Potential Patriots: RB Matt Forte (UFA)

SammyBlueCat · Feb 6, 2016

I may be missing something but I believe Forte has done very little against our team in the few head to head games we have had.

On the other hand some people were very excited to sign TE Scott Chandler because he burned us a few times only to have do very little for us when we really needed him.

Simple Jack's Brother · Feb 6, 2016

SammyBlueCat said:
I may be missing something but I believe Forte has done very little against our team in the few head to head games we have had.

On the other hand some people were very excited to sign TE Scott Chandler because he burned us a few times only to have do very little for us when we really needed him.

Because in the few times we've played him Bill has essentially gone all out to contain him and whoever their top WR is at the time.

Simple Jack's Brother · Feb 6, 2016

Deus Irae said:
Well, you'd either be cutting White and re-signing LGB, or letting LGB walk. I don't think the answer is cut and dry. Personally, I'd choose to bring back LGB in the hypo, but I can see the argument for Keeping White instead.

Blount did not look good this year. Granted, our run blocking was terrible, but he never really made yards for himself and appeared to miss the hole the few times it appeared.

White is younger, will be cheaper on his rookie contract than LGB, and showed more promise than I think a lot of us anticipated. Do I want White in a starting role? Absolutely not. He's terrible between the tackles, but he showed he can play the Vereen role very competently and Lewis will be back as well next year.

I think literally anyone we sign to for the big back role can and/or would be better than Blount this year. We'll see how FA and the draft shake out, but I don't particularly want to see Blount back at all, let alone swapping him for James White.

Off The Grid · Feb 6, 2016

TBR said:
30 years old. Definitely has a good year or two left in the tank.

"30 years old."

"Definitely has a good year or two left in the tank."

Yeah, I'm gonna go with "Syntax Error" on that.

***

01 ~ Forte possibly has a good Year or two left in the Tank.
02 ~ But he almost certainly doesn't have any great Years left.
03 ~ And he's been pretty pedestrian for two Years: 4.0 YPC.
04 ~ He'll probably get $6,000,000 or so a Year.
05 ~ We can get guys off the Street for 4.0 YPC.
06 ~ Turns out: There's a Salary Cap.

Joey007 · Feb 6, 2016

HawaiianPatsfan said:
These are the current Vegas odds on the 2017 Super Bowl.

SEAHAWKS 8-1 Don't need an RB
PATRIOTS 8-1 : Desperately need a RB and he fits perfect into the system.
STEELERS 8-1 : Bell will be back, short on cap space.
PACKERS 10-1 : Lacy should be back, they rarely bring in FA players.
CARDINALS 10-1 : They have David Johnson and a few other young players. Might resign CJ2K also.
BENGALS 12-1 : They have two young RB's No need.
COWBOYS 14-1 : Now this is one of the few teams that is a possibility. But CMON, the cowboys?!? ha
PANTHERS 12-1 : Again, they are ok at the position and have many upcoming contracts to deal with.
BRONCOS 20-1 : The still have decent depth at the position. Wont be much of a contender with no QB
VIKINGS 20-1 : AP
COLTS 20-1 : Now this is another possibility, however he did say "contender" Right!?!?!?!
CHIEFS 20-1 They have Charles and more then enough depth.
FALCONS 40-1 Freeman should improve and they have other young talent. Also have other priorities.
JETS 30-1 : They'll resign players before they bring him in.
BILLS 30-1 They don't need him.

Honestly, if he really wants to play for a contender and contribute, New England is the only place he should consider. The Cowboys would be the only other realistic option, but if it's really about "superbowls" then realistically the difference in likelihood of that happening, is much greater with New England.
If he'd be willing to come for 2 million a year, with the possibility of it being 3 million with escalators, that would be a wonderful steal and FA signing. Him paired with Deion Lewis would make an awesome starting duo. James white, and hopefully a healthy Tyler Gaffney could play backup to both respectfully. Take a RB in the later rounds or look for a UDFA. Think Thomas Rwals.

Indy still has Frank Gore so I doubt they'll bring two 30+ running backs in. Same with Dallas and McFadden. Really Denver is the only contender other than us I could feasibly see would bring Forte in.

meatface · Feb 6, 2016

BillBelichickFan79 said:
No thanks. Youth wins at that position.

Talent trumps youth, Brady will tell you that too

Brady_to_Moss · Feb 6, 2016

For the amount of $$ he will ask for/get. I really hope the Pats don't spend on this position. Would like him here...and if they get him at good $$. I am all for it. Just don't see it.

sevengables_2207 · Feb 6, 2016

In 2015, Forte played the second half of the season with a sprained MCL, and had to share carries with two promising young running backs in Langford and Carey.

In 2014, (like 2015) their offensive line regressed noticeably from 2013, and well... Marc Trestman gave up play calling duties to Aaron freakin' Cromer of all people. Their game plans under Cromer were terrible, to put it mildly.

I am not saying that these factors alone account for Forte's pedestrian YPC average the last two seasons, but they seemingly are a part of it, as is general wear and tear via age and volume.

However, if the team is comfortable with him, and the price is right for them, then I think he still has enough in the tank to help the team out in the short term while they groom a young guy or two behind him.

Gronkowski123 · Feb 6, 2016

forte has a ton of miles...

no thanks. just sign some rb's in the later rounds and let them compete for the starting job.

