Rotoworld: Evan Silva predicts Pats trade for Bears RB Matt Forte

[DW Toys]

1. Bears running back Matt Forte

Forte has done his best to make the organization look bad in repeated ESPN appearances, complaining about his contract status. He was particularly displeased with the Bears' signing of Michael Bush, even though shared rushing attempts could actually work to prolong Forte's career.

Forte is a good back. New GM Phil Emery knows it, or else he wouldn't have slapped Forte with the franchise tag. But the Bears now have a starting-caliber replacement, and can find another on day two of the draft. On the trade market, Forte could fetch a second-round pick and then some.

Prediction: Traded to New England for second- and sixth-round picks.

 

[brdmaverick]

I'd be happy if that scenario played out.

 

[Gronkandez]

Sign Forte, sign Mike Wallace and sign any other expensive free agent and boom championship!

 

[Rob0729]

Not a good prediction since the Pats currently don't have a sixth rounder. Also, he predicts that Bart Scott will be released after the draft when Ryan said that they are keeping Scott just today (granted he addresses this in saying what Ryan says today and what he does after the draft could be two very different things).

I am still mixed on the trade possibility. I think Forte can be a 2,000+ all purpose yard back with the Pats, but I am concerned about what he is looking for in a contract. The second and sixth doesn't bother me as much.

 

[Gronkandez]

There is already a thread about this b/c Incarecated Bob tweeted the same thing. The Pats already have three good running backs and a couple FB's that can do short yardage. Ridley and Vereen are very talented, give them a chance.

:enranged:

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

There is already a thread about this b/c Incarecated Bob tweeted the same thing. The Pats already have three good running backs and a couple FB's that can do short yardage. Ridley and Vereen are very talented, give them a chance.

:enranged:

We don't need to pay forte top 3 RB $$ which is what he wants..NO

 

[DW Toys]

1. Bears running back Matt Forte

Forte has done his best to make the organization look bad in repeated ESPN appearances, complaining about his contract status. He was particularly displeased with the Bears' signing of Michael Bush, even though shared rushing attempts could actually work to prolong Forte's career.

Forte is a good back. New GM Phil Emery knows it, or else he wouldn't have slapped Forte with the franchise tag. But the Bears now have a starting-caliber replacement, and can find another on day two of the draft. On the trade market, Forte could fetch a second-round pick and then some.

Prediction: Traded to New England for second- and sixth-round picks.

He also predicts these players could be traded.
More Trade Candidates: Giants DE Osi Umenyiora, Bucs TE Kellen Winslow, Chiefs DL Glenn Dorsey, Rams WR Danny Amendola, Raiders WR Louis Murphy, Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno, Eagles DE Darryl Tapp, Lions DT Sammie Lee Hill, Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen, Saints RB Chris Ivory, Dolphins DE Phillip Merling, Browns WR Mohamed Massaquoi, Colts DE Jerry Hughes, Lions CB Alphonso Smith, Panthers RB Mike Goodson, Titans LB Gerald McRath, Dolphins LB Koa Misi, Patriots DT Ron Brace, Jets RT Wayne Hunter, Bengals DE Robert Geathers, Bucs WR Arrelious Benn, Texans SS Glover Quin, Seahawks WR Deon Butler.

Why don't we trade Brace for Quinn and call is a day using these above pieces. Quinn can play either Safety position and was a converted CB. He had 59 Tackles and 9 PDF.
Thoughts?

Also, Chris Ivory is a hard runner. Perhaps he is more of a goal line dude. Still think Osi can bring it here.
DW Toys

 

[Rob0729]

There is already a thread about this b/c Incarecated Bob tweeted the same thing. The Pats already have three good running backs and a couple FB's that can do short yardage. Ridley and Vereen are very talented, give them a chance.

:enranged:

I won't be upset going into the season with the RBs the Pats have, but Forte could be a difference maker. And he could actually carry the offense in those rare games where Brady is having an off day since the Pats have been too reliant on Brady to carry the team in recent years. For the right price, getting Forte is a no brainer in my eyes.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I won't be upset going into the season with the RBs the Pats have, but Forte could be a difference maker. And he could actually carry the offense in those rare games where Brady is having an off day since the Pats have been too reliant on Brady to carry the team in recent years. For the right price, getting Forte is a no brainer in my eyes.

If he want's top 3 RB money..which is what he will want ( don't blame him..look at his production) Do you think it's still worth it? That's a crap ton of $$..

 

[Rob0729]

If he want's top 3 RB money..which is what he will want ( don't blame him..look at his production) Do you think it's still worth it? That's a crap ton of $$..

Forte isn't getting top 3 RB money though. He can want all he wants, but if he wants to get paid he will have to lower his demands. He hasn't proved he is a top three backs and free agent RBs this year have been getting deals lower than a lot of kickers have been getting.

Now that doesn't mean he will lower it to his price range to what the Pats would be willing to pay.

Now if he was a WR, he'd probably get close to what he wants. But RBs are not getting top dollar anymore especially after teams saw how much the Titans wasted on Chris Johnson last year for him to be average after giving him big money.

 

[worldchamps5433]

For a 2nd and a late round pick why wouldn't we pull the trigger on this trade??? Forte is one of the top 3 backs in the league right now and although he is coming off of knee surgery this is the kind of gamble we have to take. The great thing about this back is that he is still relatively young, and has plenty of good seasons ahead of him. I know that we have Vereen, Ridley, and Woodhead already in this backfield but Forte is a huge upgrade from either Ridley or Vereen (Woodhead is primarily a 3rd down back so he isn't going to get a bulk of the carries anyways). The contract wouldn't be as big of a deal if it is spread out over a number of years, when the signing bonus is due, back-loading the contract, etc (i.e., there are plenty of ways to get around the cap by fudging with the numbers).

