For a storied franchise that has prided itself on playing black-and-blue football, the Chicago Bears have been looking for a consistent long-term producer in the running game for a long time.
The late great Payton retired after the 1987 season. But since 1986, when he last led the Bears in rushing, 10 men have led the team in rushing in a given season. Neal Anderson had a good seven-year run as the team's version of the 49ers' Roger Craig (more like a half-runner, half-receiver), but the nine men who followed as Payton's successors just haven't provided the team with year-after-year pop as feature backs.
The Bears have tried everyone from a Heisman Trophy winner (Rashaan Salaam) to a No. 5-overall pick (Curtis Enis) to someone who showed the power worthy of an "A-Train" (Anthony Thomas). Although the team had been some pretty good recent success with Thomas Jones -- his productivity helped the Bears reach Super Bowl 41 -- Chicago has whiffed by drafting backs who have been little more than three-year wonders.
You already might have heard something about the Bears' latest backfield bust, Cedric Benson, the No. 4-overall pick of the '05 draft, and his recent off-field drinking and boating trouble. You also might have heard reports of Forte being rather impressive in his first few days of running around with his new team.
The Bears, perhaps learning their lesson after wasting high picks on Benson on Enis, smartly waited and used a second-round pick on Forte. Forte ran under the radar at Tulane, despite rushing for 2,127 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior. What the Bears got is a 6-1 1/4, 221-pound back with a good combination of power and quickness.
Forte and the third-round pick of the division-rival Detroit Lions, Kevin Smith, both come in with similar goals and similar opportunities, playing for two NFC North teams trying to reestablish physical identities. Forte, like the Central Florida product Smith, also comes in with the extra motivation of proving his prolific production at a non-powerhouse school translates well to the NFL.
In the past, the Bears also have been attracted to backs such as Benson because of, well, their combination of power and quickness. But establishing a black-and-blue mood is all about attitude.
Power and quickness are nothing without equal doses of fight and drive.
Forte, whose last name in French means "strong," showed competitiveness first to the scouts and then to the Bears. Considering Benson's recent ineffectiveness and recent indiscretion, Forte is in good position to start for the Bears, and he is big enough to handle 20-plus touches a game.
The Bears finished 30th in the league in rushing in their Super Bowl hangover season of '07. Regardless of whether Benson stays a Bear, Forte is their best backfield bet to reestablish a strong running game -- and identity.