By Dan Arkush
Sept. 8, 2008

How sweet it was!

Bears boosters might want to make special note of the first really big play in Matt Forté’s career — a beautiful 50-yard TD run on third down with 4:59 left in the first quarter that set the tone for the Bears’ stunning 29-13 upset victory over the Colts in the team’s Sunday-night prime-time opener in Indianapolis.

It might also set the tone for what could be a surprisingly successful Bears season if Forté can pick up where he left off in Week One.

Forté, the first rookie running back to start a game for the Bears since Walter “Sweetness” Payton in 1975, gained 100 yards in the first half alone and finished the evening with 123 yards rushing on 23 carries and 18 yards receiving on three catches in a most impressive debut performance.

The PFW spin

OLB Lance Briggs’ blast directed at the Bears last week for trading RB Thomas Jones certainly lost a lot of its sting after Forté’s formidable season-opening effort that could quickly make Jones’ time in Chicago a distant memory. There was much to like about Forté’s all-around excellent performance. Not only did he continue to look poised beyond his years, he also showed impressive toughness, looking no worse for the wear after getting his shoulder heavily taped after absorbing blows from the likes of hard-hitting Colts S Bob Sanders.

Every time Forté touches the ball, it appears more evident that he is well-suited for the every-down role Bears GM Jerry Angelo had predicted he could handle.

Providing just as much reason for optimism as Forté’s performance in the season opener was the solid run blocking by an offensive line that has suffered its share of criticism. On Forté’s 50-yard TD scamper, ORG Roberto Garza opened up a hefty hole, and Bears linemen did a good job all night paving the way for the new kid on the block.

One game does not make a pro career, but Forté was impressive enough to already warrant serious consideration for Rookie of the Year honors, provided he remains healthy.

Our Fantasy take

In one fell swoop, Forté has moved up the charts from being a solid No. 3 fantasy back to a bona fide starter with the potential to ring up big-time fantasy numbers. The suggestion here is to keep starting him until further notice. If he continues to excel this Sunday in Carolina — against a Panthers defense that did a reasonably good job keeping defending rushing champion LaDainian Tomlinson at bay in Week One — the sky could be the limit for the Bears’ silky-smooth second-round pick.