Matt Forte Impressive as Bears’ Starting Rookie Running Back
A review of Matt Forte’s start as starting running back for the Chicago bears.
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Matt Forté has excelled as the starting running back for the Chicago Bears. Even though he is still a rookie, Matt Forté has been an efficient runner. He started his NFL running back career with an away game against the Indianapolis Colts. He finished the game with 123 rushing yards on 23 carries. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry (Matt Forte: Game Logs). Moreover, Matt Forté scored a touchdown off a 50-yard run. He had one of the best NFL debuts as a starting for the Bears in franchise history.
Matt Forté is not only a great running back, but an all around offensive player. He “leads all rookie running backs with 494 total yards from scrimmage to go along with a pair of touchdowns.” (Robinson). He has an average of 123.5 yards per game. Since there are 16 games in a regular season, Forté is close to a 2,000-yard season. For a rookie these statistics are amazing. As a senior at Tulane, Forté ran for “2,127 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns as senior.” (Robinson). He seems to be continuing his success in the NFL.
Against the Philadelphia Eagles, Forté wasn’t able to setup his run game. “Although limited to 43 yards on 19 carries by the NFL’s No. 1 run defense, Forte excelled as a receiver and blocker while also picking up a critical first down late in the game.” (Mayer). Forté helped Kyle Orton throw two touchdown passes by blocking a free defender. Forté’s blocks gave Orton enough room to step up and make the throws. Furthermore, Forté gained 42 yards on 5 receptions and converted a first down that setup a 41-yard field goal. (Matt Forte: Game Logs). He averaged 8.4 yards per reception in that game. Finally, near the end of the game, Forté secured the win. “With the Bears protecting a 24-20 lead, he picked up 10 yards on third-and-four from the Chicago 7 with 2:33 left in the game. As a result, the Eagles didn’t get the ball back again until there was just :17 remaining.” (Mayer). Matt Forté might develop into the leagues’ best running back.
