Richard Hightower-Chicago Bears Special Teams Coach

This dude has got to go. Our ST has been kind s**t this season.

This has got to be the year. If it doesn't, this will be worse than Harbaugh with Greg Roman. At least Roman was a net positive to the team. We've seen receivers develop under us, plug and play running backs, tight ends, D-lineman, linebackers, corners, etc. Virtually every position including QB (this staff got more out of Nick Mullens than anyone could've).

In five years, special teams has given us nothing. A film junkie like Kyle has to see this. And guys as connected as Kyle or even Lynch should be able to get someone else.

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
This has got to be the year. If it doesn't, this will be worse than Harbaugh with Greg Roman. At least Roman was a net positive to the team. We've seen receivers develop under us, plug and play running backs, tight ends, D-lineman, linebackers, corners, etc. Virtually every position including QB (this staff got more out of Nick Mullens than anyone could've).

In five years, special teams has given us nothing. A film junkie like Kyle has to see this. And guys as connected as Kyle or even Lynch should be able to get someone else.

Preach.

It seems to be as much about the mentality (just secure it and fair catch) and unpreparedness that leads to a unit that even when the names change, the results are the same...failure.

What's worse is that as conservative as they've been, they've actually still found a way to screw up royally and cost us 2-3 games by themselves.

It's remarkable Hightower is still here IF ShanaLynch really were trying to have a winning season and get to the playoffs.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
This has got to be the year. If it doesn't, this will be worse than Harbaugh with Greg Roman. At least Roman was a net positive to the team. We've seen receivers develop under us, plug and play running backs, tight ends, D-lineman, linebackers, corners, etc. Virtually every position including QB (this staff got more out of Nick Mullens than anyone could've).

In five years, special teams has given us nothing. A film junkie like Kyle has to see this. And guys as connected as Kyle or even Lynch should be able to get someone else.

Preach.

It seems to be as much about the mentality (just secure it and fair catch) and unpreparedness that leads to a unit that even when the names change, the results are the same...failure.

What's worse is that as conservative as they've been, they've actually still found a way to screw up royally and cost us 2-3 games by themselves.

It's remarkable Hightower is still here IF ShanaLynch really were trying to have a winning season and get to the playoffs.

I could deal with conservative if we were top-10 in terms of giving opponents bad field position, didn't give up big plays, etc. There are benefits to being conservative. But conservative AND giving up big plays, making terrible mistakes, etc is a horrible recipe for disaster.

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
This has got to be the year. If it doesn't, this will be worse than Harbaugh with Greg Roman. At least Roman was a net positive to the team. We've seen receivers develop under us, plug and play running backs, tight ends, D-lineman, linebackers, corners, etc. Virtually every position including QB (this staff got more out of Nick Mullens than anyone could've).

In five years, special teams has given us nothing. A film junkie like Kyle has to see this. And guys as connected as Kyle or even Lynch should be able to get someone else.

Preach.

It seems to be as much about the mentality (just secure it and fair catch) and unpreparedness that leads to a unit that even when the names change, the results are the same...failure.

What's worse is that as conservative as they've been, they've actually still found a way to screw up royally and cost us 2-3 games by themselves.

It's remarkable Hightower is still here IF ShanaLynch really were trying to have a winning season and get to the playoffs.

I could deal with conservative if we were top-10 in terms of giving opponents bad field position, didn't give up big plays, etc. There are benefits to being conservative. But conservative AND giving up big plays, making terrible mistakes, etc is a horrible recipe for disaster.

Me too! Obviously I'd love to have a difference maker as a returner too but as long we're not backing our offense up inside their own 5-10 yard line.

I definitely believe the biggest need (outside of better/healthier DB's) is to get a much better ST's coach. So many areas that need to be worked on or downright fixed.

I was fine with using a 4th round pick on Mitch. But, if we're not even going to try and utilize his Aussie athleticism, then it was a waste.

I know we can't do fake punts all the time, but I remember watching Mitch's highlights after drafting him. This may sound weird, but I wonder if there's a way to create some type of play-action punt: if Mitch sees a punt block formation, go for a punt, but if he sees the ability to scramble for a 1st, then he runs it.

I dunno. I think I'm just fed up with our special teams being bad.

The Rams/Vikings were locked into a close matchup last weekend until their special teams unit got a huge punt return TD to give them a 10 point lead.

When has our ST done anything to ADD to a win? The standard has been set so low for this unit.

Have any of the reporters had the balls to ask Kyle WTF is up with the special teams?

It's an incredibly pertinent question. Would love a real answer.

Originally posted by 49er4life:
Have any of the reporters had the balls to ask Kyle WTF is up with the special teams?

It's an incredibly pertinent question. Would love a real answer.

They had Hightower at the press meetings up until a few weeks ago answering all kinds of questions where he gave incredible insights and vast detail (cough).

It appears Kyle does not do anything "special".

Hightower is happy it's all about Jimmy and Lance right now until game time.

This dude is still employed by us

Originally posted by 49er4life:
Have any of the reporters had the balls to ask Kyle WTF is up with the special teams?

It's an incredibly pertinent question. Would love a real answer.

one good thing about Grant Cohn is that you can tell him to ask that question and he will ask it with no hesitation haha. Everyone in that org except Dwelley hates him

Niners resigned Mark Nzeocha....dude was a ST ace, I have no idea what the hell took so long for them to get him back in here.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Niners resigned Mark Nzeocha....dude was a ST ace, I have no idea what the hell took so long for them to get him back in here.

They also need a backup LB because Azeez is out for a bit

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Niners resigned Mark Nzeocha....dude was a ST ace, I have no idea what the hell took so long for them to get him back in here.