Why the Jets should have second doubts about Matt Forte
The New York Jets signed the former running back from the Chicago Bears. What could possibly go wrong?
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Jets have to wonder if years have finally caught up to Matt Forte | New York Post |
| Source: nypost.com/2016/07/31/jets-have-to-wonder-if-years-have-finally-caught-up-to-matt-forte/ | |
30. Years. Old. This is the disturbing age of Matt Forte who arrived from free agency. In football, this is the equivalent of playing the sport at 60 years of age. After 8 seasons in the NFL since entering in 2008, who knows how much he has left? 2,035 career rushing attempts and 487 career receptions have taken a toll on his legs and body. There is not much tread left in those tires. There is a reason why the Bears didn’t resign Matt and let him go in the offseason. As good a player as he was for Chicago, he was not worth bringing back to the team. The only reason the Jets brought him in was to replace Chris Ivory, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. No other team in the NFL was willing to offer him a contract but somehow New York did.
Another reason why Forte wasn’t a good signing is because of injuries. How did he get this current injury? By running on his own while preparing for training camp. At his age, any small tweak can cause an injury, which is only the beginning. Injuries take longer to heal at his advanced age, drawing setbacks. When will Matt be back? “I have no idea,” said Todd Bowles. Even the head coach is clueless on his timetable. Forte’s hamstring injury will continue to linger and will extend past the OTAs.
Old age and injuries are just one of many factors that will affect this running back in 2016. With so much going against him, it would not be a surprise if Forte is a flop for Gang Green. The only positive thing is that New York has Bilal Powell as a solid backup but it would have been better if the Jets had made him the featured back and not brought in an aging veteran. All Jets fans can do is wait for his hamstring to heal and hope that no further issues arise during the season.
