Lovie Has Confidence in Bennett & Knox if Hester Can't Go...........

Lovie Smith has confidence in the Bears’ fill-in return men
Sean Jensen sjensen@suntimes.com November 11, 2011 11:44PMUpdated: November 12, 2011 2:10AM


The Detroit Lions might catch a break if Devin Hester, who is questionable after not ­practicing the last two days, doesn’t play Sunday.But they can’t be too relieved because the Bears have two other players who have scored return touchdowns.

“We’re confident,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “There’s only one Devin Hester. No one has ­anyone like him. But without him, we’ll have another very good returner to replace him.”

Bears receiver Johnny Knox went to the Pro Bowl after the 2009 season, averaging 29 yards per kickoff and returning one 102 yards for a touchdown. Earl Bennett is averaging 10.7 yards per punt return for his career, and he returned one in 2009 for a 49-yard touchdown. “If I get in, I know what to do, so it shouldn’t be strange to me,” Knox said.

Smith, though, wouldn’t rule Hester out. “We’re still hopeful for Devin. It’s never good when a player doesn’t practice,” Smith said. “But if he’s ready to go Sunday, there’s still a chance we’ll let him go.”Knox said he was disappointed that he and Hester couldn’t get much going against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. Hester did have a 19-yard punt return, but he averaged an abysmal 10 yards on three kickoff returns. Knox, though, wasn’t much better, averaging 10.5 on two.

“We struggled back there. We just didn’t get anything going. That’s not us,” Knox said. “We just want to get back there and do what we can do.”The Bears worked on the high, shallow kickoffs that the Eagles employed. While Corey Graham had a key forced fumble that Sam Hurd recovered, Bears special-teams coordinator Dave Toub wasn’t pleased with his unit’s overall effort.

The Eagles were in a position to convert a fourth down on a fake punt. But rookie Chas Henry’s pass was well short. “It was a good call by [Eagles special teams coordinator] Bobby April,” Toub said. “We’re lucky that he threw it in the dirt. We didn’t have a good day.” Toub said that he and his players didn’t adjust well to the short kickoffs and that at least one player got beat on each one.

Carimi has surgery

Rookie right tackle Gabe Carimi had a knee scope Friday, the team announced. Carimi has missed the last six games with a partially dislocated right kneecap.Smith indicated that Carimi will not be put on injured reserve, which would end his season. “Don’t know the extent of it. We just know he had a minor scope done,” Smith said. “Minor.”

‘Izzy Style’ burger

Defensive end Israel Idonije is hosting a charity event for his foundation at the Rock Bottom Brewery at 1 W. Grand Ave. during “Monday Night Football.”There will be a silent auction, and guests can try a special “Izzy Style” burger, which could include a turkey burger, fries, cheese and ketchup on a bun.
Proceeds will benefit the Israel Idonije Foundation. “It’s going to be a good time,” he said.

Ankle keeps Hester in doubt

Bennett and Knox would see more action if receiver/returner can't play


By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter 10:33 p.m. CST, November 11, 2011


Devin Hester was held out of practice again Friday because of his sprained left ankle and the wide receiver/returner is questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions at Soldier Field.

Hester wasn't spotted during practice the last two days, meaning he was likely inside Halas Hall getting treatment. Considering the short week and the nature of the injury, it will not be surprising if he misses a game for the first time since late in the 2009 season, when a calf injury sidelined him for three games.
Hester, who is second on the team with 22 receptions, has missed only four games in his six-year career. If he cannot play, Earl Bennett is expected to start at wide receiver and Johnny Knox will figure more prominently in a return role. The Lions are hurting somewhat on special teams. Punter Ryan Donahue is questionable with a right quad injury and the Lions signed Robert Malone on Friday to likely replace him. Kicker Jason Hanson is probable with a left knee injury.

Defensive end Julius Peppers, who missed practice Thursday, did return and is probable. He was on the field with a bulky brace on his left knee, which was injured in Monday night's victory in Philadelphia.

"He's a quick healer," Smith said, referencing Peppers' move from doubtful to the starting lineup last month against the Vikings after he injured his right knee in the first meeting with the Lions.

Safety Major Wright (ankle), tight end Kellen Davis (shoulder) and defensive tackle Matt Toeaina (knee) are probable and all had full participation in practice. For the Lions, running back Jahvid Best remains out, dealing with the lingering effects of his second concussion this season. Safety Louis Delmas (foot) and defensive tackle Sammie Hill (ankle) are questionable. Former Bears wide receiver Rashied Davis (foot) is probable.

Tackling the issue: Last month when Brandon Meriweather racked up fines in consecutive weeks for illegal hits, Smith said he was concerned about the safety playing better when asked about the costly shots. Meriweather will play and could start against the Lions. Now, Smith is admitting the physical player needs to change his ways.

"New ways of tackling?" Smith said. "There is a proper way to tackle and he has to get that down or he will continue to get fined. But he is working on that. Hopefully that won't be a problem in the future."

It is an issue for Smith, too, because illegal hits bring with them penalties.

Special stuff: The Bears got aggressive on the Eagles' fake punt attempt Monday when rookie Chas Henry's pass fell short on a trick play. The Bears had called a rush/return, a play designed to pressure the punter, or force a directional punt that could set up a big return for Hester.

"We put 10 guys in the box and we saw on tape they go to tight punt when that happens," special teams coordinator Dave Toub said. "They trumped us with a more aggressive call. They had us if they made a good throw."

How do the Bears prevent it in the future?

"You have to be alert," Toub said. "Take your safeties and bail them sooner. We didn't get lined up right away, we were kind of milling around. They kind of got us by surprise."

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Let's hope we never see them blow covering their gunners on a punt again. Maybe there are times when you can put on that all out rush like when the opponent is punting from deep in their own territory an won't risk a fake punt or when the game is on the line and you're behind. I don't think what happened Monday fit either of those categories.

I attributed the lack of decent kick returns to the Eagles kicking the ball high. I expect the Lions will do more of the same. This is a copycat league, as the cliche goes, so we will see more of this. We're going to have to get better blocking on kickoff returns.