Hightower on Robinson's blocked punt, how cold will benefit Bears |
CHICAGO - Not much went right for the Chicago Bears in their last game against the Minnesota Vikings. However, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was proud of his unit for making the play of the game against Minnesota.
Defensive end Dominique Robinson blocked Minnesota’s punt, giving the Bears an incredibly short field to score their only touchdown of the game. It was Chicago’s first blocked punt since their season-opening victory against the Tennessee Titans. “An excellent job by the punt return team, obviously. Kudos to (Robinson) doing an outstanding job staying locked in, staying focused the whole time. He rarely has had a chance to be up. But, he was up and it just goes to show you how locked in and how focused he was and maximum effort on that play, getting that blocked punt which is a huge play in the football game. I did feel like the movement with (safeties Tarvarius) Moore and Jonathan Owens helped out with that as well … They’re locked in and they’re ready for their moment to make game-changing plays and that’s what I see in my room. I see guys like Dom that are intentional about their work and going in and making a play,” Hightower said. “Just a great team effort and a really huge play and just happy for (Robinson). Really thrilled for him that it worked out that way for him.” One drawback of having a dome stadium is the lack of experience playing outside. That could be an advantage for the Chicago Bears when they face the Detroit Lions this coming Sunday (Noon / FOX), as the Lions have only played one game outside this season. It will be a cold game in Soldier Field on Sunday, with typical Chicago windy conditions. According to the weather forecast, it is supposed to feel like 18 degrees at kickoff. “Obviously, it’s going to be cold, which we like. It’s going to be opportunities for special teams to make plays, which we like. It’s a part of Chicago. It’s a part of Chicago football (and) we practice outside because of that and kicked outside because of that. Last week, we kicked inside because we were playing inside,” Hightower said. “So, I try to get them in the elements that they’re going to be in. That especially helps guys like (punter) Tory (Taylor). Tory’s playing outstanding right now. So, I’m encouraged by what’s going on with him the last couple games he’s been playing. I’m just excited to see him and the rest of the unit get in front of the fans and play at home. So, we’re excited for that and I want to see Tory perform in these elements if he’s called upon.” Taylor has been exceptional all season. He has averaged 48.6 yards per punt so far this season and is fourth in the league in punts (66) and total punt yards (3,209). In week four in Chicago’s win against the Los Angeles Rams, he averaged 55.4 yards per punt including three punts inside of the 20 yard line. His performance against the Washington Commanders was also stellar when Taylor punted seven times, putting five of them inside of the 20 yard line. In total, almost 38 percent of his punts have been inside of the 20. In a season where not a lot has gone right for the Bears, Taylor has been a positive sight to see and bright spot looking toward next year.
