Thread: Forte's Annoyance Over Contract Beginning to Show???

He could have left that stupid line about "hurt feelings" out. That's a pretty juvenile way to depict Fort's frustration over not getting his extension done. Not a well written piece at all but at least it does present an honest view of Forte's feelings about the whole thing provided he wasn't misquoted here.

It's hard to figure out what Angelo is thinking on this one. It seems he doesn't want to pay the guy as a top 10 back yet every week he goes out and proves that he is and every time he does his value goes up. Aside for a couple of decent FA signings this is about as poor a job of handling an offseason as I've ever seen from JA and that's going some. Forte is very quickly becoming the offensive face of the Bears since Cutler doesn't really covet that anyway.

I really can't figure out the strategy either. This is a running back that, barring injury, doesn't need a backup and can be used in more ways than any of the "elite" running backs. Maybe it's because he gets so few chances at actually running the damn ball that Angelo doesn't want to pay him like a running back. Maybe pay him more like a #1 receiver, hell he gave Hester that kind of money, and in all honesty, Forte is far more valuable (just not as big a name)

Chicago Breaking Sports Green Bay's Leroy Butler: Pay Matt Forte 'He is the best running back in the league'

By Brad Biggs, Tribune Reporter
10:37 a.m. CDT, September 23, 2011

There is one Packer who believes the Chicago Bears need to buck up and pay Matt Forte.

It’s pretty clear to Leroy Butler, the former All-Pro strong safety. To him, Forte is the entire Bears offense and statistics after two games certainly support that. Forte has 117 of the team’s 148 rushing yards. He also has 207 of the team’s 556 receiving yards (37.2 percent). Add it up and Forte has accounted for 52 percent of the Bears’ offense to this point, a testament to his value and certainly a sad critique on the rest of the unit.

Chris Johnson (football, running back) “They don’t pay anybody unless you are on defense or you are a quarterback,” Butler said Friday morning on “The Mully & Hanley Show” on WSCR-670 AM. “They gotta pay this man, you gotta get this man a little bit less than Chris Johnson and lock him up for seven or eight years. He is the best running back in the league if you put in rushing and catching. How can you wear a guy out and not pay him? I just do not understand the logic behind it. He is the best player on that team. Take him away, just take him away and tell me what that offense is all about. Now you’ll be puking up your coffee.”

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo announced before the season began the team was suspending contract talks with Forte in order to focus on the season. Of course, Angelo has cut more than a dozen contract extensions in-season during his tenure and that’s never been a reason to break off talks before.

It won’t be surprising to anyone monitoring the situation if talks are rekindled at some point. The more it becomes obvious the Bears have little going for them but Forte on offense, the more leverage he could have.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

I really can't figure out the strategy either. This is a running back that, barring injury, doesn't need a backup and can be used in more ways than any of the "elite" running backs. Maybe it's because he gets so few chances at actually running the damn ball that Angelo doesn't want to pay him like a running back. Maybe pay him more like a #1 receiver, hell he gave Hester that kind of money, and in all honesty, Forte is far more valuable (just not as big a name)

Yeah, read the above. Even your opponents are saying that he's one of the best all around backs in the league. Is he elite as a pure RB, no, but as and all around back I'd defy anyone to find five others that are much better than him. I can't believe how ridiculous this has gotten. I don't know what Forte is hoping to get but considering the deals that were just signed and where he fits among those players you're not gonna get him for a bargain basement price. We already got that out of his rookie deal.

Here's hoping JA is fired. Tired of all his "oh im very happy with the offensive line" "I've done everything i could to make it better" bull crap. Yeah, I give him credit on getting some players, but it doesn't count up to jack squat when you're QB is getting sacked 5-6 times A GAME! Ugh.. that guy makes me so angry I feel like punching a wall lol.

He's 52% of our offense this season, one guy, over half. That says it all to me, seems that RB and fans are saying pay this man and I wouldn't wait until after the season. Drew Brees is working out a deal as they play, I say do the same for Forte, he's earned it and he's been nothing but professional about it.

I doubt Forte leaves, but if he does, Angelo better disappear the same day...

Ditka will walk into Halas Hall and start throwing chairs until JA was fired if they let Forte go, lol.. That or turn into a Bear and just destroy everything and takes a giant turd on JA's desk.