Matt Forte News: Pro Sports Daily

Comment

January 21

Chicago Tribune

"Bears running back Matt Forte had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee within the last two weeks, according to multiple sources. The clean-up procedure followed a post-season MRI. Forte sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee during the Bears' 25-19 victory at Seattle in Week 3, but it is unclear if the surgery stems from that specific injury. Although Forte ran better toward the end of the season, he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry, down from his 3.9-yard average as a rookie. He finished with 929 rushing yards on 258 carries as the Bears ranked 29th in the league. Forte ran for 1,238 yards on 316 carries as a rookie the year before. As a receiver, he had 57 catches for 471 ..."

Forte's few highlights came against lowly Lions

Comment

January 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"It was little consolation, especially after the Bears finished as one of the league's worst rushing teams, but at least nobody can complain about the effectiveness of the team's much-maligned running game at the very end of the season. Matt Forte's rambling 53-yard run with the offense needing to run out the clock in the fourth quarter iced the Bears' season-ending, closer-than-the-final-score-indicated 37-23 victory Sunday over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The scamper, which set up quarterback Jay Cutler's 12-yard touchdown pass to Devin Aromashodu with 3:02 left, also pushed Forte (16 carries, 101 yards) over the 100-yard rushing mark for only the second time this season."

Bears' Matt Forte finishes strong

Comment

January 4

Chicago Tribune

"On his last carry of the season, when Matt Forte turned the corner around left tackle and headed for the sideline late in the fourth quarter Sunday, it brought back images of his rookie season. The running back spent this entire season facing questions about a ground attack that never seemed to measure up, but when you evaluate the final numbers, the Bears ran the ball better in 2009 than they did in 2008. Forte's 53-yard run to set up Jay Cutler's touchdown pass to Devin Aromashodu with 2:57 to play put the Bears' victory away and put the ground game ahead of last year's production. Believe it or not, the Bears averaged 4.0 yards per carry, one-tenth of a yard better than they did when ..."

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte open to Kahlil Bell getting some carries

Comment

December 8

Chicago Tribune

"Matt Forte has talked about his willingness to shoulder the load no matter the carries. His philosophy might have changed -- a bit. The Bears running back understands a 30-plus-carry workload might be asking too much of one player. That would explain why Forte sounded open to rookie Kahlil Bell getting more touches, as he did Sunday in a 17-9 win over the Rams. Forte ran the ball 24 times for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Bell had 11 carries for 35 yards in just his third game. The 35 carries were the most for a Bears tandem since Forte (23) and Kevin Jones (13) combined for 36 in the 2008 season opener in Indianapolis. "The coaches decide who goes in and at what time," Forte said. "When ..."

For a week, glass is half full

Comment

December 7

Chicago Sun-Times

"Scoff if you must at the Bears' victory against the St. Louis Rams as just another happy accident compliments of the NFL schedule-makers. So what if beating the Rams was like beating the Cleveland Browns on the first day of November, the last time the Bears awoke to a ''Victory Monday''? Such wins might reflect a change in culture or fortune. Or are they just fleeting moments doomed to wither and die like the turf at Soldier Field? There is nothing wrong with an accidental breakthrough. History is filled with such glorious moments that have bettered mankind. Could the Bears' victory against the Rams turn out to be the football equivalent of penicillin, cellophane, cornflakes or dynamite, ..."

Forte: Text from Urlacher cleared up comments

Comment

December 4

Chicago Tribune

"After causing a stir this week with his comments to Yahoo! Sports regarding the Bears' offense and running back Matt Forte, linebacker Brian Urlacher has made efforts to smooth things out with his teammates. In a day-in-the-life interview with reporter Michael Silver, Urlacher said, "We don't make anyone (expletive) miss" after watching Forte go down following a screen play against the Vikings. Forte said he received a text messages from Urlacher on Tuesday. "I hadn't heard anything about it and he said he wasn't trying to take any shots at me,'' Forte said today. "I was like, 'What are you talking about?' He said the quote might have sounded a certain way, but he would never do ..."

