Jan. 01--The Bears will finish the season Sunday against the Lions -- and then the real roster intrigue can begin.
Many critical personnel decisions will cross Ryan Pace's desk during his second offseason as general manager. Running back Matt Forte's future is one of them.
For his part, though, Forte is calmly approaching what could be his first foray into free agency.
"I'm not anxious or anything like that," Forte said Thursday. "It's a long offseason, and I'm not in a hurry for anything to happen because it's not really up to me.
"I'm just going to be sitting there waiting either for free agency or whatever happens. There's nothing I can do to speed it up or slow it down. I'll just be sitting there taking it like a regular offseason. And I'll continue to rehab and train."
Forte (back) was limited in practice Thursday but expects to play Sunday. He has rushed for 822 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.
Clean-up crew: After turning the ball over 20 times during a 1-7 start, the Lions have been much less error-prone in the season's second half. They had just four giveaways in the last seven games. Not coincidentally, they won five of those games.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has played some of the best ball of his career the last two months under offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who was promoted to that role in late October.
Since the Lions' Week 9 open date, Stafford has averaged 269 passing yards and thrown 18 touchdown passes against just two picks. Coach Jim Caldwell has noticed the way Cooter's work ethic and intelligence have resonated with Stafford.
"He's going to tell you just exactly what he sees, what he thinks," Caldwell said. "And Matt really respects and appreciates that."
The giving season: Rookie Tayo Fabuluje extended his gratitude toward his fellow offensive linemen this week, giving each a personalized PhunkeeDuck, a hoverboard personal transportation device.
"I'm not sure what to think of it," right tackle Kyle Long said. "I've seen too many Internet videos of people becoming sensations because of their lack of skill on these things. I'll probably be looking at it more than using it."
Injury report: Four Bears missed practice: Eddie Royal (illness), Hroniss Grasu (knee), Jarvis Jenkins (ankle/illness) and Zach Miller (toe).
rcampbell@tribpub.com
