Matt Forte vs. Cedric Benson
Running back Matt Forte had one of the most unforgettable rookie years last season with the Bears. This season has been most forgettable. Cedric Benson can probably sympathize. The former Bears running back struggled in his three seasons in Chicago, but now he’s among the NFL’s best. The change in their fortunes has people asking what’s going on. We’ll try to answer the only way we know how — RedEye faceoff!
2009 STATS
Forte
Yardage: 294
Touchdowns: 1
X Benson
Yardage: 531
Touchdowns: 4
ROOKIE AS A BEAR
X Forte
1,238 yards, 8 touchdowns, 3.9 yards per carry, 63 receptions for 477 yards and 4 touchdowns, 1 fumble
Benson
272 yards, 0 touchdowns, 4.1 yards per carry, 1 reception, 1 fumble
OFF-FIELD ANTICS
X Forte
We’re still looking …
Benson
There was the drunken boating episode that he was eventually cleared of and the drunken driving charges that he also was cleared of.
FIGHTING WORDS
X Forte
On his critics: “I don’t care what they talk about because they love you one minute and as soon as you do something , they hate you the next.”
Benson
On his former team: “I heard all the rumors that were said coming out of Chicago. Even the Bengals said they would call and inquire about me and get nothing but negative things … that I didn’t work hard, that I was, I guess, a prima donna, didn’t work hard on the field, just wasn’t focused.”
ANAGRAM
X Forte
Fart Me Tot. This happens to parents a lot.
Benson
Bend Nicer Cos. Sounds like some advice he should have gotten in Chicago.
THE WINNER: Matt Forte
If the results were based on this year’s numbers alone, this would be no contest. Fortunately for Forte it is not.
