Greatness Is His “Forte”

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Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears has been overlooked since he came into the league. He was drafted 44th overall in 2008, 5 running backs were taken ahead him that year. Those running backs were Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall and Chris Johnson got drafted above Matt Forte which is funny because all of those guys had a great year or 2 none but of them have put together the consistent body of work that Matt Forte has. He was overlooked then and even after a year where he put up 1,933 yards from scrimmage his peers have even short sided him as he was ranked 91st overall in NFL Networks annual “Top 100 Players” list that’s voted on by the players. The respect or lack thereof for Matt Forte by the media is mind-boggling, but don’t worry he’s coming into his 2nd season under Marc Trestman’s offense and I fully expect his best him to have the best year of his career.

Forte set career highs across the board just last season in rushing yards (1339), recieving yards (594 yards) and yards from scrimmage (1,993 yards). That was in year 1 of Marc Trestman’s new offense, in year 2 Forte fully expects the Bears offense to jump up to the best offense in the league. “If we keep working hard we’re going to take this offense, hopefully, to the top of the league,There’s no ceiling. There’s no limit that you can put on it.” said Forte to the Chicago Tribune. Lofty expectations for a team that was 8th in total offense and 2nd in points scored just last season, but being that he is more acclimated to the new system I don’t see why they can’t be. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are the best wide receiver tandem in the league and Forte is easily a top 5 back when healthy. With all of that said I believe that this year Forte finally has a chance to break 2,000 yards from scrimmage for the first time in his career.

Jay Cutler has already stated that he feels more comfortable and that he has found continuity in the Bears new offense. Once every player is on the same page you can get a little creative and I firmly believe that Forte’s career highs in receptions (74) and receiving yards were an indicator for things to come in that offense. He obviously had a great year but I think there’s still some room for growth and the potential for him to go over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and if I had to pick a guy to join the 1,000/1,000 club along with Marshall Faulk and Rodger Craig that’s now playing then it would be Matt Forte.

Like I said earlier the Bears have used Forte in their passing game like never before and I think that is just scratching the surface of what could happen this year and beyond. Very few running backs have ever possessed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield like Forte and if Trestman targets Forte in passing game more this season and beyond, History can and will be made. Forte has a better chance than any other running back currently in the NFL to get 1,000+ rushing and 1,000+ passing yards in the same season. This has not been done since Marshall Faulk in 1999 but if you compare what Forte did last year to Faulk and Craig then he isn’t to far off.

The 1,000/1,000 Club

Marshall Faulk (1999): 1,381 rushing yards, 86.3 rushing yards per game, 1,048 receiving yards, 65.5 receiving yards per game, 2,429 yards from scrimmage, 12 total touchdowns

Rodger Craig (1985): 1,050 rushing yards, 65.6 rushing yards per game, 1,016 receiving yards, 63.5 receiving yards per game, 2,066 yards from scrimmage, 15 total touchdowns

Matt Forte (2013): 1,339 rushing yards, 83.7 rushing yards per game, 594 receiving yards per game, 37.1 receiving yards per game,1,933 yards from scrimmage, 12 total touchdowns

As you can see Forte averages 3 rushing yards less per game then Faulk in 99 but is about 28 yards less than Faulk in the receiving department on a per game difference. Rodger Craig did 1,000/1,000 by the skin of his teeth so he would be a good barometer of the bare minimum Forte would have to do in order to achieve this one of a kind accomplishment. 26 more receiving yards per game would have him jump up to 63 receiving yards. If you multiply 63 by 16 then you get 1,008 which would be what Forte would get in receiving yards if he averaged that many receiving yards per game over the course of a whole season.

Some of you may think I’m crazy but I think the former Tulane standout has a legitimate shot at doing something that no active running back has done. Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy have had their time as the best running backs in the league its Forte’s turn and he will make history while doing it under the guidance of Marc Trestman.