Forte - In a Time Share with Barber? (1 Viewer)

[mquinnjr]

Didn't watch this game, wanted to ask some Bears fans who watched what the deal is here/if there's anything to see.

Understand that Hanie is going to have implications for Forte's game/value. How much truth is there to the fact that it looks like Barber is emerging into a timeshare situation with Forte as mentioned by Bloom and staff in this week's game write up? I know his performance fantasy points wise has dropped since the Bye in week 8, but looking into the rushing and receiving targets, here's what we've got weeks 9-12 for Forte:

Week Rushes Targets Receptions

9 24 5 3

10 18 5 1

11 21 5 4

12 12 10 6

And for Barber:

Week Rushes Targets Receptions

9 9 1 1

10 13 0 0

11 6 0 0

12 10 0 0

So looking at just the opportunities, it looks like Barber is getting about 1/3 of the total looks (rushing/receiving combined) as of Week 12, with a significant drop in Forte rushing opportunities and a significant jump in Forte reception targets. Is this the proof of the fact that Hanie is simply looking to Forte as a safety valve on broken plays, since the 6 receptions totaled 26 yards receiving and Forte and Barber are splitting out of the backfield? Is Barber looking that good out of the backfield to warrant almost 50% of the backfield carries in week 12? Looks like from that he's more than spelling Forte as of week 12.

Anything to see here, or is this just a one week game plan mix-up?

 

[Dought Man]

On the radio here, they are talking about Forte getting 25 carries this coming week. No time share.

 

[shnikies]

I think it'll be a timeshare in the fact that Barber will be getting 15+ touches in addition to Forte's 20+ touches. I would call that a timeshare but there are going to plenty of touches to go around. Barber becomes a top 30 running back play the rest of the way.

 

[Dylude]

Barber got good touches this week especially because I think Forte had his worst game as a professional. From the dropped passes to the tentative way he was meeting blockers, as a Forte owner who lost week 12 by 2 points, I really couldn't be mad at Lovie for rolling with Barber on whole drives in the second half--he looked better at times.

This revelation makes Forte closer to feast/famine than consistent stud status. If he gets off to a hot start expect 25+ touches easy with Marion doing cleanup around 10 touches. If he has another start like this past Sunday you'll continue to see the 60/40 split.

Just my observations.

 

[Football Jones]

Forte doesn't have a lot of help WITH Cutler. Without him, the whole D can basically key on Forte.

Forte remains one of the most talented RBs in the league. Eyeballs tell you that, but I think it might be a struggle the rest of the way as far as FF is concerned. Hard to say. Depends on how well Hanie plays.

Forte is, & always will be their feature back, but Barber is a decent NFL backup. Not much else to say about him other than that.

 

[shnikies]

Barber got good touches this week especially because I think Forte had his worst game as a professional. From the dropped passes to the tentative way he was meeting blockers, as a Forte owner who lost week 12 by 2 points, I really couldn't be mad at Lovie for rolling with Barber on whole drives in the second half--he looked better at times.This revelation makes Forte closer to feast/famine than consistent stud status. If he gets off to a hot start expect 25+ touches easy with Marion doing cleanup around 10 touches. If he has another start like this past Sunday you'll continue to see the 60/40 split.Just my observations.

If you think that was his worst game as a pro you must have missed his whole 2009 season. They were also using a fullback for Barber and running out of the single back with Forte. They were much more effective at opening up holes with a lead back than out of the single back. We might see Forte with a fullback for the first time this year. I never thought I'd say this but the Bears miss Chris Williams...a lot.

 

[RUSF18]

I don't think Barber cuts into Forte's production but do agree with others that, post-Cutler, the Bears will need to run the ball enough that Barber has very good value this late in the season. I'm trying to pick him up fairly cheaply on waivers this week, thinking he could be a solid flex play the rest of the way. I had to sacrifice a lot of my depth in trades to acquire replacements for Schaub and then Cutler and Barber could prove to be pretty reliable in that role.

 

[yoman]

IMHO Forte is still the clear cut #1 RB but Barber has earned his way into the mix and should get more carries. Barber is a great change of pace back because he hits the holes a little harder than Forte and wears down defenses (and unfortunately himself as well). Because of this, Barber at times can be a better runner in goal line situations and when the defenses are gearing up to stop the run because Forte can be brought down trying to make a move to get around the 4 defenders that are bearing down on him while Barber will try to move the pile forward. As long as Martz doesn't try to get too cute and think he can throw the ball 40 times without Cutler and a mediocre offensive line you should see good production from both backs.

 

[Dought Man]

You guys are crazy. Forte will have a nice 20+ point week this week and Barber will be lucky to vulture a goaline td.

