Forte Takes Licking, Keeps on Ticking

Many assumed the Jets would go with more of a straight RB platoon between Matt Forte and Bilal Powell in 2016.

After all, over his eight years in Chicago, Forte carried the ball 2,305 times to go along with 487 receptions.

Let’s not forget he also had 833 carries and 103 receptions during his four seasons at Tulane.

That is quite the workload, and throw in the fact that he turns 31 in December, the prediction in many circles was the Jets would try to limit his touches.

In the Jets’ first game of the season, he touched the ball 28 times amassing 155 yards. In Week Two in Buffalo, he carried the ball 30 times to go along with two receptions.

The next two games, his workload dipped a little, only because the Jets fell way behind in each game, and had to abandon the run.

Nonetheless, Forte’s early season workload has surprised many people.

But not those at One Jets Drive.

“He’s a guy that we want touch the ball a lot, so whether it’s in the pass game or the run game, we’re going to try to get him the ball,” said Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Though this looks like a dangerous plan for an older back who has carried the ball so often, the Jets and Forte don’t seem concerned.