Forte: Gang Green has ‘a lot of talent’
Despite losing their top two quarterbacks, top three wide receivers, and starting center, Matt Forte sees potential. Despite producing just 13 points in two preseason games, he is optimistic. Despite an underwhelming quarterback competition light on positive moments, Forte believes there is promise. “We have a lot of talent,” the 31-year-old running back insisted Tuesday after going through his first full practice since suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain July 31. “We have enough talent to make plays and score points.” On paper, the Jets’ offense looks like a wasteland of unproven journeymen and low draft picks, a unit that may challenge historical records for futility. Two of their more talented players, wide receiver Jalin Marshall and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, will miss the early part of the season with suspensions, four and two games, respectively, further limiting an already thin base of playmakers. But Forte, the most accomplished player on the offense by a considerable margin, a twotime Pro Bowler who has scored 72 touchdowns during his nine-year career and run for more than 1,000 yards five times, sees hope where others see despair. “I couldn’t care less about what [the] national media has to say about us, not going to be able to score points and all this stuff,” he said. “The season hasn’t been played yet, not a down’s been snapped in regular-season offense.
“What do I have to say about that? That’s why you play the games. That’s why you go through camp.”
Forte plans to play against the Giants on Saturday in the Jets’ third preseason game, and said there is “no doubt” he’ll be ready for the regular-season opener in Buffalo on Sept. 10.
Coach Todd Bowles said he wants to see how Forte’s body responds to Tuesday’s workload before committing to using him against the Giants, but Forte said the hamstring felt fine Tuesday, when he ran full speed and took part in team drills.
“It felt good to finally be out there, be more than just a jog-through,” Forte said. “I hate having to watch. But with an injury, you’ve got to do that.”
Forte’s return, and an extended look at likely starting quarterback Josh McCown, should give the Jets’ offense a different look Saturday night. After all, McCown, battling youngsters Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty for the starting spot, has led the offense to its only touchdown of the preseason in his lone series of action. He has experience, and seems to have a full handle of offensive coordinator John Morton’s West Coast system.
“I think the offense is doing well,” defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson said, echoing Forte. “They got playmakers. They have to make sure they’re all on the same page, things clicking, but that’s where practice comes. We don’t care what nobody else says.”
Forte and fellow running back Bilal Powell look like the strength of the offense, two players with an actual body of work. Robby Anderson, the No. 1 wide receiver by default, has 42 career receptions. The 38-year-old McCown is a caretaker, a career backup used until the Jets feel Hackenberg is ready. But Forte doesn’t subscribe to the notion there is more pressure on the running game.
“We all have to step up to the plate,” he said.
In the spring, Wilkerson guaranteed that the Jets would win more games — five — then they did a year ago. He backtracked Tuesday because he got in trouble for those previous comments. But, like Forte, he clearly believes the Jets have potential to surprise the experts.
“I guess,” Wilkerson said, “you’ll see.”
By ZACH BRAZILLER zbraziller@nypost.com