After Bell's big run, Lovie speaks up for Forte

Comment

November 24

Chicago Sun-Times

"Running back Kahlil Bell's 72-yard dash Sunday night won't necessarily mean more playing time. Matt Forte has been struggling, averaging less than 2.9 yards per carry in the six games since the bye, but there are no plans for a shakeup. ''First off, you know Matt did some good things last night,'' coach Lovie Smith said. ''I know his yardage -- the rushing total --didn't say that, but I liked the way he hit the holes. ''You need more than one good running back. We've even played three good running backs around here, so to answer your question, I do see Kahlil continuing to be a part of our offense, and with production like that, why not?''"

Cutler better for Bears but not good enough

Comment

November 23

Philadelphia Daily News

"Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was erratic, but at least he was only intercepted once last night.And for Bears fans, that's progress.Better yet, Cutler completed a 15-yard, third-quarter touchdown pass to Kellen Davis and then fired a two-point conversion pass to running back Matt Forte as the Bears claimed a temporary three-point edge over the Eagles.But Chicago couldn't hold the lead. Donovan McNabb, a Chicago native, showed how a veteran runs a game-winning drive. He guided an 11-play, 62-yard effort capped by LeSean McCoy's 10-yard touchdown run with 5 minutes, 30 seconds to play.That was all the Eagles needed to claim the 24-20 victory."I just missed some throws," Cutler said. "That's ..."

Bears still searching for their offensive Forte

Comment

November 21

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Ed Barkowitz

"JUST BECAUSE BEARS coach Lovie Smith seems intent on beating his head against the wall, it doesn't mean fantasy leaguers have to do the same. Smith said he is sticking with underachieving running back Matt Forte and remains committed to establishing the ground game. Really, though, what choice does he have when his quarterback, Jay Cutler, commits more turnovers than a JV basketball team? Smith is damned if he does stick to the run - Forte is averaging 3.5 yards per carry over his last five games - and damned if he doesn't - Cutler has 12 interceptions and six touchdowns in his last five. The reason the Eagles are favored Sunday in Chicago is simple: Right now the Eagles are playing less ..."

Gotta hand it to Forte -- or better yet, pass it

Comment

November 21

Chicago Sun-Times

"It's gotten to the point the Bears probably won't solve their running-game woes this season, but that doesn't mean they've run out of effective uses for Matt Forte. He caught a career-high eight passes for 120 yards last week at San Francisco and has 194 yards receiving in the last two games as offensive coordinator Ron Turner finds ways to adjust to a bottled-up ground game. Forte had 121 yards rushing in a Week 4 win over the lowly Detroit Lions and 90 in the victory against the Cleveland Browns, but more respectable competition has throttled the rushing game. Add to that the fact the Bears haven't remained committed to the run -- they're tied for 30th in rushing attempts -- and it ..."

Bears short passing game one area that's impressive

Comment

November 20

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"Instead of continuing to beat their helmets against eight-man fronts, the Bears are coming to a realization: They don't have to run the ball. At least not so much. They can throw short passes instead. Using the short passing game as a run substitute has been productive in their last two games, and the Bears are sure to continue down this road as long as they continue to get the same looks from defensive fronts. "When the run is struggling like that, there are some things you can do with screens, some quick passes, some long handoffs," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "Just get the ball out of your hands quickly to help the offensive linemen." Using the short passing game also has been a way to ..."

Bears' running game fails to get going -- again

Comment

October 26

Chicago Tribune

"As has become a recurring theme throughout the season, the Bears' running game failed to get going Sunday. But this time, there was a logical explanation: It's hard to run the ball after falling behind 31-0. Matt Forte wasn't pleased with his six-carry, 24-yard effort regardless of the circumstances. As a team, the Bears picked up 35 yards on 12 carries, while Jay Cutler passed the ball 37 times. "It's not frustrating, it's disappointing," Forte said. "We can't get frustrated because if we get frustrated, it's just going to carry on. In the back of your mind, it's just going to lead to more bad things. Got to forget about it, go out next week and play better." The Bears ran eight offensive ..."

