Darren Sproles And The Chicago Bears Would Be a Perfect Fit
Published by Kendrick Marshall on February 26, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears‘ general manager Jerry Angelo now can go out and get the real Darren Sproles.
The San Diego Chargers on Friday decided not to offer Sproles a one-year, $7.3 million deal as a restricted free agent, which means he will be on open market for the taking.
Chicago once tabbed current part-time running back Garrett Wolfe as a Sproles-type back, taking him in the third-round of the 2007 NFL Draft after putting up impressive numbers throughout his career at Northern Illinois.
But the only thing Wolfe and Sproles had in common were similar diminutive statures. Wolfe has only gained 274 career yards and scored once in three years, seemingly either not deployed effectively by former offensive coordinator Ron Turner, or just not cut out for the NFL game.
Nonetheless, Sproles, 26, would be an ideal fit to work in tandem with starting running back Matt Forte who suffered through a disappointing sophomore season for Chicago.
He does not have a lot of mileage on his 5’6”, 181-pound frame, and is explosive running in between the tackles or catching passes out of the backfield.
Forte’s production declined from a solid 2008 campaign where he rushed for more than 1,200 and eight touchdowns as a rookie. Forte only gained 939 yards on 258 carries in 2009.
Going into last season the Bears believed their backfield was set with veteran Kevin Jones in the second string role. However, a preseason leg injury cost Jones the entire regular season, which opened the door for Adrian Peterson, rookie Kahlil Bell, and Wolfe to split attempts. The trio combined for 391 yards and one touchdown on 6.1 yards per rush.
Sproles totaled 343 yards and three touchdowns sharing the load with future Hall of Fame rusher LaDainian Tomlinson a season ago.
Sproles could help in the production department in new offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s high octane attack, where speed and versatility from the running back position is a must.
An effective two-back system worked for the Bears in 2006 when Thomas Jones and Cedric helped fueled a Super Bowl run combining for more than 1,800 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Since the pair was broken up the Bears running game has been hit and miss. Signing Sproles would provide some stability at a position that has featured a revolving door of bodies and ineffectiveness.
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