How Does Marion Barber Fit in With the Chicago Bears Offense?

The Chicago Bears continued with the “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” theme on Saturday when they signed running back Marion Barber as well as former Houston Texans defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. Barber’s production and explosion were on a steep decline last season after he ran for over 900 yards in 2009. Just a year ago, Barber managed only 374 yards and 3.3 yards per carry with a career-low four touchdown runs.

Whatever happened to Barber, he saw himself losing carries to Tashard Choice, and found himself cut when the new league year started. Thankfully for him, it didn’t take him long to find a new home as he latched on with the Chicago Bears, who also signed his released teammate, wide receiver Roy Williams.

With Matt Forte being one of the better receiving backs in the NFL, Barber will likely come in and provide the Bears’ offense with some pop off the bench, and being in a good rotation will once again be good for him. Forte and Chester Taylor didn’t exactly have the season that Bears fans had hoped for, so I really find the signing of Barber interesting.

I’m not so sure it was a good move for Barber to go to a team that plays on a field that does not suit his skills well, though Barber has shown throughout this career that he can be a great receiver out of the backfield, as well as tough to bring down in the open field. Just three years ago, he caught 52 passes and 44 the year before that.

The Bears are making some nice additions to the offensive side of the ball, but bringing in Barber has real boom or bust potential. If he plays into his role well enough, he could provide them with one of the toughest trios in the NFC along with Forte and Taylor. If not, the move to Chicago could effectively end his relevancy in the NFL.