INDIANAPOLIS – A trip to Indianapolis meant getting a chance to hang out with a good friend for Bears running back Matt Forte.
And that meant a “Kodak moment” with Colts running back Frank Gore was needed after practice Wednesday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, the Colts’ practice facility.
“It was a no-brainer that I would come and get a photo with him and show him some love,” Forte said. “I wish him the best of luck in Indy. They’ve got a good offense and a good team period. He’s got the ability to have some success here.”
Forte and Gore have trained together at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami since Forte’s rookie year in 2008. At 32, Gore is a good model for longevity for all running backs.
“They’re getting a solid player,” Forte said. “He’s going to be productive. He knows how to take care of his body as well. That’s why he’s shown he should be playing this long.”
Forte, 29, plans to the same in a contract year. Forte wants to remain with the Bears, but teams do move on, especially from older running backs.
Gore signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Colts after 10 seasons with the 49ers and 11,073 rushing yards.
“I don’t really wake up and look at what age I am every day,” Forte said. “I kind of know that. So I don’t worry about what they say about running backs and turning 30 and going on 30 or whatever.”
After sitting out the first preseason game, Forte expects to play Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. But coach John Fox hinted that Forte’s workload and availability could change by then.
“We’ll just kind of play that by ear as the week goes,” Fox said. “We’ll see how the work goes here. These are a little bit brisker practices because they are competitive. We’ll be smart with him, but we’ll also get him some work, so he’ll be ready for the opener.”
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