Forte Unhappy Being Pulled On Goaline Carries?..............

**soulman** · 09-10-2012, 03:04 PM

Matt Forte sounds unhappy being pulled at goal line

BY JOE COWLEY jcowley@suntimes.com September 9, 2012 9:36PM

Chicago, 9/9/12 The Bears Matt Forte tries to sidestep the Colts Vontae Davis in the second half of their game at Soldier Field September 9, 2012. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media

Updated: September 10, 2012 2:20AM

Bears running back Matt Forte still doesn’t seem happy.

Sure, he has the $32 million contract he spent the last year posturing for. He has proved that an offseason story about him nursing a bad knee was more fiction than fact. He even has a new offensive coordinator in Mike Tice who still believes in three yards and a cloud of dust.

Some guys just can’t be pleased. Maybe that’s not a bad thing.

After a slow start, Forte finished with 16 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 40 yards. Not a bad first game. But it was more about what Forte didn’t get: goal-line carries that resulted in Michael Bush scoring two one-yard touchdowns in the Bears’ 41-21 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Soldier Field.

“It’s been happening my whole career here, so I don’t know,’’ Forte said when asked about not finishing drives. “That’s the coordinator’s call.’’

The one drive that stood out was in the first quarter, when Forte had a 32-yard run to jump-start the offense. Five plays later, he ran 15 yards to the 1-yard line. In came Bush, who ran for no gain on first down before plunging across the goal line on second down.

Forte had eight more touches than Bush, who had 12 carries for 42 yards and no receptions. When asked if he shouldn’t care about his number of carries after receiving a contract extension, Forte said, “I don’t pay attention to the carries, stuff like that. [Running backs coach Tim Spencer] lets us go a couple of series, then he’ll put Mike in there for a little bit. Just to keep us fresh for the third and fourth quarter, so when it comes down to the running game running out the clock, we can be fresh for that.’’

Or frustrated by the time it reaches that point.

But maybe having the two backs battle for carries will serve the Bears better as the season goes on. In this case, competition is a good thing. The days of a single back getting 30-35 carries a game are ending leaguewide. Tice even has said he would like to see Bush and Forte gain 1,000 yards each this season.
Plus, the gap in talent between the two isn’t what it was with other backs behind Forte. Chester Taylor and Marion Barber didn’t have the all-around skills that Bush has.

“Mike can do it all, as well,’’ Forte said. “He can catch the ball on third downs, so there are no limitations when I come out of the game. It’s not like if I come out on third down, he can’t do the same thing.’’

That’s a popular opinion.

“It’s good to have a player like Michael, period, all over the field,’’ coach Lovie Smith said. “That’s why we brought him in here.’’

It won’t be changing anytime soon, either. Whether Forte likes it or not.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 09-10-2012, 03:06 PM

Clearly both of our RB's have pride. Bush wants to be known as an all around back and not just a battering ram. Forte thinks he can get 'er done on the goal line. That's fine.

But let's keep feeding the ball to Bush on those short yardage situations. It just makes sense.

**4th and 26** · 09-10-2012, 03:08 PM

I was unhappy also since I have Matt Forte on my FF team.

**soulman** · 09-10-2012, 03:13 PM

Sounds to me like the writer is making a bigger deal out of this than it really is. I think if mots anyone asked that question of Forte his answer would probably be what it was. He still believes he should get those carries which is why he seemed to exuberant when he made that TD run.

Well the truth of the matter Matt is that you aren't a good short yardage back and you never gave been. If you were there would have been no need to go shopping for one these past three years. Don't let your pride stand in the way of what makes the most sense for this team as we try to win games. Michael Bush is a good all around back but not as good as you are. You may be able to score from the one yard line occasionally but the stats say you don't so in that regard Bush is better than you are.

The two of you make up one of the best backfield combos in the NFL so you best learn to live with the fact that you'll see less carries than you have in the past. I think that's a good thing since I believe Michael Bush's presence will add at least another year or two to your productive career as a RB. That's a good thing because you have the non-guaranteed portion of your $32 mil contract riding on it.

**soulman** · 09-10-2012, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

Clearly both of our RB's have pride. Bush wants to be known as an all around back and not just a battering ram. Forte thinks he can get 'er done on the goal line. That's fine.

But let's keep feeding the ball to Bush on those short yardage situations. It just makes sense.

Yep, if it ain't broke don't fix it and what we saw yesterday was exactly what we wanted to see. Bush barreling in from the one or two yard line yet still picking some nice yardage when he was called in for a series or two to relieve Forte. Take away those two one yard TD carries and he averaged 4.0 ypc. Pretty good for a power back on just 12 carries.

We saw something else too. Matt Forte made one of the best runs I've ever seen him make from inside the 10 yard line. He hit the hole quick with some forward lean, ran through a arm tackle and showed quick feet. Those are all things he's lacked when he's been called upon in those situations before. The competition between him and Bush will be a good thing for both.

**BULLITT** · 09-10-2012, 03:57 PM

He got paid to play, not coach - SHUT THE FUCK-UP FORTE!

He'll be sending Bush gift bouquets by week 10 - for saving his body from the wear and tear.

**motownbear** · 09-10-2012, 04:02 PM

since he got paid he should be playing to win any way possible and um we won

**The Benjamin** · 09-10-2012, 04:03 PM

Can anyone tell me how many times Forte has pounded the ball into the endzone on short yardage tries? Goal line and then also inside the 5.

If memory serves me (and it likely fails me) Forte is not exactly good on goal line carries.

Okay, found some TD stats (doesn't have yesterday's game yet though)

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...00/touchdowns/

3 or fewer yards	10
4-9 yards	5
10-19 yards	5
20-29 yards	2
30 or more yards	7

**dinwitty** · 09-10-2012, 04:14 PM

sounds more like a save a body move, close red zone plays are rough. If the callin goes down, he's ready.

**gopherguy22** · 09-10-2012, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by The Benjamin

Can anyone tell me how many times Forte has pounded the ball into the endzone on short yardage tries? Goal line and then also inside the 5.

If memory serves me (and it likely fails me) Forte is not exactly good on goal line carries.

Okay, found some TD stats (doesn't have yesterday's game yet though)

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...00/touchdowns/

3 or fewer yards	10
4-9 yards	5
10-19 yards	5
20-29 yards	2
30 or more yards	7

I don't exactly buy the "Forte just can't make the short yardage conversions" line. It would be interesting to see how his TD numbers stacked up against opportunities, if anybody could find that. It seems to me as if ever since he's been in the league he's never been given much of an opportunity to prove himself when they need only need a yard or two. I don't know if anyone else saw what I saw on Sunday, Forte blowing through defenders and showing exceptional explosion.

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