Future might be now with Forte

Running back Matt Forte claims he was drafted in the second round to create competition, not controversy.

From the moment Forte was chosen 44th overall, the general consensus, especially among those disenchanted with Cedric Benson's performance last season, has been that Forte will be the Bears' featured runner sooner rather than later.

Benson's arrest Saturday night might speed the process, but Forte isn't taking anything for granted.

More Coverage Links Forte's career highlights

"I didn't really read too much about it because I already knew the situation," Forte said, speaking not of Benson's arrest but of the Bears' running back situation.

"You can't really read what's on the Internet and what's in the paper because it'll just mess your head up anyway, so I just try to stay focused and come out here and play on the field and do what I have to do."

Last season at Tulane, Forte was the focal point of the Green Wave attack, rushing 361 times for 2,127 yards, the seventh-highest total in NCAA Division I history, and he also caught 32 passes for 282 yards.

Unlike many featured runners, Forte has been described as a willing blocker. All those skills were on display over the weekend during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.

Although Forte isn't making any predictions about his impact, he's not planning to waste any time establishing himself as someone capable of contributing to a Bears offense desperately in need of improvement.

"I can do a lot of things, catch the ball, run the ball, pass block," Forte said. "I'm going to contribute wherever I can."

But Forte realizes he will need more than physical skills to get on the field in a significant role when the season starts. Benson's role was diminished early in his career because his recognition in pass-blocking situations was deficient, and he has yet to establish himself as a reliable pass receiver.

"The quickest way to get on the field is to learn your pass protections," Forte said. "If you can block and protect the quarterback, then you can run your routes and catch the ball. It's really the fastest way to get on the field."

It's unlikely that by the start of the season Bears coaches will be hesitant to put Forte on the field in any situation. They already know he has the innate ability to run the ball and catch it, but he knows he can improve on the little things that make a back complete.

"Running the ball is a natural ability, and there are little things to work on with that," Forte said, "but most of all you want to work on pass blocking, knowing who to block each time, catching the ball when it's thrown to you, and protecting the ball."

According to Forte, learning all the nuances that come with playing running back in the NFL can take a long time or a little. He seems to be in a hurry.

"If you come out here and practice 100 percent every day, it's going to come faster than for some other guys," he said. "I (practice) full speed, just like the game mode every play."

That attitude and his work ethic are part of what attracted the Bears to Forte, but the key consideration was his all-around ability to make them a better football team immediately.

"He has excellent speed, he has good size, he can make you miss," coach Lovie Smith said. "All the things you look for in a good running back, he has."