Talking shop: Dowell Loggains piecing together Bears offense

BOURBONNAIS – There are plenty of questions about the Bears’ offense, and new coordinator Dowell Loggains is doing his best to come up with answers.

“It’s just about figuring out what our players can do and making sure they’re in the right situations,” Loggains said.

Here’s what Loggains said about three positions of concern when he met the media on Wednesday for the first and only time at training camp.

Running hot

Coach John Fox’s overarching influence, even on the offense, is important. Loggains made mention of it when referencing Fox’s history of playing “a combination of running backs” and how his teams “played the hot hand.”

“He understands from the top down what it’s supposed to be like,” Loggains said.

Loggains knows he’s dealing with different backs. Jeremy Langford does things well that Jordan Howard and Ka’Deem Carey can’t, and vice versa.

“Each one of them has a unique skill set that he’s going to continue to develop,” Loggains said.

White needs work

Loggains is happy with receiver Kevin White’s development, but he still indicated that the 2015 first-round pick requires work and time after missing all of last season because shin surgery.

“Everything’s a little bit new to him,” Loggains said.

That includes his route-running, which was a draft-day concern.

“He had the limited route tree coming from West Virginia,” Loggains said. “He’s gotten better with getting off press. That his relationship with [receivers] coach [Curtis Johnson] has helped him a lot.”

Questions at TE

Zach Miller’s concussion and Khari Lee’s shoulder sprain have opened the door for other tight ends, and that might be a positive in the short team.

Tony Moeaki, Gannon Sinclair, Greg Scruggs and Rob Housler have gotten longer looks in practice, including with and against better players.

“It’s going to be finding out, in this role, who we keep, who we get rid of and all of that, and then finding them where they fit in their spots; who’s a blocker, who’s a guy that’s got to be on the move,” Loggains said. “There’s a lot that goes into it, and some of that comes from playing in preseason, going to New England and getting work that way.”

But Loggains appears to like Moeaki, a seven-year veteran who has dealt with injuries, but has been successful as a pass-catcher.

“We feel that if he can stay healthy he can help us,” Loggains said. “He’s a smart football player. We’ll see.”