May 25--Kyle Long was back at right guard Wednesday working against defensive linemen, completing his move from right tackle to the position at which 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've got 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 within a week of the season opener.
Offensive line coach Dave Magazu said moving Long back to guard will most benefit him 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. "By doing that, he has to stay on top of his game and 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 how the Bears this offseason have valued offensive linemen who move well and can get to blockers on the second level, something Long does well because of his athleticism.
Long was the Bears' only Pro Bowler last year, and entering his fourth season, his tenure is starting to match his on-field production. Naturally, that could result in a greater leadership role. But Long downplayed that Wednesday, even in light of Matt Slauson's release and Matt Forte's departure earlier this offseason.
"There are large voids to be filled, but this team has been built on horizontal leadership," he said. "We've done a great job bringing in the right people, defensively, offensively and the special teams unit. I love the coaches, I love the guys on this team. I don't think that will be an issue, so I don't really have to take on that much bigger of a role because of the guys that we have in our room. Everybody is kind of accountable themselves.
"I can hold somebody accountable, they'll hold me accountable. We don't miss reps in the weight room. If something happens on the field, it's covered immediately. You don't hear a lot of screaming and shouting from coaches because they know the guys are going to be on one another."
