The hype surrounding Chicago Bears rookie running back David Montgomery has been building since the offseason, and it certainly didn’t disappoint in Montgomery’s first live game action in the NFL.
Montgomery finished with 16 rushing yards on three carries and had three receptions for 30 yards in the Bears’ 23-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Not exactly flashy stats, but the numbers don’t do Montgomery justice. It’s more of an eye test thing.
Look no further than Montgomery’s seven-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The play was designed to go up the middle, but Montgomery saw it wasn’t there and quickly cut left, shedding a tackler in the process, and ran through a couple other defenders on his way into the end zone.
It was a sign of things to come in the future for the third-round pick, who continues to flash his intangibles while keeping his head down and working hard every day.
“He runs hard. He runs really, really hard,” Nagy said. “He runs violent. He’s angry when he runs, and he’s tough to bring down with that first defender, so we like that. And you can see what he can do in the pass game as well – made some nice catches and runs after the catch.
“He wanted more. That kid won’t stop.”
Nagy was quick to stop himself in his praise of Montgomery, not wanting to get too carried away after one preseason game.
But the Bears have been known for their great running backs. And while Montgomery isn’t exactly Walter Payton, you’ve got to respect your history.
