Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday I wrote about how Chicago Bears star wide receiver Brandon Marshall is clearly less than 100 percent healthy. In that article, I briefly touched upon how this could be troubling news for Matt Forte’s fantasy value.
Fantasy owners must understand that when any player is injured, there is a clear domino effect. Marshall did nobody any favors with his recent comments, and now oppositions have an ace up their sleeve when it comes to the Bears. This is bad news for Forte owners.
With Marshall out, the Chicago air attack is virtually nonexistent. If Marshall can’t play, then Forte’s value takes a significant decline. Assuming Marshall is healthy enough to suit up, he will be facing the opposition’s top shutdown corner. The opponents will make him prove that Marshall can still get past them.
No disrespect to Earl Bennett, Martellus Bennett and Alshon Jeffrey, but nobody is scared of those guys. This leaves the opposing defenses one thing to worry about: Matt Forte. They should, because with a healthy Marshall to command respect from the defense, Forte can be a force.
Until Marshall proves he is still capable of making the opposition pay, they will focus the majority of their attention to stopping Matt Forte. Expect more men stacking the box, watching the check downs and crowding the line of scrimmage.
Of course, Forte is capable of eluding that, and if he does, watch out. With the majority of defenders crowding the line, if Forte can get to the second level, he does have the potential to make guys miss and the speed to outrun them. He will also likely gain targets as Marshall works his way back to 100 percent.
In a PPR format, Forte will still have value based on the catches, but the yardage totals might take a hit.
A healthy Marshall is great news not just for Bears fans, but Forte owners as well. Until Marshall is back, however, Forte will remain the only real threat on the Chicago offense, and the opposing defense will be doing their best to contain the only viable weapon left in the Chicago arsenal.
As always, I welcome your comments. If you think I’m wrong, I’m willing to listen. Just back it up with some facts and solid evidence. Thanks for reading and good luck this season.
Dustin Manko is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustinManko, ”Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2013/08/28/marques-colston-is-undervalued-in-standard-fantasy-football-drafts/
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