The Chicago Bears head to training camp as a complete football team with the announcement of Matt Forte agreeing to a new four-year contract today. The news also completes a great offseason for new Bears general manager Phil Emery who just sent the Bears' locker room a tremendous message rewarding production.
As for running backs in the NFL, Matt Forte is one of the finest and is certainly the most complete running back on the Bears' roster. The Bears may have protected themselves by signing Michael Bush from the Oakland Raiders, but unlike Forte, Bush is not the total package.Stars are AligningThe Bears new offense, under Mike Tice, will hit the ground running out of training camp with the signing of Forte. Barring injury at the running back position, the Forte signing sets up the play-action pass philosophy Tice wants to implement off of a strong running game. There is plenty of timing and meshing with the running back that must be established during training camp, much like the timing and rhythm of the drop back passing game.
Tennessees Chris Johnson made an example of this after missing all of training camp last year for the Titans. Their running game struggled mightily out of the gate. It wasnt until week nine when the Titans run game started to put it together.Phil Emery, with this one signing, just won over a locker room that has been in Fortes corner since last year establishing the moniker, Pay the Man, after every great play by Forte. By signing Forte to a long-term deal, Phil Emery displays the knowledge of not underestimating a cohesive locker room. A complete locker room.