Bears' Matt Forte dismisses his critics

Comment

October 22

Chicago Tribune

"With two fumbles against Atlanta and an average of just 3.4 yards per carry through five games, Matt Forte has taken hits both on and off the field. The second-year Bears player shrugged off criticism from those saying he is not an elite back. ``I don't care what they talk about because they love you one minute and as soon as you do something (wrong), they hate you the next," Forte said Wednesday. ``I take it with a grain of salt. I'm going go out there and I know I'm going to work hard every week to do my best. It's not like I'm going out there and giving up." Forte had arguably his worst game as a Bear last Sunday, finishing with just 23 rushing yards on 15 carries. The fumbles occurred ..."

Bears likely to go with just 2 running backs

Comment

October 16

Chicago Tribune

"With Adrian Peterson (right knee strain) out for Sunday's game in Atlanta, the Bears might go with only two running backs against the Falcons: starter Matt Forte and Garrett Wolfe. Coach Lovie Smith initially said he couldn't imagine going into a game with just two running backs, but he changed his tune a bit when asked about it after practice Thursday. "When I said I couldn't imagine ... we haven't been in that situation much since I've been here," Smith said. "I'm still saying that's not a situation you want to be in. But you can get through with it." The Bears finished the 2007 season with just two running backs -- Peterson as the starter and Wolfe as the backup -- after Cedric ..."

Matt Forte, Bears' running game get on track

Comment

October 5

Chicago Tribune

"Bears fullback Jason McKie couldn't contain himself as he watched running back Matt Forte rumble 61 yards, then get pulled down by Lions safety Louis Delmas before he had reached the end zone Sunday. "I told him next time he's got to score," McKie said with a laugh. "You know, when you get that big of a hole, you have to score." Forte defended himself. "I didn't get caught," he said. "Didn't I get banged up last week, with my knee? So don't tell me I got caught." If anything, Forte got going. So did the Bears' running game. Forte ran for a season-high 121 yards on 12 carries in the Bears' 48-24 win. He entered the game averaging just 2.5 yards per carry but broke lose for 10.1 yards per ..."

Forte just good enough to occupy Seahawks

Comment

September 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"A week after San Francisco's Frank Gore rambled for 207 yards against Seattle, the Bears hoped to get their own ground game sorted out against the Seahawks. That didn't happen, but they still managed to get just enough out of Matt Forte and the running game to keep the offense balanced. Forte, who left Qwest Field with a wrap on his right knee, was examined in the first quarter after taking a hit and came back to finish with 66 yards on 21 attempts (3.1 per carry). The Bears didn't get a first down rushing until 10 minutes left in the game. Still, the Seahawks frequently had eight men in the box, and that created one-on-one matchups on the outside that quarterback Jay Cutler used to his ..."

Chicago Bears' Matt Forte plays through knee injury

Comment

September 28

Chicago Tribune

"Matt Forte's return during Sunday's game was supposed to be questionable following a first-quarter knee injury, but he was right back on the field after absorbing the blow. "I went inside and got taped, so I was straight," Forte said. "That's part of football: You have to play hurt. You've got to be smart about it. But if you can play, you play. "(The knee) doesn't feel natural, but you still have to go out there and make the most of it." Forte got hit on the side of his left knee, likely by Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas. The Bears running back finished the game with 66 yards on 21 carries, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. It wasn't exactly the outing Forte had hoped for as the Bears entered ..."

Cut Matt Forte some slack

Comment

September 27

Chicago Tribune

"If questions were tacklers, Matt Forte would have stiff-armed me just under the chin. "Why would I doubt myself?" Forte shot back before my question was finished. "No, I would never doubt myself in anything that I do." Asked and answered. That's the reaction you want from an accomplished NFL player after two uncharacteristically bad games. Defiance can serve a running back as well as 4.4 speed. But it beat asking Forte about what's on the minds of the most cynical Bears observers this week: What if everybody was wrong about the running back? What if he really is closer to being the next James Allen than the next Neal Anderson? Sorry, it is too early to give that merit, even though Forte's ..."

Calendar says it's rush week

Comment

September 24

Chicago Sun-Times

"In the cycle of an NFL week, the luster of a victory over the reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers fades over the course of 72 hours. New challenges are introduced, and familiar problems are highlighted. Both intersected for the Bears on Wednesday as they began preparations for Sunday's game at Seattle, where they haven't won since 1976, the Seahawks' inaugural season. The Seahawks defense is battered -- the team lists 13 players on the injury report, including six on defense -- and outside linebacker LeRoy Hill will not play because of a groin injury. Linebacker Lofa Tatupu (hamstring) and tackle Brandon Mebane (calf) were out last week when the San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore ..."

