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I've said from the day the Chicago Bears drafted Matt Forte that he was going to be the starting running back for the Chicago Bears, even when Cedric Benson was still with the team...

"Matt Forte Will Be the Next Great Running Back for the Chicago Bears"

by Kyle Bunton (Scribe)

5

1156 reads

Opinion

July 05, 2008


I've said from the day the Chicago Bears drafted Matt Forte that he was going to be the starting running back for the Chicago Bears, even when Cedric Benson was still with the team.

Now that Cedric is gone, the door is wide open for Matt Forte to earn the starting running back spot.  I've never doubted this draft choice, even when people said I was stupid.

Now I know there were some other picks that could've been made, but let's say the Chicago Bears didn't draft Matt Forte.  Who would we be stuck with at running back—Garrett Wolfe and Adrian Peterson (the OK running back from Chicago, ha ha).

The Bears drafted Earl Bennett to help the receiving core, and if Brandon Lloyd lives to up to his potential, he'll do fine.  Losing Bernard Berrian lost us our best receiver, but he wasn't going to be a star.

The draft choice of Matt Forte was probably the best of all the picks they made, besides the Chris Williams pick.  He didn't get a lot of attention because he went to the University of Tulane, but that doesn't mean he didn't put up great numbers.

Here are his stats from college:

Forte's Career Rushing Stats

Year G-GS No. Yds Avg Yd/Gm TD  
2004 11-3 140 624 4.5 56.7 4  
2005 11-6 169 655 3.9 59.5 4  
2006 9-9 163 859 5.3 95.4 8  
2007 12-12 361 2127 5.9 177.2 23  
Career 43-30 833 4265 5.1 99.2 39  

 

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5 comments Last one added 12 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Jake Perper about 1 year ago

    nice article Kyle

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  2. Sam Wenk about 1 year ago

    Kyle, great article and nice job embedding stats into the actual writing. This looks professionally done and I commend you for taking the time to make your work appear as perfect as possible. Fantastic job and keep up the good work. I look forward to your next piece!

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  3. Jacob Sloan 12 months ago

    Forte is the man. Can't wait to see him snag the starting role in Chicago. Unless they bring in a veteran, he will definitely be the next big thing.

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  4. Mike Harrison 12 months ago

    Matt Forte has got to be better than Cendric Benson. Bears have always had better luck with running backs that have come out less well known colleges. I hope u are write for the Bears need a running back that can produce because they do not have a quarterback that can put up the numbers in the air.

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    • About the Author Kyle Bunton (scribe)

    • 9 articles written
    • 22 comments posted
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