Using former college running back and current defensive lineman Henry Melton in short-yardage situations has been widely considered outside Halas Hall but has not been the subject of an internal debate, according to coach Lovie Smith.
"Henry is still a developing football player," Smith said. "He's playing inside [at defensive tackle] and outside [at end] and on special teams. He hasn't mastered the defensive line positions yet. We'll continue to let him develop and leave running the ball to the running backs right now."
The Bears are 0-for-10 from an opponent's one-yard line this season, which is something the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Melton may be able to remedy. Melton was an effective short-yardage back during his first two-plus seasons at the University of Texas before switching to the defensive line midway through his junior year. In all, he scored 16 touchdowns for the Longhorns.
"Defense is my spot," Melton said. "If the team needs me to help out somewhere I'm more than willing to do it."
Melton said he would not have to re-learn the "subtleties" of the position because there are none.
"I've been doing for years," said Melton, who was a second-team All-American running back in high school. "You just put the ball in your arm, hold it tight and run over whoever is in your way, right?"
Thank GOD this is the last year with that IDIOT...do I hear 0-20 from the goal line !
Lovie, there's a huge athletic freak with running back experience on the Bears and the team has had problems converting on short yardage downs. Do you see where I'm going with this?
Lovie: ZZZZZZZZ.....
Another inflexible defensive coach in Chi. Sound like anyone else (from 1985)? Sure, Lovie, why use a guy with experience just because he has no experience with you? He may actually be able to solve that Rubik's Cube of scoring from inside the 1, something the Bears seem incapable of. No one will miss you, Lovie.
Another good idea from outside the Bears' coaching staff
So Once Again Our.. "Only Play The Players That Help Us Win".. Headcase, Has Spilled Out To Us Some Of His American Football Genius. What An Idiot! As Much As It Hurts To Even Think.. I Half-Hope Buffalo Out Coaches This Clown (Just As The Last Two Patsy Staffs Have)To Place Just Another Nail In His Coffin. This Goof, And His Never Ending Stare Up At The Jumbo-Tron.. Has To Go!
Sticking Melton in the bacfield would be fun, but Smith is probably making the right call.
In the first place, the offense needs to figure out how to gain a yard without gimmicks. That foolishness has gone on long enough. It's a fixable problem that is now approaching the point of making one of NFL film's "legendary screwup" lists.
In the second place if they are going to be an elite defense, the Bears definately need a good 3-technique tackle as soon as they can find one. If Melton has potential, and he does, then don't give him anything else to worry about.
By MSBearsFan on November 2, 2010 9:39 AM
"Sticking Melton in the bacfield would be fun, but Smith is probably making the right call...if Melton has potential, and he does, then don't give him anything else to worry about."
From the very same article: Melton said he would not have to re-learn the "subtleties" of the position because there are none.
"I've been doing (sic) for years," said Melton, who was a second-team All-American running back in high school. "You just put the ball in your arm, hold it tight and run over whoever is in your way, right?"
For starters, handing a defensive guy the ball twice a game and telling him to blow someone over isn't "anything else to worry about." It would probably pump him up and even make his D play improve! Second, the Bears need to score on 1st and goal, gimmick or no gimmick! Lovie should definately give it a shot. With malemaliuna or what ever his name is at TE and Davis as fullback, we should be able to punch it through a wall of the Pentagon!
Why in the world haven't the bears not tried Khalil Bell near the goaline? Why does he even have a roster spot? To never dress. The bears coaches are totally inept. Khalil Bell is the biggest back we have on the roster. he is 225 pounds and when he has gotten chances he has performed pretty well. I have always seen him fall forward also! Bell does not have speed. That 72 yard gain against Philly last year proved that. The guy does have power and pop though. I believe Bell would be a Fantastic short yardage back. Somebody just needs to tell Lovie and Martz. Our coaches are so dumb.
Having a guy that big who can jump as high as he can could be a force on short yardage situation even if the defense knew what was coming. Sheer momentum would carry him at least a little way, which is more than the present backs can accomplish. I'd say it was worth a try because what the bears have tried so far has certainly not worked.
I also like Bell in short-yardage because he brings it to the hole in a hurry.
But staying on the subject, like many of you are saying, Melton's been a running back before, and it's nothing new to him. We're not asking him to pass block or go out for a screen pass. Should be easy, and judging from Melton's comments, I think he's looking forward to it.
Lovie's comment is bogus. He's been switching players and positions all over the field, stunting their development and weakening the team.
But having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if the coaches keep denying it and we suddenly see it take place on the field anyway. It doesn't help to have opponents gearing up for something new you're putting in.