Chicago Bears remain confident in running game

Comment

September 24

Chicago Tribune

"Scan through the Bears statistics and the name behind the longest rush is sure to come as a surprise. No, it's not Matt Forte. It's not Devin Hester, either, especially because the Bears have yet to break out the Wildcat. Adrian Peterson's 15-yard scamper against the Steelers stands as their longest run play. Most observers expected Forte, who rushed for 1,238 yards as a rookie last season, to be the one picking up the huge chunks. Instead, the second-year running back remains stuck in neutral, ranked 36th in the league in rushing (84 yards) going into Sunday's game at Seattle. And his 2.2 yards per carry is worst among the first 45 rushers listed. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner believes ..."

Run-challenged Bears losing their balance

Comment

September 23

Chicago Sun-Times

"Don't look now, but the team that used to get off the bus running needs to bus in a running game. It's just a two-game snapshot, of course, but the Bears are as one-dimensional as any offense in the league these days: a throw-first, throw-often bunch that can barely run in place. And that is far from ideal. Running the ball may be one of the most boring and charmless elements to an offense, but it's also essential to generate the kind of balance that keeps opposition defenses out of sync. ''Well, we haven't had a lot of yards, but I think with being a running team and continuing to run the ball, and just by people knowing we're a running team, that's doing enough in itself right there,'' ..."

Where's Matt Forte's place in post-Walter Payton era?

Comment

September 11

Chicago Tribune

"It was a wonderful rookie season for Matt Forte last year. But when it comes to comparisons with other running backs who played for his team, he has many yards to go. This, after all, is the franchise of Walter Payton, of Gale Sayers, of Red Grange. It is unfair to compare Forte to those players. But we can compare him to the post-Payton backs. Since Payton retired 22 years ago, 10 backs other than Forte have led the team in rushing. From those, we can say without doubt Forte already is superior to seven of them. In 1998, Packers re-tread Edgar Bennett wound up leading the team in rushing with a meager 611 yards. Like Forte, Bennett was an all-around player. "He was a pro," said Bears ..."

Forte stresses Bears must balance passing and running

Comment

August 27

Chicago Tribune

"Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner has been around the block in the NFL, yet he never has had such a potential arsenal as this year's. The temptation might be to become pass-happy to take advantage of Jay Cutler's rifle arm. But the Bears might be better served in the long run to maintain a healthy balance of running and passing plays. "You don't want to get overloaded on one or the other, because then [defenses] will start knowing what you are going to do," running back Matt Forte said as the Bears prepare for Sunday night's third exhibition at Denver. "We have to be consistent." Of course, the success of any plan of attack is predicated on an effective offensive line. "Each week ..."

Matt Forte looks strong in his first action

Comment

August 23

Chicago Tribune

"Matt Forte wanted to play in the first exhibition, but the coaches opted to give him more rest coming off an off-season hamstring injury. But his built-up energy was evident in Saturday night's 17-3 victory over the Giants. Forte rushed seven times for 53 yards in the first quarter, including a 32-yard touchdown up the middle behind a block from left guard Frank Omiyale. "That was a good block," Forte said. "We were moving the ball and hurting them with the pass, and we called a run at the right time. "I cut off him, cut up the field and made a good run. Everybody made a nice block, all the way across the line. I never got touched." He finished with nine rushes for 58 yards to go with one ..."

Chicago Bears tight ends, Matt Forte more important than wide receiver

Comment

July 22

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"Nothing offers a reminder of how close NFL training camp is in Chicago quite like the sight of a grown man wearing a No. 54 Bears jersey -- in the British Isles on the other side of the Atlantic during vacation. Here are 10 other things I know about the Bears. 1 I know much hand-wringing will continue over the Bears' reluctance to pursue a veteran wide receiver still on the street. Lack of experience at the position understandably ranks as one of the issues to follow closest in Bourbonnais. But take a deep breath, Bears Nation, and consider whether a guy such as, say, Drew Bennett or D.J. Hackett, two of the available wide receivers who tried out this week with the Ravens, really would ..."

