The Facts: A season spent rumbling for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns didn't do much damage to Howard's strong frame. But taking the next step this season meant some changes were needed. His long runs need to be longer. His breaks during games need to be shorter. Howard's offseason plan calls for weight loss but he also needs to maintain his strength and power, which make him imposing at the point of contact. "I don't want to come off the field as much," Howard said.
Diehards Line:
“I want to be like 225 [pounds] during the season, so I’m still trying to cut weight,” said Howard, who officially weighed 230 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2015. Howard didn’t change his training schedule, but his eating habits. “He understands the kind of shape, the kind of conditioning, the kind of work that you need to be in to be strong from Game 1 to Game 16, from the first quarter to the fourth quarter in games,” new running backs coach Curtis Modkins said. ... Last season, Howard trailed only Cowboys back Ezekiel Elliott in rushing yards despite not playing in Week 1 or starting until Week 4. His patience, vision and power in the Bears’ zone scheme stood out on a weekly basis. Howard said he wants to improve as a receiver, and Modkins said Howard’s footwork and other fundamentals could improve. But Howard’s study habits and ability to diagnose opponents’ tendencies already stand out. And his fantasy value is going to remain sky high no matter what the scale says.