Chicago Bears Roundtable: Are Hester and Forte Really The Future?

Welcome to the Week 14 edition of the Chicago Bears roundtable. This is actually the first Roundtable for the Bears this year and we hope to bring it back week after week. For this week's discussion we will have the following talented Chicago Bears writers; Ian Sheppard, Max Kienzler, and T.W. Krems, who will also be moderating this discussion. Let's get to it.

Alright Ian and Max, on to our topics.

Of this list of backs (having the highest percentage of team's scrimmage yards), who do you think Forte is most like: Marshall Faulk, Erik Dickerson, or Edgerrin James?

IS- First off, Bears fans, isn't it awesome that Matt Forte is being named in this company? I certainly think it is. As far as answering this question, though, statistics can only take me as far as to say that Forte is on pace to finish with 1330 yards rushing, which would be more than Faulk but less than Dickerson and James in their rookie seasons. That's why I will answer this question from a physical standpoint.

I remember looking up Forte's info on a few NFL draft websites, and a lot of them had said that Forte was most like Edgerrin James. I have to agree with them, though, I would say he's more like the James as a Colt than as a Cardinal. James never seemed to have the home-run hitting speed to bust a huge run, but he ran with such strength that breaking tackles was his (no pun intended) forte.

MK- I would say Erik Dickerson. Both Edgerrin and Marshall were good (Marshall a hall-of-famer) but both of them were more of a shifty type runner. While Dickerson could be shifty, he also could run people over from time to time and Forte runs more north/south than east and west. If Forte has half of the career of either Faulk or Dickerson, I will be very pleased.

TK- Wow this is a tough one Max. I would have to go with Marshall Faulk because of what Forte has shown in the Bears passing game. I think he is responsible for 36 percent of the entire offense’s production. That is just an astounding figure. He leads the team with 53 receptions and four touchdown catches. I do agree though that Forte is a North/South runner.

Which is more likely: The Detroit Lions going winless or Devin Hester going a full season without a return touchdown?

IS- This is a pretty tough decision, but I might have to side with Hester going the season without a return touchdown and here's why. I know that the Lions are winless and have to play at Indianapolis, against New Orleans and at Green Bay—all teams that seem to be much better than the Lions.

But something really startled me as I was looking at these teams matchups home or away: New Orleans is currently 1-5 on the road (this is hope for Bears fans worried about Thursday night, as well). What's more is the Saints only road win was against Kansas City. I realize that Detroit is probably worse than Kansas City, but I would have to think Detroit would play their tails off hoping not to go winless.

MK- Devin Hester has been held in check all year....in fact sometimes, he is his own worst enemy, trying to get to creative and make something out of nothing but he always seems to just end up running in circles. But the Lions are so bad and they have such a difficult schedule left that I will vote the Lions going winless is more likely.

TK- I have to say Hester not returning a kick or a punt to the house. He has not been able to do it all year against some of the worst special teams squads, so I can‘t see it happening against the final three. Also taking into consideration that Hester has been removed from kick return duties. The confidence is just not there anymore.

How did the Bears successfully shut down David Garrard for a majority of the game, when they normally make an average QB look awesome?

IS- I think there are two things that happened this past Sunday that probably took away from Garrard's ability to pass well. One thing was the defensive line seemed to get constant pressure on Garrard like many have been hoping for much of this season. I'm a little surprised that the Bears only had three sacks (at least mentioned statistically), but it seems like the Bears really took advantage of the Jaguars problems on the offensive line.

The second thing that happened was the Bears secondary looked like they were in place to cover whatever was thrown at them. Perhaps this is because it's the first game at home since Vasher's injury. Perhaps the cold weather had something to do with it. All I know is there were a LOT of blue jerseys flying towards whichever receiver the ball was flying towards.

MK- The defense played inspired, especially in the second half. It was a combination of better coverage calls and the players just bringing their A game. Danieal Manning had an interception and a nice return to the five-yard line (although he coughed up the ball but lucked out when it went out of bounds).

And more importantly, Garrard was pressured for parts of the game. Any pass coverage scheme is made ten times better when the QB is pressured. Israel Idonije had a sack and Mark Anderson FINALLY had a sack. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

TK- Being at home helped tremendously, but I have to say it was because the tone was set early for both side with the Manning pick. The defense did not let up and Garrard could not get his confidence back.

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