Data Points: Forte the Bears’ the foundation

Published: October 18th, 2011 | Tags: Data Points, Chicago Bears, International Series, Matt Forte, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As Bears RB Matt Forte continues to plead his case to get a fat new contract, the numbers he’s putting up certainly don’t hurt. Through six games, his 908 total yards from scrimmage represent 43 percent of Chicago’s total offense.

In honor of the Bears traveling across the pond this week to play the Buccaneers in London, let’s call this a “shephard’s pie chart.”

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What a rush: Forte makes case on field for new deal

When you join Hall of Famers Walter Payton and Gale Sayers as the only Bears running backs ever to rush for 200 yards in a game, you’re big-time in Chicago.

The Chicago Sun Times highlighted Matt Forte‘s career-high 205-yard game against the Panthers with a distinct Chi-Town headline on its cover that WWE fans can certainly appreciate.

Speaking of appreciation, Forte has made it clear that he’s not feeling it from Bears GM Jerry Angelo. Forte isn’t happy about playing out the final year of his rookie contract for $600,000. He wants a new deal — sooner rather than later. Can you blame him?

Forte is second in the NFL only to Wes Welker for yards from scrimmage with 634 (by one yard, too). His value to the Bears, with their crappy offensive line and correlating inconsistency from QB Jay Cutler, is ridiculous — definitely more than $600,000. Still, Forte said Monday that negotiations have been dead between his camp and the Bears.

“Currently we haven’t really been talking,” Forte said on ESPN 1000-AM. “After some of the games my agent has called them a few times, but no progress has really been made since then. But hopefully today or this week they will be talking again.”

Based on his comments Monday on “Around the League”, Heath Evans probably can’t understand, either, what’s taking so long for Angelo to pony up the cash.

“Any team in the league would die to have this back,” Evans said. “He catches the ball, he protects his quarterback, he understands route combinations, he understands how he fits into each and every play. You watch this kid play on a Sunday afternoon, he knows what’s going on. And that’s rare.

“A lot of backs just want to get the ball and take off. This kid studies the game. He knows what he’s seeing, and he knows how to exploit defenses. … This offense, this defense, this team is tied to his success.”

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Bears RB Forte has landed on the list

There were a fair number of fantasy disappointments in the — what we on the West Coast call — the 10 a.m. games. And a number of them are now on ‘the list.’

What is ‘the list’ exactly? Well, the family nature of the blog prevents me from using the full name, but rest assured, you do not want to be on it.

Let’s start with you Bears RB Matt Forte. You had a favorable matchup against the Bills. You even looked like a better start than Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw. And you ended with 49 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards. Oh yeah, you did have a two-point conversion, but that is an awful stat line. Not to mention that RB Chester Taylor is getting the looks on the goal line. Forte should be on the fantasy bench from now on. Feel free to drop him if you like. Sorry, that might be an overreaction.

Forte, you are on the list. And just to save on postage, could you tell your teammate WR Johnny Knox that he is on the list, too? Thank you, you are a peach.

Hey Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall, do you want to start playing? You know, I keep thinking these kids on Twitter and the Sunday chat are nuts for even suggesting to bench you. Yet, you are a borderline matchup play, pally. Start playing like the No. 1 receiver you are supposed to be. Oh, and this was the week K Dan Carpenter wanted to put up single digits. Thank you for nearly nothing. Both of you are on the list.

Speaking of receivers, how about Texans WR Andre Johnson. Props to you Dre for sucking it up and playing on a bum wheel. Everybody appreciates what you are doing. You know, I cannot in good conscious put you on the list. But I can put your buddy, QB Matt Schaub, on the list for not getting you the ball in the end zone.

As of this writing, Bradshaw just scored his second touchdown. This was the day you were supposed to have, Forte. You are dead to the fantasy world, Matt.

Now some might be tempted for me to put QB Tom Brady on the list. But folks, he had 224 yards and two touchdowns. And more importantly, no interceptions. Brady did what he was supposed to do. Brady is just no longer an elite fantasy quarterback.

As of this writing, the Colts defense seems to be taking a few liberties with Eagles QB Michael Vick. Some might even say that they are close to bending the rules. But the Colts have this John Cena-like persona so they seem like they are getting away with it. But just knock it off Colts, a number of us need a huge game from Vick. Colts defense, you are on the list.

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