Bears and Matt Forte

[The Saltman]

Guess our fo isn't that smart then.

[X-Clown]

I guess it depends on what you mean by bell cow at this point...

[thefuzz]

Guess our fo isn't that smart then.

Been saying it for years.

[thefuzz]

IMO you just can't tie up money long term on RB's, especially if they were drafted high in the draft. (meaning they signed at least a 4 year contract as a rook)

That money has to go to QB, DL/Pass Rush, CB, OL, and to a lesser extent because of the new rules WR.

[jtnc]

I hope he pulls a Julius Peppers.

[Epistaxis]

It is also wise to keep in mind that Forte WILL get paid.

Maybe not now, but the franchise tag guarantees him really good money, and someone will overpay him when he is on the downside based on past performance after that.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

high draft picks and huge contracts for RBs just seem to come back and bite teams so often. they're always one snap away from never being useful again. i know this is true of all positions to some degree RBs seem to drop off so sharply just from a single injury

given that he's going to demand top 5 money for his position anyway I'd just franchise him... and then franchise him again in 2013 if he's still playing at his current level.

[The_Mango55]

I'd be sitting out right now if I was him.

I'd probably "pull a groin" and be unable to play.

[Dpantherman]

Matt Forte is a big strong power back w/ speed, unlike CJ, who looks like hes barely 190. I get the running back lifespan, but come on. The Bears offense starts and ends w/ Forte.

[dimbee]

For a "big, strong power back," Forte shouldn't consistently be near the bottom of the list for Yards After first Contact...

[Dpantherman]

Thats only one stat though. I'm comparing him to CJ, since thats the popular comparison because he was the latest RB to get paid. If he was just another guy it would be different, but from what I've seen (and trust, I'm far from a Bears expert, I've only seen about 3 of their games this year) when they go through Forte, which it looks like they have been.

[charlottenian]

[dimbee]

Though I think he's one of the biggest douches writing and speaking about NFL football, Peter King gives his $.02:

I think this is what makes the Matt Forte contract situation so difficult to solve: guaranteed money. Four star backs have gotten new deals in the last few months, with significant guarantees. They are Adrian Peterson ($36 million), Chris Johnson ($30 million, DeAngelo Williams ($21 million) and Frank Gore ($13.5 million). Peterson and Gore have played well this season; they are second and third in the league in rushing yards this morning. Johnson and Williams are 28th and 29th in the league in rushing.

Before the season, Forte and his agent turned down a contract with between $13 million and $15 million guaranteed. Forte told our NBC SportsTalk show on Versus Friday night that there had been more contract talks recently, and certainly those would have included a ratcheting up of the guaranteed number. Question is, what do you give a back like Forte? He's 25 (turning 26 next month), and set to be a free agent after this season.

The Bears could label him the team's franchise player and keep him next year; the franchise number won't be determined until after the season, but it's likely to be about $7.8 million. So the Bears could franchise Forte for a total of $17.2 million over the next two years (2012 plus 120 percent of that number for 2013). Or, in keeping with what other top backs have received recently, they're supposed to hand him $30 million guaranteed? That's not really acknowledging the fact that Chicago has the leverage of the franchise tag.

5. I think Forte and the Bears are at least $10 million guaranteed apart. Unless Forte comes down toward the Williams neighborhood of guaranteed money -- or unless he continues to put up 175 rushing-receiving yards per week -- I can't see the Bears folding.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/11/07/Week9/index.html#ixzz1d2iBAmOs

[Dpantherman]

Lots of merit to it really. Forte deserves it, but RB is one of more dangerous positions to overpay, because of guys like Arian Foster. You don't even have to draft a RB in the first round anymore to get a baller.