Thread: Bears notebook: Matt Forte displays his versatility in Bears’ rout

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,6715633.story
Bears' Forte does a lot with a little

Running back racks up 103 yards, TD on just 12 carries vs. Titans

By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter
November 5, 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As he slumped at his locker trying to digest how the Bears had demolished his team, Titans safety Mike Griffin couldn't help but give Matt Forte his due respect.

The Bears running back rushed for 103 yards on just 12 carries, including an 8-yard touchdown and a season-long 46-yard run that ended with a horse-collar tackle by Griffin. Forte picked up another 47 yards off a screen pass.

"He's definitely one of the top backs in the league,'' Griffin said. "Being a bigger guy coming out of the backfield, he's real shifty and quick on his feet. He can make guys miss in the open field. He looks for the hole and hits it. He does everything.''

Many believe Forte wasn't being used like a top back, at least not lately. After last week's win over the Panthers, offensive coordinator Mike Tice admitted he needed to feed Forte the ball more but pointed out how the offense had to "freaking make first downs'' to give players more touches.

Blowing out an opponent doesn't always help the cause either. Forte had just 14 touches before the first-team offense took a seat with about 10 minutes remaining. And he made the most of his opportunities with an average of 10.6 per touch.

Forte was quick to give the Bears defense credit.

"Week after week, they keep getting the turnovers and making it a short field for us,'' Forte said. "Like the first turnover they got, we didn't capitalize on that. But we've got to — once we get a short field like that — get points on the board.''

Forte didn't forget to acknowledge special teams, either, particularly after Devin Hester's 44-yard punt return set up his touchdown run. On first-and-goal, Forte followed a lead block by fullback Evan Rodriguez, blasted up the middle, then got pushed into the end zone by a host of teammates.

"That was help from the offensive line,'' Forte said. "They made a great block. The hole was right there, and I hit the safety. I think I got to like the 2-yard line … the offensive line came and knocked me in the end zone. I didn't do it on my own.''

Griffin was the safety in Forte's path.

"The offensive linemen played it smart and gave him a push," Griffin said. "Next thing you know, I'm underneath the whole pile. I don't know what the hell I was going to do about that.''

Forte, who entered the game 20th in the league in rushing, said the running game still needs fine-tuning. The Bears gained 160 yards on the ground on 36 attempts for a 4.4-yard average.

Center Roberto Garza said he believes Sunday was a good step.

"Matt's a hell of a player, and getting some of those big runs is huge for us,'' Garza said.

"We have to go out there and do our jobs better. We have to get him more yards. When you have a guy like Matt, he's going to make us look good. We just need to get him on the edge and get him to the second level.''

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @vxmcclure23
Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

‘‘We took a big step in the right direction,’’ Forte said. ‘‘It started off a little slow. The defense and special teams got us going with turnovers and the touchdown. We did a great job.’’

"Week after week, they keep getting the turnovers and making it a short field for us,'' Forte said. "Like the first turnover they got, we didn't capitalize on that. But we've got to — once we get a short field like that — get points on the board.''

Forte is a negative naysayer, but it's not like he's ever played in the nfl or anything so who cares about his opinion.

He's definitely one of the top backs in the league,'' Griffin said. "Being a bigger guy coming out of the backfield, he's real shifty and quick on his feet. He can make guys miss in the open field. He looks for the hole and hits it. He does everything.''

I hope everyone reads this quote and remembers it, the players are now telling you he's elite, that he's a top back. Stop acting like he's merely good or average.

Blowing out an opponent doesn't always help the cause either. Forte had just 14 touches before the first-team offense took a seat with about 10 minutes remaining. And he made the most of his opportunities with an average of 10.6 per touch.

10+ yards per touch(I know it's only 8 per rush) is still super crazy sick for a RB.


Devin Hester nearly gave the Bears’ special teams a second touchdown in the first quarter when he returned a punt 44 yards to the Titans’ eight-yard line, where he was tackled by running back Jamie Harper. Forte scored on the next play to give the Bears a 14-2 lead.

Hester should have had that TD, one of the guys blocking for him on his left didn't block the one guy that could tackle him, the blocker wasn't even looking that way. that's a damn shame b/c it was the first time all year that Hester looked like his old self.


Idonije (left leg) and defensive tackle Henry Melton (back) left the game after suffering injuries in the first half. But each said his injury isn’t serious, and both expect to play Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Idonije’s injury appeared to be serious at first.
‘‘It sounded bad,’’ linebacker Brian Urlacher said. ‘‘Any time you get one of your teammates down there screaming like that, it’s not a good thing. But I think he’s going to be OK, hopefully.’’
‘‘I got rolled up, but I’m OK,’’ Idonije said. ‘‘I’m sore now, but it’ll be all right. I’m fortunate that I can play through pain.’’

It's crazy to think that w/out Izzy out there we would take a serious hit, but he's really stepped up his game and I would not be comfortable w/out him starting, even w/as good as the rest of the DL have been playing. Same w/Melton, although his inj didn't sound as serious.