Bears Free Agent Signings

[WEFFPIM]

It doesn't take much to piss off a stupid person.

[jl342323]

Well, if they were trying to piss off Forte - Mission Accomplished!

From the twitter:

@MattForte22 - There's only so many times that a man that has done everything he's been asked to do can be disrespected! Guess the GOOD GUYS do finish last...

Not sure how protecting yourself against a holdout equals disrespecting a guy.

If we REALLY wanted to move on, I'd give Carolina a call and see what the asking price is for Jonathon Stewart who is AT LEAST Forte's equal. Now that they've signed Mike Tolbert they go 4 deep at RB and are probably looking to deal from depth.

carolina would be getting two overpaid rbs. i really really like J stewart. (had him for fantasy two years in a row) jstew, in my opinion is a better overall rb than forte. jstew has to stay healthy tho

are you guys reading what gregolsen is tweeting. it seems hes still too bitter

[Midway Bully]

Well, if they were trying to piss off Forte - Mission Accomplished!

From the twitter:

@MattForte22 - There's only so many times that a man that has done everything he's been asked to do can be disrespected! Guess the GOOD GUYS do finish last...

I don't see why Forte is pissed. It's a business, and should be dealt as such. He is coming off an injury, was tagged with 7 million gauranteed dollars for one year of work. The Bears were offering 15 mil guaranteed on a longer contract, and he has a chance to earn that half that in a year. Yeah, I know it sucks not having a long term deal, but if he's willing to play hardball, the Bears will have to do the same. He does good this year, he'll get that killer contract, whether or not the Bears are the ones to give it to him.

Sorry, Matt.

[Chewie]

carolina would be getting two overpaid rbs. i really really like J stewart. (had him for fantasy two years in a row) jstew, in my opinion is a better overall rb than forte. jstew has to stay healthy tho

are you guys reading what gregolsen is tweeting. it seems hes still too bitter

I'm not saying deal Forte to Carolina, though, if that's what you're suggesting. They're prob looking for picks here.

[Red-Bulls83]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the Bears are offering Forte and what type of money he is actually looking for?

[Chewie]

Anyone else take that "GOOD GUYS" bit as a Brandon Marshall dig ?

I did.

[Midway Bully]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the Bears are offering Forte and what type of money he is actually looking for?

The previous offer to Forte amounted to between $13 and 14 million in guaranteed money, a source told ESPNChicago.com, and talks broke down just before the start of last season, when the 26-year-old running back declined to accept the first and only deal extended by the club.

Probably looking around 30 mil in full, 4 or 5 years. Looking back, that offer is a lowball, but it makes a little bit more sense now. I'm guessing that Bears maybe added a couple mil to that offer, but Forte wasn't having any of it. He is probably looking for Chris Johnson money. I know the dude was on pace for 2000 TY before his injury, but after the injury, I think the Bears became a little apprehensive. Look, a 7 mil tag, all guaranteed, is nothing to be unhappy about. If he performs well this season, he'll get that contract. It's a damn business man, don't give us that whole nice guys finish last crap. You could do a whole lot worse.

[organix85]

It doesn't take much to piss off a stupid person.

This...

[SportsWorld]

**** Forte. Just trade his ass. Love the Michael Bush signing. Forte is getting pissed over absolutely nothing.

[alucr]

Anyone else take that "GOOD GUYS" bit as a Brandon Marshall dig ?

I did.

Interesting....I didn't think about that. Maybe it is.

Either way I have been saying it for a long time: do not pay running backs. Forte is a great player, but all RBs are replaceable. I don't mind short contracts, but he is no Adrian Peterson, so he isn't getting that type of money.

[Midway Bully]

Anyone else take that "GOOD GUYS" bit as a Brandon Marshall dig ?

I did.

Interesting....I didn't think about that. Maybe it is.

Either way I have been saying it for a long time: do not pay running backs. Forte is a great player, but all RBs are replaceable. I don't mind short contracts, but he is no Adrian Peterson, so he isn't getting that type of money.

The whole injury sitch with AP proves the point that Forte made a mistake by not signing that contract. AP signed that big contract, and suffered a serious injury during the season. Now AP is a freak, and even with the injury issues he had at OU, he beasted in the NFL, and he'll probably be the same back after this injury. Forte had that MCL sprain that greatly affected his play in 2009, and if he happens to go down again, the Bears will have a legitimate RB in Bush. If anything Forte should be happy that the team is putting pieces around him that will translate to overall success.

