Bears Re-open Contract Talks With Forte

[nwfisch]

It still doesn't remove the fact that Forte was the main beneficiary from Martz's system, similar to Marshall Faulk.

To take it one step further, Tice may favor a RB who is better between the tackles like Barber, so Forte may not even see the success that he has in the past. But I'm just taking a stab at that one since I don't own a crystal ball.

I think Barber's all but gone. Lovie mentioned running back specifically as a position that needed an upgrade.

[spiker]

I think Barber's all but gone. Lovie mentioned running back specifically as a position that needed an upgrade.

He's easily replaceable anyways.

[FirstTimer]

I don't want to see the Bears invest too much money in the RB position. At worst, the Bears should offer Forte a second chance at their original offer and if he doesn't like it, then let him test free agency. Let him get paid somewhere else. Running back is a high turnover position in the NFL now. A good, cheap replacement is easy to find.

Plus, you haven't even disputed any of the other points I mentioned. I'm assuming you agree with those? There's too many good reasons to let Forte get paid somewhere else.

Nah, Ijust think the above is rather stupid seeing as the Bears can franchise him each of the next two seasons anyways. There's no reason to allow him into free agency and lose him before the 2014 offseason if the Bears don't want him to.

[nwfisch]

I'm not saying that he isn't talented but paying him a ludicrous amount of money because he benefited from OCs who were feeding him the ball half the time isn't a good idea. Emery and Tice know better than we do how they plan to use Forte moving forward.

Plus, you haven't even disputed any of the other points I mentioned. I'm assuming you agree with those? There's too many good reasons to let Forte get paid somewhere else.

Or the Bears could tender him and get picks for him :wildthing:

[nwfisch]

Pay a pro bowl RB top 5 money for two years

or [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn4-ir9OPVo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn4-ir9OPVo[/ame]

[Aso]

As far as Tice preferring bigger RB's..there's nothign to really show that. His most successful runner in Minnesota was Michael Bennett.

Well I don't think Tice ever ran the offense. That was Scott Linehan's offense and he likes smaller backs (Jahvid Best as well). I don't think we really have anything to go off of.

[nwfisch]

Denver is either going to sign Forte or Ray Rice this offseason and since Rice will likely get some kind of tag slapped on him I think Forte is going to be our guy.

So Denver's going to give up a first round pick for Matt Forte :joeybats:

[nwfisch]

Yeah that will be good. The guy has already shown he will sit out games if he doesn't get a long term deal, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to show up for a one year tender.

Yeah because it's "sitting out" when a player has a MCL sprain, and the team was out of the playoff picture by the time he was healthy to play again.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7315255/chicago-bears-matt-forte-grade-2-mcl-sprain-sources-say

Injuries such as these typically sideline players two to six weeks. There are four games left in the season.

[nwfisch]

Was he healthy? Were there games on the schedule still? That's sitting out games brah.

Seemed like the team wanted to protect their two most valauble assests on offense brah.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/27/jay-cutler-matt-forte-bears-injured-reserve_n_1171750.html

:gayrod:

[FirstTimer]

Was he healthy?

No.

Were there games on the schedule still? .

No.

[nwfisch]

And he wasn't hurt when he threatened to sit out the preseason... Dude is already not happy with the front office and tendering him basically ensures his departure IMO.

Threatening to sit out is not equal to a team protecting its most valuable offensive player.

[FirstTimer]

Glen,

You honestly think the Broncos have a shot at Forte?

[nwfisch]

What does that even mean?

And what does it have to do with Forte's relationship with that front office already being strained?

If the front office didn't care Forte was going to leave, they would have sent him out every game to play no?

If the front office didn't care, they wouldn't be negotiating a contract with him this weekend no?

The front office of the Bears isn't going to begin their tenure by letting Forte go this year for nothing.

[FirstTimer]

Also franchising him will be an $8 mil cap hit for the Bears.

The Bears have a shit load of cap space not really a concern.

[nwfisch]

Also franchising him will be an $8 mil cap hit for the Bears. On top of that Briggs wants a new deal and their best wide receiver is still Earl Bennett, among other problems.

Still $20 million of room left after that.