Richard Hightower-Chicago Bears Special Teams Coach

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Richie James is reliable but rarely good for an explosive play. Not to complain too much, he's still helping us win, but I hope we upgrade that area going forward.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Yeah, talent wise, he's probably 4th behind Pettis, Reed and Taylor.

But I think the real issue is Hightower...most conservative ST coach I've ever seen. He just wants his guys to fair catch or get out of the way. He could carec less about any return yardage or game breakers.

Asks Mitch to kick short kickoffs costing us big yesterday and never ran a single fake or exotic play all season despite having a ST "weapon."

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Richie James is reliable but rarely good for an explosive play. Not to complain too much, he's still helping us win, but I hope we upgrade that area going forward.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Richie James is reliable but rarely good for an explosive play. Not to complain too much, he's still helping us win, but I hope we upgrade that area going forward.

Yeah, talent wise, he's probably 4th behind Pettis, Reed and Taylor.

But I think the real issue is Hightower...most conservative ST coach I've ever seen. He just wants his guys to fair catch or get out of the way. He could carec less about any return yardage or game breakers.

Asks Mitch to kick short kickoffs costing us big yesterday and never ran a single fake or exotic play all season despite having a ST "weapon."

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

That, at best, is a guess.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

That, at best, is a guess.

If a kicker can reach the 1 yard constantly, they probably can put it in the endzone. Its an attempt to stop teams short of the touchback or to force a turnover but when you have a kick returner constantly taking it back out to the 30 and beyond, maybe you readjust your strategy?

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
That, at best, is a guess.

If a kicker can reach the 1 yard constantly, they probably can put it in the endzone. Its an attempt to stop teams short of the touchback or to force a turnover but when you have a kick returner constantly taking it back out to the 30 and beyond, maybe you readjust your strategy?

You'd think. At best you stop him at the 20. At worst, you give up a TD. If you're going to be conservative and not risk injury to your return team, just take the TB at the 25. It isn't worth it. It's OK to be conservative with kickoffs esp. with our defense.

Originally posted by NCommand:
Hightower couldn't do much of anything with national leaders and players like Dante Pettis, D.J. Reed, Raheem Mostert and conservatively sticks with safer players like Richie James and Trent Taylor, according to Adam Peters, he'll get another crack with Brandon Aiyuk who is slated to do both punt and kickoff returns.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Hightower couldn't do much of anything with national leaders and players like Dante Pettis, D.J. Reed, Raheem Mostert and conservatively sticks with safer players like Richie James and Trent Taylor, according to Adam Peters, he'll get another crack with Brandon Aiyuk who is slated to do both punt and kickoff returns.

Originally posted by Goatie:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Hightower couldn't do much of anything with national leaders and players like Dante Pettis, D.J. Reed, Raheem Mostert and conservatively sticks with safer players like Richie James and Trent Taylor, according to Adam Peters, he'll get another crack with Brandon Aiyuk who is slated to do both punt and kickoff returns.

We haven't had anyone return the KO or Punts since Hayne in the preseason in 2015. Pity he turned out to be a dud. But we need someone who can return like that only all season long. Aiyuk may well be the guy. James Jr was too conservative and missed a lot of opportunities.

Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:

I cant believe we are putting our sanders replacement on st risking his neck to return punts and kicks. I mean if hes our wr1 we cant do that. Thats why we traded up 6 spots right?