Bears Notes: Matt Forte Keeps Focus On The Present
(CBS) Bears running back Matt Forte, 29, is entering the final season of a four-year, nearly $32-million deal that he signed before the 2012 season, but he vowed to not let the uncertainty of the future affect his play or spirit.
"I'm just banking on continuing to produce like I always do and then at the end of the season -- or maybe during the season -- something happens," Forte said Thursday after the team's first training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.
"I was compensated correctly four years ago At the end of this deal, we'll see what happens."
Forte rushed for 1,038 yards and six touchdowns on 266 carries in 2014. He also caught 102 passes -- an NFL record for a running back -- for 808 yards and four scores. He expects his carries to go up and catches to go down in a new offense led by coach John Fox and coordinator Adam Gase.
"It will look entirely different probably," Forte said of the offense. "We threw the ball a whole lot last year. Obviously, catching 100 balls is not my goal as a running back. This year, coach Fox loves to run the ball and establish the ball. Plus, if you run the ball and run it effectively, you get to control the clock.
"If we can control the pace of the game, grind out tough yards and score, that's what we're going to do."
Asked if he truly expected that after hearing the tune in previous years, Forte responded, "I believe so."
"I love our offensive line," Forte said. "They want to run the ball like that.
"Coach Fox doesn't call the plays, but if Adam starts to throw it a little more, he'll tell Adam, 'Hey, let's run it.'"
White's shin not a long-term concern
Bears rookie receiver Kevin White's shin injury that has forced him to open training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list isn't a long-term worry, Fox said.
The team's first-round draft pick, White injured his shin in one of the later sessions of offseason OTAs. The Bears told him to stay off the injury for the past month, and he needs to work on his conditioning before returning to practice.
The team hasn't specified exactly what the shin injury is.
"He's day to day," Fox said. "It's not a long-term problem, but like any injury, a blister can become a long-term problem if you don't treat it right. We're just trying to do the proper treatment and do what's in his best interest."
In other injury news, edge rusher Lamarr Houston said he's "100 percent" in his return from a torn ACL, but he'll gradually return to full activity and speed, per the team's request.
Bennett: 'No hard feelings' about contract status
After missing the team's entire voluntary offseason program amid a contract dispute, tight end Martellus Bennett has put any disagreements behind him, he said.
"It's just business," Bennett said. "I have no hard feelings against anybody. Some business deals go the way you want, some (don't) ... For me, it's just another business deal, and it's just the way it is. Some deals get done. Some don't. Still got to come to work and do my job."
Bennett has two years left on his current deal, and he's set to be paid $4.9 million this year and nearly $5.1 million in 2016. Bennett's pay puts him in the middle tier of starting NFL tight ends, according to overthecap.com, after he had a Pro Bowl season in 2014,when he had 90 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns.
"I'm not even worried about a contract right now," Bennett said. "Just like every other outfielder out here, I'm trying to make as many plays as I can.
"The only thing I can control is my performance on the field."