Aug. 27--Jeremy Langford sat in front of a temporary island of locker stalls late Saturday, the kind of equipment hauled in to accommodate rookies and other roster hopefuls during the NFL preseason. And as the 23-year-old running back granted a postgame interview following the Bears' 23-11 victory over the Colts, Matt Forte interrupted.
Langford was busy summarizing a night in which he rushed for 80 yards and the game's final touchdown. Yet Forte felt obligated to issue a reminder. Langford had forgotten to distribute bath towels to the other running backs, and Forte -- in a somewhat playful yet still stern tone -- wanted the rookie to know that was unacceptable.
"Next time put the towels out," Forte hollered.
Impressive night or not, the locker-room hierarchy is the locker-room hierarchy. And attention to detail must always be a priority.
"I got ya," Langford answered.
Of course, Langford's mid-August burst into the spotlight is likely only temporary. When the season begins in two weeks he should have much more postgame time to distribute the linens.
Forte remains the focal point of the Bears' running attack, a dependable playmaker whose dedication to fitness rarely leaves many extra touches for his backups. And at present, Jacquizz Rodgers seems to have a grip on the second-string running back role. So Langford best enjoy his preseason opportunities to shine while they last.
Still, among the many things the Bears have come to appreciate in Langford's makeup since drafting him in Round 4 in May, his humility and self-awareness have struck a chord.
It's not that Langford has no aspirations to become the backfield bell cow as soon as possible. Yet rather than cockily create a cutthroat competition with Forte, he arrived in Chicago and immediately approached the longtime starter with requests to shadow him through portions of the offseason.
Forte invited Langford to train with him, pulling back the curtain on what a regimen for a standout NFL back should be.
"There are no days off," Langford said.
Throughout the preseason, Forte has noticed Langford's combination of drive and patience. And he has been impressed with the rookie's versatility as a playmaker.
"He runs it well and he can catch the ball out of the backfield," Forte said. "Plus he has the speed and agility to make guys miss."
On his fifth carry Saturday night, Langford popped the game's biggest gain, a 46-yard run that featured a burst through a huge hole and later a swift cut past helpless safety Colt Anderson.
Irritated that he stumbled and was tackled 17 yards short of the end zone, Langford finished the Bears' next drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, pivoting out of a tackle in the backfield and accelerating the opposite direction.
Just as significantly -- if much farther off the radar -- Langford found himself involved on seven special teams sequences, again showcasing his football IQ. He took part in kickoff coverage and punt coverage and also asserted himself on the kickoff and punt return teams, fully aware that his rookie year will almost certainly be judged most heavily on how he delivers in the third phase.
"I'm very invested on special teams," Langford said. "I've seen a lot of players come into this league -- first-round picks to seventh-round -- and make their living on special teams. So right now that's got to be where my focus is. I have to be assignment sound."
Coach John Fox knew early during rookie minicamp that the Bears had found a player with a bright future. Langford's composure and aptitude quickly stood out. And Fox noted again this week that the stage and the competition on this level "isn't too big" for the rookie.
Running backs coach Stan Drayton, meanwhile, appreciates how sharp Langford has been picking up the offense.
"He's not out here guessing, second-guessing every move he makes," Drayton said. "He's very decisive about his play. And I enjoy the fact that he hasn't flinched yet."
Langford, too, has enjoyed that, understanding his confidence can catalyze his growth and that his confidence can be heightened by his game-day production.
"Football is all about confidence," Langford said. "If you get down on yourself, it all rolls downhill. So you have to be confident and make your mistakes full speed. And if you mess up, just keep driving to make the big play."
dwiederer@tribpub.com