Matt Forte observes practice but MRI results not known

Comment

June 4

Chicago Tribune

"Bears running back Matt Forte observed Thursday's organized team activities but did not participate, according to an NFL source. Forte was scheduled to undergo an MRI Thursday morning, but the Bears would not confirm that the procedure was performed. Forte limped off the field following Wednesday's practice, apparently after hearing a pop in his left leg. It was believed to be either a hamstring or calf injury considering that Forte pointed to pain behind his knee. With Forte sidelined, running back Kevin Jones ran with the first-team offense."

Ron Turner not too worried about Matt Forte's injury

Comment

June 4

Chicago Tribune

"Moments after Matt Forte limped off the practice field on Wednesday, Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner was asked about the status of his star running back. ``I don't think there's any concern,'' Turner said. ``I think he'll be fine.'' Forte left the field a few minutes before the session officially ended. He slowly made his way to the locker room but it was unclear what exactly happened. Head coach Lovie Smith usually provides injury updates, but Smith did not address the media on Wednesday."

Forte glad to have Cutler aboard with Bears

Comment

April 5

Chicago Tribune

"Bears running back Matt Forte is as eager as any of his teammates to see what new quarterback Jay Cutler has to offer. But Forte also was urged to temper his enthusiasm. "I talked to (running backs coach) Tim Spencer, and he said we still have work to do," Forte said Saturday night. "So it's not like everything is all good now. We still have to go out and play the games." The first day of the Cutler era begins Monday, when the team gathers for voluntary off-season workouts. Unfortunately for Forte, he won't be a part of the welcoming committee. He is taking classes at Tulane toward his degree in finance and still has four weeks of school remaining. Forte plans to return to Chicago in May, ..."

Study break for Bears' Matt Forte

Comment

January 30

Chicago Tribune

"Matt Forte felt honored to show up Thursday as a finalist for the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award, which went to Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. But forgive Forte for not sticking around for Sunday's game. The Bears running back who hit the holes so well as a rookie hits the books just as aggressively. "I need to get back to class and keep my wits," Forte told radio reporters after the news conference. He will return to Tulane University to continue his final 15 hours of course work toward a finance degree. His academic schedule this semester includes classes in strategic management, banking and English. If the Bears hear any problems about Forte being out too late this off-season, it ..."

Rookie Slaton is Texans' Forte

Comment

December 27

Chicago Sun-Times

"Everybody knows the Bears are pleased with the progress of running back Matt Forte, who has supplied 35.7 percent of the team's offense, a higher single-season figure than anyone not named Walter Payton or Gale Sayers. But is it possible the Bears will see a better rookie running back Sunday in Houston's Steve Slaton? He will be one of the key figures in the Texans' balanced offense, which ranks third in the league. The Bears did a good job shutting down New Orleans' top-ranked offense when it came to town Dec. 11, but that was a one-dimensional attack. The Texans run the ball efficiently, and Slaton provides a home-run threat. The Bears are going to have to stop him first if they want to ..."

Matt Forte returns to form just in time

Comment

December 23

Chicago Tribune

"The season that began with Matt Forte leading the Bears off the bus running was saved late Monday night when Forte and his offensive linemen decided to take over a game that had belonged to the Green Bay Packers for most of the evening. With the season hanging by a thread, Forte came to life in the fourth quarter and brought the Bears back with him. Forte, whom the Bears hope will be their franchise back, did it when it mattered most. He had just 20 rushing yards and none receiving through three quarters. But in the final quarter, he rushed for 52 and added 14 on his first reception of the game. Forte finished with 101 of the Bears' 210 total yards of offense. The rookie carried on seven ..."

Lovie Smith not concerned about Matt Forte's toe injury

Comment

December 13

Chicago Tribune

"Matt Forte's toe injury doesn't appear to be a major concern. "He has a sore toe, but he was able to finish the football game," Bears coach Lovie Smith said Friday. "We don't think he'll have any other trouble with it." Forte suffered the injury to his right foot on his first carry Thursday against the Saints. X-rays were negative. He will have plenty of time to recover because the Bears don't play until a Dec. 22 Monday night matchup with rival Green Bay. The bigger issue for the Bears is having a capable back ready in case something happens to Forte at the end of this season or in the future. Kevin Jones signed a one-year deal and started the season as the backup, but Adrian Peterson ..."

