NightLink: Say It Ain't So... Forte Compared To Bad Bears RB's

I voted both,

but I still think it’ll come around.

-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox

by David Taylor on Oct 1, 2009 5:17 PM CDT reply actions

MJD (author) is toolbag

but in news more relevant, Cutler will be wearing pink cleats, also from MJD… see a trend?

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 1, 2009 5:22 PM CDT reply actions

I think

it’s an unfair comparison. The Steelers always stuff the run, after the whooping from Cincy, you KNEW the Hawks would stack the box to kill the run.

I think it’s just because anything on Yahoo sports is anti-Bears. :p

by Virto on Oct 1, 2009 5:23 PM CDT reply actions

most news orgs are anti Bears

it’s the fun thing to do… hate on the Bears… I can remember all year long in 05 and 06, constantly hearing the different ways, every(exxagerating) opponent we played would beat us

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 1, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions

most news orgs are anti Bears

I fail to see the reason why CNN or MSNBC would dislike the Bears.

Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...

by ifuwannacrownem on Oct 1, 2009 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

*sigh

sporting news
such as: the four lettered network

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 1, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions

I know Colbert hates'em...

by rdent4hof on Oct 2, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec (wreck) comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

Just because it can be done on Madden NFL does not automatically make it a viable option in real life.

by Dane Noble on Oct 2, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't really buy that media Bais BS

for EVERY team, there are fans that think the media doesn’t like them. Ifuwanna thinks the media hates the Bears because how we gloat about ‘85, and Ditka, and the Linebackers, his best friend thinks they hate the Dolphins because of how they can’t stop talking about ‘72, or how Marino never won a superbowl. my best friend thinks they hate the Cowboys because they’re dubbed “America’s Team” and because Jerry Jones is a Camera hog.

But I pose one question to you all: wasn’t it the media that hyped all that up in the first place?

Nobody rec’d the bible or the declaration of independence. Those turned out swell.
-Ifuwanna

by KtownBear on Oct 1, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

whatever the reasons

they do hate us.
The Cowboys are the fun pick every year for the playoffs, simply because they are “America’s team”

The Vikings are the perinnial “superbowl favorites” every year, or “just one piece short”

when was the last time the Bears we picked to do anything but finish just above the Lions in the NFC north??

and one of our own Columnists hates us the most, Rick “the dick” Morrissey

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 1, 2009 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree

even after the SB appearance they received no love. Partly, because of the SB curse and the fact that Rex Grossman was our QB, but kind of unfair either way.

"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet

by propheteer on Oct 1, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

The media is basically taking the “what have you done for me lately?” approach. Since Cutler’s turnaround he’s getting lot’s of love, including from MJD. He ranks Cutler the #8 QB in the league, just after Rodgers at #7…

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-weekly-quarterback-power-rankings-It-s-Drew?urn=nfl,192897

by JimmyMack on Oct 2, 2009 1:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I was thinking

how much Forte reminded me of the A-Train last game. Forte didn’t even win rookie of the year though. I’m hoping he and the line can turn this around ASAP, of course

Football players, like prostitutes, are in the business of ruining their bodies for the pleasure of strangers. -Merle Kessler

by MauryBufordSF on Oct 1, 2009 5:28 PM CDT reply actions

A-train suffered from a shift in coaching philosophy.

The Bears wanted a back who could catch the ball better. But I definitely see the comparisons. To me it comes down to the fact that last year we relied heavily on the short passing game which fed into Forte’s strength and made him a multi-faceted threat. With less reliance on the short pass teams can key off Forte as a running threat alone. They probably assign a line backer to shadow him, just to eliminate the run threat and make him one dimensional. Its been another shift in offensive philosophy and the run game needs to be adjusted accordingly. I think Forte will come around, but in the mean time mix it up with Peterson more. He’s running confident and maybe Forte just needs time to adjust.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Oct 1, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Seahawks were one of the worst Run Defenses in the league

and then they were missing so many starters. It’s Forte, he seems to go down first hit now, before he kept his balance.

Forte was horrible against the Steelers/Packers 2.2 yards per carry, while Ced Benson (was not good, still isn’t that good) ate those teams up. Cincy’s line at the beginning of the year didn’t look as good as Chicagos, now it’s looking just slightly better.

What’s scary is that we don’t have a run game, which is best for eating up the clock!

If you want to crown em...

by JohnnyTruant on Oct 1, 2009 6:02 PM CDT reply actions

I still think

that we weren’t expecting
Green Bay’s 3-4
Steelers’ usually have good run D
Seattle keyed in on us

obvious play calls for run downs

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 1, 2009 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Ok, that's weeks one through three.

what will the excuses be for 4 through 17?

Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...

by ifuwannacrownem on Oct 1, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I can just see the headline now

Forte fails to avoid another tall blade of grass- offensive line just plain offensive in close victory over Lions.

“The Lion defenders were so amped up cause they’re were coming off their first win in 20 games.”

"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet

by propheteer on Oct 1, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I will certainly admit defeat

if he doesnt gain this week… but will both of you, if he does?

or will it be a rousing round of “it was just the lions”

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 1, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions

The Lions are tough

I’d be estatic if the running-game was effective against any NFL team. I can’t imagine Schwartz will put an eighth man in the box to start the game, cause the Bears haven’t exactly shown they can run against seven. If I was him I’d make their running game beat them before selling out against the run.

"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet

by propheteer on Oct 1, 2009 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions

It depends on his play

if Forte busts a 25+ yard run then there is hope.

if Forte averages above 4 yards per carry there is hope.

if Forte shows he can stay on his feet after being hit by two DB’s there is hope.

It’d be more alarming if Forte doesn’t show up again this week, even if it was against the Lions, I really thought we had a player we could count on for the next 5 years : (

But no if Forte has an amazing game against the Lions I’d be pumped!

Bear Down!

If you want to crown em...

by JohnnyTruant on Oct 1, 2009 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Forte has never really had a stellar YPC average.

I’m not going to throw out stats, but I’m betting its rather pedestrian. Forte was such a huge threat because he was such a huge part of the offense. He was involved in something like 80% of the offensive plays. He was a multifaceted threat and was continually getting the ball on the ground and through the air. His role has changed and the team needs to adjust to that and do a better job utilizing him.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Oct 1, 2009 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions

It will come around everyone.

I hope! I think he’s kinda running with his head down, maybe he didn’t work that hard this offseason though.

I've got this thing and it's fucking golden!

by SoulEater7 on Oct 1, 2009 7:10 PM CDT reply actions

I think there's a bunch of things contributing to the running problems.

1) In today’s game, it seems like it’s become easier for defense to take away one aspect of an opposing offense. You always here “We’re gonna take away the running game, make them beat is through the air.” I think the advances made on defense and the increase in size, strength and speed of defenders has made it easier for defenses to neutralize all but the most potent running attacks.

2) Forte is a very solid, complete running back, but he’s not the star many Bears’ fans make him out to be. There’s a reason he wasn’t a lottery pick. His overall package is strong, but as a pure RB he isn’t exactly explosive or super quick. He did only average 3.9 Y/A last year. I like Forte, but he’s not a great back and needs some help, which brings me to my next point.

3) You can say that Forte was held back by an archaic passing game, but teams so far this year have treated the Bears’ the same way, forcing them to win through the air. When teams start to realize that playing that way is foolish and that Cutler and his budding receivers are very capable of winning games, holes will start to open up.

4) You hear this a lot, which makes me wonder if it’s true, as many “truisms” are anything but: “Offensive lines are often the last unit to gel.” Hopefully, that is correct, and time will fix what ails this line. We all know how many new faces are on the offensive line, it’s unreasonable to expect the unit to be so good so soon. Going back to an earlier point, teams are blitzing heavily, which compounds the offensive line issues, so hopefully when defenses back off of Cutler the line will perform better. Or, it could be that Omyale sucks, Pace is old and Kreutz is only a fraction of what he once was.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Oct 1, 2009 8:14 PM CDT reply actions

Kreutz is only a fraction of what he once was.

Kruetz is playing some of the best football in his career thus far this season.

Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...

by ifuwannacrownem on Oct 1, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions

You're the only one I've seen write anything positive about Kreutz's play this year.

He’s been getting roasted by any and all “insiders” with access to game tape. Now, you could be right, but what what I’ve seen, read and heard indicates otherwise.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Oct 1, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......

Link?

Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...

by ifuwannacrownem on Oct 1, 2009 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not looking for everything I've read since opening week, that would take forever,

and for the most part, my opinions are generated from what I’ve seen and some of what I’ve heard. Never once did I say that Kreutz is the reason for the issues on the line, I was just throwing out the possibility that while we’re all waiting for the line to gel, the issue might be an entirely different one.

Notice, I said I haven’t seen anyone write anything positive, not that writers were picking on him. Either way, I don’t see how you could say he’s been more than fine. The Bears haven’t had success running, period, including up the gut. The pass protection hasn’t been good either, and I believe the center is responsible for getting the o-linemen blocking the correct guys. Overall, the line has been bad, and I have a hard time saying any of them are playing at career-high levels.

