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Special Teams: Kick Return

I figured that because of the new rule limiting a team’s ability on kick return, I could show how the Bears performed their kick return.

  

The basic scheme is one of two ways: the Zone (or "Wedge") and Man to Man.

Follow me, friends:

Star-divide

The Zone asks that players stand shoulder to shoulder, link arms or other such things. The usefulness of this is that it clears a straight path for the returner to follow. But it also leaves defenders open on the field so if the wedge gets hung up then there are free moving defenders that have an open shot at the returner. This was the first way to run kickoffs back.

The Bears run a man-to-man scheme, which allows them to put a helmet on every man that is on the field except the kicker. The advantage of that is that they have all defenders blocked and allows the returner to pick their holes. The major disadvantage of this is that the team must rely on individual blockers keeping their assignments and not missing blocks as one missed block will allow a free defender to have a shot at the returner. The team must also rely on the returners' vision and judgment on finding the safest holes. This is what allowed Devin Hester and Danieal Manning to shine: they both have outstanding vision.

The Bears run a 5-4-2 return which means they line up five linemen at the line of scrimmage and four backers usually comprised of linebackers, fullbacks and tight ends, and two returners with the second returner acting as a lead blocker taking on the first man that comes his way. This is the general standard for kick returns, as it seems to be the most effective way of doing this.

My Take:

The Bears' special teams is by far the best in the NFL for one reason: Dave Toub. He is the reason the Bears have such a good special teams and I believe that he doesn’t get the respect he deserves as a coach.

Also, if you guys want anything in particular drop me a line.

0 recs  |  Comment 22 comments |

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I've always believed that Toub is the best in the game.

He is regarded around the league by many as the top gun.

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Apr 2, 2009 12:00 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

How dare you distract me with Hester pictures today...

We’re trying to focus on Cutler :)

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.

We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."

-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.

by SackMan on Apr 2, 2009 12:05 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Do you think Cutler will have any problems getting the ball deep to Hester?

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Apr 2, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just loved the pic of...

the kicker eating dirt!

"I am Kyles mom , I support him but I don't believe in him"- GeauxBears

by scespy12 on Apr 2, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No Cutler Talk....

there is a update thread for that.

"I am Kyles mom , I support him but I don't believe in him"- GeauxBears

by scespy12 on Apr 2, 2009 12:47 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

But, who's to say that Cutler couldn't play STs?

I mean, he can do everything, right?

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. (Vince Lombardi)

Dude, for serious? 1986 was 23 years ago.
Can we drop it?
-halfblindcubbiegirl

by Dane Noble on Apr 2, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions   2 recs

You get a Rec for that!

But I still hate Cutler.

"I am Kyles mom , I support him but I don't believe in him"- GeauxBears

by scespy12 on Apr 2, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Make that

2 recs.

If things came easy, then everybody would be great at what they did, let's face it.
Mike Ditka
Catch Phrase of the day: YAAAAAAAY! <---- Courtesy of ChiFan13.

Because the internet is the best place to assault a religion and a country. Sir, if I ever meet you in the real world, expect a thorough beat down.- Special thanks to bs.uf15bosox9bears23

by Ditkavsworld on Apr 2, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

2 recs = Rex

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.

We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."

-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.

by SackMan on Apr 2, 2009 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does that mean

Cutler = Rex?

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. (Vince Lombardi)

Dude, for serious? 1986 was 23 years ago.
Can we drop it?
-halfblindcubbiegirl

by Dane Noble on Apr 2, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

God I hope not

if it does make room on the grill.

If things came easy, then everybody would be great at what they did, let's face it.
Mike Ditka
Catch Phrase of the day: YAAAAAAAY! <---- Courtesy of ChiFan13.

Because the internet is the best place to assault a religion and a country. Sir, if I ever meet you in the real world, expect a thorough beat down.- Special thanks to bs.uf15bosox9bears23

by Ditkavsworld on Apr 2, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. (Vince Lombardi)

Dude, for serious? 1986 was 23 years ago.
Can we drop it?
-halfblindcubbiegirl

by Dane Noble on Apr 2, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

haha

"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field." Walter Payton

by NOR CAL BEAR on Apr 2, 2009 1:58 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Dude, Seriously.....

There is a Plus symbol with a Reply button next to it…. Use It!!!!

Your making us look bad! ( I live in Nor Cal too.)

"I am Kyles mom , I support him but I don't believe in him"- GeauxBears

by scespy12 on Apr 2, 2009 2:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Then, why didn't you use the reply button to him?

:)

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. (Vince Lombardi)

Dude, for serious? 1986 was 23 years ago.
Can we drop it?
-halfblindcubbiegirl

by Dane Noble on Apr 2, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.

We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."

-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.

by SackMan on Apr 2, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dont change the subject....

its about him not me!

"I am Kyles mom , I support him but I don't believe in him"- GeauxBears

by scespy12 on Apr 2, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ST Stable

If Maclin does drop to us at #18 he could take a lot of pressure off Devin.
What a formidable stable of kick returners, …Hester, Manning and Maclin.
Sweet :)

by pete banachi on Apr 2, 2009 3:28 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Why do we need that many KRs?

We need WRs who are WRs and KRs that are KRs. And before you say “depth”, we shouldn’t even be considering depth at KR at the 18th spot.

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. (Vince Lombardi)

Dude, for serious? 1986 was 23 years ago.
Can we drop it?
-halfblindcubbiegirl

by Dane Noble on Apr 2, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

For Maclin at least.....

Thats just a gold star attached to his name.

"I am Kyles mom , I support him but I don't believe in him"- GeauxBears

by scespy12 on Apr 2, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maclin is a WR

 Maclin is a WR That can run like a wild man on reverses and returns. Totally multifaceted!
But yes, a Receiver first and foremost. Freebie depth along with being one of the top 2 or 3 receivers in this draft :) It would be nice if Hester makes it thru the whole season doing double duty as a WR and punt returner, and Manning makes it thru the whole season doing double duty as nickel and kick-off returner. That both dodge the injury bug-a-boo would be short of a miracle. 16 games now, but don’t you think in a year or two it will for sure be more like 17 or 18. Why do we have to wait till we’re hemorrhaging? It’s a lot easier and costs a lot less to be proactive than always reactive
This teams philosophy, especially on the OL is to slap a one or two year fix or bandage on the problem and then ignore it. So he’s a gift as a return guy also. Like a guard that can just as easily be a center. You know better than most that the deciding factor in a lot of rookie sticking or not, is if they can help contribute on ST also.
A freebie insurance policy :)

by pete banachi on Apr 2, 2009 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Add Maclin

Along with the kids Nine TD receptions, he also rushed for Four TDs, returned 2 punts for TDs and had a kickoff return for another TD.
Hum? I wonder if the kid kicks too?
LOL!!

by pete banachi on Apr 2, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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