Bears Need Someone, Anyone At RB

Filed in archive NFL on June 11, 2008

© pboyd04

Now that Cedric Benson has been released on his way to the triple crown of drunk driving (boat, car, airplane), the Chicago Bears are down a body, though obviously not a great player. Take a look at Chicago's roster, and it's clear that they have to add more to their backfield.

Matt Forte (pictured), the rookie they chose in the second round of the draft out of Tulane, will probably be the number one guy at this point, but they lack substantial depth. They have Adrian Peterson, but it's the wrong one, and Garrett Wolfe is nothing more than a change of pace type.

The best option at this point would be to sign former Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones to a one-year deal. He's still only 25 years old, but coming off a knee injury, his health is suspect. When he's healthy, however, he is an explosive playmaker who is a dual running/receiving threat. Then there are players like Shaun Alexander and Ron Dayne. Neither will strike fear in the heart of a defense, but they can run the ball about 10 times a game in relief of Forte.

After that, it's slim pickin's, and you get into alternatives like Mike Anderson, Samkon Gado and Reno Mahe. Of course, they could also just wait until training camp when players will be cut, although that is a gamble. Any way you look at it, Cedric Benson put the Bears in a bad spot. Then again, he did that when he played for them also, so maybe this was an old-fashioned blessing in disguise.