Four positives to take from Bears' second preseason game

There were at least four positives that came out of the Bears' 23-22 loss to the New England Patriots in Thursday night's preseason contest.

Coach John Fox believes the three days of practice with the Patriots were beneficial and that the outcome was more encouraging than the 22-0 loss to the Broncos in the preseason opener.

"I think our guys just got better," Fox said. "We took a step forward and I think in time we will hopefully just continue to get better." Among the most noticeable improvements:

1. The run game:

Jeremy Langford, the presumed primary successor to Matt Forte, rushed eight times for 55 yards (6.9-yard average), including a 34-yard run in which he strung together multiple moves.

"He made a step forward," Fox said. "He had a good week of preparation, a good week of practice. I thought he had a heck of a season a year ago, as a rookie, and he continues to impress and get better."

Langford will likely share the job with at least two others, but with backup Ka'Deem Carey still in the concussion protocol, his touches could increase in the third preseason game Aug. 27 against the Chiefs.

Rookie Jordan Howard added 46 yards on 11 carries (4.2-yard average), although Jacquizz Rodgers managed just 7 yards on 6 carries.

2. Better offensive line play:

"It starts up front," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "Those guys opened up some holes ... did a good job for us."

In addition to creating more run lanes, the Bears' O-line allowed just 1 sack on 33 dropbacks after permitting 7 sacks a week earlier.

In his second game at center since taking over for injured Hroniss Grasu, veteran Ted Larsen was solid as the line leader.

"(He) has moved into that position quite nicely," Cutler said. "The communication up there is pretty clean with those guys."

3. Depth at tight end:

Starter Zach Miller remains in concussion protocol, and this group was considered thin before that. Butveteran Tony Moeaki, a former star at Wheaton Warrenville South, started again and led the Bears with 4 catches for 28 yards, although he left the game with a left hamstring injury.

"He's a pro," Cutler said. "He gets it. He doesn't say much, (but) he's always in the right spot. He's been around the league, and he knows what's expected of him, and he goes out there and he produces."

Rob Housler, fighting for a roster spot, showed impressive speed in turning a short crossing route from Brian Hoyer into a 52-yard pickup, and he caught Cutler's 2-point conversion after the opening touchdown.

4. Takeaway by secondary:

Last year only four teams had fewer takeaways than the Bears with 17, and defensive backs accounted for just 4 of the team's franchise-worst 8 interceptions.

But cornerback Tracy Porter saved a potential touchdown when he stripped Patriots running back Brandon Bolden at the Bears' three-yard line and recovered at the five-yard line.

"He did a great job of putting his hand in there and pulling it out," Fox said. "We have been stressing it, (defensive coordinator) Vic (Fangio) and his staff, and it's good to see it happen in games."

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