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Ombudsman Cooz

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Chicago Bears Biggest Mistake In Roster Changes Year Over Year...

The Big Cat said 11/23, 10:37 PM
I would say the biggest change they made that has had the biggest impact year over year is the release of Thomas Jones. Jones has two seasons in a row with the Bears with over 1,200 yards and I believe a total of 14 TD's. The Bears were just one of the several teams that thought going from a two back system to a one back system was the way to go. The one thing they have failed to do or recognize is that they need(ed) someone to make up for that yardage and points on the board. Thomas Jones; although he has not been utilized properly has proven that he has a major impact on any team. He currently has almost 800 yards with the NY Jets.
T. Jones was/is the Bears biggest mistake in roster changes year over year...

Ombudsman Cooz said 11/23, 11:05 PM
You can't say letting Jones go was a bad move, because if letting him go wasn't smart, drafting Cedric Benson was worse. Granted, the top 10 of the 2005 Draft left little to be desired (Pacman, Benson, Mike Williams, Troy Williamson and Antrell Rolle), but the main issue with the Bears offensively - outside of that QB of theirs - has been the fact they gave a lazy, unmotivated slug Top 5 money.

I don't think the Bears quite knew Benson was going to be a bum, but by the time they really learned it, they couldn't possibly keep both Jones and Benson. Not to mention the fact that Jones, while certainly good enough to run through several Steelers arm tackles on his way to becoming the first back in 35 games to put 100 yards on their defense, turned 29 at the start in August.

Ya gotta worry about paying an RB $6+ mil/season at that age. You remember that Shaun Alexander guy, right? Yeah...dead weight right now. Benson was making way too much money to not get the featured back spot on that team. Not much they could really do, that decision was made years ago. The decision to draft Benson is the real mistake.

More on Grossman in my next argument.

The Big Cat said 11/23, 11:13 PM
Not for anything, I think you made most of my next argument for me. Them keeping Benson was part of letting go of Jones. Age is and always will be a slight factor but I'll always choose production over age.

Jones played 16 games with the Bears in 2005 and 2006. He was and is healthy and strong and does not appear to be injury prone.

Ultimately it was still a mistake, which you are not arguing against. Jones is proving to everyone that he is a "HUGE" impact player and is for real. Remember, the Jets took him to replace Martin. That has to speak volumes. Big Mistake Bears! Huge!!!

Ombudsman Cooz said 11/23, 11:26 PM
Letting Jones go was the result of other mistakes made. The root of that decision was drafting Benson, which is the real screw-up here. The reason they let Jones go was because Benson's contract escalators kick in. It was inevitable. They aren't going to pay two RBs starter money (watch what happens in N.O. next year), well-managed teams don't do that. They can HAVE two RBs, but they aren't going to commit $14 million+ for two RBs.

My point is they wouldn't have been in the position they were in at all had they not drafted Benson. Because they took him, Jones had to go for financial reasons, which was the plan they set up when Benson was drafted.

Jones has never even been a great RB. The problem is, Benson isn't even a decent one. The Bears decided when they were on the clock in 2005 that Benson was their back of the future, not Jones. When that decision was made, Jones was all but let go in two seasons.

There's the mistake. This says nothing of the fact that Grossman was constantly injured, and they never looked to back him up with a proven, capable QB. He was good and terrible last year, they haven't made a move at that position for two seasons.

The Big Cat said 11/23, 11:36 PM
Okay, so let's they should have stayed with one; that one should have been their workhorse, T. JONES!

I understand your point about bringing Benson in but since you point out and agree with me that they knew that would have an affect on thier RB scheme (game); the mistake is ultimately "TRADING" Thomas Jones for almost nothing in return. They were not in a position where they needed to get another back. Not at such a high cost associated with doing so.

You last comment also backs my argument up quite a bit. The Bears losses were never about a poor running game. People always questioned the QB position (i.e. Grossman); therefore it is still the trading/release of Jones that was their biggest mistake.

Ombudsman Cooz said 11/24, 06:27 PM
Jones = 29 years old. Benson = 24.

You honestly think they should have kept the 29-year-old with two 1k yard seasons in his career? You're acting as if Jones was an elite player.

CHI didn't need an RB in 2005? Jones didn't even crack 1k as a PRO until Benson was there. Now? He averages 3.7 ypc and hasn't scored a touchdown in NY.

He is decent at best. Now, he's paid as a feature back, and he's 29. Why would they keep him at $7 million?

The mistake was the Bears took a player with no heart at No. 4 overall. Jones was never even enough of a part of the future with the team to consider letting him go a mistake.

Jones was the short-term solution in Chicago. He was the contingency plan. Benson was/is the future. Their future averages 3.3 ypc.

Jones looks better than Benson, yes, but they spent the fourth overall pick on Benson. that's a much bigger - and more expensive - mistake.

Because they drafted Benson, Jones was let go. Because they drafted Benson, and still had Jones, they didn't have room to get a viable 2nd RB. Because they drafted Benson, Jones was traded, they can't run the ball, and are a pretty miserable offense.

It's all on Benson.

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Trading Jones was a stupid move......If they still had him at least they would have a running game.....

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Chicago Bears Biggest Mistake In Roster Changes Year Over Year...

Ombudsman Cooz beat The Big Cat 19 to 17

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