RUMOR: via Twitter... Matt Forte to Patriots talk...

[ATippett56]

Well judging by up-thread, there's between a 2% and 29% chance he's right - or in other words - as much as chance of being right as merely making things up.

Try less than 1%.

 

[manxman2601]

Seriously, I would rather select a running back in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Cyrus Gray or Tauren Poole and eliminate the fullback position altogether.

NFL Draft - 2012 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

If the New England Patriots organization valued running backs that highly, BenJarvus Green-Ellis would have been re-signed.

The New England Patriots defense desperately needs upgrades across the board:

3-4 Defensive Ends
3-4 Outside Linebackers
Cornerbacks
Free Safeties

You cant seriously be suggesting that Tauren Poole, Cyrus Gray or BJGE are likely to be as impactful as Matt Forte surely? Imagine a 2-WR (Lloyd, Welker), 2-TE (Gronk, Hernandez) formation with a)Forte in the backfield or B) one of your three RB's in the backfield. Now place yourself in a DC's position. Which of those two scenarios gives you sleepless nights? How do you put enough in the box to defend Forte's ability to run whilst putting enough coverage out there to defend our four dynamic receivers plus Forte's ability as a receiver? It's a mismatch heaven. And with the suggested trade up thread, we've still got three top 64 picks to spend on defense.

 

[ivanvamp]

Re: RUMOR: Twitter burning up with Matt Forte to Patriots talk..

How much difference does a top running back make to a passing team? Could Forte be as important to us as Dillon was? I think that this trade is unlikely to happen. But, make no mistake, this addition would help the team a lot.

Forte is a terrific runner (last two seasons, averaged 4.7 ypc) and one of the very best receivers among all NFL RBs (averaged 56 receptions per year over his career). This guy is what I have been hoping Vereen/Ridley would become. Imagine this lineup:

WR - Welker
WR - Lloyd
TE - Gronkowski
TE - Hernandez
RB - Forte

All five are *superior* pass-catchers, so the defense needs to worry about all five of them, big-time. But the Pats then line up Hernandez and Gronk on the line, go heavy, and pound Forte. It really is essentially an all-star offensive lineup with zero weaknesses whatsoever. It's as close to the perfect offense as a team could have.

That said, I'm not remotely getting my hopes up because (a) the asking price is probably too steep, and (b) the amount of money they'd need to pay him would be much higher than they're likely to want to pay.

But still....that's a fun lineup to contemplate.

 

[Salva135]

Matt Forte isn't going to win us a Super Bowl. Drafting strategically and soundly with our existing picks and upgrading some much needed holes in the defense, however, just might.

 

[IllegalContact]

from a value standpoint, it doesn't make any sense. he is going to command top dollar, going to also cost a couple if not more draft picks. The problem is that I don't see 300 plus touches for him.

that said, we were all looking forward to all the rookies and 2nd year defensive guys jelling together after the 2010 season and then they went off and chased down haynesworth, ellis, carter, anderson.

 

[BTTA]

Re: RUMOR: Twitter burning up with Matt Forte to Patriots talk..

Forte is a terrific runner (last two seasons, averaged 4.7 ypc) and one of the very best receivers among all NFL RBs (averaged 56 receptions per year over his career). This guy is what I have been hoping Vereen/Ridley would become.

We find out this year about Vereen/Ridley. We still don't know. It's a worthwhile gamble.

 

[Salva135]

Going back and watching Vereen's highlights out of Cal I see all the pass-catching skills that Forte has. Let's see what he can do.

 

[goheels22002]

Probably very true that the money would be the larger factor.

RB's are hard to speculate on in terms of contract worth, especially this offseason. A guy with Forte's ability and reputation as one of the top in the game would probably need something in the 9 million+ range though. Probably even more, although I honestly have no idea in terms of his demands. One would guess that he's asking the Bears for a pretty good amount though.

It seems a bit weird that Lovie Smith just stated today that 'everything will work out fine.' And that 'he will rush for a lot of yds for us.'

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith has spoken with disgruntled running back Matt Forte - ESPN Chicago

It's impossible to see how Forte fits in the Patriots' cap scheme for 2012 and 2013. The Patriots don't put that much money into the RB position which is why they let BJGE walk. It would be great to have an elite RB next to Brady, but this doesn't work economically. My preference is for a big blocking back who can help protect the QB and hammer away for short yards when necessary.

 

[WhiZa]

Matt Forte isn't going to win us a Super Bowl. Drafting strategically and soundly with our existing picks and upgrading some much needed holes in the defense, however, just might.

Why not both just to be sure?

 

[Ring 6]

Re: RUMOR: Twitter burning up with Matt Forte to Patriots talk..

Um....it is? The guy breaks news dayyyyyysssss before others. 30% isnt to shabby

Dude, he makes it up

 

[Salva135]

Why not both just to be sure?

I'm totally on board if Forte comes here for free!

 

[Snake Eyes]

Re: RUMOR: Twitter burning up with Matt Forte to Patriots talk..

What about Welker for Forte straight up.
Would anyone do that?

HELL NO!

...in addition to Forte we'd need to acquire Dane Sanzenbacher ! It would have to be pronounced in Gruden though: Sanzenbackaaa, SANZENBACKAAA.

 

[moosekill]

It's impossible to see how Forte fits in the Patriots' cap scheme for 2012 and 2013. The Patriots don't put that much money into the RB position which is why they let BJGE walk. It would be great to have an elite RB next to Brady, but this doesn't work economically. My preference is for a big blocking back who can help protect the QB and hammer away for short yards when necessary.

