Forte wasn’t terribly happy when the Chicago Bears used their franchise tag on him. And, after the team signed Michael Bush on Thursday, he really wasn’t happy.
“There’s only so many times a man that has done everything he’s been asked to do can be disrespected!” Forte tweeted. “Guess the good guys do finish last.”
It's too bad that arguably the Pears best player feels the way that he does. It's too bad that it has gotten so public. It is what it is.
4 comments:
This happens a lot with the Pears (Briggs and Harris come to mind). They've been paying gobs of money to bring in new guys, and their own guys are left wondering why they can't get the big money deals taken care of quickly.
I suspect that, in the end, Forte will get a fair deal from the Pears, but it's strange that this sort of thing is happening again.
The Bears have the leverage and know it. There's virtually no chance Forte will sit out the season and pass up a one-year salary that's almost double what he made in his first four seasons combined. Still, they have to be careful about developing a reputation for not taking care of their own players, especially when those players are leaders who've outperformed their contracts.
Homegrown linebacker Lance Briggs, one of the best in the game at his position, complained about his contract. And now Forte is becoming more outspoken about his situation, at a time when the Bears have willingly opened their wallet over the last couple of years for players who started their careers elsewhere. See, Julius Peppers, Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall to name a few.
The truth is that the sides need each other. Forte wants to remain in Chicago, and the Bears won't be nearly as imposing without him. Bush is a solid back, but he has never had to carry the load. When he did assume starting duties for the Raiders over the second half of last season, after Darren McFadden was lost for the year with a foot injury, he averaged fewer than 3.6 yards per carry in six of the final seven games, had just one carry longer than 15 yards and totaled three rushing scores.
It's time for the Bears to stop telling Forte how valuable he is and show him instead. Actions speak much louder than words.
My previous posting is not my writing. It is from SI.
They aren't paying "gobs of money to bring in new guys." They paid Peppers a lot, but no one else. Obviously Peppers is a different type of player and easily has earned his money.
Bush didn't get a ton of money to come to Chicago and he is a good signing.
Frankly, Forte is being stupid. He could have taken $14-$15M guaranteed last year and gotten a huge raise last year. Now he lost a year and will get $16M guaranteed this year. He isn't going to get the $20M guaranteed of Arian Foster. He might be able so squeeze up to $17.5M, but that is about it.
The Bears manage themselves very well. It is just like the Giants or the Steelers - they don't break the bank on guys, but they pay well. There is nothing wrong with what they gave Briggs. When he signed his last contract he became one of the highest paid linebackers in the NFL. He got his money up front - perfectly fair and square. I am not sure what problem you saw with Harris' contract Deeps.
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