This isn't saying too much, but he's the best Bears RB since Neil Anderson. Great vision, surprising power, and a great pass catcher - Runs a little like a less explosive Fred Taylor. Forte is the real deal.haven't seen him play yet. He seems like a hard-worker and people in the thread have already said that he can pick up the blitz which is obviously a way for him to stay in the game.After a couple of weeks, what kind of game does he have?I guess he doesn't have blazing speed but some college highlights showed him being able to get around the corner
he had 2 nice runs that were called back due to penalty and both were in the ballpark of 10-20 yards ...Football Jones said:i didn't see that (flipping around)...how long were the runs?...sometimes those holding calls don't have anything to do with the success of the play...it's good to know he could of had an even better gamePsychoMan said:looked good again today. had 2 long runs taken back by holding calls ... i really like this kid
This isn't saying too much, but he's the best Bears RB since Neil Anderson. Great vision, surprising power, and a great pass catcher - Runs a little like a less explosive Fred Taylor. Forte is the real deal.haven't seen him play yet. He seems like a hard-worker and people in the thread have already said that he can pick up the blitz which is obviously a way for him to stay in the game.
After a couple of weeks, what kind of game does he have?
I guess he doesn't have blazing speed but some college highlights showed him being able to get around the corner
he really is ... and i'm not just hoping he's the real deal because i'm a bears fan (like i did with benson, enis, salaam, etc) ... this kid has really impressed me. vision, power, speed, catching ... he's got it all. 2 games in i feel like the bears got a steal with this draft pick.Just watched the ESPN highlight and Forte was in the GL package (I form) they just gave it to McKie for a quick hitting play. Don't think McKie is a genuine vulture yet.Hopefully Ron Turner stops giving the rock to McKie in short yardage situations, because I think it's evident that Forte can move the pile just as well, and can make something happen if he is hit in the backfield.
Chicago fan here, and also have a client that played with him at Tulane and told me his thoughts on him. Comparable in size/style to Chris Brown/Robert Smith (26 of Vikes from the 90s). He's very good at getting low through the hole and following blocks, leading to him having few runs for losses. Excellent, excellent receiver. You'll see his catches go up through the year, especially on a team with very few weapons. He's a one cut down hill runner a la Terrel Davis (not comparing ability, just style), and has shown power. As downsides, he's not the most ellusive guy, not ultra fast, and not ultra powerful. But he's above average in smarts, running ability, and power. Teammates love him, as do the fans. He's GREAT at finding something from very little. He's definitely in the game in goal line, though the Bears get very gadgety near the end-zone with the full back and such. Sunday, he had a nice TD catch on a fade. Who throws fades to RBs?!?? Weird, but it worked!From the guy who knew him: "He's a model citizen and the fans will love him. He's the anti-Benson."So far, that's how it seems. Very humble but confident. Perhaps the best thing is that the Chicago Bears oline is shockingly decent. The line was supposed to SUCK, but apparently some of the journeymen are having bounceback years. I wish I had him on a team... Color me shocked that the success of him and the line thus far. It's not a fluke, as TB and Carolina are not fluke defenses.three weeks into the season and his numbers look great.. question is how does he look running the ballis he finding holes?how quick is he?does he have breakaway speed?Is he in on goal-line packages?
I was so/so on Forte before the season, i have to say though, each time i watch him play, i am more and more impressed with him. He does it all, he is singlehandedly making that Bears Oline/offense look respectable. What makes his production even more impressive, is he has done it against good defenses. Just wait until this guy gets to play against the Lions, Rams and Falcons, etc.three weeks into the season and his numbers look great.. question is how does he look running the ballis he finding holes?how quick is he?does he have breakaway speed?Is he in on goal-line packages?