Just went back and looked at the Cutler highlights from Seattle and Pitt, and the overall lowlights from GB, and Kreutz looked all right in pass protection. Most of the time he was just doubling, and he often leaves his spot, which allowed some slightly delayed blitzers to burst right through the middle. He didn’t look like he was playing at a career high level, and I’m sure if I had tape of the running attempts he would grade out worse.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Oct 1, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions

He has lost a step.

I don’t have a link but i have watched every game this year and kruetz is not his old self. He is struggling to trap an block at the second level. He is also getting pushed back into cutler on most plays. I know it sucks i was, is , and always will be a kreutz fan. But he has been playing a long time and his best days are behind him.

by Jhitt81 on Oct 1, 2009 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions

A lot of factors play into why the running game is struggling

The O-Line is still trying to gel together with two players trying to learn new positions in Chris Williams at RT and Frank Omiyale at LG.

Forte seems to be a little bit hesitant hitting the hole (if it’s there).

Defensive Coordinators are game planning to take out the Bears best two weapons Olsen and Forte.

by Dominique Blanton on Oct 1, 2009 8:42 PM CDT reply actions

lol you have a lot of 1. points there

Pace is new too

What made Forte great last season is his vision, he’d sometimes wait for a hole and be patient and then bust it to the 2nd level.

Olsen and Forte aren’t scaring any DC’s right now. Olsen has been average and Forte has been below average. Right now DC’s are focusing on Hester and Johnny Knox

If you want to crown em...

by JohnnyTruant on Oct 1, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm still trying to figure out how I did that lol

but the first two games it was clear that DC’s had a gameplan to stop Forte and Olsen. I thought the first game was part the DC and the part Turner playcalling. Maybe Forte is putting to much pressure on himself trying to live up to his 1st year performance.

by Dominique Blanton on Oct 1, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Forte is running like his knees hurt

Peterson and Wolfe have had more success when they’re in the game, so I think it’s unfair to blame the o-line. His legs aren’t pumping after the first hit. He just leans into the tackler. Last year he was breaking that first tackle and gaining confidence as the game went on. If his legs aren’t hurting then maybe it’s a lack of confidence.

by BryanN on Oct 1, 2009 9:24 PM CDT reply actions

Boy there sure are some short memories around here...

Am I the only one that remembers that in 2006 the Bears couldn’t run the ball until like week 5 or 6 or was everyone so busy saying still saying “Grossman sucks” to remember that he literally carried us offensively for those games?(Which I guess destroys the myth of him having nothing to do with that SB run).

Anyway, I think it’s only a matter of time. I admit I do have my concerns but it’s not the end of the world if we finally have a QB and can lean on him to get the ball downfield. Also after watching the seahawks game again, I dont think Forte was all that bad to be honest. By the way, If people want to blame Forte and compare him to former failing runningbacks here, fine. But look no further than Cedric Benson to realize that this O-line may be more to blame than anything else.

by Dils on Oct 1, 2009 9:31 PM CDT reply actions

When the Bears traded for Cutler

they officailly became a passing team. (DUH)!!!

Period. End of story. (For proof, just look at the Steelers with Big Ben under center).

Or look at San Diego (with Rivers). The Bears have rushed for 215 in three games in 2009, the Chargers for 199. The Steelers for 243.

You DON’T sell your soul for one of the best young QB’s in the game, to hand the ball off all day.

Sorry. (For all of you with Forte on your FF team).

BTW: Bill Walsh (like him or not) is a towering figure in the NFL. Why? Simply put, the philosophy of his WCO was this: Why try and run THROUGH the LOS (which is as crowded as your typical Chicago el train)? Why not pass over and around it?

Hello, your 2009 Chicago Bears!

by GeoMak on Oct 1, 2009 10:40 PM CDT reply actions

Good post Geo and welcome back!

Couldn’t agree more.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Oct 1, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks Dave

Really. I love Lovie: “We’re the Bears and we get off the bus running.”

Hey Lovie!!!! If you get off that bus running (with Cutler as your QB) you better hire that bus driver to take you around for your next set of job interviews.!!!

This is Marino/Shula all over again. As Jim Kelly has said: " Every year we’d hear about the Dolphins commitment to run, and it never happened."

Shula: “We WANTED to run, by my God. It was just too easy to have Danny boy drop back and rifle the ball 50 yards down the field.”

F++K the run. Let’s turn Cutler and the Bears into an ariel circus. Even if we lose, at least we’ll be entertained.

(Bottom line); The only SB in Bears history came at the hands of Jim McMahon, the most prolific passer in NCAA college football history!

by GeoMak on Oct 1, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions

The only problem is that the numbers don't back you up.

