Tag: Bears Special Teams

Report: Bears expected to re-sign DB/ST Sherrick McManis

Sherrick McManis will remain the longest-tenured player on the Bears when the club — hopefully — returns for the 2020 season.

Sherrick McManis will remain the longest-tenured player on the Chicago Bears when the team — hopefully — returns for the 2020 season.

The Bears are expected to re-sign the core special teams contributor, who will return for his ninth season with the Bears, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

While contract details haven’t been revealed, it would be expected for McManis to return on a one or two-year deal, similar to his last contract with the Bears. McManis has been an important veteran presence on this team, and his return will be big for this club.

McManis has proven to be a reliable depth player in Chicago’s secondary — both at cornerback and safety — but his bread and butter has come on special teams, where he’s arguably the team’s most important player, along with kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson.

During his 108 games with Chicago, McManis has tallied one interception, one forced fumble, six passes defensed and one sack.

McManis’s season was cut short in 2019, after he suffered a groin injury in Week 12 against the New York Giants. He finished the season with 11 tackles in nine games.

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5 things to know about new Bears EDGE Barkevious Mingo

The Bears added more depth on defense and special teams with the signing of OLB Barkevious Mingo. Get to know Chicago’s newest EDGE.

The Chicago Bears continue to make moves to address depth on defense, as well as contributors on special teams. Their latest addition is former first-round pick Barkevious Mingo, who the Bears signed to serve a reserve role at pass rusher and contribute on special teams.

Mingo has been in the NFL for seven seasons, and he’ll get a chance to make a name for himself as a reserve on one of the league’s best defenses.

Following a disappointing season for Chicago’s pass rush, the Bears have made key additions next to Khalil Mack, including the addition of former All-Pro Robert Quinn. Now, Mingo gets a chance to work with both.

Here are five things to know about the Bears’ newest pass rusher:

1. Mingo has history with Bears coaching staff

Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports

As he makes his way to Chicago, Mingo already has some experience working with two members of the Bears’ coaching staff. Mingo spent one year with the Colts in 2017, which happened to mark Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano’s final season as head coach in Indianapolis.

But Mingo has the most history with Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who served the same role with the Browns during Mingo’s first three years in the league. And given Mingo’s special teams prowess, he’s no stranger to Coach Tabor.

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Free Agency: Grading the Bears’ signing of OLB Barkevious Mingo

The Bears added depth at pass rusher and a core special teams player with Barkevious Mingo. How does he grade out?

The Chicago Bears added some depth at edge rusher with the signing of former first-round pick Barkevious Mingo to a one-year deal.

Mingo, who was drafted sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2013, most recently played in a reserve role with the Houston Texans. Mingo played in all 16 games, with one start, where he tallied six tackles in 2019. But perhaps most important, he served as a solid special teams contributor.

Mingo’s best season came with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, where he started 14 games and notched a career-best 48 tackles, as well as one sack, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles.

The Bears have added several special teams players that also provide depth at their given defensive positions, and Mingo is no different. He’ll be a part of a Bears pass rush that includes All-Pros Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn, which ain’t a bad day at the office.

Ultimately, the Bears added another core special teams contributor while also finding a replacement for reserve pass rusher Aaron Lynch. A good-value addition for a Bears team running low on salary cap space.

Grade: B

What do you think, Bears fans? How would you grade Chicago’s acquisition of Mingo?

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Report: Bears re-sign S DeAndre Houston-Carson

The Bears continue to add depth to their defense and special teams units with the re-signing of DeAndre Houston-Carson.

The Chicago Bears have been busy inking defensive players to one-year deals over the last few days and Monday was no different.

According to the Chicago Tribune‘s Brad Biggs, the Bears have re-signed safety DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year contract.

Houston-Carson, drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, has become a key player on special teams. Last season, Houston-Carson played in all 16 games and totaled 6 tackles.

The former William & Mary standout is the latest Bears defender to return to Chicago, as the team agreed to terms with safety Deon Bush, outside linebacker Isaiah Irving, and defensive end Brent Urban on one-year deals, all within the last few days.

The team also recently signed cornerback Artie Burns, strong safety Jordan Lucas, and outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo to one-year contracts as well.

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Bears expected to re-sign LS Patrick Scales on 1-year deal

The Bears special teams won’t be changing in 2020. Chicago is re-signing long snapper Patrick Scales to a 1-year deal.

The Chicago Bears special teams won’t be changing in 2020.

Long snapper Patrick Scales is expected to re-sign with the Bears on a one-year deal, according to Chicago Tribune‘s Brad Biggs.

Scales has served as Chicago’s long snapper for 53 games over the past five seasons. He missed the 2015 season with an ACL injury suffered during the preseason.

The Bears’ special teams will look the same with placekicker Eddy Pineiro, punter Pat O’Donnell and Scales.

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Cordarrelle Patterson named first-team All-NFL kick returner by PFWA

Cordarrelle Patterson continues to garner honors for his special teams play for the Bears in 2019, and he’s earned yet another one.

Cordarrelle Patterson continues to garner honors for his special teams play for the Bears in 2019.

After being named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press and Sporting News, as well as voted to the Pro Bowl, Patterson has earned another honor.

Patterson has been named first-team All-NFL as a kick returner by the Pro Football Writers of America.

Patterson averaged 29.5 yards per kickoff return, including a 102-yard kickoff return touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He also led the NFL with 825 kick-return yards.

Patterson, who signed with the Bears last March, has a reputation for being one of the league’s best kick returners. Patterson ranks second in league history with a 29.9-yard career average, and he trails only Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, who had 30.6.

He also ranks third on the NFL’s all-time list with career kickoff return touchdowns with seven, which is just one behind Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington.

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Cordarrelle Patterson named first-team All-Pro as kick returner

Bears’ Cordarrelle Patterson has been named first-team All-Pro as a kick return specialist for the 5th time in his career.

When the Chicago Bears signed Cordarrelle Patterson last offseason, they were adding a dynamic weapon with an ability to plays open on offense and special team. But it was his special team play that impressed in what was ultimately a disappointing 8-8 campaign for the Chicago.

Patterson has been named to the 2019 All-Pro first team as a kick return specialist.

Patterson averaged 29.5 yards per kickoff return, including a 102-yard kickoff return touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.

This is the fifth time Patterson has earned All-Pro honors for his role as a kick returner. He also made the All-Pro second team as a special teamer for his work as a gunner this season.

Patterson is also the only Bears player to be named to the All-Pro first team in 2019 after having four last season (Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller, Eddie Jackson and Tarik Cohen.)

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Cordarrelle Patterson named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month

Cordarrelle Patterson became the first Bears player since Devin Hester to bring home NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors.

Bears veteran Cordarrelle Patterson has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his performance in November.

Patterson averaged 29.4 yards per return on 10 attempts, as well as had three special teams tackles for the Bears.

While his average for the month was down from his season average of 30.9 yards per return, Patterson made some clutch plays on special teams. In fact, he had three great plays against the Giants back in Week 12, including a touchdown-saving tackle of Jabrill Peppers and downing a Pat O’Donnell punt inside the 5-yard line as the Giants looked to mount a late comeback.

Last Thursday against the Lions, Patterson returned the opening kickoff 57 yards, which led to a Mitchell Trubisky to Allen Robinson touchdown. It was Patterson’s second-longest return of the season after his 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Saints on Oct. 20.

Patterson is the first Bear to be named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month since Devin Hester won the honor in Oct. 2011. It’s Patterson’s second time winning the award, the previous time coming as a rookie with the Vikings in September 2013.

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