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

[LloydBraun]

You say Wallace is a bad idea, when the team could obviously use a high end burner at WR and the league has become a pass first, pass last kind of league. Then you say that Forte, who'll cost essentially as much in picks as Wallace, could be huge, when he's a RB and RB hasn't been a crucial position for Super Bowl winners in most of the SB matchups this century, and the Patriots won 2 Super Bowls with nothing but mediocrity at RB.

That's lousy analysis on your part, IMO.

My thinking is this:

Essentially, Wallace could be the 4th receiving option in this offense, behind Welker, Gronk & Hernandez. then, if you factor in Lloyd...does this team need Wallace? Yes, they need a burner, but a draft pick might be a better idea.

Forte is a sweet runner & a receiving threat out of the backfield. BJGE was solid, but let's be honest- he was a product of this offense. A Forte could make this offense an all-timer.

The league is going pass happy, I agree. All the more reason to run more. Zig while the league zags.

 

[Leemo]

You say Wallace is a bad idea, when the team could obviously use a high end burner at WR and the league has become a pass first, pass last kind of league. Then you say that Forte, who'll cost essentially as much in picks as Wallace, could be huge, when he's a RB and RB hasn't been a crucial position for Super Bowl winners in most of the SB matchups this century, and the Patriots won 2 Super Bowls with nothing but mediocrity at RB.

That's lousy analysis on your part, IMO.

Forte is a guy who can run and break 40 yard or come out of the backfield, catch a pass and gain 40 yards, hes a dual threat which would make this offense explode

 

[Rob0729]

You say Wallace is a bad idea, when the team could obviously use a high end burner at WR and the league has become a pass first, pass last kind of league. Then you say that Forte, who'll cost essentially as much in picks as Wallace, could be huge, when he's a RB and RB hasn't been a crucial position for Super Bowl winners in most of the SB matchups this century, and the Patriots won 2 Super Bowls with nothing but mediocrity at RB.

That's lousy analysis on your part, IMO.

A few things:

1.) A second and a fourth does not equal a first especially if it is the Pats' second rounder rather than the Raiders' second rounder.
2.) Wallace is looking for $15 million a year. Forte is looking for less. He will not command the same amount in RB dollars as Wallace will in WR dollars.If Forte is expecting a Chris Johnson type of deal, then I say pass all together.
3.) Forte is more than just a rushing RB. He can be like Darren Sproles or better for the Pats. Sproles was a huge part of the Saints' offense and it wasn't primarily running the ball. Forte could get 700-900 receiving for the Pats. He had just under 600 yards last year in 12 games and Cutler is not a short game passer.
4.) Wallace may not even fit the Pats' system. We have learned that not every WR can adapt to the Pats' system and read defenses and make the presnap adjustments. It is a big gamble for a WR that demands a first round pick and top WR money. There isn't nearly the complications with a RB.

I mixed on the rumored Forte deal, but I have been against the Wallace deal for a while. He wants too much money and we don't know if he can handle the Pats' offense.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i would love to see it happen this offense with one of the best RB's in the NFL and still have two #1's and a 2th to add depth to the defense

 

[Jangles]

I'd rather have Forte than Wallace, but only because I think Forte would sign a contract the Pats would be willing to pay.

I think a dynamic running game would be huge for our already lethal passing game.

However, if they were both going to play for the same dollars, and we were definitely going to sign one, I'd want Wallace.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Can't believe this thread is still going on

 

[Deus Irae]

My thinking is this:

Essentially, Wallace could be the 4th receiving option in this offense, behind Welker, Gronk & Hernandez. then, if you factor in Lloyd...does this team need Wallace? Yes, they need a burner, but a draft pick might be a better idea.

The "4th option" stuff is nonsense, and the people making the "4th option" argument should all take a refresher course in football 101. It's not the number of passes, or even targets, that will be important with a guy like Wallace. It's the way he impacts the opponents. Every Patriots fan should have learned that in 2007 when Moss set records but, just as importantly, completely opened up the field for the rest of the WR corps.

Forte is a sweet runner & a receiving threat out of the backfield. BJGE was solid, but let's be honest- he was a product of this offense. A Forte could make this offense an all-timer.

The Patriots got more than 5 ypc from Ridley last season. The Patriots went to the Super Bowl, at 16-0, with Maroney running the ball in 2007. You don't need Forte, you need someone who can be successful in his runs. That's the system the Patriots play.

Take a look at Football Outsiders data on RBs. Notice that, even with a down season and had a very mediocre DVOA, BJGE finished 6th in success %. Meanwhile, Woodhead, who struggled early post-concussion and didn't have enough rushed to qualify to certain category rankings, still finished with a DVA of 25.4%, which would have put him among the best in the NFL had he been eligible. That's because, as you noted, it's about the running system in New England, and not about the back.

And the offense was an "all timer" type of offense this past year, if you're looking at points or yards.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2011 RUNNING BACKS

The league is going pass happy, I agree. All the more reason to run more. Zig while the league zags.

The league is going pass happy because the rules of the league essentially require that teams go pass happy. Two of the league's best runners, for years, have been AdP and Steven Jackson. That hasn't helped their teams to any SB rings or, for the most part, even to good regular seasons. Forte and the Bears have been 9-7,7-9,11-5 and 8-8 with Forte as the back. That "zig...zag" stuff is silly.

