The Chicago Bears are very comfortable with Matt Forte and Michael Bush as their top two running backs for 2012, but after Kahlil Bell refused to take a pay cut and requested his release on Thursday, the competition for the third-string RB is heating up heading into the third preseason game against the New York Giants. Armando Allen and Lorenzo Booker are the last two men standing in that competition, and head coach Lovie Smith is very "anxious" to see them play on Friday night:
"Running-back wise, that third guy still needs to come," Smith said. "I like what Armando Allen did last year when he had a chance to play. We have a complete back in Matt, an inside the tackles runner with some skills to do some things on the outside (Bush), and to have that guy to complement them would be good. That's how Armando is different. He has that (makes zig-zag motion with hand like he is elusive). Lorenzo could be that guy too. Anxious to see them the rest of preseason."
quotes via the Chicago Tribune.
Allen played on the practice squad last season and got promoted for the final two games of the regular season, so he figures to have a leg up in the competition. As Smith noted, the Notre Dame product also has the ability to zig-zag in ways that can be imitated by the hand...or something.
Head over to Windy City Gridiron for more Bears coverage, and check out Big Blue Viewfor more on the Giants. Also visit SB Nation's NFL hub for more preseason news and analysis from around the league.
