Montgomery has looked good during training camp. I don’t know that he’s going to be noticeably faster this season. Generally, once running backs enter the NFL, they get slower as the wear and tear adds up. Sure, a player can get a little leaner, but a running back is what he is by the time he’s a professional. Montgomery never will be a home run hitter. It’s possible he could have improved his lateral quickness a little bit, but he’s not going to look like Alvin Kamara this season. I think you will see the same player who runs with excellent balance and vision. It’s smart that Montgomery really pushed himself in training during the offseason, and provided the offensive line comes together — a real question right now — he could have a very productive season. Montgomery’s opportunities and the performance of the line will determine his success more than any speed training. If the Bears remain committed to the ground game, which often can be a function of game circumstances, I could see him topping 1,200 yards. That benchmark will be easier for healthy running backs to hit with a 17th regular-season game.