The reason they let BJGE walk was they didn't feel he was a good value at the price he was going to command. No telling if they feel the same way on Forte or not.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Look the Pats sent Cincy a second rounder for Clock killin Corey Dillon, now you are saying that they are going to send more plus have to sign him to a big time contract. I'm calling BS, nothing is more sure in the NFL than saying that a RB will break down long before his contract does. RB is the one position (and kickers) that you can come in as a rookie and be productive. Forte is overrated, in 2009 and 2010 he was 18th in rushing in the league, 18th!! He is only a franchise player for Chicago because they have no offense.

I see no reason to give up on the two guys drafted last year, the average lifespan of a NFL RB is five years, and now you want to spend multiple draft picks and a large amount of salary cap on a guy who has already played five years, no thanks.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Re: RUMOR: Twitter burning up with Matt Forte to Patriots talk..

what a stupid thread...Forte is NOT coming here

Thank you

It's simply amazing the players patsfans.com seems to get tinkled over.

Clay Matthews, Mike Wallace, Matt Forte...Jonathan Stewart? :singing:

Geesh.

Matt Forte had a good rookie season, years 2/3 were mediocre at best.

Then he gets going again in his contract year.

Matt Forte was the Bears offense because that have absolutely nobody else.

Someone had to do something. It's the Mike Wallace affect.

If Adam Seward isn't coming, forget the JAG's.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Look the Pats sent Cincy a second rounder for Clock killin Corey Dillon, now you are saying that they are going to send more plus have to sign him to a big time contract. I'm calling BS, nothing is more sure in the NFL than saying that a RB will break down long before his contract does. RB is the one position (and kickers) that you can come in as a rookie and be productive. Forte is overrated, in 2009 and 2010 he was 18th in rushing in the league, 18th!! He is only a franchise player for Chicago because they have no offense.

I see no reason to give up on the two guys drafted last year, the average lifespan of a NFL RB is five years, and now you want to spend multiple draft picks and a large amount of salary cap on a guy who has already played five years, no thanks.

Excellent evaluation.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Forte would probably be the ideal RB for this Patriots offense and would step right in and immediately make it a juggernaut. He'd also cost draft picks and $ so I can understand not wanting him. Frankly, it isn't the draft picks that bother me but rather the $. Then again, cap $ is only a waste if you don't get on field production from those cap $ and I can't imagine Forte wouldn't give you awesome on field production.

I also understand those wanting to give Ridley and Vareen a chance to shine. You save the draft picks and cap $ obviously but, they are unproven commodities. Would be a shame to waste yet another season of Brady's career if neither pans out.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Mark Anderson departed via unrestricted free agency. Andre Carter is recovering from a torn left quadriceps muscle/tendon and has yet to re-sign with the New England Patriots. Who, currently on the roster, will generate the outside pass rush for the New England Patriots for the 2012 NFL Season?

You mean, fans should be in a state of hysteria because the Patriots have nobody to replace the two guys who were on nobody's radar last year and didn't sign until right around training camp?

This is just a comical as the meltdown in March 2010 because there were no TE's on the roster.

We can leave the "outside passrush" for another day.

 

[ausbacker]

Look the Pats sent Cincy a second rounder for Clock killin Corey Dillon, now you are saying that they are going to send more plus have to sign him to a big time contract. I'm calling BS, nothing is more sure in the NFL than saying that a RB will break down long before his contract does. RB is the one position (and kickers) that you can come in as a rookie and be productive. Forte is overrated, in 2009 and 2010 he was 18th in rushing in the league, 18th!! He is only a franchise player for Chicago because they have no offense.

I see no reason to give up on the two guys drafted last year, the average lifespan of a NFL RB is five years, and now you want to spend multiple draft picks and a large amount of salary cap on a guy who has already played five years, no thanks.

You're not aware how bad that Bears Offensive Line was during that time are you? Forte can play. That doesn't mean he's coming here.

 

[manxman2601]

Look the Pats sent Cincy a second rounder for Clock killin Corey Dillon, now you are saying that they are going to send more plus have to sign him to a big time contract. I'm calling BS, nothing is more sure in the NFL than saying that a RB will break down long before his contract does. RB is the one position (and kickers) that you can come in as a rookie and be productive. Forte is overrated, in 2009 and 2010 he was 18th in rushing in the league, 18th!! He is only a franchise player for Chicago because they have no offense.

I see no reason to give up on the two guys drafted last year, the average lifespan of a NFL RB is five years, and now you want to spend multiple draft picks and a large amount of salary cap on a guy who has already played five years, no thanks.

Excellent evaluation.

No it isn't. Firstly, what does a RB traded for nearly a decade ago have to do with today's very different offense? And secondly this "average running back" cliche constantly trotted out is meaningless. How many second and third string RB's contribute to that statistic? And as for giving up on the picks last year, please! If BB trades for Forte then he's obviously decided that Ridley, Vereen do not represent the future for the franchise as a lead back. In that hypothetical case, then so be it. You don't sit on players just because we drafted them previously. SF drafted Kaepernick last year, if they had the number one pick this year, should they not draft Luck or RGIII because they used a second on a QB last year?

I'm hoping Ridley/Vereen will be a real boost for the offense - I was high on them last year but let's not dismiss out of hand the very real boost Matt Forte gives this offense in the case of a hypothetical trade.