Whose To Blame For Running Game: Matt Forte Or The O-Line | Bearsbacker.com

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Could it be that the Bears running back Matt Forte is having a sophomore slump?

Maybe... Maybe not.

It could be the offensive line's fault or Matt Forte's fault. Maybe Forte is just not running hard enough. I think it is a mixture of both.

The Bears have three new starters on the offensive line, left tackle Orlando Pace, left guard Frank Omiyale and right tackle Chris Williams. Right guard Roberto Garza and center Olin Kreutz are returning starters from last year. Pace, Williams and Kreutz have played very well so far this season. To me Roberto Garza and Frank Omiyale have not played good enough. Personally I think Omiyale won the the starting gig over Josh Beekman because of his big free agent contract. Josh Beekman did a solid job last season blocking for Matt Forte. Roberto Garza has not been as good as he used to be so far this year. The guards on the offensive line seem to be the problem. Their not really creating running lanes for Matt Forte.

Matt Forte was so good last year even with an average offensive line. Last week Forte sort of broke out of his shell, when he averaged 3.1 yards per carry with 60 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe, who have been used sparingly have done a solid job running the ball. Maybe, the Bears just are not a run first offense anymore. They seem to be doing just fine without have big running days. Jay Cutler has done very well throwing the ball this season. Even though I love the way were playing with Jay Cutler leading the way, I would still like to see the Bears step up on the ground. Maybe will see that this Sunday against the Lions. Hopefully Matt Forte busts out for a big run against the hot streaking Lions.

No one can know who or what is the problem with the Bears running game this season, but it is easy to point fingers. I expect the Bears to have a big running day against the Lions.

Jake Perper is the creator of http://www.bearsbacker.com/ and also covers the Bears for http://www.nfltouchdown.com/ and http://mvn.com/fromthemidway/

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October 4, 2009 03:45 AM ET

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I think Frankie O is the big reason the running game has yet to get on track. Watching the games again I could see that Omiyale is just a turnstile at the LG position. He either whiffs on the block or just gets a piece of the defender has he is blowing by Omiyale. He is horrible and Lovie needs to finally put his foot down and start Beekman over fat, free agent contract Omiyale.