Matt Forte: Chicago Bears' Hero Has Trusty Sidekicks in the Tight Ends

Yes, Matt Forte topped 1,000 yards in just seven games.

Yes, he's on pace for 2,217 yards from scrimmage including 1,000 each, rushing and receiving.

Yes, that's a reason to compare him to Marshall Faulk, who was also coached by Mike Martz.

But the fact is, Matt Forte couldn't do what he's doing without Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth, those two extra blockers paving roads for Bears running backs.

Davis and Spaeth

Forte does not fail to recognize what contributes to his success, saying,

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"It's not like I developed some special moves over the offseason. When the offensive line can get on a guy and continue to make a block or help me, if I use patience and they overrun a play I can cut it back. It was a great job by the offensive line of being patient."

"

But does that statement include the tight ends? It should.

Because against the Bucs every rushing attempt except for one included a tight end and often both of them.

One Lump or Two? Breaking Down the Blockers

The Bears rushed 20 times out of formations including one TE, gaining 99 yards and averaging almost five yards per attempt for the game.

Forte managed 69 of those yards and Marion Barber did the rest. 

Seven times Bears backs gained five yards or more, including Barber's 29-yard burst.

But the Bears delivered real damage when rushing out of formations including both tight ends.

In 11 attempts they gained 88 yards, including two rushing touchdowns, and had six plays of five yards or more.

That's a wrecking crew.

Forte's 32-yard touchdown run does involve him making some nifty moves downfield. But he doesn't get downfield without both of those blockers added to the right side of the line (see video). 

Bring in the Boys

Not including Cutler's kneel-down to end the game, the Bears rushed 32 times as a team: 20 with one TE, 11 with two TEs and just once with the standard five-man offensive line.

That one attempt? Forte barely gained a yard. 

With Chicago needing an effective running game and help protecting Cutler, it makes sense the Bears would keep a tight end on the field to aid pass protection and produce running lanes. 

But here's the interesting part: The Bears ran to the strong side or up the middle whenever tight ends were in the game. 

So, except for one failed reverse with Devin Hester, Chicago didn't disguise their attack. It was strength up front, blockers doing their job, and Forte and Barber making moves behind them. 

It was every cliche of old-fashioned, hard-nosed, downhill running. It was the Bears telegraphing their plays and Tampa loading up to stop them.

And it was Chicago who ran head-first into that defense anyway, busting through the Bucs time after time.

But it was nothing without the tight ends. Maybe a yard.