Bears call on Forte too much

Comment

December 13

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"Seeing Bears halfback Matt Forte on the sidelines getting medical attention Thursday night drew attention to how dependent the Bears are on him. Could anyone imagine what they would be like without the rookie? Consider this: Forte has the highest percentage of his team's "touches" in the entire NFL—51 percent of the Bears' runs or throws. Offensive coaches like to talk a lot about how important balance is in terms of run and pass. It's also important to have some balance in terms of personnel. It's one thing to be overly dependent on a player like the incandescent Adrian Peterson of the Vikings. You can't give him the ball too many times because he is capable of the game-changing play at ..."

Bears' Matt Forte limited in 1st half by foot injury

Comment

December 12

Chicago Tribune

"Matt Forte gave Bears fans a scare when he left for the sideline after his first carry of the game Thursday night when he was tackled and hurt the big toe on his right foot. Forte retreated to the locker room, but returned with 10:38 remaining in the second period. "He was in a lot of pain," Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "He's a great football player and he's extremely tough. It was very important to him to be out there with his teammates and do what he could do." In fact, Forte scored on a 1-yard run with 7:42 left in the second quarter to give the Bears a 14-7 lead. He finished with just 34 yards on 11 rushes. But he also caught five passes for 29 yards."

Running on empty? Not Bears' Matt Forte

Comment

December 9

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"A funny thing happened to Matt Forte when he approached the rookie wall every first-year player encounters. It was hiding a trampoline. Forte has had a bounce in his step since the Bears' week off near midseason, often the point when rookie running backs begin to see their production decline. "There is no wall!" rookie teammate Marcus Harrison shouted Sunday as reporters gathered around Forte's locker. Forte seemed genuinely embarrassed by the attention or Harrison's outburst, maybe both. "I really don't think about that," Forte said of the proverbial wall. It has been invisible. In Forte's first seven games, he gained 515 yards on 147 carries, his 3.5 yards-per-carry average creating ..."

Jones-Drew gave Forte great advice about playing in NFL

Comment

December 7

Chicago Sun-Times

"In terms of their running styles, Matt Forte and Maurice Jones-Drew couldn’t be more different. Forte is an upright runner with good feet who’s faster than he’s given credit for. Jones-Drew is generously listed at 5-7 but is a bruising rusher with shiftiness and a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to tackle. But they do share some qualities. Both are skilled receivers coming out of the backfield. Both were drafted in the second round, the sixth running back taken in their respective classes. Both run with an attitude, and that might be the key to their success. The friends will meet on the field today for the first time. Forte is fresh off a 96-yard effort at Minnesota that ..."

132-yard day a snap for Forte

Comment

November 24

Chicago Sun-Times

"It was a little piece of genius. Not only did the Bears immediately go back to Matt Forte after his first lost fumble of the season, they snapped the ball directly to him out of the wildcat formation. What a way to rebuild Forte's confidence. Forte ran for four yards on that play, and after taking a handoff from Kyle Orton a play later, he broke a 49-yard touchdown run -- his longest play since the season opener. ''We were going to call those plays anyway; the fumble had nothing to do with it,'' offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. ''Sometimes you lose a fumble, it was no big thing,'' Forte said. So much for genius. Still, it has been amazing to watch Forte's production and the way he ..."

Bears rookie Matt Forte model of consistency

Comment

November 24

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"Having taken a direct snap from center once Sunday in the Bears' 27-3 victory over the St. Louis Rams, Matt Forte was asked if he had an arm in case a play out of that trick formation ever required him to pass. "I've got two arms," Forte replied with a chuckle. This was Forte's idea of funny, Chicago, as outrageous as the soft-spoken rookie probably ever gets. Oh, Forte possesses a good sense of humor, but he has a better sense of the moment. This season is becoming his. "You get the same player each week," coach Lovie Smith said of Forte. There is no higher compliment in the Lovie Smith glossary. If you want mercurial, Tommie Harris is waiting at his locker. If you want to obsess over a ..."