No offense to any of the current running backs we have, but when you have the opportunity to add an elite running back to an already explosive offense, then you are really setting your team up for success. Look at what Corey Dillon was able to bring to this offense for the three seasons he was a Pat. Another big thing to look at with this is that Brady isn't getting any younger, and having a reliable workhorse back would take a ton of strain off of Brady so he doesn't have to throw the ball 40+ times a game.

Lastly, the Brady window is slowly closing. I realistically believe that he has 3-4 seasons of playing at a high level, which means its time for this franchise to make moves to win now. I'm not saying mortgage the entire future to get a player like Forte if the Bears are asking for multiple 1st rounders or what not. From what sources are saying, the asking price isn't too high and the Pats have the picks/cap room right now to make this deal work. I normally don't feel the Pats need to make huge splashes during the off-season with personal (Like Mike Wallace or Mario Williams) but the opportunity to get a player of Forte's caliber doesn't happen much in the NFL.

 

[PatsFan2]

Rob i agree 100% if Forte lowers his demands what's not to like. He has the makings of a complete RB...he can catch with the best of them and is built like a Big WR. I loved the Mike Wallace pipe dream but Forte would add so much more to our Great Offense already. Brady has never played with a RB his cailber since Corey Dillion.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Evan Silva is a fantasy football writer. This is probably just one of his fantasies...

 

[PatsFan2]

For a 2nd and a late round pick why wouldn't we pull the trigger on this trade??? Forte is one of the top 3 backs in the league right now and although he is coming off of knee surgery this is the kind of gamble we have to take. The great thing about this back is that he is still relatively young, and has plenty of good seasons ahead of him. I know that we have Vereen, Ridley, and Woodhead already in this backfield but Forte is a huge upgrade from either Ridley or Vereen (Woodhead is primarily a 3rd down back so he isn't going to get a bulk of the carries anyways). The contract wouldn't be as big of a deal if it is spread out over a number of years, when the signing bonus is due, back-loading the contract, etc (i.e., there are plenty of ways to get around the cap by fudging with the numbers).

No offense to any of the current running backs we have, but when you have the opportunity to add an elite running back to an already explosive offense, then you are really setting your team up for success. Look at what Corey Dillon was able to bring to this offense for the three seasons he was a Pat. Another big thing to look at with this is that Brady isn't getting any younger, and having a reliable workhorse back would take a ton of strain off of Brady so he doesn't have to throw the ball 40+ times a game.

Lastly, the Brady window is slowly closing. I realistically believe that he has 3-4 seasons of playing at a high level, which means its time for this franchise to make moves to win now. I'm not saying mortgage the entire future to get a player like Forte if the Bears are asking for multiple 1st rounders or what not. From what sources are saying, the asking price isn't too high and the Pats have the picks/cap room right now to make this deal work. I normally don't feel the Pats need to make huge splashes during the off-season with personal (Like Mike Wallace or Mario Williams) but the opportunity to get a player of Forte's caliber doesn't happen much in the NFL.

Great post Rookie keep posting...this is too good to be true Matt Forte...what's not to like.

 

[Fencer]

Objectively, one could argue that Forte would consume no more resources (cap room and pick cost) than Welker, and would have just as much value, and therefore it's a great idea to do both.

But we keep hearing that the Pats are leery of bringing in high-priced players, in part for fear of what others will think.

E.g., bringing in a Forte might increase the likelihood of a Gronk hold-out ...

 

[DW Toys]

I won't be upset going into the season with the RBs the Pats have, but Forte could be a difference maker. And he could actually carry the offense in those rare games where Brady is having an off day since the Pats have been too reliant on Brady to carry the team in recent years. For the right price, getting Forte is a no brainer in my eyes.

Is this passion with Fulbacks all of a sudden mean something?
DW Toys

 

[PatsFan2]

Objectively, one could argue that Forte would consume no more resources (cap room and pick cost) than Welker, and would have just as much value, and therefore it's a great idea to do both.

But we keep hearing that the Pats are leery of bringing in high-priced players, in part for fear of what others will think.

E.g., bringing in a Forte might increase the likelihood of a Gronk hold-out ...

We have Gronk for Three more years with the Tag included...stop thinking so far ahead. We will cross the Gronk Bridge when we get there.

 

[resdubwhite]

We have Gronk for Three more years with the Tag included...stop thinking so far ahead. We will cross the Gronk Bridge when we get there.

If we tag Gronk.


Someone will offer a 1st rd pick.

 

[worldchamps5433]

We have Gronk for Three more years with the Tag included...stop thinking so far ahead. We will cross the Gronk Bridge when we get there.

Totally agree with this. Gronk still has plenty of years on his contract and doesn't seem like the kind of player that would hold out with multiple years on his contract. He will get paid, but its not the Patriots way of doing business to give someone who is still on their rookie contract a large sum of money that could be used with other veteran players on the team.

 

[worldchamps5433]

If we tag Gronk.


Someone will offer a 1st rd pick.

In that case, we would be able to match any offer sheet unless the team wanted to pay him an absurd amount of money in the first year if we are in cap trouble