I rarely buy into the overworked or injury-prone labels, but there are a few cases where being overworked (or injury-prone) is a real concern. This might be one of those cases (overworked). Let's not kill the kid, LOL. I believe Chicago will lighten his load somehow. Lovie probably just isn't sure how to accomplish that yet. There are ways to do it, so they'll simply have to decide which way to go (more Kevin Jones, more passes, etc.).I'm worried about his workload. At the rate he's going I can easily see him surpassing 350+ rushes and 80+ receptions. On top of that he's an every down back and even comes in for Kevin Jones on third down for pass blocking.I could see Lovie running this kid into the ground to keep the Bears respectable this year.
Yeah, it would make a lot of sense for the Bears to work Kevin Jones in for one more series per game... it will add up over time, and honestly, Jones has looked solid when given the opportunity.The Bears split Forte out wide twice last game... and on one play they ran him on a streak to the endzone where he made a nice adjustment on the ball, but couldn't come up with it (actually was tipped around and intercepted).... anyway, his ball skills look great, and whoever mentioned that this was the best bears RB since Neal Anderson was right on the money, I think.I rarely buy into the overworked or injury-prone labels, but there are a few cases where being overworked (or injury-prone) is a real concern. This might be one of those cases (overworked). Let's not kill the kid, LOL. I believe Chicago will lighten his load somehow. Lovie probably just isn't sure how to accomplish that yet. There are ways to do it, so they'll simply have to decide which way to go (more Kevin Jones, more passes, etc.).I'm worried about his workload. At the rate he's going I can easily see him surpassing 350+ rushes and 80+ receptions. On top of that he's an every down back and even comes in for Kevin Jones on third down for pass blocking.
I could see Lovie running this kid into the ground to keep the Bears respectable this year.
Yes, and don't sell him. EBF doesn't know what he's talking about in this case.will Forte be a better play this year than a more experienced back like Brandon Jacobs?
No chance I'd trade Forte for Jacobs at this point. I would put Forte up there in a group with MJD, Turner, and Thomas Jones. Jacobs is behind that group IMO.will Forte be a better play this year than a more experienced back like Brandon Jacobs?
“We’re trying to win a game each week and it so happens we’ve gotten that many touches for Matt. He’s a young player. It’s not like we’re talking about a 10-year veteran that’s been in the league forever. He’s young right now with a lot of energy. We’ll try to get Kevin [Jones] in as best we can, but whenever Matt isn’t on the field, it isn’t really good for us.”
got my first view of Forte on Sunday night and obviously his numbers weren't outstanding, low YPC although he did have 88 total yards if memory serves.I remember one play, late in the game with about 5 minutes left, he was able to get enough yards on a 3rd down to get the first down and keep the drive going and help the Bears close the door.I did think he did an excellent job standing up some blitzers..The thing that really impresses me about this guy is that he can hit the tiniest hole and bust through the 2nd level. He's gonna have some huge numbers vs. DET!I expect better numbers against the Lions this week.. Hits the hole hard even if its small. Will dive into a small hole like "the bus." Looks like a Veteran. Looking forward to Detroit!what did other people and Bears fans think?
...and watch him go higher.Sell high.![]()
He's a good option in a redraft just because he's the focal point of the offense. He's a prime sell high candidate in dynasty leagues. His burst of early production will have a lot of people high on his prospects, but I don't think he's a special talent. He's a mediocre athlete by NFL RB standards and his YPC has dropped each of the past two weeks. I think his tall, lanky build exposes him to a higher than average risk of suffering serious knee/leg injuries. If you can get a guy like Stewart or MJD for him then I'd pull the trigger. I don't think his value will ever by higher than where it is today.Why? He is the man on a run first team and has shown he can run it and catch it.
