going to find upgrades if they don't draft till the mid rounds?
Some people are never happy , this is the first signing day and the Bears are seriously trying to improve , yet all one person can do is complain that they haven't addressed the OL . You just might want to give them some time , this was a major haul for 1 day !!
What's so great about a 30 yr old RB? Pitt didn't want him, Vikes let him go, now the Bears have him. All he's going to do is stunt Forte's growth. And before all you start about how Forte played last year, the year before you were the same people clamoring he should be Rookie of the Year! The o-line was worse last year and Cutler wanted to throw all day. How is that not going to impact his growth as a runner?
Joshua: Did you watch the same games I did? Forte avoided anything having to do with hitting the line. 3.6 ypc, 6 fumbles, and 4 (!) TD's ain't gettin' it, bad OL or no.
I think Taylor is a great pick up,don't let the age fool you,
he doesn't have a huge number of carries.
He probably has less mileage than a lot of starters on other teams.
Forte played hurt all year,that's on coaching and management.
Injury ridden kevin Jones was the back-up plan;and that failed.
Wolfe is more of a gimmick back,and not stout enough to carry the load.
But,this is just the type of back the Bears needed to pick up.
The question I would ask,where was this aggressive pursuit of talent,
during the previous seasons of Lovie and Jerry?
Why now? When their jobs are on the line,do they suddenly "get it"?
I'm thrilled to see upgrades,I suspect they will last longer than the careers of Lovie and Jerry in Chicago.
Chester Taylor is such a great talent. I would not pass him at all. The bears definitely got a steal here. He is such a great addition to the team.
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Mar 05, 2010
02:58 PM
Keep 'em coming Angelo. Never thought I would see a day like this as a Bears fan.. hope it pays off, or bye-bye Lovie.