BU54

UT's Charles, Tulane's Forte on Bears' list
April 5, 2008
BY BRAD BIGGS

While Bears coach Lovie Smith talked this week about bringing in competition for Cedric Benson, running backs coach Tim Spencer was working toward that goal.

Spencer met with Tulane running back Matt Forte on Thursday in New Orleans, a day after putting Texas' Jamaal Charles through a private workout in Austin. Could the Bears be looking at Charles, who succeeded Benson with the Longhorns, to do the same in Chicago?

Charles left school with a year of eligibility remaining after rushing for 1,619 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior. He trails only Ricky Williams, Benson and Earl Campbell on Texas' all-time rushing list and had only 582 offensive touches in college -- less than half as many as Benson (1,181), who stayed in school four years.

Both Charles, who ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and Forte are projected to be second-round draft picks. The Bears also have shown interest in Arkansas' Felix Jones as they investigate backs who might be available after they address another need -- perhaps offensive tackle -- with the 14th pick in the first round.

Forte, who was second in the nation as a senior with 2,127 yards and scored 23 touchdowns, is the bigger of the two backs at 6-2, 217 pounds. He also has more experience as a receiver and blocker. He was timed at 4.44 in the 40 at the combine.

Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo have praised the depth at running back in the draft, and the value in Round 2 might not be far off what the Bears could land with their first-round pick. They sent Southwest scout Chris Ballard to New Orleans a week earlier to meet with Forte, and they interviewed him at the combine.

''[The Bears'] offense was very similar to what we ran here with inside and outside zone plays and with [isolation] plays,'' Forte said of his film and playbook session with Spencer. ''I can move out and help in the passing game, too. He said I would be a good fit in that offense.''

LINK
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/footb...bear05.article

__________________
Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.


10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7

BULLITT

I dunno, another Texas back might be like another Michigan receiver for the Bears - all show, and no go.
I know jack about Forte, maybe someone who's seen him play more than once, can give me some insight?
I wouldn't be totally adverse to even Stewart in the third, but this team must make every conceivable effort to upgrade the O line, in the first two rounds.



I'm just say'n.

BU54

It seems good players are getting harder to find each year. Especially at QB & RB.

__________________
Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.


10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7

preacher

Agreed,if we only knew how Beekman was progressing we could have a better idea of how the Bears might go in the draft.Lets hope we find a late round gem when we pick a Receiver.But knowing JA'S track record when picking offensive players i highly doubt it.