Why Is Matt Forte Rated So High (1 Viewer)

[bigisland31]

First off, I apologize if I’m posting this in the wrong area, but it seemed like the right place for what I’m asking.

Forte was one of my keepers this season, and I’ve had to suffer through one disappointing game after another. I was tempted to NOT keep him because as a runner he only had three really good games last season, and I was confident that with Cutler in town his receiving totals would fall off.

I was considering trading him straight up for Cedric Benson today, but then I started looking at the CUSTOM TOP 200 FORWARD rankings, and I paused. In my scoring format Forte is ranked as the #4 RB for the rest of the season, and using the default football guys scoring he shows up as the #7 RB going forward.

My question is simple. Why? Can anyone out there tell me why he’s still ranked so highly even though he hasn’t shown much of anything thus far? Other than one game against Detroit he hasn’t topped 70 rushing yards all year.

On a side note, would dealing him for Cedric Benson be a shark move, or the move of a fool giving up too soon. My entire roster is in my signature.

Thanks in advance for the input,

Rick

 

[Sputnikv8]

The ranking seems to be clinging to last years stats. He keeps showing up decently in the weekly cheatsheets too, only to put up one crappy effort after another. He just doesn't have the same opportunities in the offense this year.

:sigh:

(prepare for a series of "I toldja-so's now)

 

[ttea]

I had Forte as my keeper from one of my leagues as well. And I couldn't wait to rid myself of him, lucky for me someone dropped Housh after his horrible start.

So I packaged them and was able to land MJD after one of his down weeks.

I was in the same position as you, I did not want to keep Forte, after actually watching some of his games, but no one would take him off my hands during the off season so I kept him hoping for the best.

Looking at your roster I'd try to package him with someone, Bowe or Santonio maybe and try to get a top flight back.

 

[Aardvarks]

I did mention to someone off-hand last year that Forte reminded me of James "Little Man" Stewart... big, sturdy, hard worker, looks good in a uniform & pads, solid footwork....

Now I'm thinking that comparison was actually spot on. And it isn't really a great compliment.

Let's give him a couple more weeks. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if we heard after the season that Forte was playing with a slightly nagging hip or heel thing.

 

[bigisland31]

Thanks to everyone for your input.

What do you think about trading him for Cedric Benson? At this point that's probably the best I could get. DeAngelo Williams could be a possiblility, but the only offer that's been made to me is Benson for Forte.

With Calvin Johnson hurting I can't really afford to package Forte with a WR.

 

[Chunky Soup]

I did mention to someone off-hand last year that Forte reminded me of James "Little Man" Stewart... big, sturdy, hard worker, looks good in a uniform & pads, solid footwork....

Now I'm thinking that comparison was actually spot on. And it isn't really a great compliment.

Let's give him a couple more weeks. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if we heard after the season that Forte was playing with a slightly nagging hip or heel thing.

FWIW, watching Sunday night didn't really show me any of this. Have you seen his offensive line? He looked fine to me -- that line looked putrid.

 

[benbadman]

Every year, about half of the top 10 RBs do not repeat their top 10 fantasy finish. Forte is one of the guys who is falling out of the top 10 this year.

Still he is on a decent offense and has little competition for carries, but he is definitely not a RB1, unless you're in a PPR league.

 

[Breesisdaman]

I think its a matter of not wanting to admit your mistake in having him so high in the first place.

 

[Donsmith753]

I did mention to someone off-hand last year that Forte reminded me of James "Little Man" Stewart... big, sturdy, hard worker, looks good in a uniform & pads, solid footwork....

Now I'm thinking that comparison was actually spot on. And it isn't really a great compliment.

Let's give him a couple more weeks. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if we heard after the season that Forte was playing with a slightly nagging hip or heel thing.

FWIW, watching Sunday night didn't really show me any of this. Have you seen his offensive line? He looked fine to me -- that line looked putrid.

:( spot on, as a uk viewer we only get one game a week (the late night sunday game) and it was obvious to all that despite the fumbles, Forte is not really the problem. They also don't seem keen to dump it off to him and that's hurting his numbers too.

 

[sinatravolta]

Actually - during preseason FBG had Forte way lower than the rest of the FF world, but the gap closed very close to the season starting. Like - FBG had Forte at around #10-12 RB or something when almost everywhere else had him as the 3 or 4 pick in the draft. Right before the season they moved him up to something more like #6 RB. But in any case - I don't think it's them just holding on to last year's stats. They were way lower on him in the offseason than most.

Still - I agree it's a little surprising he's still rated around #7.

 

[thehornet]

Forte should barely crack the Top 20 unless he is facing Cleveland. He is awful. It is actually very painful to watch him play. Slow as a snail.

 

[Sputnikv8]

Every year, about half of the top 10 RBs do not repeat their top 10 fantasy finish. Forte is one of the guys who is falling out of the top 10 this year.

Still he is on a decent offense and has little competition for carries, but he is definitely not a RB1, unless you're in a PPR league.

You had me until that last bit. PPR or not, he's not an RB1 to this point, unfortunately. The line does look horrible on run plays and Cutler takes chances down the field instead of settling for the 3-4 yard dump pass.

 

[MOAT]

I was just thinking of trying to buy low on him. I looked at his playoff schedule and closed the book on that idea. I think you point out his high rankings to others and sell while you can.

 

[switz]

I did mention to someone off-hand last year that Forte reminded me of James "Little Man" Stewart... big, sturdy, hard worker, looks good in a uniform & pads, solid footwork....

