hagan714

Forté happy with his numbers

With stock rising, he does limited work at Tulane pro day
Friday, March 14, 2008By Mike Triplett

Matt Forté put on such an impressive show at the NFL combine last month that there wasn't much need for an encore.
Tulane's record-breaking tailback made little more than a cameo appearance at the Green Wave's Pro Day on Thursday. He was weighed and measured, and he performed some running back drills. But he didn't run the 40-yard dash or perform any of the workout drills.
"I had a good performance at the combine, and everybody saw that. So it's good to stand on your numbers. I was happy with my numbers," said Forté, who ran the 40 in 4.46 seconds in Indianapolis, the seventh-fastest time among tailbacks. "I just came out here to show them I can catch the ball and do what they wanted me to do."

Forté has been soaring up the draft boards in recent weeks, thanks to his Offensive MVP performance at the Senior Bowl in January and his impressive showing at the combine.
In Indianapolis, he also had a vertical leap of 33 inches and did 23 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press. He ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.23 seconds and the 60-yard shuttle in 11.49 seconds.
He measured 6 feet, 1 2/8 inches and 221 pounds Thursday, showing the handful of scouts and coaches in attendance that he is still in good shape.
"Of course it's nice to see your hard work pay off," said Forté, who likely has elevated himself into the second round of the draft, if not higher. "You come out here and perform, and the coaches see that you worked hard and that you take this seriously."
Forté spent the first few months of winter preparing for the combine at the Perfect Competition athletic development center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He since has been working out at Tulane.
He has a scheduled visit with the Atlanta Falcons next week and another with the Chicago Bears in early April. His calendar will get more loaded as the draft approaches.
Forté said he knows this is no time to be letting up. A lot of times, players fall off their workouts and gain some weight during the audition process.

"You've got to just watch what you eat, keep working out, don't relax," Forté said. "It's not over. It's just the beginning, actually."
Carolina Panthers running backs coach Jim Skipper and Jacksonville Jaguars running backs coach Kennedy Pola were at Tulane's practice facilities to get a closer look at Forté. Scouts from the Saints, Panthers and Dallas Cowboys also attended.
The Saints' scouts, who ran most of the drills, will share their numbers with other teams throughout the league.

Former Tulane quarterback Lester Ricard, who plays for the Jaguars, threw to the receivers during their position drills.
Forté was one of 11 Tulane seniors or graduates who performed for the scouts, in addition to 10 or 12 underclassmen, who performed earlier in the morning. All are considered long shots for the draft, but a few could catch on as undrafted free agents. The others were center Aryan Barto, receivers DaMarcus Davis and Kenneth Guidroz, tight end Gabe Ratcliff, defensive linemen Antonio Harris, Frank Morton, Avery Williams and Billy Harrison and defensive backs Joe Goosby and Carlis Jackson.
Barto had a pretty impressive day, especially on the bench press, where he did 33 reps of 225 pounds. He also jumped 29 1/2 inches in the vertical, 8 feet, 8 1/2 inches in the standing broad, and was unofficially clocked in 5.15 seconds in the 40.
"I knew I had to come here and show what I could do before anything was going to happen," Barto said. "I was shooting for over 30 (in the bench press). It was good to have a day like I had today. My body was up to it."
Harris' best 40 time was an unofficial 4.86 seconds. He jumped 28 1/2 inches and 8 feet, 7 inches, and he did 27 reps on the bench press.
Harrison finished his eligibility at Tulane after the 2006 season, but he didn't catch on with any pro teams, so he's hoping to catch someone's eye this time around. He looked to be in great shape Thursday, jumping 39 inches and 9 feet, 11 1/2 inches. He did 25 reps on the bench press and was clocked in 4.93 seconds before tweaking his hamstring in the 40.
LSU is scheduled to hold its Pro Day on March 26. That will be more of a must-see event in the NFL community. The Tigers have at least eight draft hopefuls, including top prospect Glenn Dorsey, who will perform all of his workout drills for the first time after skipping them at the combine.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

papz

I have him going in the first round. Someone is going to get a hell of a back.

SmashMouth

Homer pick in the first!

He might get drafted, but not in the first. I agree he would be a good pick up in the later rounds.

papz

The only problem with what you said is that I'm not a Tulane fan... so that kind of kills it I would think.

Budsdrinker

Only for you people who believe LSU is the only school in the state.

rjakapeanut

definitely a second round pick imo

thesaintsfan

I had him going in the second but I didn't expect him to run under 4.5. I knew he fast for his height/weight but I didn't know he was that fast! His height/weight/speed ratio will have scouts drooling. Depending on what happens with Deuce I wouldn't mind seeing us take him in the second. He would be the hammer we need. One of my concerns is that if you watch him on tape you'll notice that he runs straight up. If a RB coach can teach him proper lean and pad level he will be a good pro.

foreverfan

Question of the day...
Why would you draft Forte if Hester is on the board?

Geaux Tigers... The only team in the State... College that is!!!

hagan714

You know if we are to reach on a RB he is atop of my list. Tulane by no means had a dominate OL, well center Aryan Barto is an interesting prospect in the later rounds. I always like the way he played in the few games I watched. He has a bit of old school to him. Do not run straight out of bounds, take the hit, glance off it and then go out of bounds. Get that extra half yard. He is more than willing to lower his shoulders and take on a tackler. I knew he was big but I did not expect him to messure up to his listed size in college. Then straight line speed is excellent. But his burst is really surprising for a man of his size.
Trade back in the second and take him? I could easily live with that gamble.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

pakowitz

forte' really impressed me when tulane played LSU.. he was all over the field.. and he has solid hands too... very underrated player..