A Look Back at the 2008 RB Class

You guys know our GM was Vinnie Cerrato right?

Well in all fairness to Vinny he did bring in Forte for a predraft visit. Then again who would have expected him to screw up 2 of 3 second round picks?

I was just watching E60 Ray Rice and they were talking about how 5 Running back were taken in front of Rice. Went back to look at who they were and saw what might end up being one of the best classes ever for a single position.

Among the players from that class we see Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Jammal Charles, and Peyton Hillis. Not to mention Ray Rice.

Even guys like Torain, Hightower, Felix Jones, Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, and Tasard Choice came from this class.

So what you are saying is we should draft Devin Thomas?

Drafting RBs is a trade off IMO. It's common now for people to say that you shouldn't draft one in the 1st or 2nd round cause there are always late rounders that can start. And that RBs don't have a long shelf life.

While both are true, the upside of a RB in round 1 is that if he's really talented he should be able to contribute as a starter immediately. Compare that to QBs, WRs & DE/OLBs, they take 3 years to become productive & have a much higher bust rate. At the end of that productive 3rd year they may be entering a contract year.

So RB is still a pretty safe pick & a good return on draft pick/salary investment.

Pay Matt Forte!!!!

Pay Matt Forte!!!!

Seriously, WTF are they thinking?

Seriously, WTF are they thinking?

Andrew Brandt on Sirius with Ross Tucker laid out the Bears thinking, and points out that if the players didn't want this to keep happening then they should have pitched harder for changes at CBA ratification time:

Bottomline, if the Bears franchise tag Forte for the next two years, the Guaranteed money still is less than what Forte is asking for as a guaranteed long term contract. Further, if they go the franchise tag route, and something happens to Forte next year, they don't have to pay the next year at a guaranteed rate.

Is it a cheapskate way, yes, but especially for a RB, it gives them 2 more solid years of him under their contract rights, without committing long term resources to him.

I am surprised that the players union didn't wring some concessions on FT out of the owners, at least limiting it to a 1 year use, or some sort of step down system, ie 1 FT, then 1 Transition tag, then RFA.

Seriously, WTF are they thinking?
It's so rare that rbs last in this league. I wouldnt want to give an 80 million dollar contract to a RB, its just too risky, and the return investment rarely is equal to the contract.

Pay Matt Forte!!!!

Forte is on track to have a Marshall Faulk like season. Something like 1,400 rushing yards and a 1,000 receiving yards. PAY THE MAN!

Forte on pace for amazing accomplishment (http://www.csnchicago.com/10/21/11/Forte-on-pace-for-amazing-accomplishment/landing.html?blockID=581098)

Forte deserves the raise but he plays for the cheap ass Bears. I see this dragging out. But pretty bad that the guy is make 600k. At the very least they should've torn up that contract and given him a few million in good faith.

That would have been the fan reaction if we actually did draft a RB then. I'm just sayin'. ;)

well maybe some, not here for sure