The Sun-Times’ experts can answer your Bears questions all week on Twitter. Here’s a sampling of Monday’s queries sent to @adamjahns, who responds with more than 140 characters:
@adamjahns does Howard really have a shot of taking the starter spot away from Langford?
— Sean Sears (@seanrsears) May 9, 2016
Answer: Howard has a great chance of complementing Langford. The main competition should be between Howard and third-year back Ka’Deem Carey. Howard and Carey are hard-nosed, downhill runners who provide a different element than the speedy Langford. Size may matter in this equation. According to the Bears’ current listings, Howard is three inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than Carey.
@adamjahns what are your predictions for Young and Houston. Released or will they be contributors?
— DnkyDong (@leothelion89) May 9, 2016
A: The Bears love first-round pick Leonard Floyd’s speed, but he still requires work and time even if he gains the weight and strength that they want. Young and Houston combined for 12 ½ sacks over the final nine games last season, and, right now, both players can handle NFL run games significantly better than Floyd. Young, though, does have a new contract to earn. He’s currently in the final year of a three-year contract that he signed under former general manager Phil Emery.
@adamjahns in your eyes, who is the in-house leader to start next to Amos at safety?
— Luke Stanczyk (@lstanczyk27) May 9, 2016
A: It’s Harold Jones-Quartey, an undrafted waiver-wire pickup last season who ended up startnig four games. Jones-Quartey finished last season strong, which included an interception, a forced fumble and three pass breakups in a Week 16 victory against the Buccaneers. Draft picks Deon Bush (fourth round) and DeAndre Houston-Carson (sixth round) will get their shots, but Jones-Quartey has impressed the Bears.
@adamjahns with slauson and forte gone who do you think steps up to be captain/locker room leaders?
— Albaro (@martinez3507) May 9, 2016
A: Slauson and Forte were beloved at Halas Hall. Both were key in the transition in coach John Fox’s first season. Younger players looked up to them. Forte, in particular, should be remembered as one of the franchise’s best running backs. But leadership can be a fluid thing, especially for teams such as the Bears that need to get younger and have one playoff appearance in nine seasons. The Bears can lean on quarterback Jay Cutler, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and kicker Robbie Gould, three captains from last season. Following Slauson’s lead, guard Kyle Long is poised to take command the offensive line.
@adamjahns tight end wise for the Bears are they comfortable with who they have behind Zach Miller?
— Danimal (@nwsidedan) May 9, 2016
A: General manager Ryan Pace promised to aggressively pursue tight ends in undrafted free agency for a reason: it’s their thinnest position. A slim draft class didn’t help matters, either. But Harvard tight end Ben Braunecker, an undrafted free-agent signing, is an intriguing player who performed well at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’ll get plenty of opportunities to push Khari Lee and Rob Housler. As far as Miller, the veteran just needs to stay healthy.
