Matt Forte's contract situation with the Chicago Bears remains a prickly thorn in the side of a team with high hopes for 2012. Forte twisted that thorn Friday night. The Bears running back told WSCR-AM in Chicago he will likely skip training camp without a long-term deal from the team. This came hours after Forte told NFL Network's Kimberly Jones he was uncertain about his status for camp, but wouldn't sit out the 2012 season. Forte is not interested in signing his franchise tag, which would net him $7.7 million. He remains "optimistic" as the sides continue to dialogue, but admits the ongoing tussle has affected him. "You can't let it get too personal," he told the radio station. "I mean, it's always personal when you are dealing with the business side of the league because they are talking about you as a person. When you are an athlete and you've done everything that you've been asked to do and you've excelled out there on the field, and then you go out in the media and you see there is stuff written about you how they are devaluing you as a player at your position and saying that you are not as good as what you think you are or what the stats say -- I mean, the stats can't lie. If you have good stats and you are playing good, obviously you are a good player. So it gets personal when you are devalued like that." Source: NFL.com
That's the kicker about this... They loved him when he'd do any & everything when he was cheap but not now. Just like Cutler...they pay him but refused to spend for an OL/WRs. Rewind to all the crap they stirred up with Briggs till they finally realized he was more important than an aging #54. It's their modus operandi...follow the Papa Bear Halas blueprint to the bank. Only difference is Papa Bear at least loved the game while being a miserly heck. The McCaskeys just love their accountant.
