The Sports Xchange

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Adam Gase was the offensive coordinator for one of the most unbalanced attacks in the NFL last season, as the Denver Broncos had the most passing attempts and fewest rushing attempts in the league.

Thus, it might seem odd for the Chicago Bears to be singing their new coordinator’s praises for restoring balance to their offense and to quarterback Jay Cutler, but that is the case heading into the team’s first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

Then again, the Broncos had Peyton Manning at quarterback with an ability to change plays. What the Bears are seeing is more of a true Gase attack.

“I like that it’s so balanced,” said center Will Montgomery, who played for the Broncos last year. “We can run inside, outside, we can run power, iso, we can throw the ball downfield, short routes.

“I don’t think we lean heavily in one direction. I think we can really do it all.”

Cutler echoed the sentiment, based largely on film, because he hasn’t yet played in a game under Gase.

“He does a really good job putting you in the right position, keeping the defense off balance, mixing up the play calls, and that makes it easier on the quarterback,” Cutler said.

Achieving offensive balance is something the Bears sorely need after last year’s debacle. In their Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions, they had just eight rushing attempts. Under then-coordinator Marc Trestman, the small number of rushing attempts — especially early in games — always became an issue.

From what the Bears are seeing in training camp to date, that won’t be the case this year unless they find themselves down double figures late in games. Running back Matt Forte, who set an NFL record for a back with 102 catches last year, is the player who may notice the biggest shift toward balance.

“Catching 100 balls is not my goal as a running back,” he said bluntly. “This year, coach (John) Fox loves to run the ball and establish the run. Plus, if you’re running the ball and you can run it effectively, you get to control the clock and keep other offenses off the field, which is what we want to do. If we can control the game, control the pace of the game and grind out tough yards and score, then that’s what we’re going to do.”

The running attack itself will shade more toward the traditional Bears style of play — aggressive and physical — than the former offense. Blocking is shifting from the screened-off, zone style of block to more power concepts.

“Last year’s offense, we weren’t asked to drive block,” tight end Martellus Bennett said. “It was a lot of zone and position blocking. So it’s just a different technique thing that we had to learn.

“I come from a background where it’s always been power, smash-mouth football — early in my Cowboys days, and even while I was with the Giants — that’s just the style of blocking that I learned. The last two seasons transitioning to positioning and the scheme was totally different from what we were. We weren’t downhill; we were more of a shoot-the-gap-type, shotgun-type offense running.”

Beyond giving Cutler more balance with a running game, the idea also is to keep defenses guessing about where the quarterback might release the ball during a play. In the team’s first full-contact scrimmage Saturday, and many other scrimmages during camp, the offense featured Cutler in a moving pocket or throwing bootleg passes.

“Adam’s put a big asterisk on it this offseason and going into training camp,” Cutler said. “It’s something we need to do more. I know Adam likes moving the pocket.

“He’s been with quarterbacks than can do it and quarterbacks that can’t do it. It’s something that if you are able to do it, it makes calling plays a little bit easier because you are able to move that launch point from time to time.”

A moving quarterback, a running game and an offensive line that wants to get physical all could have the sought balancing effect.

“I feel really good about our line,” Gase said. “I think that stable of backs we have is very impressive. Right now, I’m feeling pretty good about it.”

–The target date for wide receiver Kevin White to play was adjusted to late preseason or the regular season.

“Sure, we’d love to have him play in a preseason game, obviously,” wide receivers coach Mike Groh said. “The more he can get out here with Jay (Cutler) and the rest of the offense, the better. But that’s probably not going to be the case.”

White ran for the first time at practice Monday, doing a light jog.

–Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio apparently was the driving force behind Shea McClellin playing inside linebacker rather than outside linebacker.

“I know he has a history of being moved around, but one of our first discussions when we got here was where to play him, and most people wanted him to play outside, including himself,” Fangio said. “But I didn’t see it that way. I said I want to put him at inside first, and I’m glad we did, and I think he’s glad we did now even though he wanted to play outside first.

“I think he’s found a home in there, and it’s going to be a growing process. It’s a position that relies a lot on experience, instincts, play recognition, and I think he’s getting better and better at that.”

McClellin’s continued play with the first team comes at the expense of Jon Bostic and Mason Foster.

NOTES: Tackle Michael Ola suffered a knee sprain and was initially listed week-to-week by coach John Fox, but he made a quick recovery and began practicing on Monday after a week away. … Tackle Tayo Fabuluje missed parts or all of three practices with allergies or asthma. He was treated and returned to practice Saturday. … Cornerback Tracy Porter sustained a hamstring injury Monday and left practice.