LOL @ comparing Forte to Dickerson and George. This is exactly why you should sell high. Over the years I've noticed a funny thing with rookie RBs. When one of them puts together a string of good games, the FF community immediately hails him as the next great running back. Here's the dirty little secret: virtually any decent NFL RB will give you good production if he gets 20 touches per game. - Ron Dayne rushed for over 300 yards and 5 TDs in the final three games of the 2006 season.- Chris Brown rushed for over 100 yards in his first three starts for the Titans. - Lee Suggs had three straight 100 yard rushing games during the 2004 season. - William Green averaged nearly 100 rushing yards per game in the second half of his rookie season. - Ladell Betts had five straight 100 yard rushing games in 2005. - Anthony Thomas rushed for nearly 1200 yards as a rookie.- Michael Bennett rushed for nearly 1300 yards in his second season.- Ryan Grant had five 100 yard rushing games last season.Where are these guys now? On the back of a milk carton. Don't overreact because a RB scrapes together a few good games. In the grand scheme of things, a few good games means nothing. You didn't hear anyone touting Ron Dayne as the next super stud after his torrid finish to the 2006 season. Why not? Because we all knew Ron Dayne was garbage and we knew his production was a fluke. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's a considerable risk that guys like Forte and Slaton are merely the next in a long line of frauds who fooled FF owners into premature worship on the basis of a handful of good games. Most FF owners don't see that downside risk. All they see is the flashy upside. I've felt all along that Matt Forte basically = Chris Brown. Similar body type, draft pedigree, and skill set. He can give you decent production when called upon, but he's not a great player. I feel pretty confident that his FF value has already peaked, much like Brown's did early in his first year as a starter. Maybe Forte will stay healthy and prove to be legit in the long run, but why run the risk when you can already package him in a trade for an elite player?He's one of those tall upright injury prone runners who you should sell high.. like that Eric Dickerson guy who had the same build and ran the same way. Or that Eddie George guy, he was the same style runner too, hope everyone sold high on those 2 in rookie years as well. I wonder what their BMI was..
I agree thats its not realistic to compare him to Dickerson or George, but its just as unfair comparing him to Chris Brown. I am actually not a big fan of ever comparing one player to another, it clouds a persons judgment when trying to get a read for how good the player really is. If you are looking for reasons to see the next Dickerson, you will probably see them. Same goes for if you are looking for the next Chris Brown. I was pretty meh on the guy before the season, but after watching him play, i am very impressed. That certainly doesnt mean he is bust poof, but there is no way i would trade him right now unless i got an offer i couldnt refuse. :horsehead:.LOL @ comparing Forte to Dickerson and George. This is exactly why you should sell high. Over the years I've noticed a funny thing with rookie RBs. When one of them puts together a string of good games, the FF community immediately hails him as the next great running back. Here's the dirty little secret: virtually any decent NFL RB will give you good production if he gets 20 touches per game. - Ron Dayne rushed for over 300 yards and 5 TDs in the final three games of the 2006 season.- Chris Brown rushed for over 100 yards in his first three starts for the Titans. - Lee Suggs had three straight 100 yard rushing games during the 2004 season. - William Green averaged nearly 100 rushing yards per game in the second half of his rookie season. - Ladell Betts had five straight 100 yard rushing games in 2005. - Anthony Thomas rushed for nearly 1200 yards as a rookie.- Michael Bennett rushed for nearly 1300 yards in his second season.- Ryan Grant had five 100 yard rushing games last season.Where are these guys now? On the back of a milk carton. Don't overreact because a RB scrapes together a few good games. In the grand scheme of things, a few good games means nothing. You didn't hear anyone touting Ron Dayne as the next super stud after his torrid finish to the 2006 season. Why not? Because we all knew Ron Dayne was garbage and we knew his production was a fluke. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's a considerable risk that guys like Forte and Slaton are merely the next in a long line of frauds who fooled FF owners into premature worship on the basis of a handful of good games. Most FF owners don't see that downside risk. All they see is the flashy upside. I've felt all along that Matt Forte basically = Chris Brown. Similar body type, draft pedigree, and skill set. He can give you decent production when called upon, but he's not a great player. I feel pretty confident that his FF value has already peaked, much like Brown's did early in his first year as a starter. Maybe Forte will stay healthy and prove to be legit in the long run, but why run the risk when you can already package him in a trade for an elite player?He's one of those tall upright injury prone runners who you should sell high.. like that Eric Dickerson guy who had the same build and ran the same way. Or that Eddie George guy, he was the same style runner too, hope everyone sold high on those 2 in rookie years as well. I wonder what their BMI was..