 

[JR4]

He's the next Barry Sanders
Whatever it takes .... get him :bricks:

 

[Rob0729]

Drew Brees set the passing record in part because he had a RB who was a strong receiving threat like Sproles. Forte is as good or better as a receiver than Sproles.

People need to stop looking at Forte as a pure RB. If the Pats were to bring him in, he would be far more than that. I doubt this rumor, but people are looking at him as just a RB. He is a guy who could get 700-900 receiving yards.

 

[Deus Irae]

Forte is a guy who can run and break 40 yard or come out of the backfield, catch a pass and gain 40 yards, hes a dual threat which would make this offense explode

The offense scored 513 points this past season, even without a middle-deep threat in the passing game. What's this explosion supposed to mean, and wouldn't the addition of Lloyd/Wallace also be likely to lead to some kind of "explosion"?

I've got no problem with Forte as a player, and I've been talking for years about the Patriots getting the RBs more involved in the passing game. However, the notion that Wallace would be a bad choice but Forte would be awesome is just a ridiculous one, IMO.

 

[Leemo]

The offense scored 513 points this past season, even without a middle-deep threat in the passing game. What's this explosion supposed to mean, and wouldn't the addition of Lloyd/Wallace also be likely to lead to some kind of "explosion"?

Surely teams will try to counter the excessive passing and having an elite runner who is actually brilliant pass catcher too is going to give us another dimension..

 

[captain stone]

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

I disagree with a lot of the things you claim the Pats need, but either way, none of them are available. Forte is.

Forte can change the dynamics of the offense because he is a strong running AND receiving threat. My only concern is his asking price.

That's kinda why I wrote that I wouldn't want Forte because of the big contract & high draft picks it would take to acquire him. Now if he were a UFA and could be signed for what the LawFirm was signed, then hell yeh...otherwise, no thanks.

 

[pork3]

The offense scored 513 points this past season, even without a middle-deep threat in the passing game. What's this explosion supposed to mean, and wouldn't the addition of Lloyd/Wallace also be likely to lead to some kind of "explosion"?

I've got no problem with Forte as a player, and I've been talking for years about the Patriots getting the RBs more involved in the passing game. However, the notion that Wallace would be a bad choice but Forte would be awesome is just a ridiculous one, IMO.

Wallace would be a great choice, assuming he can pick up this offense as few wide receivers have effectively. IMOSHO Forte would be better in the extremely remote chance this rumor pans out.

Hopefully that placates all sides, though frankly, the bedlam generated by this thread is a bit over the top...

-Jamman

 

[stcjones]

Apparently. Bucs.and Browns have made inquiries as well. I don't think this trade will happen for us. Now wasn't forte hurt end of last season....Guy has taken a beating last two seasons

 

[Keyser Söze]

can he rush the passer?

 

[Deus Irae]

Surely teams will try to counter the excessive passing and having an elite runner who is actually brilliant pass catcher too is going to give us another dimension..

Having a receiver like Lloyd will add another dimension, because it would expand the field down to 20-25 yards of depth. Getting a receiver like Wallace would add another dimension, because it would expand the field down to 40 yards of depth or more.

 

[Deus Irae]

Wallace would be a great choice, assuming he can pick up this offense as few wide receivers have effectively. IMOSHO Forte would be better in the extremely remote chance this rumor pans out.

Hopefully that placates all sides, though frankly, the bedlam generated by this thread is a bit over the top...

-Jamman

Slow news day. It's basically this or Tebow talk.

 

[Rusty Coupe]

There are a lot of factors that go into this, but these are some numbers from 2011.

REC ATT YDS
Mike Tolbert S.D. 54 79 433
Matt Forte CHI 52 76 490
Darrren Sproles N.O. 86 111 710
Grant + Starks G.B 48 61 484
BJGE + Woodhead N.E. 27 44 316

 

[brdmaverick]

Apparently. Bucs.and Browns have made inquiries as well. I don't think this trade will happen for us. Now wasn't forte hurt end of last season....Guy has taken a beating last two seasons

Well, he did play in the Pro Bowl just to showcase that he is recovered. Smart move, too. After all, who would risk their career to play in the Pro Bowl. I thought that was a smart way to show that he MUST be healthy.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

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

Seanbruschi - You, sir, are a complete liar. We've had numerous conversations where you have posted garbage and been called on it. And mot just by myself, but by others.

Now, instead of over-reacting and making BS claims that "twitter is burning up" with some rumor.. just say "RUMOR" Matt Forte to the Patriots. Is that really too much to ask. As I pointed out you, none of the big names are talking about this. You provided nothing. No links. Nothing. Saying that I should go do a search for Forte and Patriots on Twitter means that I'll get a bunch of nobodies who mean nothing and have no real substance. I would think that someone who claims to be intelligent would understand that.

BTW, I don't have 25,000 posts and only trolls who know they have no ground to stand on actually use post count as an insult.

I gave you my opinion. You didnt even answer my questions. we've never had this discussion. Honestly have no idea what your talking about with being called a liar by other members.

Whatever man you keep being you. Id rather have you just not respond to me because you just make up your own theory and go with it.

If im being called a liar by other members then show me proof of that and other members, i went ahead and searched the board myself and got nada.