Forte to get most touches but will he matter in fantasy land?

mudloggerone

mudloggerone

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rotoworld,

Matt Forte will get "60 to 70 percent of the running back touches," predicts Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.

This sounds about right to us as well. Forte and Chester Taylor are similar backs than both excel as a receiver out of the backfield. Forte will likely get a more work on early downs and Taylor will be the main third-down back. The fantasy upside on both players is capped, especially in non-PPR leagues.
Source: Chicago Tribune






I could see playing him as a flex, maybe, but would you run him at a RB 2? Anyone brave enough to go with him as your RB 1 this season? Not me!
 
I think he is a solid #2. Not saying I would not want to have depth with him, but I also don't have 24 other backs I'd rather have more than him to not make me think he is a 2.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
I still consider him a #2. This is the second year with Cutler at the helm. The offense should be better than last year.
 
rotoworld,

Matt Forte ran with the first-team offense and Chester Taylor took snaps with the second team Friday at Bears minicamp.

It's a strong indication that Forte will hang on to his starting job despite a poor 2009 season. Taylor, acquired this offseason via free agency, will earn a higher salary in 2010, but Forte should see far more early-down snaps.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
 
(nfl.com)Matt Forte was the Bears' first-team running back at the onset of their May minicamp while new Bears RB Chester Taylor worked with the second-team offense. There were times when both lined up together in the backfield. Forte was definitely healthier during the camp compared to late last season as he had some burst back in his step.
 
(cbssports.com)A hamstring injury kept RB Matt Forte out of OTAs and part of training camp last year and a knee injury in Week 3 limited him through Week 17. He looks healthy now. "I feel a lot faster," he said Wednesday. "I actually went down to Florida and did some training, so I could redo the speed training and stuff that I did before that I didn't get to do because of my injuries." Forte said he never viewed the acquisition of Chester Taylor from Minnesota as a criticism of his 2009 production. "Competition is part of the game," Forte said. "If you're afraid of competition you shouldn't be playing, anyway, so I come out here and compete every day." But Forte, who continues handling first-team duties for the majority of offseason work, is glad to have Taylor on the team to help share the load. "It's not me vs. Chester," Forte said. "He's in here to help out the team, and I'm here to help out the team, too, to get to a championship. So that's what it is."
 
rotoworld,
Matt Forte insists he has more burst in offseason practices than he had after spraining his MCL in Week 3 last season.

"I look different on tape," says Forte. "I was missing burst last year, and a second gear. It really wasn't there." A healthy Forte should be considerably more effective on a per-touch basis, but his fantasy upside is capped by the presence of Chester Taylor. We see him as a low-end RB2 this year.
Source: Chicago Tribune
 
I agree that he didn't have a burst last season for whatever the reason. It'd be nice to see the kid rebound in a big way.
 
cbssports.com,
The Chicago Tribune reports RB Matt Forte will be a key to the Bears' success this year. The paper reports Forte is healthy coming into 2010 after dealing with hamstring and knee injuries last season. Forte reportedly looks faster then he did as a rookie. "I know I have more burst," Forte said. "I look different on tape. I was missing burst last year, and a second gear. It really wasn't there." Improved health isn't the only reason Forte should be better. He has a chance to become the centerpiece of Mike Martz's offense the way Marshall Faulk was for him with the Rams. "It's an offense that kind of circles around a running back who can catch the ball," said Forte. "A lot of our stuff looks like another play, so the defense doesn't know if we'll run it or pass it out of certain formations. That's good for the running back." The new run-blocking scheme offensive line coach Mike Tice had implemented also should help Forte. If executed properly, the scheme will create quick seams for Forte. Asked about the new blocking style, Forte said, "I'm excited about that."
 
rotoworld,
Matt Forte's percentage of backfield touches this year is expected to be "significantly lower" than it was during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

This might seem obvious following the addition of Chester Taylor, but it's worth keeping in mind that there is no expectation in Chicago of the Bears staying with Forte as a true "feature back." Thus, it's going to be difficult to expect a real bounce-back season for Forte. We're projecting 220 carries.
Source: Chicago Tribune



One day you read one thing the next day another.
 
(Rotoworld) GM Jerry Angelo conceded that offensive line remains the Bears' "biggest question mark" this season. Analysis: Angelo ditched declining run blocker Orlando Pace in favor of converted guard Frank Omiyale, but there's no evidence of tangible improvement up front. A bounce back in the running game will have to come from the addition of Chester Taylor and Matt Forte's return to health.
 
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