my only concern is where forte runs. watch where he runs on the big gains. same with wolfe. OL plays a big part in how a RB does. Wolfe’s big gains were on the right side. Forte had a few on the right side. He basically got stuffed in the area assigned to Omiyale-Kreutz-Pace, barring a few over there. Omiyale is his problem. I’d be hesitant running on the left side if I wasn’t sure if my OG was gonna block a guy for me or not.

wolfe does a good job finding holes. and he’s definitely shifty, breaking tackles. reminds me of darren sproles. he may have finally found his groove.

I don’t think he is a top 5 back in the league, but he is very qualified to be our #1 RB. I don’t know who is coaching him, but it doesn’t look like he is running hard ever. We need a time-share backfield to open it up for him.

his one weakness is short yardage situations. Most NFL teams have much bigger backs that they use for goal line situations. It’s hard to believe, but the OL in 2008 did a much better job of blocking and they weren’t that good. The 2009 group is pathetic on run blocking.

is poopy, poop poop.

Forte could’ve played better for sure, but with an O-line like that… not much better. IMHO

he was considered a top 5 back with pretty low ypc numbers. hasn’t done anything to live up to that yet.

that Forte is an elite tailback. As far as pure running backs go, there are a number of better backs: AP, Steven Jackson, Michael Turner, Brian Westbrook, Marion Barber, Frank Gore, Maurice Jones Drew, etc. But when you look at the entire package(pass blocking/blitz pickup, receiving ability), he is a very solid, above average back, who was a relative steal in the second round. I suppose his first round fantasy status has as much to with your disappointment as anything.

Our line is terrible. Just terrible. They aren’t opening any wholes. And the whole idea was supposed to be that with Cutler flinging it downfield, defenses would have to open up and run less packed run defenses for the line to open holes in. Right now, there are no holes of any kind.

Wolfe also popped off for ONE decent run, the one where he broke a tackle and made about 8 yards on it. That’s it. I like him as a player, but he’s never broken a run like either of the two long ones Forte broke last week against Detroit.

Stick with Forte, but fix the line!

Run blocking is non-existent with this group. In case anybody has been paying attention, Olin Kreutz has devolved in a real liability. Chris Williams is a work in progress and Frank Omiyale has been below par. Meanwhile Orlando Pace has a million miles on him.

Matt Forte is also suffering from a crisis in confidence. You can see it in the way he tries to hurry up certain run plays instead of letting his vision, patience and instincts be the guiding light.

his strength is letting the holes develop. i remember this was something emmitt smith did better than anyone. unfortunately, because our line isn’t creating any holes this year, that puts him at a bigger disadvantage than a RB that just runs north-south. he waits and waits, and when nothing is there, he’s still in the backfield, dodging linemen. our line wasn’t good last year, but it did give him more holes, and once he sees those, he hits them hard. but yeah, if our line doesn’t improve, forte’s strength will be his weakness this year.

Forte is not a good back. He lacks football strength, drive, or moves. He falls down if a defender touches him. He can’t evade the first rushing lineman, which all good backs do, he runs into the backs of the o-line too many times. He will never average more than 3.8 yards per carry. Need I go on?

He gets 8 yards on a screen pass, where a decent back would get 12-15 and the first down.

Fridgeman81 makes an excellent point about Bum Turner. Don’t you call a bootleg with a run/pass option for Cutler at the goal line? Esp. when Omy and Kruetz are getting blown up on every run play.

Forte shows the emotion of Lovie Smith…none

And I think I agree. Forte is a nice player, just not a great player. He’s just solid, and I think we were expecting too much out of him.