Thread: Matt Forte looking for 'respect'

Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

I understand the leverage aspect of this but if the Bears are not going to increase the offer and you have already held an interview saying that you will not disappoint your teammates when the season comes...then what exactly do you gain by missing training camp (if that is what he's planning on doing)? If you're going to sign your FT all along, how are you helping this team by missing the preseason? You still need to have some reps.

I think he's getting some awful advice from his agent. He needs to wake up and pull an Osi.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

Forte is a used up rb w/bad knees? He's 26, 4 years from now is 30, which is when most rb's are done. How is he done now? Jesus F'n Christ this is the why it's hard NOT to be level headed.

Bears shouldn't over pay so Forte should just take a lower deal then is the current being offered by players he is on the same level b/c it is good for the team. RB's, unlike just about any other position gets lucky to have 1 contract after their rookie deal, they have to get the best and most they can. Ya 8 mil is a lot, compared to most americans; they also live a lifestyle higher then most americans so they spend more then most americans...and they also live w/a shit ton more health issues then most americans, which create higher expenses then most americans WHY? b/c they get paid really fucking well to do it; and it should hardly be held against them b/c they want all they can.

Other players just ranked him 30th overall in the league, and 7th in the position. But he should just take whatever they are offering; regardless of what it is? And not asked to be paid commenserate w/his abilities? And stop the fucking speculation of what he was offered B/c we DON'T know what it is. Nor do we know what HE is asking for. It's all speculation and heresay.

Yes the money is about the team showing respect for the player. see when the team gives a long term contract that pays the players what other players in the same position and the same ability that is respectfull. Therefore respect and business are one in the same.

And just to make sure we don't forget my stance, He'll be playing this year regardless of the deal, and he said so in the nfl.com interview when he said the players know he won't let them down. The players also have no problem w/what is going on so why the fuck is everyone in here up in arms about it?

So all of us should give a good Jeezly God Damn about their need to support an upper class lifestyle? Sorry but I don't. I remember an era where football players needed to work a job in the offseason in order to keep their financial commitments. They spend more because they make more but I can't find any justification for cutting them any slack on that.

Health problems? Well don't we all. I've got arthritic knees from 12 years catching in fast pitch softball and cartilage floating around in my knee. Where's my reward for that. I have a pretty messed up back that may need surgery some day. Who pays for that? I don't get paid several million dollars a year and have a pension when I retire from just a few years work.

Stop, you're breaking my heart these guys have it so bad. We all have problems in our lives. They don't deserve any special treatment of respect from me any more than I give the next person just because they're a pro athlete. I lived and partied and drank with quite a few of them when I lived in GB. They're just people. Bigger than most but still just people.

This respect thing is for the birds. Equating money with respect as a source of satisfaction is so totally fucked up. He wants $$$ not respect. Why try to label it as something it's not. We're not stupid.

Respect = Money???

good to know Mr Forte


I'm sure he gets respected in the Bears franchise, Halas Hall and the players & Coaches. He just does not get the kind of contract he wants to get. This has nothing to do with respect or with the human Matt Forte. This is a business situation and as long as you want 20+ million guaranteed (there was a rumor he is searching this) you won't get it. Bears offered you a longterm contract with 15 million guaranteed, that shows that they want to keep you. They did put the Tag on him to keep him and haven't traded him. They want you, they like you and in a way you will never understand Matt, they respect you. It's up to you to respect the Bears decision to not offer you what you are looking for and sign the FT. Make all the offseason and OTAs with the team and play the preseason in the way Cutty does it and you did it the last years. Play 1 year under the Tag and earn 7.74 million. If there are really concerns about your knee Matt, prove them wrong on the field, not with a stupid Video you come up with on Twitter. Maybe things like this make people to respect you less. I do respect you less. You outplayed your contract for sure so far, but you will not get paid for what you did.

Dear Matt, just sign the FT and close this stupid discussion until the bye week. Then we all know about your health, role and importance to the Roster and you may get your contract now. I understand that you worry about this scenary because you know you won't get as many reps as you have last year, I know that you worry about not being 75% of our offense again. I know that if things go the way I think they will, you will have much less leverage and not the yards to demand that kind of money. You don't have the TDs in the last 2 years and if you don't see the field or ball that often, you won't have that yard numbers.


Dear Matt, stop complaining. Just stop it. You look like a fool more and more and every time you open your mouth about this topic. If you want to be respected, respect the Bears too. They are honest and say that they won't offer you more and are concerned about the longterm.

Officer : " Sir why did you punch that man ? "
"adult" man : " He cut in front of me in line " ( snivel snivel )
Officer : So now ur going to jail because someone cut in line at the movie concession stand . Is it really worth it ?"
'adult' : well yeah he cut in front of me. Technically, he's 'right' - but his response was REALLY wrong (and really dumb ) and NOT worth it.

Officer's report on situation #2 : Driver A gets cut off in traffic, now he's 15ft further back in his lane which really pisses him off ( because it's 15 FEET !) so he says something shitty to driver B who tells him to get over it.Driver A snaps and shoots driver B.

Analysis : some people get really offended & do really stupid things when their sense of - "I was here first or I deserved 'that' slot - gets violated. Then they say "it's the principle of the thing" - that I was upset about . But the overblown EGO DRIVEN me me me reactions were : stupid ,over-sensetive, juvenile etc...

Basically -( in all it's childish ego driven grandure ) Forte is upset because a few people have 'cut in line' in front of him.

If he plays, good . If he doesn't, oh well. I honestly don't GAF how it turns out anymore .

I'm focused on how well THE TEAM does this year.