It’s not an exaggeration to say that rookie running back David Montgomery has wasted no time making an impression with the Chicago Bears. Teammates and coaches alike have sung his praises just in the past few weeks. Not just due to his obvious talent but also his remarkable maturity and leadership qualities. Already there have been whispers about what makes him such a good fit, but Tarik Cohen took it a step further.
He explained what makes Montgomery special.
If there’s one thing Cohen knows about as a football player, it’s making people miss. His size combined with quickness and agility makes it a nightmare for tacklers to get a bead on him. Nevermind the obvious advantage of speed. Montgomery may not be the fastest man on the field, but Cohen insists he doesn’t need it. He has other traits that make him a particular nightmare for defenders who face him one-on-one.
Cohen explained one in particular to Arthur Arkush of Pro Football Weekly.
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“He’s very strong in the lower body,” Cohen said of the third-round rookie Montgomery, whose 185 combined forced missed tackles over the past two seasons led all of college football, according to PFF. “He has vicious cuts. So, I can see why he breaks the tackles — arm tackles not going to tackle him. Anything in the lower body is not bringing him down.”
Tarik Cohen isn’t the first to say this about Montgomery
This is one of the most repeated scouting reports on Montgomery since he left Iowa State. Not the biggest or fastest but his balance and ability to cut are remarkably sharp. There were reports out of several practices since May that the rookie already hit the Bears defense with a few them. This naturally earned some big reactions from the sideline.
Montgomery is strong enough to power through tackles, but why do that when he can avoid them altogether? This showcases not only his athleticism as a runner but also his intelligence. Don’t initiate contact unless it’s to the benefit of the team. Preserve that body from unnecessary contact. Making defenders whiff in the process is never a bad thing.
The fact Chicago now may have two backs who can do this must give defenses they’ll face some unwanted indigestion.
