Chicago Bears Special Teams Are Indeed Special
by Mike Mueller on Jul 28, 2010 11:00 AM CDT
in Notes
13 comments
The Chicago Bears' Special Teams unit is one of the best in the NFL. Dave Toub consistently puts together a unit that excels in all facets of the game. The 2010 season should be no different. While we're all riveted to the progress of the offense & defense and individual position competitions during the preseason, it's comforting to know that the special teams unit will once again dominate the Bears' opponents. We will not worry about coverages, field goals, & returns. Toub's men know what to do.
In 2009, the Chicago Bears' special teams was once again one of the best in the NFL. Individually, Tim Shaw & Johnny Knox were two of the best rated at what they do. Robbie Gould, Corey Graham, and Danieal Manning were also very good.
According to Football Outsiders, the Bears' special teams ranked 3rd in overall DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average). Minnesota, Detroit, and Green Bay were 4th, 31st, & 32nd respectively.
FO ranks special teams in 5 categories: Field Goals/Extra Points, Kickoffs, Kick Returns, Punts, & Punt Returns. For a description on how they calculate their numbers, go here. The Bears were a well rounded group.
They ranked:
| ST Area | Rank |
|---|---|
| FG/XP | 6th |
| Kick | 19th |
| Kick Ret | 3rd |
| Punt | 15th |
| Punt Ret | 8th |
Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News compiles a special teams ranking based on 22 criteria.
The league's 32 teams are ranked in 22 categories and assigned points according to their standing – one for the best, 32 for the worst. The Browns finished first in special teams with a composite score of 215.5 – a whopping 41 points better than runner-up Tampa Bay.
According to Rick's rankings, the Bears are 6th in the NFL. Minnesota, Detroit, & Green Bay were ranked 9th, 25th, & 31st respectively. There is some continuity between these two very different sets of rankings. The bottom line is that the Bears are good, we all know that. They will continue to be good this season.
The Bears' special teams feature some impressive individual talent, as rated by ProFootballFocus.com.
Tim Shaw had the best ranking among 1,132 players ranked. Link He was number 1. Corey Graham ranked 22nd, Nick Roach 53rd, Craig Steltz & Israel Idonije tied for 114th. That's 5 guys in the top 10% of the league who will all be back this year. New additions Brian Iwuh and Tim Jennings also tied for the 114th ranking. (Rashied Davis checks in at 1,041st btw)
In the return game, Johnny Knox pulled down the 4th ranking in Kick Returns. Danieal Manning ranked 14th. On the Punt Return side of things, Earl Bennett ranked 15th, Devin Hester 20th. There's room for improvement here, but the Bears have solid guys back there.
On the kicking side of things, Robbie Gould is solid. He ranked 21st, however, he moves up to 13th in the NFL if we just rank FGs and XPs, removing kickoffs. We know he is one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL. He should have another great season this year.
Brad Maynard disappoints by ranking 39th on the PFF.com list of punters. He does rank 10th in the NFL with 28 punts inside the 20 yard line. This is why he's on the Bears. This is what Toub asks him to do. So, at least for this year, I'm still OK with Maynard back there.
Both as a team & individually, the Chicago Bears have an impressive special teams unit. Take a bow Dave Toub, and keep up the great work this season.
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Brad Maynard does not disappoint.
He merely knows if he were to unleash the entirety of his wrath upon the football, the opponent would consider starting from the 20 a blessing. They would quake in fear that if they even attempted to block the punt, their next landing would be on the moon.
Aside from that, fantastic writeup.
There were a few instances last year
where Shaw’s ST’s play was the only thing keeping me from turning off the game…
Colt's fan friend - "This is our dog, we named her after Peyton Manning."
Boondocksaints812 - "You named her Bitch?!? Did you train her to lie down when you run towards her too?"
Yes
The G-Unit is what I call the Chicago Bears special teams.
by Dozjah on Jul 28, 2010 12:53 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Toub is probably the
most under rated coach in the league. Lots of info there. Good write up. If the defense can perform like they SHOULD, we should be unstoppable. The run in 05-06 was all special teams and defense. ST will be strong as always (though it sucks to not have Hester showing any ridiculousness). D is the key. You can’t tell me we’re not miles ahead of where we were with Rexy, Moose, Jones, and benson (yes I know I didn’t capitalize his name, screw benson) on offense regardless of what any “expert says”. They seem to step up when expectations are low, and according to all the “experts”, they are. Very pleased to see Peter King NOT pick the Bears to go to the Super Bowl. Hopefully Wolfe makes the roster and stays healthy. He’s becoming a good ST tackler and I sure hope Shaw’s season wasn’t a fluke. He looked like the real deal last year.
"We can do it any way you want to. We can go right out back and get it on or you can shape your ass up," Da Coach
What a great pickup Tim Shaw was
after Urlacher went down last year. 1st in the NFL at ST is extremely impressive especially or a guy that wasn’t on a team at the beginning of the season last year.
"Sometimes a player's greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team." -Scottie Pippen
ST players
Every team needs role players to play well to be successful and I think Toub does a great job getting these guys ready to play every Sunday. Would not surprise me at all if he would be a head coach someday.
If I don't hear..
“Devin Hester, you are ridiculous!” this year, I may cry.
by I Have Bearsititis on Jul 28, 2010 4:04 PM CDT reply actions
Having Hester full time returning KOs and punts
would make the special teams specialer
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
Unless one or two of the younger WR's really step up and surpass him as a Widout, he'll never be Full Time as a returner again.
I can’t see that happening but it would be great problem to have.
DA is the key
If his performance in the last few games of 2009 are real indicators of what is to come, the Bears would have the luxury of making Hester a part-time WR, allowing him to be a full-time kick returner again.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 30, 2010 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions
On his current salary, though? Can’t see it happening…..
"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
"Fellas, what are they, unblockable? Is that the '85 Bears over there?" - overheard at Giants' '06 training camp
~~~ Check my profile for links for SB20 and America's Game: '85 Bears ~~~
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