Depth chart says it all: Forte wins starting job

BOURBONNAIS - It didn't take long for rookie running back Matt Forte to claim the starting job.

It became official when the depth chart for Thursday's preseason opener was distributed. But Forte hadn't been informed before he was interviewed, so he wasn't taking anything for granted.

"I haven't heard that yet, so I'm still in the same mind-set, I'm at the bottom of the totem pole," the second-round pick from Tulane said. "I've got to work my way up."

In the off-season and through the first half of training camp, Forte shared the first-team reps with veteran Adrian Peterson, but he has impressed coaches in almost every phase of the game, on the field and in the classroom. According to Forte, though, he's still got a long way to go.

"We haven't even played a game," he said. "But that's why we have these preseason games, so I can show them."

There are specific aspects of his play Forte would like to display against the Chiefs.

"I just have to show them how I play against full contact," he said. "Just be consistent, no mental errors and run all the plays right with no mistakes, hold on to the ball and make positive plays."

Field coach: Marty Booker has replaced Muhsin Muhammad as the elder statesman among the receiving corps, and while the 31-year-old Booker might not make as much of a show of it, he's a more legitimate mentor to the younger wideouts than his predecessor, who was known for tossing teammates under the bus.

"Marty's not a real vocal guy, but he leads pretty much by example," wide receivers coach Darryl Drake said. "Guys can go to him, and he's not one of those guys who isn't going to give the guys the time that they need. He knows a few little tricks of the trade as far as it relates to getting open, and he's constantly sharing those things with those guys."

Booker can be an extension of the coaching staff on the field in the heat of battle.

"Sometimes that's real important, because as a coach, you tell a guy something over and over again, but I'm not out there playing," Drake said. "Sometimes a guy that's out there can give them a little bit more insight or confirm some of the things that I've been telling them."

Ready to roll: Cornerback Charles Tillman was excused from seven of the first 11 practices because of a family illness, but he's been back for the past four and said he should be fine for Thursday night's preseason opener.

"I don't think anyone likes to practice," he said. "We play this game because we like (Sundays), but we have to put in that hard work. It starts in training camp, so yeah, I'm happy to be out here."

Here and gone: Guard Chester Adams, a seventh-round draft pick from Georgia, practiced for the first time Monday night after beginning camp on the non-football injury list because of an intestinal problem. ... Wide receiver Devin Hester, guard Terrence Metcalf, defensive linemen Dan Bazuin and Marcus Harrison and linebacker Michael Okwo missed the scheduled night practice, which was cut short because of lightning in the area. Anthony Oakley took first team reps in place of Metcalf.