Michael Bush another piece to Bears puzzle
For the third time in as many seasons the Bears have signed a free-agent running back who they hope will be a competent complement to Matt Forte or, in a worst-case scenario, a replacement for their featured ball carrier.
Former Oakland Raider Michael Bush, who rushed for a career-high 977 yards last season, agreed Thursday to terms with the Bears on a $14 million, four-year deal that includes $7 million in guaranteed money.
That immediately prompted a bitter Twitter response from Forte, who wants a long-term deal and isn't pleased with wearing the franchise tag, even though it comes with a $7.742 million salary for this season.
“There's only so many times a man that has done everything he's been asked to do can be disrespected!” Forte tweeted. “Guess the GOOD GUYS do finish last …”
Later, Forte tweeted: “for the record I'm not mad at the signing of another running back. This is 4th time that's happened. I embrace competition as well as help. But as for not taking care of ur own and undervaluing a player under his market value is another story!”
In the 6-foot-1, 245-pound Bush, the Bears have an every-down back with the size and power to be effective in goal-line situations. He has 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons and also caught 37 passes for 418 yards last season, both career highs.
Bush, who turns 28 in June, said he could sympathize with Forte.
“I can understand where the guy's coming from,” Bush said. “Everything that they've asked for, he's done. It's just one of those things where you want to be rewarded for your success.
“But that has nothing to do with me. I'm just glad that I'm going to be with the team and help him become a better player, and he's going to push me as well, so it will be great working with him.”
Bush was a fourth-round draft choice out of Louisville in 2007, but he spent his rookie season on injured reserve, continuing to rehab the broken leg he suffered in his final college season that dropped his draft status.
But he has missed just three games in the four years since, accumulating career totals of 2,642 rushing yards on 632 carries for a 4.2-yard average.
Bush succeeds back-to-back flops Chester Taylor in 2010 and Marion Barber in 2011.
Forte has yet to sign his one-year contract tender as the Bears' franchise player. His agent, Adisa Bakari, and the team continue to work toward a multiyear deal he is seeking, but no progress has been reported.
“We continue to work with Matt and his agent in that effort,” Bears general manager Phil Emery said last week. “Obviously, we want Matt to be a Bear for the long term. We're excited about him in 2011 and beyond.”
Forte, 26, wants more than the $13 million-$14 million in guaranteed money the Bears reportedly offered last year. The two sides have until July 16 to work out a long-term contract.
He could boycott the Bears' off-season program, training camp and part of the regular season in protest.
Forte was leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage last season when he suffered a season-ending sprained knee early in Game 12. Still, he rushed for 997 yards last season and averaged a career-best 4.9 yards per carry. He also has more than 50 receptions in each of his four seasons with the Bears.
The Bears hope Bush provides them with more dependable insurance than their last two free-agent running backs.
Barber signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal just before the start of training camp, and although he led the Bears with 6 rushing touchdowns, he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. His mental and physical errors were instrumental in the Bears' 13-10 overtime loss at Denver in December.
Barber was a bargain compared to Taylor, whose 2.4-yard average per carry in 2010 came after he signed a $12.5 million, four-year deal that paid him $7 million in guaranteed money in the first year.
rlegere@dailyherald.com
By the numbers: Michael Bush
Here's a closer look at the NFL rushing stats for Michael Bush, the newest member of the Chicago Bears:
Carries Yds. Avg. TD Long run
2011 256 977 3.8 7 44
Career 632 2,642 4.2 21 67