Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on June 22, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have had great special teams ever since head coach Lovie Smith arrived, but when it comes to just how good they are, you have to give almost all the credit to special teams coordinator Dave Toub. 

It was (and is) Toub who has constructed the schemes that the special teams unit uses, and he helps to ensure that players are drafted to help fit the needs on special teams.  Despite the fact that this unit has some turnover, they are able to plug in players as needed to keep moving ahead and be one of the best special teams units in the NFL.

While the 2006 and 2007 special teams units were some of the best in league history, the more recent ones, including the 2008 and 2009 units, haven’t been that bad, but they haven’t been too good at times either. 

The return game has suffered since they made return specialist Devin Hester a full time receiver. But with Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning back there, things are looking up for the return game.

Let’s take a look at those players that are an important part of the Bears’ special teams.  There are some statistics for these players from the 2009 season, a look at how their offseason has been going, and some thoughts into how things may end up for them at the end of training camp this summer.

Hester hasn’t been the same guy since he had record setting campaigns in 2006 and 2007. Most of this has to do with the team taking him out of action in order to help keep him fresh and concentrated on being a number one wide receiver.  In 2009, Hester returned a total of seven kickoffs for 156 yards with an average of 22.3 yards per return.  His longest return was a 44 yarder, and he didn’t bring any back for a touchdown. 

In terms of punt returns, Hester returned a total of 24 for 187 yards with an average of 7.8 yards per return.  His longest was 33 yards.  He did have one fumble.

A lot of what happens with Hester depends on how the Bears choose to use him next year.  Judging by some of the talent that they have in the return game, the Bears may not feel the need to put Hester back there often, instead opting to keep him concentrating on being a number one wide receiver.  It will be interesting to see what the Bears decide to do with Hester this season and whether or not he will play an important role on special teams.

Robbie Gould continues to provide the Bears with an ever reliable option kicking the ball and looks to be set for another productive season with the Bears.  In 2009, Gould ended up playing in all 16 games for the Bears and attempted 28 field goals, making 24 of those for a percentage of 85.7.  He had two kicks blocked.  He was perfect on extra point attempts and averaged 65.7 yards per kickoff (on 73 kickoffs).

In Gould, the Bears have one of the most reliable cold weather kickers in the NFL currently and one of the better ones in history.  Gould has been an asset in winning games and winning in overtime, and there is no reason to think that he won’t be reliable in 2010.  If the Bears’ offense produces scoring opportunities like many think that they will, then look for Gould to have his biggest season as a Bear.

The Bears were pleasantly surprised with the play of rookie Johnny Knox as a wide receiver and as a special teams ace. He ended up representing the Bears in the Pro Bowl thanks to his return ability.  The Bears will be banking on him to improve even though he played very well in 2009. With some improvement, Knox could end up being a dangerous return specialist.

Last season, Knox ended up playing in a total of 15 games and returned 32 kickoffs for a total of 927 yards with an average of 29 yards per return.  His longest came against the Detroit Lions (in their first game) when he brought back a kick 102 yards for a score.  He also had two fumbles.  Knox did return one punt for the Bears last season for zero yards.

You can bet that Chicago will use Knox as much as they can to help them get a spark on special teams.  Hopefully, his play there doesn’t suffer as a result of his seeing action at wide receiver and vice versa.

Long snapper Patrick Mannelly has been steady for the Bears during his long career with the team, but he did manage to do something last season that left the Bears coaching staff and their fans scratching their head.  Thinking that the Green Bay Packers had 12 men on the field, Mannelly snapped the ball to a surprised Garrett Wolfe who failed to make the first down. 

Upon further review, the replay showed that the Packers didn’t have 12 men on the field.  That was a backbreaker for the Bears.

Aside from that, Mannelly still remains a rock on special teams and a model of consistency for long snappers everywhere.  He will definitely be a part of the team in 2010, but how much longer will he play?  Is it time for the Bears to start thinking about a replacement?

Daniel Manning is yet another quality return specialist that the Bears have and someone who has managed to help them achieve the honor of having one of the best special teams units in the league.  In 2009, Manning returned a total of 28 kickoffs for 744 yards, averaging 26.6 yards per return.  His longest was 59 yards, and he didn’t have any touchdowns or fumbles.

The Bears will continue to utilize Manning in the kickoff return game unless they feel that Knox can handle it all which is highly doubtful.  Manning will be yet another important piece of the special teams puzzle for the Bears in 2010.

Despite being in the NFL for over ten seasons, Maynard still has plenty of leg left and has been an asset to the Bears since joining them back in 2001.  He started all 16 games in 2009 and punted 77 times for an average of 41.4 with a net average of 37.4 yards.  He didn’t have any kicks blocked and placed 26 inside the 20 yard line.

You can figure on Maynard playing at least two or three more seasons (barring any kind of injury), and you can bet that he’s going to play with the Bears for the rest of his career.  He is very effective and is yet another reason why the Bears end up doing so well on special teams.

The Bears have signed punter Richmond McGee, not to try to take over Maynard’s job, but to help him rest his leg during the long preseason.  McGee hasn’t seen any action in the regular season, but has been signed when Maynard has been injured to provide a bit of a security blanket just in case. 

Tim Shaw was signed by the Bears shortly after Brian Urlacher, their star in the middle, went out for the season with an injury, and he ended up starring on special teams.  The Bears made things a little bit difficult for him by signing another potential special teams ace, but if Shaw is anything like he was in 2009, he’s going to be with the team in 2010 and could even be a Pro Bowler next season.

The Bears have made an effort to have great special teams and have proved time and again that having great special teams can help you win games.  The Bears have a solid core of return specialists that can help the team out with their great game changing ability.

Chicago will continue to have one of the best special teams units in the NFL in 2010 and may end up having the best group when it’s all said and done. 

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