FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New Orleans is known for Bourbon Street, Cajun cuisine, Mardi Gras and jazz. The area also produces running backs. Recent and current stars include Marshall Faulk, Warrick Dunn, Leonard Fournette and Matt Forte, who grew up on the north bank of Lake Pontchartrain in Slidell, Louisiana.
Forte's Louisiana roots helped him form an instant connection with rookie running back Elijah McGuire, who hails from nearby Houma. They're separated by 85 miles and eight years, but the gap is closing now that they're New York Jets teammates.