THE BACKFIELD SAGE

Matt Forte has seen just about everything during his decade-long football life, so he’ll be an invaluable resource for Petty amid the chaos. The veteran running back knows that “communication is going to be key” amid the super noise in the Superdome. Forte’s wisdom will be pivotal for Petty in his first start in John Morton’s offense.

“I’ll help him with the small things that he has to remember,” Forte said. “I know he has to think about a lot before the play. Not only calling the play, but the coverages.”

It’ll be a departure from the first three months when Forte practically shared a brain with veteran Josh McCown.

“When I’m back there with Josh, there’s nothing I really need to tell him,” Forte admitted. “I know he sees exactly what I’m seeing... With Bryce back there, not having been back there with him a lot... if we can take (anything) off his plate to make it easier — no matter how small it is — we’ll do that. Whether it’s with protections or just talking with him through different looks from watching film together, then that’s what we’re going to have to do.”

Forte is smart enough to aid — but not overload — the young signal caller before the snap.

“I’m not telling him what to do or how to do it,” Forte said. “You just make it known when you see something. If I see the guy in the slot capped by the safety, I’m like, ‘They may be blitzing.’ Just small things like that. Or if there’s a motion in the play that he might have forgotten, it’s like, ‘Hey, move the Y (receiver) over.’ It’s easy things like that just to take a little something off his plate.” playing a matter-offact position. Offensive linemen are the most practical people on every team. They tell it like it is. There’s no time for B.S. in the trenches.

“He’s been here. He’s been in this system all year,” Beachum said of Petty. “So, he understands it. It’s his time to shine. He has to go out and do what’s necessary to help us win, but we all do. It’s not just on him.”