Memo To Jerry Angelo: Get Your Checkbook Out

The Chicago Bears ended 2008 out of the playoffs. They have cut ties with Marty Booker and Mike Brown, and John Tait is expected to retire.

Brian Urlacher's stats aren't what they used to be. Lance Briggs number are better than ever, but he was half-way out the door just a year ago.

Kyle Orton was decent until his ankle got hurt. The answer to compete for the starting job at quarterback? Brett Basanez. 

The Bears didn't send an offensive player, including Devin Hester, to the Pro Bowl.

What's missing?

Leadership.

In the fall of 2008, the best thing going in Chicago was rookie running back Matt Forte. He broke almost every rookie running back record for the oldest franchise in the game, and established himself as an elite back.

But he also touched the ball more than any Bear. And, toward the end of the season, he started to get nicked up.

When he left the offense, as was put on display in the Saints game, the Bears offense sat on the sidelines with him. He was the Bears' offense last season.

He was durable, but why should he have to be? Kevin Jones wasn't worth the one-year deal, and Adrian Peterson (not the good one) just couldn't hold his own as the only back on the field.

Forte could also use a solid, veteran presence to teach him not only how to be a professional, but how to be one for a decade.

If the Bears are going to commit to Forte like they did to Sayers, Payton and Neal Anderson, they need to not only take the burden of every play off Forte's back, but he needs to be mentored.

Briggs put a Lamborghini around a pole and left it. Urlacher's been in a custody battle for almost three years. Orton has a neckbeard. 

Leaders? Have you heard Hester talk?

Enter Fred Taylor.

On Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars dumped what should be a no-brainer into the Bears' lap. For as much as the Bears need a big-play wideout, their future is tied to the back and legs of a healthy Forte.

Other teams in the league, like the Eagles, have shown that a revolving door at receiver can be survived if a feature back is constant. And, if you break down the numbers, Forte is every bit the back Brian Westbrook is, and he's doing it earlier in his career.

Taylor has seen his career wind down and now is chasing two things: a Super Bowl appearance and the Hall of Fame.

He currently has over 11,000 yards rushing in a solid career, but he's never been to the big show. He's been splitting time with Maurice Jones-Drew the past couple years, and saw his touches fall to career lows in 2008.

Much like Forte, he's a back that doesn't put the pigskin on the ground; he's lost 13 fumbles in 11 seasons.

He also runs with a similar style to Forte with above average speed, but the ability to get between the tackles and pound for three to five yards when needed.

If Jones is gone, and  Peterson is back where he belongs on special teams, the Bears need a legitimate backup behind Forte.

Taylor brings an unquestioned professionalism to the game. His approach has never been questioned, though his health has.

If he was expected to carry the ball 100 times next year, 400 to 500 yards wouldn't be out of the question.

But, most importantly, those 100 carries would provide Forte with the rest he needs to take his game to the next level.

Last year, with almost nothing behind him on the depth chart, Forte ran for almost 1,300 yards and had another 477 receiving.

Chris Williams, last year's top pick, figures to be starting at one of the offensive tackle positions, and the other tackle spot is in question.

The Bears could address that through the draft, or via free agency, or by keeping John St. Clair. The rest of the line should be in order after doing a good job leading the way for Forte last year.

Taylor should be in Chicago in 2009. He might save Forte the wear and tear for one year by being on the roster.

His leadership might show other Bears how to act like professionals, indeed like men, both on and off the field. And his mentoring might mean an extra 300 yards per season, and an extra two years on Forte's career.

So, Mr. Angelo, please do the right thing. Get on your phone, which is undoubtedly still plugged into the wall and has a cord, and call Taylor's agent.

Offer him an incentive-heavy, one-year deal. Save Forte's legs, and give this team a leader.