cliaz Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Bears head coach Lovie Smith addressed his crowded backfield this week and continued to give public support to incumbent Thomas Jones. "I still think there's a one and there's a two, and you have to establish that, which we've done," Smith told Yahoo! Sports. "Our No. 1 is Thomas Jones. Our No. 2 is Cedric Benson. Our No. 3 is Adrian Peterson…The No. 1 will get the majority of reps. But it's a long year. You have to play the two some. We're planning on [benson getting more carries]." The prevailing notion among fantasy rankings this spring is that Benson is the higher-paid, more-talented runner in the Bears backfield and will be a more valuable commodity this season. However, Jones has been the team's offensive MVP for two years running—accounting for 41 percent of their total touchdowns—and Lovie has never wavered in support of his starter. It may surprise most to hear that Jones is slated for the majority of the reps, but that remains the plan for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBunz Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 I love it! Hope Lovie isn't blowing smoke. Way to get behind your team's most productive offensive player, Lovie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otis Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 No surprise, to me anyway. It is the way it should be. "Dance w/ the one that brung ya!". Some disagree, but I think Lovie is telling the truth for NOW! Production, injuries, etc. could/will change his mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 I love it! Hope Lovie isn't blowing smoke. Way to get behind your team's most productive offensive player, Lovie! 1483658[/snapback] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Bring out Benson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 No surprise, to me anyway. It is the way it should be. "Dance w/ the one that brung ya!". Some disagree, but I think Lovie is telling the truth for NOW! Production, injuries, etc. could/will change his mind! 1483687[/snapback] Too bad Benson didn't get into camp last year. I hope other rookies are paying attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Too bad Benson didn't get into camp last year. I hope other rookies are paying attention. 1483763[/snapback] Prolly not! Too much $$$$$$$ at stake or so they think. Enough $$$$$ for 4 families to live on for the rest of their lives and these kids want more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliaz Posted May 24, 2006 Author Share Posted May 24, 2006 Prolly not! Too much $$$$$$$ at stake or so they think. Enough $$$$$ for 4 families to live on for the rest of their lives and these kids want more! 1483820[/snapback] A-freakin-men dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XFlash Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 I love it! Hope Lovie isn't blowing smoke. Way to get behind your team's most productive offensive player, Lovie! 1483658[/snapback] Here's to hoping he stick to his decision (barring injury of course) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Prolly not! Too much $$$$$$$ at stake or so they think. Enough $$$$$ for 4 families to live on for the rest of their lives and these kids want more! 1483820[/snapback] Very true but I remember Holt saying he told his agent to get a fair deal but just get him into camp early. They have 3 months to do it. They will give up some money but if they just take last years #? picks money it may not be much. Or if they get picked 7th ask for last years money plus whatever extra % the first signee got. If the #6 signed and got 3% more than last year ask for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 I firmly hope that the Bears play whichever back is going to help them win the most games. In my mind... I'm not sure that's Mr. Jones, but I'll let the guy who watches them every day make that decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Very true but I remember Holt saying he told his agent to get a fair deal but just get him into camp early. They have 3 months to do it. 1485389[/snapback] Benson is NOT Holt. Holt has more class, IMHO, at least what I've seen so far. I could be wrong, but wasn't it Benson who fired his agent and hired his homey? Nice move! He has shown nothing. He cried when he was drafted, and those were NOT tears of joy! I'll wait and see. Atomic, Jones has done more than anyone expected. 2 solid years, prolly his best 2. I wish I could go back two years and bring up his negs & doom that was posted here. Lovie is right...."Dance w/ the one that brung ya!". But the best player plays. Twill be interesting. It's Jones' job to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down Goes Frazia Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 I firmly hope that the Bears play whichever back is going to help them win the most games. In my mind... I'm not sure that's Mr. Jones, but I'll let the guy who watches them every day make that decision. 1485431[/snapback] spoken like a benson owner who doesn't own jones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Benson is NOT Holt. Holt has more class, IMHO, at least what I've seen so far. I could be wrong, but wasn't it Benson who fired his agent and hired his homey? Nice move! He has shown nothing. He cried when he was drafted, and those were NOT tears of joy! I'll wait and see. 1485492[/snapback] Well Benson did go to UT. I wonder how he did on the Wonderlic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Well Benson did go to UT. I wonder how he did on the Wonderlic. 1485513[/snapback] I like UT. A beautiful campus. Loved the grackles(sp) in the spring! That was RR juniorettes secondary school if she couldn't go to U of I! (UTA, anyway) My guess his Wonderlic scores were low. Majored in social work. No offense to Social Workers (long hours low pay few rewards), but that ain't a tough major. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 (edited) I have them both in one dynasty league. I'd like to see what Benson can do with a shot as the starter, but I think Jones has made it difficult to replace him. Ideally for me, I'd like to see Jones take his services elsewhere, as he's been under-rated for quite a while, and some teams are probably kicking themselves now for not grabbing him a couple of years back. I think Lovie is right in not yanking the starting job from Jones right now, and this talk could also just be a bit of appeasing Jones...I mean he did sign with Rosenhaus not too long ago right? I think this situation will resolve itself, and I doubt Jones will be happy with the way it plays out. Lovie can make this decision for now...but if Jones struggles in the least bit, or the Bears are not in contention...the calls for Benson will be loud. Eventually, this decision isn't Lovie's. Edited May 25, 2006 by Hitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 spoken like a benson owner who doesn't own jones. 1485504[/snapback] I thought it was an honest assesment. Before I ever drafted Benson, I was let down several times by Jones in Arizona and Tampa. It leads me to the conclusion that maybe Chicago's system may be helping his numbers, and a more talented back could do even more. But, maybe it's just that TJ finally found a place that can use his style of play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I thought it was an honest assesment. Before I ever drafted Benson, I was let down several times by Jones in Arizona and Tampa. It leads me to the conclusion that maybe Chicago's system may be helping his numbers, and a more talented back could do even more. But, maybe it's just that TJ finally found a place that can use his style of play. 1485922[/snapback] Jones played excellent when given the chance on T.B. the only place he did not produce was Arizona, and what RB has produced there? and ,IMO Jones last year in Arizona was not that bad considering the circumstances and the fact that he only played in 9 games. That all being said, Kruetz(if that is how it is spelled) is the main reason for Chicago's excellent run game. and the fact that Jones puts his head down and gets the yards the line gives him IMO is his biggest plus. I think either RB would do well, for that matter I think Peterson would do well on this team. but I think Jones is,and should be the number 1 back. he has proven he can get it done..so why tinker with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizards Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I have them both in one dynasty league. I'd like to see what Benson can do with a shot as the starter, but I think Jones has made it difficult to replace him. Ideally for me, I'd like to see Jones take his services elsewhere, as he's been under-rated for quite a while, and some teams are probably kicking themselves now for not grabbing him a couple of years back. I think Lovie is right in not yanking the starting job from Jones right now, and this talk could also just be a bit of appeasing Jones...I mean he did sign with Rosenhaus not too long ago right? I think this situation will resolve itself, and I doubt Jones will be happy with the way it plays out. Lovie can make this decision for now...but if Jones struggles in the least bit, or the Bears are not in contention...the calls for Benson will be loud. Eventually, this decision isn't Lovie's. 1485584[/snapback] RB isn't where the issue is....Bears QB needs attention...RB is least of Lovie's issues IMO...2 good RB's =no problem here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 Smith has TJ as his #1 so he doesn't lower his trade value.... he'll either be traded or cut shortly after june 1st... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 That all being said, Kruetz(if that is how it is spelled) is the main reason for Chicago's excellent run game. and the fact that Jones puts his head down and gets the yards the line gives him IMO is his biggest plus. I think either RB would do well, for that matter I think Peterson would do well on this team. but I think Jones is,and should be the number 1 back. he has proven he can get it done..so why tinker with it. 1485971[/snapback] I have to credit the system for a lot of it when Brock Forsey can rush for 137 in a single game. (see my sig line) Smith has TJ as his #1 so he doesn't lower his trade value.... he'll either be traded or cut shortly after june 1st... 1489327[/snapback] Interesting theory. But, as a Denver fan... I know the value of good backups. Seems silly to put all your eggs in one basket when you have two perfectly good baskets? How expensive is TJ to them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 I have to credit the system for a lot of it when Brock Forsey can rush for 137 in a single game. (see my sig line) Interesting theory. But, as a Denver fan... I know the value of good backups. Seems silly to put all your eggs in one basket when you have two perfectly good baskets? How expensive is TJ to them? 1489461[/snapback] I heard about the TJ situation yesterday on NFL Network....and he's clearly unhappy there and is likely not participating in any camps... they are trying to trade him and he could end up the wildcard on june 1st....him and Marcel Shipp could be available... scratch that...Shipp WILL be available and could be pretty good behind an at least good OL... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 Smith has TJ as his #1 so he doesn't lower his trade value.... he'll either be traded or cut shortly after june 1st... 1489327[/snapback] Possible, but Peterson is a trade candidate also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 Possible, but Peterson is a trade candidate also. 1489556[/snapback] TJ eats up more cap space.... it would be ideal to keep Peterson as he's still very talented and doesn't hit the cap like TJ does.... plus TJ has more trade value... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.