It isn’t that the Bears abandoned the run, because they haven’t. Last year Forte averaged 19.75 carries per game. This year…….19.667. Same numbers. As a team, they’ve run the ball 25.33 times per game this year. Last year, they averaged 27.125 rushes per game. We’re talking two attempts per game. Furthermore, this year they’ve run the ball 43 percent of the time. Last year, 45 percent of the time. The difference is not very big, and when you consider how poorly the RB’s have played, it’s surprising the disparity isn’t bigger.
Total yards is a really, really bad measuring stick. I don’t like it at all. Give Y/A over TA any day of the week, and there are even more significant numbers out there. Attempts or percentage of play type, at least relative to TY,are the better indicators of whether or not a team is abandoning the run. This ain’t a passing team….yet.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Oct 1, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions

You miss my point, dakoose

They SHOULD abandon the run!

Why run when you have one of the best young QB’s in the game under center?

Lovie (and Turner) are going to keep trying to run the ball, cause after all “The Bears get off the bus running.”

Right Lovie? Actually now that you sold your soul to acquire Cutler, the Bears should trade that broken down bus in for a sleek LearJet!

Throw the D++N ball (and use the run to keep teams off-balance).

by GeoMak on Oct 1, 2009 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions

You said,

they officailly became a passing team. (DUH)!!!. I don’t see how that is saying that they SHOULD abandon the run.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Oct 2, 2009 1:32 AM CDT up reply actions

There are only so many plays in a game

People (mistakenly) want to have it both ways.

They want everything that a guy like Cutler gives them (over, say Orton) and oh, by the way, we still would like to have the Forte of last season.

When I say they should abandon the run, I don’t mean that literally. I mean that the running game used to be their bread and butter (Lovie – we get off the bus running) and now it shouldn’t be.

Again, you bring in Cutler, your offensive philosophy just changed, whether Lovie wants to admit it or not.

by GeoMak on Oct 2, 2009 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions

There are only so many plays in a game

People (mistakenly) want to have it both ways.

They want everything that a guy like Cutler gives them (over, say Orton) and oh, by the way, we still would like to have the Forte of last season.

When I say they should abandon the run, I don’t mean that literally. I mean that the running game used to be their bread and butter (Lovie – we get off the bus running) and now it shouldn’t be.

Again, you bring in Cutler, your offensive philosophy just changed, whether Lovie wants to admit it or not.

by GeoMak on Oct 2, 2009 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions

dear god!

I was hoping we could go through the entire season…. WITHOUT YOU.

Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...

by ifuwannacrownem on Oct 2, 2009 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Ifuwanna!!

Where you been man? i barely see you anymore, season started homey it’s time to stalk these boards daily now lol.

But yeah, i think Forte definetly is not hitting the holes as hard as he did last year. Thing is, the most likely explanation would be he’s hurt but on the screen pass in the pittsburg game (the one that got stripped) he had burst and movement and didn’t look like he was injured..but majority of every other run it does, so i have no idea what to make about that. Yes i see it, just like everyone else, Frank O is getting used and abused like a lil boy with a barbie doll. Honestly, i think he is the weakest link of the line so far, but i am gonna give him another look in the lions game and see if i see any improvement (overall even) from the line before i call for heads.

Forte needs to wake up regardless, i have been talking smack about how he is the next big thing and right now i get so many looks week after week and the first thing i hear is “WoW, did you see your boy Benson?”….needless to say it drives me nuts.

by Chitownproduct on Oct 2, 2009 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

The best line about Jay Cutler came

at the hands of former Chicagoan Mike Greenberg, as he and Golic watched tape of the Bears on ‘Mike & Mike’ after the Bears beat Pittsburgh.

Greenberg (as he watched in amazement) said: “Jay Cutler was BORN to throw a football.”

It was a simple statement that he said in a very even tone of voice . . . but it spoke VOLUMES!

by GeoMak on Oct 1, 2009 10:57 PM CDT reply actions

Using Jay Cutler

to hand off is like using a Stradivarius to pound nails!

by GeoMak on Oct 1, 2009 11:23 PM CDT reply actions

I was very, very disturbed by the MJD post...

He’s usually on the money, but this one was a little far out…

I don’t think you just write Forte off, after just 3 games in and an obviously slow start. But something’s definately changed since last year. If you look at the shake-up on the o-line, that’s definately got to be the reason why his numbers are so far off.

