The 10 Most Important Bears in 2009 - #5
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 16, 2009 11:00 AM CDT
32 comments
In this ongoing series I'll look at which Bears I think will need to contribute the most in 2009 for them to have a successful season.
#5 Matt Forte - Running Back
Even with the addition of Jay Cutler, the Bears will need to run the ball, and second year pro Matt Forte will need to show his rookie year was just a tease to what his full potential can be. NFL people say a players biggest jump in level of play comes between their rookie and second year, so expectations will be high. Forte had an exceptional first year in Chicago, 1,238 rushing yards, 316 attempts, 63 receptions, 12 total TD, third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage(1,715) and touches (379), and only 1 fumble. However, the stat that stands out to me is his average yards per carry, 3.9. It's OK, but not what a top tier running back should be producing.
Last year thirty backs averaged better than the 3.9 of Forte. Improvements to the Bears offensive line will go a long way towards improving his average as will not dealing with an eighth defender in the box on almost every running down (thank you Jay Cutler!). A healthy Kevin Jones will help keep the running game fresh. If Jones is 100% the drop off won't be as great and both backs bring a different style for the defense to think about.
If Forte is able to really get going running, it'll let the Bears hit some big gains off of play action. The middle of the field is usually what opens up first off of play action and with Greg Olsen primed for a break out year it could be a beautiful thing. The pieces of the Bears offense should really compliment each other in 2009.
Even though Cutler is used to playing in poor weather, some late season games will come down to grinding it out and winning the time of possession; can you keep the chains moving and hold onto the ball? I'm sure we'll hear the "get off the bus running" sound bite about a hundred times this year, but I expect Forte and the offensive line to be up for the challenge. As I've written before I could see Forte getting less carries but more yards. I don't see him approaching his 63 receptions, but he'll still get his fair share of catches. I could see him making the NFC Pro Bowl (then again if the Bears are in the Super Bowl he'll have to skip the game), and establishing himself as one of the top backs in the game today.
The List so far:
#10 - Nathan Vasher - Cornerback
#9 - Kevin Payne - Strong Safety
#8 - Rod Marinelli - Defensive Coordinator
#7 - Devin Hester - Wide Receiver / Return Specialist
#6 - Lovie Smith - Defensive Coordinator
#5 - Matt Forte - Running Back
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I'm not too worried
about Forte’s yards per carry from last year. He was pretty much the only offense the Bears had so he shouldered a lot of the load. I’m going to say that his ypc will go up from last season for obvious reasons.
Rumor has it Alex Brown keeps Chris Simms' right index finger in his back pocket for good luck.
by HanelucaTC on Jul 16, 2009 11:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Forte is truly a special guy.
I saw him in action a couple of times at Tulane, and he shows the same thing now that he showed then: consistancy.
He is great between the tackles, has great patience, and is very solid. Forte was a great pick up in the 08 draft, and I have no doubt that with the improvements across the board on offense, he will have All Pro productions for a long time coming.
LSU Tigers Baseball... NCAA National Champions- 2009.
by Dane Noble on Jul 16, 2009 12:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Forte's a stud
He’s the antithesis of Cedric Benson. What a difference a year makes?! He’s a true 3 down back that can do it all.
He’ll increase his YPC this year cause of Cutler’s ability to stretch the field, and with the upgrades along the line.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
by propheteer on Jul 16, 2009 12:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you write this after you read my Top Ten?
Just kidding, you’ve done a great job with this whole subject.
Also in reference to propheteer’s comments, I agree with all that you said and would add Jones presence as a healthy alternative will keep Forte fresher as well.
by BearFan611 on Jul 16, 2009 1:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ummm.. no....
lol
I really think with his skill set, and with the changes made to the offense he could become an elite back
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 16, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He needs to lower his shoulders as he moves through a hole.
Hes too upright for my liking. Kind of how AP is.
When I played I was a triple threat.... Stumble.... Fumble.....Grumble....
by scespy12 on Jul 16, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damnit! Come on man!!
Four for Forte!!!
Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...
by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 16, 2009 3:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll go ahead and be the proverbial wet blanket.
Does anyone remember Anthony Thomas? Offensive Rookie of the Year. Sometimes running backs take a step back from one year to the next. Kevin Jones may become very important moving forward. I think I’m probably wrong. Forte’s a very good talent. I hope I’m dead wrong and he takes another step forward. But don’t forget the “A-train.” That’s all.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
by Just Dave on Jul 16, 2009 4:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep
That’s always a concern with RBs, but A-train wasn’t a complete back like Forte.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
by propheteer on Jul 16, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he cant catch
as muhc, Forte is just an official boss
I Have Spoken.
by The_Fan on Jul 16, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow.
Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...
by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 17, 2009 6:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't mind ifuwanna.
He’s kinda like that stray dog that shows up on your porch one day, hair all matted, and crazy-eyed, and no matter how many times you smack him, he won’t leave.
Then eventually, you just let him be, and he becomes entertaining to you as you watch him gnaw off the tip of his tail and run around in circles barking at anything with a shadow (including himself), only for it to dawn on you one day that your dog has tourette’s.
LSU Tigers Baseball... NCAA National Champions- 2009.
by Dane Noble on Jul 17, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
HAHAHA!
I just literally laughed out loud. Hilarious. What a mental picture… lol.
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
by HoneyBear on Jul 17, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too...lol
There’s nothing wrong with “that stray dog,” he’s a survivor and knows how the world works.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
"We want to create havoc and chaos under an umbrella of discipline, if that makes sense." - Rod Marinelli 7/16/09
by propheteer on Jul 17, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
HIlarious!
And Rec’d – not just kind of Rec where I type it either, but the kind that moves your comment to engreenination.
- Smudgers
"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 smudgers on Jul 17, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
SHUT UP GB!!
Before i start humping your leg.
Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...
by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 17, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
A-Train had a pretty sick O-line compared to what Forte had. Although with the improvements to the O-line this offseason, Forte might be seeing the same kind of love.
Rumor has it Alex Brown keeps Chris Simms' right index finger in his back pocket for good luck.
by HanelucaTC on Jul 16, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that was one of many big disappointments in 02
my god that unearthed some unhealthy memories of being at a few games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign and watching the Bears suck it up over and over. I sincerely hope Forte takes a couple steps forward than 4 steps back.
by reefermadness3 on Jul 16, 2009 6:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
My concern...
My main concern is his health. During the OTA’s, we heard that, while running, he heard a “pop.” Then we were told it was a hamstring “strain.” It seems like hamstrings often end up plaguing a player all year long, once one occurs. I hope that isn’t the case, though. When he was drafted, I blogged a bit on the Newspaper blogs. Often, I would rebut people who argued against Forte becuase their (typical) knee-jerk reaction to the Forte pick was to call for JA’s head for passing on Mendenall. I believe many of those people have had a religious epiphany since then. :)
Getcha Beernuts Ready!
by Fly1965 on Jul 17, 2009 7:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And for the record...
I’m not professing to have been “one of those guys” who said before the draft that Forte was the guy! My deal is that I did 20 years in the military and tend to have more patience (loyalty, perhaps) in management than most and figured JA and Lovie knew what they were doing. I’m certainly glad they seemed to be right about this kid.
Getcha Beernuts Ready!
by Fly1965 on Jul 17, 2009 7:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes
that “pop” is a concern… the Bears are saying it’s nothing and he was held out just to be cautious, but we’ve heard that one before!
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 17, 2009 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not ready...
To crown Forte just yet. He had probably 75% of the offensive touches last season. Any mediocre back can produce if you give him 400 carries and 50-75 receptions. That being said he’s servicable not great. Kevin Jones is more important as the back-up because he has to keep the tempo when Forte takes a breather.
by Big Ike on Jul 18, 2009 9:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jones is important...
but if any back-up was more critical to an offense the back-up would be a starter
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 18, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would have to put Forte higher on the list.
3rd most important imo. No later than 4th.
Hear about the blind hooker, you gotta hand it to her.
Rex Grossman has to be a test-tube baby, cause he's not worth a f---!!!
by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on Jul 19, 2009 8:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
3rd?
then who would be your top 5?
For me the Top 5 were tough… the top 3 were even tougher… I shuffled my top 3 even after I started doing the series.
and Jones if healthy and playing a part time role could be a nice compliment
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 20, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, Kevin Jones hasn't shown me anything so far.
People are riding that band wagon pretty hard and I hope they’re right. I saw what he did for Detroit his rookie season, but let’s see him do something for us.
Hear about the blind hooker, you gotta hand it to her.
Rex Grossman has to be a test-tube baby, cause he's not worth a f---!!!
by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on Jul 19, 2009 8:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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