Thread: Forte to play in Probowl

Yes indeed the Pro Bowl is a joke (like every other all-star game) and as much as there's the potential chance of something happening... the kid EARNED the reward of going to Hawaii and taking a few meaningless handoffs after being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time.

Let's just hope he can put together a streak like Kruetz or Urlacher of back-to-back-to-back, etc Pro Bowl appearances.

I think Neal Anderson went to three or four of them and was an MVP in a couple. Freak stuff can happen but the risk isn't all that great. If he wants to play he plays. He's without a contract but obviously willing to take the risk.

Indeed, Neal did his first four years after taking over the starting RB job from "Sweetness." Still amazes me he's a forgotten Bear when talking to most fans... guess that's what happens when you retire to become a peanut farmer.

Originally Posted by draw2anderson35

Indeed, Neal did his first four years after taking over the starting RB job from "Sweetness." Still amazes me he's a forgotten Bear when talking to most fans... guess that's what happens when you retire to become a peanut farmer.

I loved Neal Anderson. It's just a shame for him that he was Walter's replacement. Having to spend his career in that shadow could have had a real negative effect but not on him. He even bulked up to play FB in the same backfield during Walter's last season.

Kind of a shame that some of the younger guys who weren't following the team yet don't realize how good a RB he was in his heyday. To me there are many more similarities between Anderson and Forte than Walter and Forte.

Spencer has mixed emotions about Forte playing in Pro Bowl

He's happy for Bears RB, but he hasn't played since suffering sprained MCL on Dec. 4

Bears running back Matt Forte is excited to play in the Pro Bowl on Sunday. Brian Cassella/Tribune photo

• Poll: Who do you want for Bears GM?

By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter 10:04 p.m. CST, January 23, 2012




MOBILE, Ala. — Bears running backs coach Tim Spencer expressed mixed emotions about Matt Forte being cleared to play in Sunday's Pro Bowl.

"It's a great accomplishment for the young man," Spencer said Monday while scouting prospects at Senior Bowl practices. "It's a great honor, and I feel good for Matt because he's done everything right that we've asked him to do."

But at the same time, Spencer is a tad concerned about Forte's health coming off a season-ending MCL sprain suffered Dec. 4. The Pro Bowl could be viewed as a glorified practice, but it would be Forte's first time testing his right knee.

"There's always a concern," Spencer said about the chance of Forte tweaking the knee. "But he's nine weeks past that. And he probably could have played a couple weeks prior to now. Matt's a smart individual. He knows his body. And from what I've seen — and I've seen him at the facility — he looks pretty darn good. He's looks like he's ready to play football."

In the running: While Spencer didn't seem to have his eye on any particular running back Monday, he did mention the need to improve the depth behind Forte next season. Kahlil Bell played well enough at the end of the season to warrant consideration as the backup, while veteran Marion Barber struggled to overcome a nagging calf injury.

"The rest of my guys, we obviously have to get better," Spencer said. "We've got to be a lot smarter in how we play football. We've got to get in a lot better shape when we come to camp.

"It would be nice to get another guy in the mix. I think we can find somebody either in the draft or free agency."

No hard feelings: Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier and Bears defensive backs coach Jon Hoke have a relationship dating back to Hoke's days as the University of Florida's defensive coordinator. That's part of the reason Frazier requested permission to interview Hoke for the Vikings' defensive coordinator position.

The Bears denied the request, and Frazier understood their reasoning.

"It's within the division and all those things," he said.

Extra points: Cal receiver Marvin Jones, listed at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, had a Monday meeting with the Bears. ... Lovie Smith was not scheduled to attend this year's Senior Bowl.

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Spencer has mixed emotions about Forte playing in Pro Bowl

He's happy for Bears RB, but he hasn't played since suffering sprained MCL on Dec. 4

Bears running back Matt Forte is excited to play in the Pro Bowl on Sunday. Brian Cassella/Tribune photo

• Poll: Who do you want for Bears GM?

By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter 10:04 p.m. CST, January 23, 2012




MOBILE, Ala. — Bears running backs coach Tim Spencer expressed mixed emotions about Matt Forte being cleared to play in Sunday's Pro Bowl.

"It's a great accomplishment for the young man," Spencer said Monday while scouting prospects at Senior Bowl practices. "It's a great honor, and I feel good for Matt because he's done everything right that we've asked him to do."

But at the same time, Spencer is a tad concerned about Forte's health coming off a season-ending MCL sprain suffered Dec. 4. The Pro Bowl could be viewed as a glorified practice, but it would be Forte's first time testing his right knee.

"There's always a concern," Spencer said about the chance of Forte tweaking the knee. "But he's nine weeks past that. And he probably could have played a couple weeks prior to now. Matt's a smart individual. He knows his body. And from what I've seen — and I've seen him at the facility — he looks pretty darn good. He's looks like he's ready to play football."

In the running: While Spencer didn't seem to have his eye on any particular running back Monday, he did mention the need to improve the depth behind Forte next season. Kahlil Bell played well enough at the end of the season to warrant consideration as the backup, while veteran Marion Barber struggled to overcome a nagging calf injury.

"The rest of my guys, we obviously have to get better," Spencer said. "We've got to be a lot smarter in how we play football. We've got to get in a lot better shape when we come to camp.

"It would be nice to get another guy in the mix. I think we can find somebody either in the draft or free agency."

No hard feelings: Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier and Bears defensive backs coach Jon Hoke have a relationship dating back to Hoke's days as the University of Florida's defensive coordinator. That's part of the reason Frazier requested permission to interview Hoke for the Vikings' defensive coordinator position.

The Bears denied the request, and Frazier understood their reasoning.

"It's within the division and all those things," he said.

Extra points: Cal receiver Marvin Jones, listed at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, had a Monday meeting with the Bears. ... Lovie Smith was not scheduled to attend this year's Senior Bowl.

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Originally Posted by yttocs

It's funny looking back. I never hated or disliked NA, but he wasn't SWEETNESS. Always liked / loved him. But when you look back after all these years , Forte is on par . It's about time, just hope FORTE can last longer.

Well, it sucks for me because I don't have any recollection of Neal Anderson. All I remember is hearing about Joe Montana whipping the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV.

It was cool seeing Forte out there practicing with studs like Aaron Rodgers and Steve Smith.