Maybe the strength of this new unit is not run-blocking. Should we put Josh Beekman back in at left guard? It seems like he held his own last year in that role. I’m just not sold on Omiyale, yet.

by JimmyMack on Oct 2, 2009 1:14 AM CDT reply actions

I find this article irrelevant.

Some folks may find stuff like this entertaining and that’s fine… As far as relevance to football, it has none.

Not once in the article, is the O-line mentioned… yet we’re talking RBs. Too a casual fan that doesn’t really get the X’s & O’s of football, this article will dumb down their knowledge of the sport. Especially Fantasy guys (btw, I am one). They may read this article and say, “Well, Forte sucks now”. And they’ll say it with ignorance.

Forte needs to play better. No doubt about it. Right now imo, he’s pressing… thinking too much.

That being said, Forte did look much better in the Seattle game than he had in the previous two games. He had over 100 combined yards in that game and did make plays nearly every time he had a real opportunity to do so. Maybe 100 combined yards is not the Forte numbers we’re all used to, but its not bad and ask yourself this. If Forte had similar numbers in the first two games of the season, as he had against Seattle. Would we be reading or hearing all of this negativity? I don’t believe so…

I personally saw enough in the Seattle game, that leads me to believe Forte should be fine…

by rdent4hof on Oct 2, 2009 10:26 AM CDT reply actions

Look

The Bears run game HAS struggled and it has everything to do with the line, scheme they are facing, and the running backs executing the plays. What the media tells people to believe is typically a writer’s slant on the situation to attract readers/viewers. Chicago is the 2nd largest media market and I am sure they are paid to drum up meaningless drivel like comparing a second year back to past busts. It’s pushing the proverbial buttons of Bears fans, it draws readers, which attract sponsors/advertisements. He could have wrote an article that said: Bears run game is struggling but Forte will come around. End of story, end of comments, end of reader, end of his column.

by poolboy55 on Oct 2, 2009 11:42 AM CDT reply actions

We are only 3 games into the season

with 3 of our OLinemen being new. No big deal. Especially with our passing game looking good, and our Bears being potentially 3-1 after this Sunday.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec (wreck) comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

Just because it can be done on Madden NFL does not automatically make it a viable option in real life.

by Dane Noble on Oct 2, 2009 1:30 PM CDT reply actions

Still not sold...

on the O-line at all. They don’t pass block very well either. If this were Orton at QB, he’d already be on IR! I would like to see some glimmer of hope in this line because I do not believe they lack talent/skills. I really saw the O-line as solid and having depth and they are simply being manhandled and beaten on almost every play.

There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.

by LostInSTL on Oct 2, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions

i think the problem here

is assuming Forte is more than he is

he’s not an elite talent at the RB position, but he’s a guy who gets almost exactly how many yards are there on a play. He doesn’t break a ton of big runs, and he’s not a big bruiser that pushes piles around. He simply relies on his vision to get chunks of 3-7 and break the occasional big run when a hole is burst open. His value running the ball is highly dependent on the line which has created few holes so far.

Assuming he was an elite talent running the ball like a Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, etc, was just a faulty premise. His value comes in the fact that he’s average or above average at every aspect of the RB position. His strength is in his lack of a weakness

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 2, 2009 2:03 PM CDT reply actions

Very well said...

I feel that he is on average a 70-100yrd/game back. If he breaks a long run than naturally his average will go up. I think we need to look at his total offensive production.

This year we have a legitimate QB and what appear to be legitimate WR’s(or at least on the way to becomming legitimate). Forte was the featured receiver last year because he was reliable, and knew how to get open even as a check down option.

This year his totals will be down considerably from last year, but the TEAM’s overall offensive production should also be up considerably. There is only a 100% share of the total offensive touches. Forte’s percentage was very high last year(I don’t recall the exact number but I thought it was like 60% of the offense), in all reality no one should have thought he would be getting a larger share than what he had last year.

I believe as the season progresses and more teams focus their energy on stopping Cutler and the improved WR’s that Forte will be able to do more with the running game.

Unreasonable people make life difficult...

by WisBearsFan34 on Oct 2, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Great line!!!!!!!...

His strength is in his lack of a weakness

Very zen! And very true!

There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.

by LostInSTL on Oct 2, 2009 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

The light has been shed...

Forte was adequate last year but I was never sold on him. Sure you can put some blame on the O-Line but elite backs make holes and make stuff happen. Prove me wrong dude.

by Big Ike on Oct 2, 2009 7:51 PM CDT reply actions

Amen

Show me running back moves. Stop falling into a fetal position when there’s no hole. Twist,squirm, jump stop, spin, shove off tacklers, and for the love of God don’t trip.

by Trey23 on Oct 2, 2009 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions