The 10 Most Important Bears for 2011 - #3 Matt Forte

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 19, 2011 11:00 AM CDT in Roster Analysis

Having Matt Forte this high was unexpected. I compiled my initial list then started moving guys around, dropping guys out of the top 10, and Forte kept creeping up the list. This is his highest placement in the 3 years I've done the series. In my opinion, he's one of the best all around running backs in the league. He's a great fit for the Mike Martz offense, and I expect a huge year from Forte in 2011.

The Bears really started to click in the second half when they went with a bit more balanced offense, but it's Forte's receiving skills that has me putting him at #3. He can split out wide and run routes like a wide receiver. He runs a great wheel route out of the backfield, and his blitz pickup is as good as anyone in the game today.

Another reason Forte is so high is the depth at the running back position. While I think Chester Taylor is capable of playing much better, and his 2010 season was an aberration, he's still about to start his 10th NFL season and will turn 32 in a few months. You can't outrun Father Time, and when he catches you, you're done. We'll have to see how he is in '11.

Redshirt freshman Harvey Unga is an unknown. I'm hopeful he can bring a bruising element to the run game, but like Taylor, we'll have to wait and see.

And if anyone is high on Kahlil Bell after his 2009 72 yard run, it's time to put down the kool-aid. I just hope he can fill the special teams void from free agent Garrett Wolfe.

The Bears need the o-line to take a jump in play, and for Forte to build off his fine 2011 season. If Forte once again has 50+ receptions and can stay north of last years 4.5 yards per carry, the Bears will stack some wins, and find themselves back in the playoffs.

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Comments

I agree Les, Forte is a key componet in the

direct success this year. Martz just needs to not forget about him and get all pass happy. Forte running the ball will only make throwing the ball much easier on Jay. But they have to be somewhat committed to the run or it’ll all be for nothing.

My team is on the floor. -Coach Norman Dale

by Ditkavsworld on Jul 19, 2011 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

if anyone is high on Kahlil Bell after his 2009 72 yard TD run, it’s time to put down the kool-aid

All the Chicago meathead cut-Forte-make-Bell-the-starter love after that single run was hilarious. Hilarious, I tells you.

Then I realise people were being serious…

Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN

by Spongie on Jul 19, 2011 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

Uhhhh

twas not a touchdown if I remember correctly, nice run though…

by GhostofRex on Jul 19, 2011 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Son of a Bee Sting!

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 19, 2011 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

That's correct.

The longest, time-wise, 72-yard non-touchdown run in history. Because he got caught from behind. Wasn’t it by someone that whiffed the tackle before?

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 19, 2011 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Nope, it was the CB from the opposite side of the field.

Hester didn’t hold his block. Hester didn’t think he would NEED to hold his block.

by Doshi on Jul 20, 2011 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh right.

What I’m thinking of… Can’t recall who, someone made a springing block, then caught up and made a second block. Knox maybe.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 20, 2011 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions

You mentioned a lot of good reasons why this dude shows up on a lot of "most underrated" lists.

You are dangerously close to having me cheating on the Special Teams/Defense and buying a Forte jersey. Your post might by the whiskey-coke that sends me past mere flirtation to full-fledged infidelity.

by CurtisEnisFan on Jul 19, 2011 12:15 PM CDT reply actions

glad I could help...

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 19, 2011 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with Forte being #3

Best offensive weapon on the team hands down.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 19, 2011 12:27 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

He better get his chances

The way I see it, we should be running all the time. We just got a new Jew Hammer, we have demonstrated an inability to pass protect and our important QB is still healing.
It’s too bad that what Martz should do and what he actually does are not often the same. Perhaps chats why he’s called a genius. Pfft.

How does one sign this thing? Do I use that stylus thingy that the kids have for they're silly do-hickies?

by Strategyfan on Jul 19, 2011 2:10 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah, last year...

demonstrated an inability to pass protect

The line should be better in 2011.

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 19, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

we failed to score from the one yard line how many times by running the ball?

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Jul 19, 2011 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Early in the year?

Or the 2nd half of the year?

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 19, 2011 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I already know the answer to that btw here is how our running game fared the second half

just looking at Forte and Taylor and not trick plays or Cutler scrambling.
left end 25 times for 157 yards 6.28/yds per attempt average
off left tackle 34/127 for 3.74
off left guard 21/98 for 4.08
up middle 22/68 for 2.09
off right guard 26/75 for 2.88
off right tackle 39/166 for 2.97
right end 29/131 for 4.52
total rushes 196 for 772 yards with and average of 3.94

43 running plays stuffed for zero or negative yards and 6 for 20+

that was not a team that could punish you with it’s ground game. They also gave up 24 sacks which is better than the 32 they gave up the first 8 games but still turrible.

and they gave up 24 sacks the last 8 games.

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Jul 20, 2011 12:49 AM CDT up reply actions

we need a fullback

by stepeo on Jul 20, 2011 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions

What a difference a year makes

last year at this time there was no shortage of posts telling us how mediocre Forte is.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Jul 20, 2011 8:10 AM CDT reply actions

none by me...

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 20, 2011 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions

unless you had an alter ego by the name of T-train

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Jul 21, 2011 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Forte rebounded from a poor sophomore showing...

to play healthy in 2010 behind a piss-poor O-line. While he may not be durable enough to be the every down back like a MJD or Foster, he’s a strength at RB and a near perfect fit for the Martzian offense. Taylor is a better short yardage guy, but he’s too much like Forte to be a proper compliment. Taylor is a good insurance policy against Forte getting hurt, but there is still a need to have a true short yardage guy. Perhaps Unga is that guy, and, if he is, that would round out a solid RB corps with Bell being the ST/emergency starter guy.
My best guess is that Forte is solid and continues to improve in this offense. I see the offense getting better which will make it harder for defenses to simply key in on Forte. It stands to reason that if the blocking and passing game improve, then Forte will get loose more often and use his speed to score like in the first Detroit game last season.

by LostInSTL on Jul 20, 2011 5:39 PM CDT reply actions