Now I'm thinking that comparison was actually spot on. And it isn't really a great compliment.

Let's give him a couple more weeks. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if we heard after the season that Forte was playing with a slightly nagging hip or heel thing.

:( FWIW, watching Sunday night didn't really show me any of this. Have you seen his offensive line? He looked fine to me -- that line looked putrid.

We've already heard the excuse - his knee is hurt. I agree in that he doesn't look hurt. He looks the same he did last year (not that good), but the offense is more pass focused, so he has less opportunities.Reminds me of the Dolphins Kareem Abdul Jabbar some years back.

 

[bigisland31]

I just traded Forte for Steven Jackson. Hopefully this is the year Jackson manages to stay healthy. The funny part of this is I traded S-Jax to this guy in the offseason for MJD!

 

[scrumptrulescent]

I don't know if it was mentioned earlier, but part of the problem may be that Cutler doesn't check down to him half as much as Orton did.

 

[RBM]

I don't know if it was mentioned earlier, but part of the problem may be that Cutler doesn't check down to him half as much as Orton did.

His receiving really hasnt been a problem this year. Hes getting his 4-5 catches every week (except for the disaster that was week 1)

 

[trader jake]

Matt Forte is the new Joseph Addai...and I like Addai. They're better fantasy football players early in their career than NFL players. Eventually that swings, and when it does the fantasy value will drop. See also: Kevin Smith.

 

[switz]

Matt Forte is the new Joseph Addai...and I like Addai. They're better fantasy football players early in their career than NFL players. Eventually that swings, and when it does the fantasy value will drop. See also: Kevin Smith.

That's an insult to Addai, who averaged 4.8 YPC over his first 24 games or so. Addai had injury issues, Forte has Forte issues.

 

[trader jake]

Matt Forte is the new Joseph Addai...and I like Addai. They're better fantasy football players early in their career than NFL players. Eventually that swings, and when it does the fantasy value will drop. See also: Kevin Smith.

That's an insult to Addai, who averaged 4.8 YPC over his first 24 games or so. Addai had injury issues, Forte has Forte issues.

Typing "Addai" in a FBG thread and Switz is there...it's like Batman turning up when Commissioner Gordon turns on the bat signal.

 

[Power Monster]

IN FF terms he is in a position where this week's game will determine if he is a bust or if he has something left in the tank for this year. I have seen players and/or teams that have struggled, get called out for it and then respond sort of how things went for MJD last week (no I am not comparing MJD and Forte). Add in the fact that Cutler wants to prove that he is worth his extension and the defensive front for Cincy just lost a stud to IR and might miss another starter and you have a POTENTIAL scenario where Forte could shine.

I benched Slaton last week as he was in the same spot and he had a solid game. Forte needs more receptions as this will help him roll.

 

[Wriggers]

ive never seen a running back get hit behind the line of scrimmage so much. forte can hardly take the hand off before he gets hit. i think the offensive line has been really bad. furthermore the defenses are still crowding the box vs the bears. you would think cutler would help, however it's like the defense wants cutler to throw the ball b/c he always gives the defense 3 or 4 opportunities for interceptions.

no question, forte has been a bust, but i think he can be a solid back.

 

[Instinctive]

Matt Forte is the new Joseph Addai...and I like Addai. They're better fantasy football players early in their career than NFL players. Eventually that swings, and when it does the fantasy value will drop. See also: Kevin Smith.

That's an insult to Addai, who averaged 4.8 YPC over his first 24 games or so. Addai had injury issues, Forte has Forte issues.

Typing "Addai" in a FBG thread and Switz is there...it's like Batman turning up when Commissioner Gordon turns on the bat signal.

Except in this case he's right. Forte is simply pedestrian. He's not great at anything. Just a plug and play guy who needs an amazing opportunity to put up solid stats.

 

[mulliganman]

Bloom is suggesting "buying low" on him in the week 7 content.

 

[Sweetness_34]

One thing to note: Cincy lost Odom for the year and I read somewhere a lot of their other DL are injured/battling issues....that might help forte this week

 

[RBM]

NFL Total Access had a good breakdown segment on the Bear running game last night. Jamie Dukes and Rod Woodson broke down the film and both blamed the struggles just about primarily on the line. When you've got multiple guys getting past the line into the backfield almost instantly as you are handed the ball, it makes things pretty difficult. The interior of the line is the biggest problem. Omiyale has been a disaster.

 

[Chunky Soup]

Matt Forte is the new Joseph Addai...and I like Addai. They're better fantasy football players early in their career than NFL players. Eventually that swings, and when it does the fantasy value will drop. See also: Kevin Smith.

That's an insult to Addai, who averaged 4.8 YPC over his first 24 games or so. Addai had injury issues, Forte has Forte issues.

Addai has twice the OL that Forte has, FWIW. Also Addai has twice the QB that Forte has (and I kinda like Cutler).

 

[Instinctive]

Matt Forte is the new Joseph Addai...and I like Addai. They're better fantasy football players early in their career than NFL players. Eventually that swings, and when it does the fantasy value will drop. See also: Kevin Smith.

That's an insult to Addai, who averaged 4.8 YPC over his first 24 games or so. Addai had injury issues, Forte has Forte issues.

Addai has twice the OL that Forte has, FWIW. Also Addai has twice the QB that Forte has (and I kinda like Cutler).

In recent years, Indy has not had that good an OLine unit. Peyton makes them look good because he can get rid of the ball so quickly. Through Addai's recent tenure they have had lots of injuries and poor OLine play. Especially run blocking.