Forte impresses Titans' Haynesworth

Comment

November 8

Chicago Sun-Times

"Matt Forte may be operating under the radar for some, but not as far off as Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth had him. ''Forte, man, he's an awesome back,'' Haynesworth said this week. ''Gosh, I heard he got taken in the fourth round. I don't know how many people missed the ball on that one. 'The guy has got awesome feet. He looks like a Deuce McAllister, honestly, maybe even better and fresher. He's just got great size, great ability and great feet. He's going to be tough. He's going to be one of the toughest running backs we have to face.'' While the McAllister comparison might be a little off -- and Forte was a second-round pick -- Haynesworth's comments on Forte's ..."

Bears' best bet: Let Forte run

Comment

October 19

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"To stop Adrian Peterson from controlling a game that could give the winner control of the NFC North, the Bears need Brian Urlacher to remind Chicago why he's a superstar linebacker. They need defensive tackle Tommie Harris to stop being unbearable and start being unblockable. They need free safety Mike Brown to introduce himself to Peterson face mask-to-face mask and strong safety Kevin Payne to inflict a little. They need Lance Briggs to continue his Pro Bowl-level play to help the Bears stop the run as well as they have. But the Bear who is most equipped to make it a frustrating day for Peterson doesn't play defense. That would be running back Matt Forte, the rookie whose season-opening ..."

Forte's less forceful lately

Comment

October 17

Chicago Sun-Times

"The numbers say the Bears' running game has been dipping the last month. Rookie Matt Forte, sixth in the NFL with 459 yards and on pace for 1,224, has been slowed in recent weeks as defenses gear up to stop the run. Forte's output thus far is the most by a Bears rookie back since Beattie Feathers in 1934, but he hasn't gone over 100 yards since the opener at Indianapolis and has broken off only one 20-yard run since. Forte is averaging a lackluster 3.01 yards per attempt in the last four games and 3.6 for the season, and the team that ''gets off the bus running'' is 13th in the NFL in rushing. But while yards per carry is the truest measure of success for a back -- production can't be ..."

After 'interview' with Lions, Forte doing job for Bears

Comment

October 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"For a moment, at least, picture Matt Forte in the blue and silver of the Detroit Lions. The Lions did an exhaustive amount of work on the rookie running back from Tulane leading up to the draft in April. If they'd wanted to nab him in the second round, the Bears got him in the nick of time -- 44th overall and one pick before the Lions' second selection. Detroit grabbed its running back, Central Florida's Kevin Smith, with the first pick of the third round. Forte visited the Lions' facility in Allen Park, Mich., in March at the same time Smith and Texas' Jamaal Charles were there. ''I knew there were going to be a couple of us there,'' Forte said. ''I just took it as a job interview. During ..."

Forte 'plugs away' in win

Comment

September 29

Chicago Tribune

columnist Fred Mitchell

"Matt Forte said he felt like a marked man Sunday night, perhaps the ultimate compliment for a rookie running back. "It's tough running out there when they are keying on the run," said Forte, who was limited to 43 yards on 19 carries (2.3 average). "But I just kept plugging away. You know, you can't give up. That's why the passing game opened up a lot." Forte's 10-yard run late in the fourth quarter continued a drive as the Bears played keep-away from the Eagles and held on for a 24-20 victory. The threat that Forte posed as a breakaway runner enabled offensive coordinator Ron Turner to deploy other weapons for quarterback Kyle Orton. Forte even caught a team-high five passes for 42 yards, ..."

Bears' Forte off to fast start

Comment

September 25

PhillyBurbs.com

"It wasn't too long ago that Matt Forte was competing with Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson just to get some snaps at Bears training camp. Now Forte is one of the league's leading rushers. Forte, a rookie second-round pick from Tulane, won the starting tailback spot during the preseason and has rushed for 304 yards in the Bears' first three games. That's the most yards by any NFL back after three games since Cadillac Williams had 434 in 2005 and the most by a Bear in his first three games since Beattie Feathers gained 313 in 1934. Forte already has an NFL-high 73 carries and an NFL-high 86 touches, which is high for anybody - especially a 22-year-old rookie. "I'm fine," Forte said in a ..."