Kontradiction · Feb 6, 2016

Imagine a line-up with Gronk, Edelman, Amendola/Lafell/improvement at either TE2 or WR, with Lewis and Forte in the backfield. Yikes. You cannot key on run or pass and those options, if Brady is given time, would be borderline indefensible. Unlike before 2013, I honestly believe that Forte will wind up a Patriot this offseason and Blount will be allowed to walk.

TheRazorsEdge · Feb 6, 2016

I think some of you guys are really sleeping on how good Forte would be here as a lead back as a stop gap while the offense is tinkered with. Splitting some duties with Lewis and White would keep his legs fresh .We can still draft the coveted late round bruiser and/or work Iosefa in, that wouldn't be an issue I don't think.

Kontradiction · Feb 6, 2016

Off The Grid said:
"30 years old."

"Definitely has a good year or two left in the tank."

Yeah, I'm gonna go with "Syntax Error" on that.

***

01 ~ Forte possibly has a good Year or two left in the Tank.
02 ~ But he almost certainly doesn't have any great Years left.
03 ~ And he's been pretty pedestrian for two Years: 4.0 YPC.
04 ~ He'll probably get $6,000,000 or so a Year.
05 ~ We can get guys off the Street for 4.0 YPC.
06 ~ Turns out: There's a Salary Cap.

He'd have more room to operate in this offense (since I expect the OL to improve next season) and just said that it's not about the money anymore. He wants a shot at a ring. Before injuries wrecked this team, the Patriots were either the most dominant team in football or close to it. They were also the defending champs. If the money is right, this is an absolute no brainer.

Deus Irae · Feb 6, 2016

KontradictioN said:
He'd have more room to operate in this offense (since I expect the OL to improve next season) and just said that it's not about the money anymore. He wants a shot at a ring. Before injuries wrecked this team, the Patriots were either the most dominant team in football or close to it. They were also the defending champs. If the money is right, this is an absolute no brainer.

An 'RB' group of

Blount
Forte
Lewis
Devlin
Bolden

gives you multiple guys (with varied styles) who can run the ball, multiple guys who can catch the ball, the ability to use Lewis sparingly as he recovers from his ACL surgery, the ST player the team seems to want from one of its RBs, and a fullback.

An 'RB' group of

White
Forte
Lewis
Devlin
Bolden

makes you more one dimensional as a running team, but gives you more depth with pass receiving RBs. As I noted before, I'd prefer that first lineup (a/k/a Blount over White), but I could understand why some would prefer the second option.

aluminum seats · Feb 6, 2016

I usually shy away from these kind of nebulous charges, but I just don't feel like White has what it takes to succeed with the Pats.

ivanvamp · Feb 6, 2016

In a specific role, White has been pretty good for the Pats.

ivanvamp · Feb 6, 2016

I like the idea of Forte, Lewis, White, Develin, Bolden.

Kontradiction · Feb 6, 2016

Deus Irae said:
An 'RB' group of

Blount
Forte
Lewis
Devlin
Bolden

gives you multiple guys (with varied styles) who can run the ball, multiple guys who can catch the ball, the ability to use Lewis sparingly as he recovers from his ACL surgery, the ST player the team seems to want from one of its RBs, and a fullback.

An 'RB' group of

White
Forte
Lewis
Devlin
Bolden

makes you more one dimensional as a running team, but gives you more depth with pass receiving RBs. As I noted before, I'd prefer that first lineup (a/k/a Blount over White), but I could understand why some would prefer the second option.

Good point, but Lewis was capable of running the ball too. Granted, that was pre-injury. That's why I noted that defenses couldn't necessarily key run or pass in the line-up that I tossed out. I nixed Blount as opposed to White because Lewis is smaller and is coming off of injury. White proved to be halfway decent Lewis insurance this year. He wasn't spectacular, but he was capable of filling in as needed.

Deus Irae · Feb 6, 2016

aluminum seats said:
I usually shy away from these kind of nebulous charges, but I just don't feel like White has what it takes to succeed with the Pats.

Dear Bill,

Call San Diego. See if they are distracted enough by their stadium issues to trade Woodhead for White.

Sincerely,
Everyone

VrabelJr · Feb 6, 2016

sevengables_2207 said:
This is not true.

Actually, yes it is. Thanks for providing a reply with no substance. Here's one article

Between the Tackles

Here's another talking about how Jeremy Langford gets the majority of the between the tackles runs: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...att-forte-running-game-in-jay-cutlers-absence

Deus Irae · Feb 6, 2016

KontradictioN said:
Good point, but Lewis was capable of running the ball too. Granted, that was pre-injury. That's why I noted that defenses couldn't necessarily key run or pass in the line-up that I tossed out. I nixed Blount as opposed to White because Lewis is smaller and is coming off of injury. White proved to be halfway decent Lewis insurance this year. He wasn't spectacular, but he was capable of filling in as needed.

White's awful. I understand that people who don't care about the running game might choose White over Blount, in order to have a 3rd pass catcher in case of injury, but White really sucks running the ball. I'm sure someone will come up with a recent example, but I can't remember the last time the Patriots had such a limited 3dRB.

Potential Patriots: RB Matt Forte (UFA)

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