Bold Predictions for Matt Forte and NFL's Unhappy Holdouts

July is just around the corner, and the current players holding out need to end their charades and get on board with the program.

Chicago's Matt Forte is just one of those players, and although there is optimism, a training-camp holdout seems to be on the way. In an article on ESPN that included information from Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago, Forte stated:

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"A lot of fans don't appreciate when guys hold out and stuff like that," Forte said. "But if it's a player and that is his leverage, he has to use it. 

"Not playing at all? That actually is an option, but there's a slight chance of that happening. There's another option of not being in camp and that stuff. There's two sides to it," said Forte, who later said he would not miss the entire 2012 season.

"

In terms of those who are holding out, Forte is just the tip of the iceberg. That being said, here are some predictions on who signs and how the 2012 season potentially pans out.

Drew Brees: QB, Saints

Prediction: Will Get Signed

The Saints don't have another choice, especially if they want to remain playoff contenders in a much stronger NFC South.

Drew Brees is the New Orleans offense, and with everything that has unfolded in the Bountygate aftermath, the Big Easy needs its quarterback more now than ever before.

Earlier in June, the Saints did provide another offer. According to Ed Werder and Chris Mortensen of ESPN:

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New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis submitted a revised contract proposal to Drew Brees' representatives Thursday in an attempt to break the deadlocked negotiations with the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, according to a source close to the discussions.

"

Obviously, if not, then an array of unproven quarterbacks will have to lead New Orleans against a rough schedule.

With a defense that still has to improve at defending the pass and not allowing points, the Saints' best chance to win is by outscoring opponents. With Brees, that possibility is realistic. Without him, the Saints will be lucky to win five or six games.

Although it won't be a record-setting performance, expect a sound year from Brees after a slow start.

Stat Projections: 4,025 yards, 33 TDs, 20 INTs, 64.5 completion percentage.

Cliff Avril: DE, Lions

Prediction: Will Get Signed

In an interview with NFL Network via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press:

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Avril said contract talks are still ongoing.

“Yeah we’re talking,” he said. “We’re still trying to get things figured out before camp. I want to be there long-term.

"

This is good news for Lions' fans, as the weakness of Detroit is their defense, and not having Cliff Avril would only make things worse.

Last season, the Lions ranked No. 22 against the pass, ranked No. 23 against the run and allowed an average of 24.2 points per game.

Avril, however, enjoyed a career year with 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, 36 tackles and one interception that he returned for a score. Not to mention 2011 was the first time Avril played in all 16 games.

That sack presence and turnover capability is needed in Detroit. With an offense that can match anyone, the Lions can be Super Bowl contenders if the defense has minimal improvement. And getting Avril suited up is a major step.

Stat Projections: Nine sacks, three forced fumbles, 45 tackles, two defended passes.

Dwayne Bowe: WR, Chiefs

Prediction: Will Not Get Signed

A bad situation feels like it's only going to get worse.

According to Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star when he asked around the organization:

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They admitted they just had no idea which Bowe would arrive at the practice facility, and that unknown is dangerous considering such a financial leap of faith.

If the Chiefs extend Bowe and he flops, it’ll put Pioli in a pinch when left tackle Branden Albert and defensive end Glenn Dorsey have expiring contracts.

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Dwayne Bowe is the Kansas City Chiefs' best receiver, but he's not one of the few elite targets in the game.

An above-average receiver no doubt, Bowe has begun to build consistency the past two years and has emerged as a legit No. 1 target.

Still, he's not the one and only main weapon the Chiefs offense can present to a defense.

K.C. has a great No. 1 back in Jamaal Charles and a reliable complement in Peyton Hillis. In addition, Matt Cassel is a quarterback who can sit in the pocket and use his mobility to make plays.

At receiver, Steve Breaston is one of the better slot targets, and Dexter McCluster's versatility alone will prevent a defense from stacking the box to stop the run. Defensively, the Chiefs have top-five potential and don't face an insanely difficult schedule.

Bowe is K.C.'s best receiver, but the man has yet to develop as a target that can take over games like Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson. With him the Chiefs can make the postseason and be a sleeper to win the AFC.

