Dave Bray-The Bears Running Game-Wherefore Art Thou?

So I’ve been sitting here watching ESPN for a little while this morning and they’ve been playing tape of the Vikings and their running game. The difference between what you see with them and what you see with the Bears is amazing. While Adrian Peterson is an amazing talent, the difference isn’t just in him. I saw holes open up in the offensive line, honest to goodness holes! Combine that with that same offensive line getting past the opponent’s defensive line and taking out linebackers and all of the sudden wow! I think that Matt Forte, while he had a bad game, is still one of the best running backs in the league. I also think that a bit more original play-calling would really help the running game. The off-tackle runs just aren’t working this year. It has quickly become like watching someone walk up to a brick wall and start banging their heads on it. Forte and Wolfe both have the speed to swing out to the outside. Not being inside the head of Ron Turner I just can’t see what his play book holds. The more games I watch though the more I wonder why there hasn’t been some sort of adaptation to the changing defenses in the NFL. While our offensive line isn’t the youngest in the league, they certainly aren’t the worst. There should be holes, there should be blockers getting to the second level. For the past several years we have seen defenses selling out to stop the run against our Bears, now they can sell out to stop the pass and still stop the run. I’m not going to offer any solutions, because honestly I’m not sure that I have any. Of course if any of you have some feel free to comment.

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