Bears needing balance in more than just run-pass ratio

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An overriding point last offseason was adding weapons on offense, making it impossible for teams to stop the Bears by stopping Matt Forte. Beyond the obvious lack of touchdowns, something is still not working, however.

The balance expected with Mike Tices ascension to the job of offensive coordinator was missing against Carolina, when the repeated failures of running plays in the second half plus the methodical piling up of field goals by the Panthers led the Bears to abandon the run game. After averaging 7.6 yards per carry in the first half, Forte on second half carries gained 1, 2, minus-2, 1, 2, 2 and 3 yards on his seven runs.

But in the wider analysis, Forte (20) and Brandon Marshall (14 targets) accounted for nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of where quarterback Jay Cutler placed the ball. Cutler threw the ball as many times to Marshall as he did to all other players combined.

Against the Detroit Lions, Forte and Marshall accounted for 53 percent of the touches on 69 plays run. Forte had 22 carries in both the Jacksonville and Detroit games.

I think when you have a special player like Forte, of course we need to get him the ball more. And well try that, coach Lovie Smith said.

But you can say that about a few of our players. We need to get them the ball more. But when you have an offensive day the way we didthree-and-outs, a couple of turnoversyou take a lot of plays away, where you cant get as many touches from some of your marquee players as youd like.

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