An elite player like Stewart or MJD as you mentioned before? Come on man, what happened to make you hate Forte so much?LOL @ comparing Forte to Dickerson and George. This is exactly why you should sell high. Over the years I've noticed a funny thing with rookie RBs. When one of them puts together a string of good games, the FF community immediately hails him as the next great running back. Here's the dirty little secret: virtually any decent NFL RB will give you good production if he gets 20 touches per game. - Ron Dayne rushed for over 300 yards and 5 TDs in the final three games of the 2006 season.- Chris Brown rushed for over 100 yards in his first three starts for the Titans. - Lee Suggs had three straight 100 yard rushing games during the 2004 season. - William Green averaged nearly 100 rushing yards per game in the second half of his rookie season. - Ladell Betts had five straight 100 yard rushing games in 2005. - Anthony Thomas rushed for nearly 1200 yards as a rookie.- Michael Bennett rushed for nearly 1300 yards in his second season.- Ryan Grant had five 100 yard rushing games last season.Where are these guys now? On the back of a milk carton. Don't overreact because a RB scrapes together a few good games. In the grand scheme of things, a few good games means nothing. You didn't hear anyone touting Ron Dayne as the next super stud after his torrid finish to the 2006 season. Why not? Because we all knew Ron Dayne was garbage and we knew his production was a fluke. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's a considerable risk that guys like Forte and Slaton are merely the next in a long line of frauds who fooled FF owners into premature worship on the basis of a handful of good games. Most FF owners don't see that downside risk. All they see is the flashy upside. I've felt all along that Matt Forte basically = Chris Brown. Similar body type, draft pedigree, and skill set. He can give you decent production when called upon, but he's not a great player. I feel pretty confident that his FF value has already peaked, much like Brown's did early in his first year as a starter. Maybe Forte will stay healthy and prove to be legit in the long run, but why run the risk when you can already package him in a trade for an elite player?He's one of those tall upright injury prone runners who you should sell high.. like that Eric Dickerson guy who had the same build and ran the same way. Or that Eddie George guy, he was the same style runner too, hope everyone sold high on those 2 in rookie years as well. I wonder what their BMI was..
I don't hate Forte. I think he's a solid player. Always have. I was one of the first people on these boards talking about him as a serious prospect:http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...att+Forte\two_dollars said:An elite player like Stewart or MJD as you mentioned before? Come on man, what happened to make you hate Forte so much?
People on this site sometimes act like if you don't LOVE a player then you must hate him. Not the case. There's a middle ground between being pessimistic and optimistic. It's called being realistic. Very few players become consistent stars in the NFL. That's just reality. In all likelihood we'll look back on this class 4-5 years from now and only see a handful of guys who are still making an impact in FF leagues. I've been involved with this hobby for a while now. I've seen a lot of "next big things" come and go. Consequently, it takes more than a few flashes of greatness to make me drop everything and say a guy is the next great prospect. What's so special about Matt Forte? He was a second round pick. His combine numbers were good, but not elite. What makes him any better than guys like Chris Brown, Justin Fargas, Anthony Thomas, Michael Bennett, William Green, and Ladell Betts?Jan 25 2008, 02:18 PM' post='8101650']
The rankings are going to look very different come April. Lots of guys who aren't getting any love from the message board have a good chance to be drafted pretty early. Off the top of my head, I expect RB Matt Forte, WR Donnie Avery, WR Lavelle Hawkins, WR Adrian Arrington, WR Andre Caldwell, TE Fred Davis, and QB Chad Henne to be in play earlier than expected.
Forte is a likely 2nd-3rd round pick. He's better than Tony Hunt and Brian Leonard, who were high picks in lots of leagues last year. Unlike some of the other 2nd and 3rd tier backs, he's big and strong enough to be a starter at the NFL level. I expect him to contend for the top 12 (of rookie drafts) when it's all said and done.
