Trent Richardson sets high standards for himself

Posted by Mike Florio on June 30, 2012, 1:38 PM EDT

AP

Jim Brown and Trent Richardson don’t see eye to eye when it comes to the rookie’s abilities.  If Richardson has his way, however, their eyes and the rest of their heads and necks will be able to hash it out in bronze, forever.

Richardson laid out the plans for his career on Friday, at a Play 60 event held in conjunction with the Rookie Symposium.

“I want to be in the Hall of Fame, and I want to be one of the most talked-about running backs in the NFL,” Richardson said Friday, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.  “I want my name to always be remembered in a good way, not in a dumb way or in a crazy way.  For me, I’m always gonna work hard and make sure that my standards are set high.”

Saturday one-liners

Posted by Mike Florio on June 30, 2012, 8:23 AM EDT

AP

Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick says his accuracy washigher than ever this offseason.

The Miami Dolphins have launched the “Fin Club,” which may or may not be similar to the “Mile-High Club.”

Jets owner Woody Johnson suggested at a Mitt Romney fundraiser that Chief Justice John Roberts upheld Obamacare “intentionally, because he really revved up our base.”

Former Patriots S Rodney Harrison talks about the major award that he recently won in Boston.

Forte will play in 2012, regardless of contract

Posted by Mike Florio on June 30, 2012, 8:54 AM EDT

Getty Images

Bears running back Matt Forte has 7.7 million reasons to play this season.

And play he will.  The fifth-year tailback confirmed it on Friday.

“I don’t think I really have a choice, do I?” Forte said at a charity event on Friday, via John Greenberg of ESPNChicago.com.  “Yeah, I’ll be here.”

Forte technically can choose to stay away until the week before the regular-season opener and still get the full amount of his one-year franchise tender.  But it sounds like he’ll show up earlier.

“I’m excited to get in there and talk to Mr. [Jeremy] Bates and get in there with Jay [Cutler] and see what he thinks about the passing game, and see how I can get involved in that, too,” Forte said.

Forte also is excited about the promotion of Mike Tice to offensive coordinator.  “Coach Tice is a great coach and I’ve known that since he coached Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor down in Jacksonville with their running games,” Forte said.  “When he got here, I knew it would be the same thing.  To have him as coordinator now, it’s going to be something to watch.  I’m excited about it.”

Per Greenberg, the usually dispassionate Forte eventually got annoyed with inquiries regarding his contract status.  “Any other questions?” he eventually said.

The biggest remaining question is whether he’ll have the kind of impact in 2012 that will prompt the Bears to finally give him the long-term deal he has been seeking, or whether he’ll have 9.2 million reasons to play under the franchise tag in 2013.

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