Turf, grass it's all the same to Forte
By TOM MUSICK -- Shaw Suburban Media
LAKE FOREST – Statistics suggest that Bears running back Matt Forte is better on turf.
Forte averaged 4.7 yards a carry and scored five touchdowns in 101 rushing attempts on turf last season. On grass, he averaged 3.6 yards a carry and scored three touchdowns in 215 rushing attempts.
“Must be a coincidence,” Forte said Thursday after the Bears finished practice at Halas Hall. “I don’t really care what surface we play on. I played on turf on college, [but] it doesn’t matter to me.”
Most Bears expect to play their fastest-paced game of the season because of the Georgia Dome’s surface. Forte was not so sure that the speed of the game would vary much from previous games this season.
“It’s faster than some grass,” Forte said. “Some of the grass is short just like turf is.”
Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said neither team would benefit more from the turf.
“We’re all playing on the same surfaces,” he said. “We are a fast defense, so you should see us flying around the ball a lot faster, especially because we’re indoors. They’re going to be faster, and so are we.”
Gimme shelter: Speaking of turf, the Bears moved their practice inside Thursday as a cold, steady rain fell at Halas Hall. They have practiced outside all but a few times since the season started.
“It’s always good to come inside,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “Since we’re going to play on turf, it really gets us ready for the game.”
The Bears pumped in crowd noise to prepare for a loud stadium. They used the same tactic to prepare for hostile crowds in Green Bay and Seattle earlier this season.
Same guy: Bears players and coaches have talked about how Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan looked like a different, more confident player in his second season in the NFL.
Bears linebacker Lance Briggs was not convinced.
“He looks the same,” Briggs deadpanned. “Same height, same build. Not much difference.”
Bears bits: Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer (rib) and running back Adrian Peterson (knee) did not practice Thursday. … Israel Idonije (knee) and Anthony Adams (toe) returned to practice, although the team limited which drills they took part in.
