Rookie Matt Forte doing it all

Eagles dual-threat running back Brian Westbrook, who led the NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage last season, might not be healthy enough to contribute much in tonight's nationally televised game because of an ankle injury, but Bears rookie Matt Forte has been doing a pretty good Westbrook imitation.

Forte is on pace for 2,181 yards from scrimmage and has already emerged as the Bears' most productive offensive weapon.

"He's certainly ahead of the curve," said Bears quarterback Kyle Orton. "He's picked up the system very quickly. I don't think he has any issues with it, learning protections or plays. He knows his assignments, and he's just a great athlete, so he can make the plays."

It's not much of a surprise Forte leads the Bears with 304 rushing yards. He rushed for 2,127 yards last year at Tulane. But he also is tied for the team lead with 13 receptions and second in receiving yards with 105. The Bears drafted him in the second round in part because they liked his hands, but the most passes he ever caught for the Green Wave was 32, and he's well ahead of that pace.

"I think he has just about everything you look for as far as an offensive guy who can get the job done, whether it's catching the ball out of the backfield, lining up outside or running the football," Bears coach Lovie Smith said.

Forte failed to come up with a contested ball in the end zone last week, which was intercepted by linebacker Barrett Ruud, but that's one of the rare times he hasn't played like a seasoned veteran.

"Of course he would like to make that one long catch, but he's not perfect," Smith said. "Beyond that, you can't really complain about anything he's done in any position we've put him. And we have been able to showcase him at a lot of different positions and hopefully that will grow, too."

Forte's immediate impact hasn't come as a surprise to the well-grounded 22-year old.

"I'm attaining my expectations and some of my goals," he said, "which is to come in and be an impact player and be a go-to guy when we need yards and points."