Jets’ Matt Forte confident he can carry heavy load
Matt Forte of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Credit: Jim McIsaac
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Two games into the season, it’s clear that even though he’s 30 years old, Matt Forte is going to be the same workhorse for the Jets that he was for the Bears. He has rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns on 52 carries and caught seven passes for 68 yards.
Forte has missed only eight games in nine NFL seasons and credits his offseason training for sustaining him. “I have no doubt I can continue to play how I’ve been playing,” he said. “In football, we know injuries happen, but I do a lot of different things in my diet and workout regimen to get me prepared for Sunday. I’m able to play at a high level every week.”
Todd Bowles insisted that Forte won’t touch the ball 25 to 30 times every week because of the need to keep him healthy, but he marveled at how well Forte takes care of his body compared to when Bowles was a defensive back for the Redskins.
“We had McDonald’s every day for lunch — a quarter-pounder with cheese, apple pie and French fries,” Bowles said with a laugh. “Friday was Italian day when we had pizza and Italian food. Monday through Thursday, we had McDonald’s. Every day. No lie.”
Get ready for noise in KC
Ryan Fitzpatrick said Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City might be the loudest venue in the NFL. “Seattle obviously is real loud, but Arrowhead is right up there,” he said. “It’s almost kind of a college atmosphere with all the excitement and how into the Chiefs the fans are. It will be a difficult test for us.”
Jet streams
It sounds as though Forte doesn’t miss Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Describing Fitzpatrick’s style, Forte said, “It’s been a breath of fresh air. Ryan brings an element of looseness to the huddle. It’s not so serious all the time.” . . . In addition to wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, guard James Carpenter (thigh) and linebacker Erin Henderson (foot) did not practice . . . Quarterback Bryce Petty (shoulder) threw on the side for the first time since being injured in the preseason.
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