Running Start

Comment

September 15

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Michael Parenton sat there, his eyes fixed on the television as he watched his best friend live out his dream. Parenton was so proud to see Matt Forté, wearing a Chicago Bears uniform, take the handoff on third-and-6 from midfield and make an impressive run. First he showed off the elusiveness -- which some questioned before the draft -- by juking Colts safety Antoine Bethea. Then Forté turned on the speed -- which many more said he didn't have before he stunned them at the NFL Scouting Combine -- by outracing All-Pro safety Bob Sanders for a 50-yard touchdown. Parenton's jaw dropped. This was a run Parenton, a senior center at Tulane, had become used but few in the NFL had ever ..."

Bears knew Matt Forte was special

Comment

September 11

Chicago Tribune

columnist Mike Downey

"He broke one 50 yards untouched for a touchdown on the fourth carry of his NFL career Sunday night in prime time, and Americans in front of TV sets heard Al Michaels and John Madden rave as they saw replays of Matt Forte's zigs and zags. And they turned to each other in their homes and asked: "Who?" Forte, is it—with an accent mark over the e? But the other Chicago Bears already knew who he was."I told everybody he was going to be special," tackle Tommie Harris was pleased to say Wednesday before practice. "My parents, my friends, everybody." Bears from the Super Bowl holdovers to the team's rookie third-string quarterback seemed to sense the same thing. "I could see it right away, how ..."

Perfect Fit For Forte

Comment

September 9

Chicago Sun-Times

"When Garret Chachere sat down with Matt Forte for lunch the day before the NFL draft in April, he asked which team Forte thought was going to call his name the next day. The Bears, Forte said, because they had shown the most interest in him over the previous two months. Chachere, who recruited Forte to Tulane and is now the special-teams coach at Memphis, thought it sounded like a good match, but he would have liked the running back's chances in just about any setting. He has been a believer in Forte a lot longer than most. ''It's funny,'' Chachere said Monday afternoon. ''He had an inkling that was where he was going. I expected big things from him this year, and I knew he was happy going ..."

Bears' Forte feeling the love

Comment

September 9

Chicago Tribune

"The cell phone buzzed around 1:15 a.m. Monday, and Mike Parenton wanted so much to ignore it. Instead, the Tulane center rolled over inside his off-campus house to hear his former teammate, roommate and close friend Matt Forte on the line. "I was sleeping. I had a 6 a.m. workout," Parenton said. "But you know what? I was so happy for Matt. He could have called me at 4:30 a.m., it wouldn't have mattered." Maybe Forte tempered his enthusiasm immediately afterward, but the Bears running back couldn't help but express his joy to family and friends after Sunday night's 123-yard rushing performance against the Colts—the most yards by a Bears rookie running back in a debut. Forte relived the ..."

Bears rookie runs over Colts for 123 yards, TD

Comment

September 8

Indianapolis Star

"A rookie running back in his NFL debut made the Indianapolis Colts' rushing defense look like a tackle-missing, overpowered mess of years past in Chicago's 29-13 victory Sunday night. Matt Forte, who at this time last year was playing for Tulane, rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries, including a 50-yard touchdown in the opening quarter. "They just outplayed us," said Colts defensive end/tackle Raheem Brock. "We missed a lot of tackles. We missed a lot of assignments." Not only was the 50-yard score the first touchdown at Lucas Oil Stadium, it was the longest against a Colts defense in more than a year -- Miami's Ronnie Brown had a 47-yarder in the 2006 season finale. The Colts' longest rush ..."

Forte shines in debut as Bears stun Colts

Comment

September 8

Chicago Tribune

"After compiling the most rushing yards for a Bears rookie in a debut, Matt Forte calmly sat down at his locker, oblivious to the hype surrounding his 123-yard, one-touchdown performance. "I'm glad we won, but I'm not going to go crazy over it," Forte said after the Bears' surprising 29-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. "It's the first game. It's a 16-game season." Seems as if Forte already has a veteran's savvy. And his confidence was evident all night, particularly after he grabbed a second-quarter pass and absorbed vicious blows from Colts defenders Clint Session and Bob Sanders. They sent Forte out of the game for a few plays and resulted in his left shoulder being ..."