Chicago Bears' Running Back Matt Forte: Ready To Rumble

The infamous sophomore slump. It is a malady that supposedly affects many a second year NFL running back.

It is merely a myth. Michael Turner, Frank Gore, Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis, Brian Westbrook, Willie Parker, Willis Mcgahee, Deuce Mcallister, Laurence Maroney, and some guy over in San Diego all give the lie to this assumption.

Why should Matt Forte be any different?

Forte had a sensational rookie season, challenging Matt Ryan for the Rookie of the Year award, and being the spark for a sometimes lifeless Chicago Bears offense.

Forte averaged 3.9 yards per carry on almost twenty attempts per game.

Not mind-blowing numbers, by any means, but solid.

That is a better ypc average than either Tomlinson or Willie Parker, just to put it into perspective.

He had 77 yards per game rushing, more than Parker and Tomlinson, again, and Larry Johnson.

Forte amassed 1,238 yards rushing, putting him at seventh in the league.

Why would one assume he will have a "sophomore slump?"

I watched some highlights of Forte today, and, time after time, he gained yards when there were seven or eight defenders stacked in the box. And while he's not Barry Sanders, Forte showed quickness and strength.

Many have stated the Bears have an "easy" schedule this season.

Forte and co. will face the Nos. 1-through-3 rushing defenses in the NFL, in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Philly. They will face number six, Minnesota twice, and numbers twelve and thirteen in Cincinatti and San Francisco.

Doesn't look very "easy."

Against Philly last season he had only 43 yards, no touchdowns. Versus Minnesota, in the first game, he had 56 yards and a long of only eight yards, but one touchdown. In the second game against the Vikes, he rushed for 96 yards, and no touchdowns.

Not the greatest numbers in the world, right?

The Bears will also face Cleveland, which ranked 26th in rushing defense last year, Green Bay twice, Detroit twice, and the Rams. Arizona and Atlanta were both in the bottom half of the league in rushing defense last season.

Forte will have many opportunities to prove he is as good as his rookie season.

The key to his success, however, will be the success of the Bears' new quarterback, Jay "I want out of Denver" Cutler.

Because of Cutler's tendency to throw the ball down-field, Forte will not have the big receiving numbers he had last season. However, he will be an effective receiving threat out of the backfield and this Bears team needs all the receiving options it can get.

Even though Forte's carries per game will most likely be down this season, if Cutler and the receivers can spread the field a bit, Forte will not have to face the stacked boxes he had to face in '08.

He will have more one-on-one opportunities, and his elusiveness and quickness will once again carry him to a great season.

Slump? What slump? Forte will rush for over 1,200 yards again this season, and score 9-12 touchdowns.

Perhaps a little consistency at some of the skill positions is all that is needed in the Windy City for another deep playoff run.