 

[Jagerbomber]

IMHO Forte is still the clear cut #1 RB but Barber has earned his way into the mix and should get more carries. Barber is a great change of pace back because he hits the holes a little harder than Forte and wears down defenses (and unfortunately himself as well). Because of this, Barber at times can be a better runner in goal line situations and when the defenses are gearing up to stop the run because Forte can be brought down trying to make a move to get around the 4 defenders that are bearing down on him while Barber will try to move the pile forward. As long as Martz doesn't try to get too cute and think he can throw the ball 40 times without Cutler and a mediocre offensive line you should see good production from both backs.

Fully agree. I think in a way this helps Forte in terms of not getting burned out. As a Forte owner though, I think this is what will end up screwing up my playoffs.

 

[RUSF18]

You guys are crazy. Forte will have a nice 20+ point week this week and Barber will be lucky to vulture a goaline td.

Forte could very easily have a 20+ point week while giving Barber enough opportunity for a 9-12 point week (50/50 shot at a TD).

 

[Da Guru]

Thought I heard on Sunday that Fortes YPC had dropped drastically the last few weeks,,down to 2.5

The Bears know more about Forte than we do, that is probably why they will not extend him for 5-6 year and will only offer the franchise tag.

 

[jim k]

Thought I heard on Sunday that Fortes YPC had dropped drastically the last few weeks,,down to 2.5The Bears know more about Forte than we do, that is probably why they will not extend him for 5-6 year and will only offer the franchise tag.

Forte is not getting the pass yards and the offensive line is adjusting to injury.Barber has looked good - he has the power running game he has not had the last three years.

 

[shnikies]

You guys are crazy. Forte will have a nice 20+ point week this week and Barber will be lucky to vulture a goaline td.

Your post would be better served to just say "Forte is on my fantasy team."

 

[Sweet Love]

I think it'll be a timeshare in the fact that Barber will be getting 15+ touches in addition to Forte's 20+ touches. I would call that a timeshare but there are going to plenty of touches to go around. Barber becomes a top 30 running back play the rest of the way.

Well put. Technically, in "our world" it may be classified as a timeshare, but I look at KC and NO as a true timeshare. We strive for 20+ touches from our starter and that is what Forte gets...really does not matter whether the guy behind him gets 5 touches or 15 each week. From a personal standpoint, unless I am in one of my redrafts, I groan when my starting RB gets 25+ touches on a consistent basis...short term it is great, but I know I will have to move the guy sooner rather than later in order to avoid a situation where he becomes burnt out.

 

[mbuehner]

I think it'll be a timeshare in the fact that Barber will be getting 15+ touches in addition to Forte's 20+ touches. I would call that a timeshare but there are going to plenty of touches to go around. Barber becomes a top 30 running back play the rest of the way.

Well put. Technically, in "our world" it may be classified as a timeshare, but I look at KC and NO as a true timeshare. We strive for 20+ touches from our starter and that is what Forte gets...really does not matter whether the guy behind him gets 5 touches or 15 each week. From a personal standpoint, unless I am in one of my redrafts, I groan when my starting RB gets 25+ touches on a consistent basis...short term it is great, but I know I will have to move the guy sooner rather than later in order to avoid a situation where he becomes burnt out.

Yup. Forte will be more effective come playoff time by not touching the ball 40 times a game (and more likely to be in 1 piece). He's already got a ridiculous share of the Bears offense, what else do you want?

 

[Lavachebeadsman]

Picked Barber up as a flyer in two leagues and if you play in a 14+ team league, you could do worse as a flex. Gets the GL carries and normally at least one series to himself.

 

[barista]

my worry is that with Barber in the mix forte won't be as quick to get in a rhythm...

note- I have both on my roster.

 

[newbvick]

Snap count was 52 to 15 in favor of Forte.

 

[Da Guru]

my worry is that with Barber in the mix forte won't be as quick to get in a rhythm... note- I have both on my roster.

Forte was complaining about being over worked..maybe the Bears are listening to him.

 

[reprisal]

Barber's biggest advantage over Forte is that Mike Martz doesn't get cute with him in the game. When he calls Barber's number it almost always fits his skill set well. Forte still ran well, but Martz didn't get him free on the edge a single time. All the screen plays were overly complicated involving play fakes and extra moving parts. No simple pass plays to get Caleb settled in and let Forte attack the D. If you just run up the gut Forte is still the more dangerous back, but Barber is probably going to get positive results as often or more often. On a couple of Hanie's picks Forte was lined up shotgun or motioned out of the backfield. When Barber is in it's nice simple power formations.

 

[stbugs]

Thought I heard on Sunday that Fortes YPC had dropped drastically the last few weeks,,down to 2.5The Bears know more about Forte than we do, that is probably why they will not extend him for 5-6 year and will only offer the franchise tag.

That isn't correct. Last 5 weeks have been 5.8, 5.5, 3.6, 2.9 and 4.9. He had a bad ypc against SD, but most RB1s in the NFL have some bad weeks here and there. He hasn't been lighting it up lately, but hey, you can't play Carolina, Philly and TB run defenses every week.