Kyle Long was working against defensive linemen Wednesday, completing his move from right tackle back to right guard, where he earned Pro Bowl nominations in each of his first two NFL seasons.
“It’s a different position again, but I played it before, so I should be good,” Long said after practice. “I have a couple of weeks to shake off the rust here and get ready for camp.”
Long welcomes the prep time during organized team activities this week and over the next two, especially after the Bears moved him from guard to tackle last summer just before the season opener.
Offensive line coach Dave Magazu said moving Long back to guard will benefit him the most mentally because he’s comfortable playing inside. But the move does require some physical adjustments under new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.
“We’ve changed offensively a little bit,” Magazu said. “He has to relearn some things, but technically it’s close to being the same.”
Neither Magazu nor Long would elaborate on the changes or differences when asked. But it’s clear this offseason how much the Bears value offensive linemen who move well and can get to blockers on the second level, something Long does well because of his athleticism.
Shoes to fill: When the Bears began OTAs a year ago, Jeremy Langford was a fourth-round rookie trying to learn the offense. Now he’s the leading candidate to replace Matt Forte as the Bears’ first-string running back.
“Last year, it was more, ‘Let’s see what he can do,’ and now it’s: ‘We need you out there to make plays.'”
Langford already senses greater pressure that accompanies that change.
“It’s up to me, how I deal with it,” he said.”
Extra points: Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee was absent from practice. He continues to work back from the arthroscopic surgery he had on his left knee shortly after last season. It would not be surprising if McPhee remains out until training camp. … Defensive lineman Will Sutton and offensive lineman Tayo Fabuluje were absent because of illness. … The Bears signed inside linebacker Jarrett Grace, an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame. They waived linebacker Danny Mason, who spent time on the practice squad last season.