Without him, though, Kansas City will still be an above-.500 team and contend for a Wild Card spot. Worst-case scenario is for the Chiefs to snag a stud receiver in the 2013 NFL draft.

Maurice Jones-Drew: RB, Jaguars

Prediction: Will Get Signed

Feeling optimistic, in an article by Steve Wych of NFL Network, Maurice Jones-Drew recently stated in a phone interview:

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"This is what the NFL is really about. What I can say is that I hope that we can get something done," Jones-Drew added.

"To talk about it in the media is not going to help. Hopefully we can have something where we can be able to get out there and play in the future."

"

Jacksonville also has to be willing to play ball. The Jaguars have a much better offense to present in 2012 and an enhanced defense with top-three potential.

As for MJD, he's the piece that's holding everything together.

The focal point of the offense, Jones-Drew led the NFL with 1,606 rushing yards in 2011 and had literally zero help around him. Just imagine how effective Jacksonville's upgraded offense can be with his presence in the backfield.

Stat Projections: 1,400 rushing yards, 300 receiving yards, 14 total TDs.

Ray Rice: RB, Ravens

Prediction: Will Get Signed

There was good news for Ray Rice and Ravens fans in early June.

According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun:

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Bisciotti acknowledged that there's still gap between team and Rice but "I think we’re close enough. I think we’re heading somewhere."

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) June 8, 2012"

And much like Jones-Drew in Jacksonville, Ray Rice is the main focal point of the Baltimore Ravens offense.

Include how rough the defenses are in the AFC North, and Rice gives Baltimore the best chance to repeat as division champs and contend for the AFC title.

The Ravens also have to face other stud defenses in 2012 such as Philadelphia, Dallas and Denver, so the sooner Rice gets on board the better.

Stat Projections: 1,275 rushing yards, 600 receiving yards, 15 total TDs.

Darrelle Revis: CB, Jets

Prediction: Will Get Signed

Twice before have the New York Jets been though this dance with Darrelle Revis, and twice before have the two met on common ground.

Now, however, it appears Revis is going for the hat trick.

In an article by Mike Bires of the Times Online, Revis is currently unsure:

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“I don’t know,” the Jets All-Star cornerback said when asked if he’ll report to camp on time. “That’s up to (general manager) Mike Tannenbaum. I really don’t know.”

"

Nevertheless, the two sides have gotten past this wall before and expect it to happen again.

Revis is the NFL's best all-around cornerback, and the Jets need him to have any shot at contending with New England in the AFC East.

The Patriots offense has only improved upon 2011, and we can't discount the Buffalo Bills either. Buffalo's offense was stellar last season before getting mauled by injuries, so it's reasonable to suspect the Bills being in contention all year long.

Revis is Gang Green's best hope in taking pressure off the front seven, and New York's offense also needs Rex Ryan's defense to keep games low-scoring.

Stat Projections: 18 defended passes, two INTs, 47 tackles.

Matt Forte: RB, Bears

Prediction: Will Not Get Signed

The Chicago Bears have made significant improvements to the offense and field a more balanced attack.

Quarterback Jay Cutler has an excellent receiving corps comprised of Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Johnny Knox.

Also, running back Michael Bush has the capability to be the No. 1 ball-carrier all season long.

As for Forte, he does enhance the Bears' upgraded offense, but they are still quite solid without him.

In Oakland last season, Bush totaled just under 1,400 yards, and he wasn't the full-time starter until roughly halfway through the season.

The Raiders didn't have much of a passing attack to field a multidimensional attack, either. In Chicago, you can easily expect Bush to feed of the Bears' explosive passing game and be an even more effective runner.

Just like Forte, Bush can act as a reliable check-down/screen-pass receiver and block. Also, considering the NFC North is still presenting unproven pass defenses against stellar pass offenses, the Bears won't be running the rock too much anyway.

Keeping/pushing the pace against teams like Detroit and Green Bay is needed to compete for the division title, and Bush is the complete package that Chicago can rely on. Forte may have been the Bears' offense from 2008-2011, but he needs Chicago more than Chicago needs him.

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