Bloggers, sports yakkers and your co-workers are all talking about the Bears, and more specifically the lack of production from Matt Forte.

The O-line is brutal. Forte isn’t getting the holes he had last year. That’s everybody’s main concern. It’s kind of hard to put the decrease in production on Forte until he gets some consistent, solid blocking up front. However, Forte does look different on the field. Here’s what I see:

• He goes down more on first contact
• He’s running into the line with his head down (aka The Aging Neal Anderson)
• When he gets to the outside, linebackers catch him
• Even though he was never a speedster, he looks a bit slower than last year, even on his big runs.

Could Forte’s health be a factor? Forte had a hamstring injury in the preseason. And then he got hurt in the Seattle game and said this:

“That’s part of football: You have to play hurt. You’ve got to be smart about it. But if you can play, you play. (The knee) doesn’t feel natural, but you still have to go out there and make the most of it. Part of that is on me. I’ve got to break a few tackles. I’ve got to make something happen. Once I make a little move, I have to gain 20, 30 yards. I have to pop the big one.”

I had hoped to see a more explosive Forte after the bye, but that didn’t happen. If the Bears O-Line could protect Cutler long enough so the Bears could work more passes downfield, perhaps it would open up some much needed room for Forte. But Cutler is seemingly forced to get rid of the ball quickly on every play. Plus, the Bears run wildcat with Hester. Why not with Forte?

The Bears season has been exciting to date. But we are dying to see the rookie version of Forte.

More on Matt Forte:

What’s Wrong With Matt Forte i94 Sports

How I Learned to Hate the O-Line NQTC

Bears Sloppy in Ugly Loss to Falcons Bear Goggles