Ryan Nall's Call of Duty Might Mean Starting for Bears

Bears running back Ryan Nall the last two years has had to endure nerves while waiting to find out if he's made the 53-man roster but this year's nervous time might have to do with starting for the first time.

During the nervous time Ryan Nall normally experiences this time of year, he likes playing the video game Call of Duty to calm his nerves.

It's appropriate because he's been a dutiful soldier for the Bears for two seasons and earned his rank on the 53-man roster last year.

So this year Nall can put away the video game and worrying about whether he'll have a job in a few days. What he might need to worry about is if he start makes his first NFL start against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 13 if David Montgomery remains an injury concern.

"This year, if we go into it and I make the 53 right off the bat, coaches have faith in me that I've already proven and shown them throughout camp why I'm on the roster," Nall said.

The fact the former Oregon State player still has concerns about making the roster merely shows he takes nothing for granted. Among those on the current roster, only Tarik Cohen besides Nall can say he's been a regular NFL running back in the past. Cordarrelle Patterson is available at running back but this business of actually being considered a running back rather than a wide receiver is all new to him this year.

"I think we've got a great group of guys," Nall said. "We brought CP (Patterson) in to help us out a little bit this year and he's a play maker. It doesn’t matter where on the field it is, if he's got the ball, he's going to do his thing.

"David, he's strong, sturdy, dependable guy. And you know Rik is explosive and unguardable in this league. I fit in there as well, and I can help out wherever I can. I can line up at fullback. I can get some touches, get some catches as well. We've got a real solid room and I believe in these guys and they believe in me and our coaches have faith in us."

Matt Nagy expressed that kind of faith in Nall because of this unassuming approach.

"We have a lot of trust in Ryan," Nagy said. "He's a kid that now as a free agent, a credit to our personnel staff in finding him and getting him here and what Ryan has done is he's earned his way on to this team via special teams and as a role player. And now he's starting to grow more and more. So that trust factor that we have with him we can do some different things."

For 1 1/2 seasons Nall toiled on the practice squad. Players who do this and ascend always seem to win the hearts of fans, and Nall has been one of the more popular Bears as a result -- at least back when they allowed fans into games.

"And so here he is going into his third year and I think that's a credit to him because he never worried about other stuff," Nagy said. "He didn't count numbers. He just did everthing that he could do to become a better running back and a better special teams player and when you have that it really helps you out."

With Montgomery's groin strain uncertain, the duty in Week 1 could mean 10 carries or more. Nall has two carries in the NFL at this point.

"So for me, I was just preparing myself for my first opportunity and fortunately I got some touches in that last game of the regular season last year," Nall said. "Going into it this year I'm just going to stay ready, stay in the playbook, make sure I know my role and play my part to what I can do to help this team out. Whether it's going to be going in at running back and getting some carries or going in at fullback and blocking or being a special teamer, four-phase guy and doing what I can on special teams, I'm just going to do what I can to help this team out."

This fullback role is new for Nall this season. The Bears have used this position sparingly, but every team needs that extra blocking back from time to time. Tight end J.P. Holtz moved into this spot last year, but if Nall can do it then the Bears could retain an extra tight end who might have better receiving skills than Holtz.

If the role includes something more, like taking most of the carries Montgomery would normally get, Nall says he's confident he can do it.

"If not, I don't think I would be in this position where I am," Nall said. "So if it does come down to it where David gets hurt and I end up having to get some more touches, 100 percent confidence in myself that I'm gonna be the best back I can be."

Nall has such confidence in himself that he didn't mind pitching the Bears to his former college roommate, Artavis Pierce, as an NFL landing spot.

The same unselish attitude the Bears say they've seen in Nall coming up through the special team ranks is evident even in this regard, as Nall was at least initially competing for the same roster spot.

"That's my guy, Nall said. "He was at Oregon State with me for two years, his freshman and sophomore year. We roomed for the games and away games, hotel rooming. I got to know A.P. really well. I actually helped kind of with his decision coming here in free agency.

"I love the kid. He plays hard. He's smart. He's a good kid. It doesn't matter what the situation is, he's going to give you 100%. I'm glad that he's here."

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