These are valid points, it just seems by you calling him a trade high guy, you are insinuating taking the best offer you can get for him. No doubt that I, or most anyone would trade him for an elite player(s), but what really can someone expect to get for him? I doubt anyone would trade Fitzgerald, Peterson, Barber, etc. for him.I don't hate Forte. I think he's a solid player. Always have. I was one of the first people on these boards talking about him as a serious prospect:http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...att+Forte\two_dollars said:An elite player like Stewart or MJD as you mentioned before? Come on man, what happened to make you hate Forte so much?
People on this site sometimes act like if you don't LOVE a player then you must hate him. Not the case. There's a middle ground between being pessimistic and optimistic. It's called being realistic. Very few players become consistent stars in the NFL. That's just reality. In all likelihood we'll look back on this class 4-5 years from now and only see a handful of guys who are still making an impact in FF leagues. I've been involved with this hobby for a while now. I've seen a lot of "next big things" come and go. Consequently, it takes more than a few flashes of greatness to make me drop everything and say a guy is the next great prospect. What's so special about Matt Forte? He was a second round pick. His combine numbers were good, but not elite. What makes him any better than guys like Chris Brown, Justin Fargas, Anthony Thomas, Michael Bennett, William Green, and Ladell Betts?Jan 25 2008, 02:18 PM' post='8101650']
The rankings are going to look very different come April. Lots of guys who aren't getting any love from the message board have a good chance to be drafted pretty early. Off the top of my head, I expect RB Matt Forte, WR Donnie Avery, WR Lavelle Hawkins, WR Adrian Arrington, WR Andre Caldwell, TE Fred Davis, and QB Chad Henne to be in play earlier than expected.
Forte is a likely 2nd-3rd round pick. He's better than Tony Hunt and Brian Leonard, who were high picks in lots of leagues last year. Unlike some of the other 2nd and 3rd tier backs, he's big and strong enough to be a starter at the NFL level. I expect him to contend for the top 12 (of rookie drafts) when it's all said and done.
Until he proves otherwise, I'll view him as I've always viewed him: a solid player who can produce when forced into duty, but is probably not elite enough to maintain a long term stranglehold over a starting job.
The fact that he's made a few nice plays this season isn't enough to get me to change my analysis of his prospects. He's a professional football player. He's supposed to make nice plays. As I mentioned earlier, I think virtually any RB on an NFL roster will make some nice plays if given 20 touches per game. If Forte is going to move up my rankings them he'll have to do it consistently over an extended period of time.
This isn't because I "hate" Forte. It's because I realize that the majority of players who show flashes of brilliance won't become reliable stars in the long run.
Remember, it's my personal opinion that his value has peaked. Maybe I'm wrong and he'll gradually move up the board until he's considered a consensus top 5 dynasty RB. It's possible, but it's not what I personally expect to happen. I think his value has peaked, which means I think he's a strong sell candidate. Anytime a player has reached what you feel is his peak value, you should consider moving him. The FBG staff has Forte at RB16 in their current dynasty rankings. He has enough value to net you a very good player in a trade.These are valid points, it just seems by you calling him a trade high guy, you are insinuating taking the best offer you can get for him. No doubt that I, or most anyone would trade him for an elite player(s), but what really can someone expect to get for him? I doubt anyone would trade Fitzgerald, Peterson, Barber, etc. for him.
Fair enough, i just wonder what it is about him are you not impressed with so far? Like i said, i wasnt overly impressed with him coming out of college, but numbers aside, he has looked great in the NFL so far. I know four games is not enough to get a great idea of how good he is going to be, but at what point would you say a player is no longer a flash in the pan?Remember, it's my personal opinion that his value has peaked. Maybe I'm wrong and he'll gradually move up the board until he's considered a consensus top 5 dynasty RB. It's possible, but it's not what I personally expect to happen. I think his value has peaked, which means I think he's a strong sell candidate. Anytime a player has reached what you feel is his peak value, you should consider moving him. The FBG staff has Forte at RB16 in their current dynasty rankings. He has enough value to net you a very good player in a trade.These are valid points, it just seems by you calling him a trade high guy, you are insinuating taking the best offer you can get for him. No doubt that I, or most anyone would trade him for an elite player(s), but what really can someone expect to get for him? I doubt anyone would trade Fitzgerald, Peterson, Barber, etc. for him.