RBs have a short shelf life, and I agree that it's a bitch being a RB, but it's a business at the end of the day. Matt's a smart dude, and he should know better. Dude got a finance degree for a reason.

Jive turkeys man.

[bulletbill]

Pats lost Green Ellis to FA, they have two 1st picks & just restructured Brady's deal to free cap room. Think they'll make an offer to CHI for their 27th pick? I know Pats never relied on the run game & have been contenders for over 10 yrs, but they might want to mix things up after putting up only 17 & 14 pts in their last 2 SBs. Patriots can get away with their defense sucking, but their O could def. be more balanced. Forte would help NE big time.

For Chicago, need the cap room to re-up Okoye & other possible extensions. I know Lovie is salivating at the thought of injecting top flite youth into his D, I can see us drafting DE & CB with those 1st rounders. Then in the 2nd maybe get that Rb of the future i.e. Lamar Miller.

[Chewie]

Pats lost Green Ellis to FA, they have two 1st picks & just restructured Brady's deal to free cap room. Think they'll make an offer to CHI for their 27th pick? I know Pats never relied on the run game & have been contenders for over 10 yrs, but they might want to mix things up after putting up only 17 & 14 pts in their last 2 SBs. Patriots can get away with their defense sucking, but their O could def. be more balanced. Forte would help NE big time.

For Chicago, need the cap room to re-up Okoye & other possible extensions. I know Lovie is salivating at the thought of injecting top flite youth into his D, I can see us drafting DE & CB with those 1st rounders. Then in the 2nd maybe get that Rb of the future i.e. Lamar Miller.

I dunno - Pats spent a 2nd and 3rd rd draft pick on RB last year and I'm guessing they're going to give those guys (Vereen and Ridley) first dibs. Color me super-intrigued, though, at the prospect of getting younger at RB (either via trade or the draft) and dealing Forte if he's overvaluing himself.

Note that Forte would need to sign the tender first in order to trade him which he has not done. Clearly any team dealing for Forte would need seek permission with the Bears to talk long term contract with his agent first. Wonder what a 26yr old back like Forte coming off a pro bowl would yield in terms of picks? Mid to late 1st rd pick sounds about right...

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Pats lost Green Ellis to FA, they have two 1st picks & just restructured Brady's deal to free cap room. Think they'll make an offer to CHI for their 27th pick? I know Pats never relied on the run game & have been contenders for over 10 yrs, but they might want to mix things up after putting up only 17 & 14 pts in their last 2 SBs. Patriots can get away with their defense sucking, but their O could def. be more balanced. Forte would help NE big time.

For Chicago, need the cap room to re-up Okoye & other possible extensions. I know Lovie is salivating at the thought of injecting top flite youth into his D, I can see us drafting DE & CB with those 1st rounders. Then in the 2nd maybe get that Rb of the future i.e. Lamar Miller.

That's an interesting thought.

I don't think that Forte is foolish enough to holdout, though.

[Midway Bully]

Pats lost Green Ellis to FA, they have two 1st picks & just restructured Brady's deal to free cap room. Think they'll make an offer to CHI for their 27th pick? I know Pats never relied on the run game & have been contenders for over 10 yrs, but they might want to mix things up after putting up only 17 & 14 pts in their last 2 SBs. Patriots can get away with their defense sucking, but their O could def. be more balanced. Forte would help NE big time.

For Chicago, need the cap room to re-up Okoye & other possible extensions. I know Lovie is salivating at the thought of injecting top flite youth into his D, I can see us drafting DE & CB with those 1st rounders. Then in the 2nd maybe get that Rb of the future i.e. Lamar Miller.

I dunno - Pats spent a 2nd and 3rd rd draft pick on RB last year and I'm guessing they're going to give those guys (Vereen and Ridley) first dibs. Color me super-intrigued, though, at the prospect of getting younger at RB (either via trade or the draft) and dealing Forte if he's overvaluing himself.

Note that Forte would need to sign the tender first in order to trade him which he has not done. Clearly any team dealing for Forte would need seek permission with the Bears to talk long term contract with his agent first. Wonder what a 26yr old back like Forte coming off a pro bowl would yield in terms of picks? Mid to late 1st rd pick sounds about right...

I doubt the Pats flip a first for Forte. Nothing the Patriots have done in the past suggests that either. Do you really think the Pats will give Forte a bigger contract than the Bears? If anything, the Patriots could just pick up another RB themselves in the draft.