Thread: Angelo: Forte contract talks on hold

I can't even think of Forte as Payton lite. Payton made something out of nothing. Payton could run over you or around you. He could make you look foolish. I like Forte, but I just don't see him being elite. Like I said, I think he deserves a pay bump and an extension. He's good at a lot of things and has skills, but when I think of an elite back, I think of a player who can beat a "D" even when their sole plan is to stop him. I just don't see Matt being able to do that. If there's a hole there, he can hit it with speed. He can make some nice cut backs. He can get an extra yard or two after contact. He can block. He's a weapon for sure, but just not an elite weapon. That's just my opinion. Tell me how many plays you've seen from Forte that made you go "holy @#$!". I can think of many plays watching Walter where I stood up going "holy @#$!" I don't believe what I just saw. Barry Sanders was the same way.

Originally Posted by chisportsfan

I can't even think of Forte as Payton lite. Payton made something out of nothing. Payton could run over you or around you. He could make you look foolish. I like Forte, but I just don't see him being elite. Like I said, I think he deserves a pay bump and an extension. He's good at a lot of things and has skills, but when I think of an elite back, I think of a player who can beat a "D" even when their sole plan is to stop him. I just don't see Matt being able to do that. If there's a hole there, he can hit it with speed. He can make some nice cut backs. He can get an extra yard or two after contact. He can block. He's a weapon for sure, but just not an elite weapon. That's just my opinion. Tell me how many plays you've seen from Forte that made you go "holy @#$!". I can think of many plays watching Walter where I stood up going "holy @#$!" I don't believe what I just saw. Barry Sanders was the same way.

I agree.

This day and age, there are two types of running backs, the elite and the rest. The elite may consist of two or three backs, total. These elite backs can't hold a Payton pube.

These highlights define an elite back in my eyes. In today's game, too many players are elevated beyond their abilities.

I hope the deals can get done. But if they don't I can just see the NFL draft next year :

" With the 21st pick of the first round, the Chicago Bears select ( insert running back name here ).
" With the 35th pick of the NFL draft, the Chicago Bears select ( insert LB name here ).

They're gonna hafta pay SOMEBODY . Isn't the guy with NFL experience + who knows your system worth more than some rookie or some other team's reject ? I hope he stays healthy and has a great year and that someday ,bygones will be bygones and they get a deal done.
( Two name players : of the two , signing Forte is more important than keeping Briggs happy. )

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

Again how does he not make D's game plan for him; and how is he not taking games over when he's getting more yards then any other Bear; outside the QB; and he's helping the qb get the majority of his yards?

He is a game changer, he is the guy D's plan against, and he's still getting more yards then anyone else on the team; and normally that 50% of the TD's.

Simple reply is that in the Bears system and game plan, Forte is an integral part. I'm not saying he's not a very good back. Opposing defenses have to prepare to stop Forte because he is one of our primary weapons. I just wouldn't define him as an elite weapon. IMO, the only elite weapon we have is Hester on punt and kick off returns. I put Forte in the same category as Neal Anderson. A very good back. Very versatile. I just don't see him as an "elite" back. For me, that's a whole different echelon. We'll just agree to disagree on this one.

I do hope the Bears sign him to an extension.