The Chicago Bears spent the offseason prescribing a "hot hand" approach to their post-Matt Forte backfield.
After two preseason games, Jeremy Langford has emerged as the clear-cut featured back.
Until Jacquizz Rodgers entered in the second quarter of Thursday's tilt versus the Patriots, Langford had been the only running back to play with Jay Cutler's first-team offense this preseason.
"He made a step forward," coach John Fox acknowledged, via the Chicago Sun-Times, after the game. "He had a good week of preparation, a good week of practice. I thought he had a heckuva season a year ago as a rookie, and he continues to impress and get better."
Langford showed impressive vision, decisiveness and cutback ability, gashing New England's defense for 63 yards on nine touches.
A wide receiver when he first arrived at Michigan State, Langford is an obvious plus in the passing game. The question is whether he can shoulder the ground attack after averaging a league-worst 1.13 yards after contact as a rookie.
As long as Ka'Deem Carey and fifth-round power back Jordan Howard remain behind Rodgers on the depth chart, Langford is going to get the opportunity to prove he can handle the bulk of the workload.
