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Chicago Bears RB Carey won't run from contact

BOURBONNAIS - Offensive linemen often are unaware which back is running behind their blocks, but Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long says he knows when it's Ka'Deem Carey.

"Sometimes you can hear the tackle, and you know it was Ka'Deem because he tries to kill people when he has the ball," Long said. "You say, 'Oh, yeah, that was Ka'Deem.' "

At 5-feet-10 and 215-220 pounds, Carey isn't huge, but he runs with authority. That's his most valuable asset as he fights for more playing time in a backfield that has several candidates vying to fill the void left by the departure of workhorse Matt Forte.

Why does Carey favor such a ferocious running style?

"Just because I'm not scared of contact," he said. "I play with a lot of heart and energy, so if someone comes in my way, I'm not scared to lower that shoulder, kind of spark a team in that way."

Since being drafted by the Bears in the fourth round (117th overall) in 2014 out of Arizona, Carey has had only occasional opportunities to jolt the Bears' attack. He has carried a total of 79 times for 317 yards (4.0-yard average) and caught 8 passes for 76 yards.

This year is different, because Forte left for the New York Jets after the Bears decided they wouldn't seek to re-sign him. But Carey still faces plenty of obstacles to claim a bigger share of the run game.

"I've always gone into camp with Matt Forte leading the pack," Carey said. "Now we're all out here competing, showing our best features and what we do best."

Carey could be the best short-yardage option, but that's also a role fifth-round rookie Jordan Howard handled at in college.

Jeremy Langford has the best speed. He was Forte's top backup last year as a rookie and is a threat as a receiver.

Versatile veteran Jacquizz Rodgers also is in the mix, along with Senorise Perry; both have excelled on special teams.

The coaching staff wants to utilize each player to do what he does best, which in Carey's case is obvious.

"I run that ball extremely well," he said. "I have a knack for just finding holes and getting those tough yards.

"Eventually it's going to break, and they're going to be big yards. 'Quizz' blocks extremely well, Jeremy catches out of the backfield extremely well. It's very interesting how things are working out."

Despite the competition for touches and in some cases roster spots, Carey says the running back room is a brotherhood on and off the field.

"It's a friendly competition," he said. "We don't ever want to put one of our dudes down. We don't ever want to disrespect anyone or hope anybody gets hurt. We're rooting for each other to make plays, because the ultimate result is winning.

"If Jeremy's having a good game, I'm not going to be upset. I just think, 'Let me get a part of that.' So, when I get in the game, I'm going to be fired up to break another 30- or 40-yarder, just like he did. And 'Quizz' is going to get in the game, and he's going to want to do the same thing."

The hope is that competition and a backfield by committee makes for an improved ground game. Last year's Bears were 11th in rushing yards but could stand to improve on their average gain per carry of 4.0 yards, which ranked 20th.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.

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