13th in a 14-part series leading up to the
start of Bears training camp.
None of Dave Toub's NFL peers were about to
take any pity on the Bears special teams coordinator last season.
But you can make a case it was the most
challenging year Toub has been through since he became an original member of
coach Lovie Smith's staff in 2004. Injuries forced his depth chart to take on a
different look almost weekly and he had so much turnover from the year before
he was working with a consistent group of undrafted rookies, guys he didn't
have much time to work with because of the lockout.
Long snapper Pat Mannelly was lost for the
season with a torn ACL in November. That same month linebacker Brian Iwuh, who
was leading the unit in tackles, suffered a hamstring pull that sent him to
injured reserve and he was waived. Ten players were placed on IR before the
season ended and even when non-special teamers are lost, the trickle-down
effect quickly reaches Toub's meeting room.
Then there was wide receiver Sam Hurd,
signed to help on special teams, who was busted on federal charges of
attempting to mastermind a drug distribution network.
But when you have the luxury of the NFL's
all-time leader in return touchdowns in Devin Hester and a kicker with a track
record for accuracy like Robbie Gould, not to mention a system that produces
year-in and year-out, it makes a lot of small problems go away.
The biggest offseason expenditure entering
2011 was on Adam Podlesh, who became the first punter in franchise history to
finish with a net average above 40 yards.
Toub kept plugging new parts in across the
board and the Bears wound up finishing third in comprehensive special teams
rankings. In 13 of the 22 categories, they were in the top six. They finished
first (or tied for first) in six categories: Punt return, opponent gross punt,
extra-point percentage, giveaways, points allowed and kick security. They
placed second in punt coverage and tied for second in points scored. Football
Outsiders, using its ranking system, had the Bears No. 1 in the league for the
third time in the last five years.
Recognition came at the end of the season.
Cover man Corey Graham received a trip to the Pro Bowl after being snubbed the
year before. Later, he cashed in with free agency, getting a two-year contract
from the Ravens that maxes out at $4 million.
Toub got some recognition around the NFL as
the Dolphins interviewed him for their head-coaching position that eventually
went to former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.
It's a difficult hurdle for special teams
coaches to clear to get into the mix for top jobs but Toub has done it now. The
Bears rewarded him with a contract extension that makes him one of the
highest-paid special teams coordinators in the NFL and if he continues to find
success, perhaps his name will surface in future coaching searches.
A peek ahead: The Bears lost Graham in free
agency but replaced him with more signings geared to Toub's unit than in the
past. Perhaps it's a reflection of the emphasis new general manager Phil Emery
wants to place on the area.
Toub identified linebacker Blake Costanzo
and wide receiver Eric Weems as the best free agents available at their
respective positions and landed both.
Wide receiver Devin Thomas, if he makes the
club, should contribute and Toub already is talking up the possibility of using
safety Brandon Hardin, the third-round draft pick from Oregon State.
So, in theory the rich should get richer
here as Costanzo will likely remind people of former linebackers Tim Shaw and
Brendon Ayanbadejo.
Gould is entering his eighth season and is
coming off one of his finest. Smith never used to send him out to attempt field
goals of 50 yards or more. That isn't the case anymore. Gould connected on
6-of-6 field goals from 50 yards and beyond, and he's 11-of-13 from that range
since 2009. He took full advantage of the new kickoff rules from the 35-yard
line and hit touchbacks on 43 of his 81 kickoffs (53.1 percent), ninth in the NFL.
It's hard to set a bar to measure Hester's
performance because he's capable of doing almost anything. He scored three
touchdowns on returns in 2011 (two punts, one kickoff) and probably would have
been a threat to have more if an ankle injury didn't hobble him for the
majority of the second half of the season. He will remain the punt returner and
be involved on kickoff returns along with Weems. Make no mistake about it
though, Hester is the top returner.
Mannelly was cleared to return from his
injury in the spring and will be back for a 15th season, passing Hall of Famer
Bill George and Doug Buffone for most in franchise history. Fullback Tyler
Clutts remains an emergency option.
Linebacker Dom DeCicco made 17 tackles as a
rookie, second-most on the team, and he projects to be a major contributor
again. Safety Craig Steltz will be a core performer and Toub will look to get
production from young defensive backs like cornerbacks Isaiah Frey and Greg
McCoy.
没有评论:
发表评论