Chicago Bears 2015 Position Preview: RB
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3rd down / Short yardage
Jacquizz Rodgers
Was an effective 3rd down back for the Falcons in 2012 & 13, before his touches were almost cut in half last season (148 to 87) and the Falcons didn’t make an effort to bring Rodgers back in the offseason. He’s the smallest of the Bears RBs at 5’6 | 196, but is tough enough to run inside and had success running draws and traps inside with Atlanta. His best NFL skill is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and had over 50 catches in both 2012 & 13 before losing snaps to Antoine Smith and rookie Devonta Freeman last year. Rodgers also could provide value on special teams for the Bears, he averaged over 24 yards per kick return over two seasons as the Falcons primary kick returner.
Rodgers is too small to be an every-down back, but his receiving skills and good technique in pass pro could earn him the 3rd down back role if neither Langford or Carey lock down the job. The Bears were able to sign Rodgers for just over the veteran minimum ($745), so if either of the young RBs outplay Rodgers the Bears may let him go, but he is a good insurance policy if neither is ready. There is a chance Rodgers could stick around regardless if he can beat out Marc Mariani for the primary kick-returner job.
Senorise Perry
Perry stood out in training camp last season as a one of the fastest players on the team (4.37 40-time) and the ability to both return kicks and cover them on special teams. As I mentioned in the intro, Perry earned a spot on the opening week roster despite being just a mini-camp invite. He never got a chance as a running back, with just 1 snap (a catch for -1 yards), but was the Bears primary kick returner the first two weeks of the season and he was on the Bears kick coverage team all year. Unfortunately for Perry, he struggled as a kick returner, only averaging 22 yards per return. His best value for the Bears came on kick and punt coverage where he earned a positive grade from Pro Football Focus on coverage, which was negated somewhat by 3 accepted special teams penalties. With a new coaching staff in town, Perry will have to excel on special teams during training camp to keep his spot on the roster.
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Joe Bergeron
He was considered a borderline draftable RB before a sluggish pro day and 4.73 forty-time, which was over a tenth slower than his previous 4.62 time. Bergeron’s slow time dropped him off team’s draft boards and made him available for the Bears as a mini-camp invite. There are some off-field red flags as well as questions about his speed, but this is a former 5-star talent who flashed elite production at a big-time college program (Texas).
Bergeron doesn’t have the foot speed to be an every down back, but his size gives the Bears a power element in the backfield that they just don’t have right now. He proved his red zone skills as a sophomore at Texas with 16 TDs and could play a similar role with the Bears who have struggled in short-yardage and goal-line situations the last few seasons.
Bergeron has good vision and is a one-cut runner similar to the Broncos C.J. Anderson, who had success in OC Adam Gase’s scheme last year. He lacks long-speed but he has the short-area quickness and ability to gain yards after contact necessary to be an effective short-yardage back and he can also catch the ball out of the backfield making him more than just a one-trick RB. With the running back depth chart unsettled behind Matt Forte, Bergeron may have a shot to make the roster if he can contribute on special teams. He wasn’t signed after rookie mini-camp, but there is still plenty of time left before training camp.