Im with you, Forte is the real deal. I am a "Mcfadden fanboy", but i think i can honestly say, i would not trade Forte for him. Thats not to say i dont like DMac, thats just how much i like Forte.I know I'm holding (& likely keeping) Forte for a long, long time. I believe you would be selling way short if you did move him now. Also, while I haven't shopped him, I'd be surprised if you could get anywhere near his current value (not talking about his potential value). The lack of history, coupled with his situation, drives his price down.
If you want to move him (for whatever reason), you would be much better off waiting, IMO. Injury can happen to anybody, anytime. Look at the RBs who've been hurt already. You can get burned by injury with any player (especially RBs). The concern I have is moving Forte before he even gets a chance to be a FF stud (which I believe is what you would be doing if you sold now).
My attitude in dynasty leagues is that it's better to err on the side of pessimism than the side of optimism. What's the worst that can happen in you overrate an unknown young player? You spend valuable assets to acquire him only to watch his value sink like a stone on your roster. What's the worst than can happen if you underrate an unknown young player? You miss out on the opportunity to acquire him, but your team loses no value. I think it's usually wise to have a skeptical view of prospects, particularly when their price tag is high. At this point Forte's value is already very high. If you want to acquire him, you'll have to give up a lot to get him. So there's very little upside compared to a lot of downside (if he becomes the next Suggs or C. Brown). Why take the risk? I'm always reluctant to get too excited about young prospects unless they really wow me or unless I already had a reason to believe that they were exceptional. Forte has looked good, but he hasn't wowed me enough to erase all of my doubts. My main issues with him are the same ones I had when he was in college: his athleticism is merely good (not great) and his lanky build presents long term durability concerns. That said, my skeptical view of his prospects isn't as much about the presence of flaws as it is about the absence of greatness. Great players make great plays routinely. I've seen some nice runs from Forte, but nothing that made meFair enough, i just wonder what it is about him are you not impressed with so far?
like some of the stuff I saw from great backs like LT, ADP, and Portis early in their careers. So right now I'm sticking with my guns. He's a good back. Similar in talent level to guys like Chester Taylor, Justin Fargas, Chris Brown, and Ladell Betts. Probably better than most of those guys. But he hasn't shown me greatness, and greatness is usually necessary to maintain a long term stranglehold over a starting RB job in the NFL.
He'll gradually move up my board if he continues to produce.Like i said, i wasnt overly impressed with him coming out of college, but numbers aside, he has looked great in the NFL so far. I know four games is not enough to get a great idea of how good he is going to be, but at what point would you say a player is no longer a flash in the pan?
I certainly agree with tempering expectations on young players/rookies. I also agree with trading for Forte right now is probably not a great idea, unless you can get him at a decent price, which is highly unlikely. However, for those people who drafted Forte with an early/mid 1st round rookie pick, they have to be thrilled to get him at such a cheap price. I just cant see any reason someone would want to trade him, unless like i said, they get a great offer.My attitude in dynasty leagues is that it's better to err on the side of pessimism than the side of optimism. What's the worst that can happen in you overrate an unknown young player? You spend valuable assets to acquire him only to watch his value sink like a stone on your roster. What's the worst than can happen if you underrate an unknown young player? You miss out on the opportunity to acquire him, but your team loses no value. I think it's usually wise to have a skeptical view of prospects, particularly when their price tag is high. At this point Forte's value is already very high. If you want to acquire him, you'll have to give up a lot to get him. So there's very little upside compared to a lot of downside (if he becomes the next Suggs or C. Brown). Why take the risk?Fair enough, i just wonder what it is about him are you not impressed with so far?