Tag: Richard Hightower

Bears believe Velus Jones Jr. will benefit from new kickoff rules

Bears STC Richard Hightower believes Velus Jones Jr. will be a huge beneficiary of the new kickoff rule.

The NFL implemented a new kickoff rule that will go into effect during the 2024 season, and it might just help Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. secure a roster spot given the important of kickoff returns.

Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower believes Jones will be a huge beneficiary of the new kickoff rule, where he can be a valuable asset for Chicago’s offense.

“You can only think about a guy like Velus Jones,” Hightower said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “A guy like that with his type of skill set, with the speed and the power that he has, and he’s coming full speed ahead at you, it’s like a damn freight train running at you.”

With the new kickoff rule, kickers will need to place the ball within a “landing zone” from the 20-yard line to the end zone. Any kick that lands in that zone must be returned. The rules for touchbacks, which will come out to the 30-yard line: If a ball lands in the zone and rolls into the endzone, kicks that land in the end zone. If the ball lands short of the “landing zone,” it’ll be blown dead nad the ball moved to the 40-yard line.

Hightower believes the kickoff rule change will not only benefit Jones but the entire team given Jones is a threat with the ball in his hands.

“He’s gonna get an opportunity to touch the ball three or four more times a game,” Hightower said. “We all know he’s a very dynamic player with the ball in his hands. But this new rule, because of the landing zone, because of the league incentivizing returns, it’s only going to have a really good effect for not only our whole return team but for a guy like that to really change the game.”

Bears STC Richard Hightower to coach in East-West Shrine Bowl

Richard Hightower will serve as one of the head coaches in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl.

Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower is set to be one of the two head coaches for this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. Director of football operations for the East-West Shrine Bowl, Eric Galko, confirmed an announcement will be coming on Thursday that has Hightower coaching the East team, while New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will coach the West.

The East-West Shrine Bowl is one of college football’s postseason all-star games that dates back to 1925. Since 2017, the game has pulled assistant coaches from the NFL to serve as head coaches for each side. Hightower, entering Year 3 as the team’s special teams coordinator, now gets that honor and will have an up-close look at some of this year’s top draft prospects. He’s the second Bears coordinator to coach in a college all-star game in the last two years, joining former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who coached in last year’s Senior Bowl.

This year’s East-West Shrine Bowl takes place Thursday, February 4th, at 7 p.m. CT at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, TX.

What does Bears’ addition of rookie Andre Szmyt mean for Cairo Santos?

After the addition of UDFA rookie Andre Szmyt, many have wondered what that means for Cairo Santos. Bears STC Richard Hightower explained.

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The Chicago Bears have spent the offseason overhauling their roster with veterans and rookies. But it’s the addition of undrafted rookie kicker Andre Szmyt that has caused plenty of speculation about veteran Cairo Santos’s future.

Santos has been a reliable kicker since joining the Bears in 2020. But last season, Santos struggled at times with extra points, missing five in 2022. Still, Santos remains one of the NFL’s most accurate kickers, connecting on 91.7% of his field goals (seventh in the league).

Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower indicated that Santos’ job is all but safe, if he plays up to his high standards.

“Cairo Santos finished like fifth in the NFL in kicking field goals,” Hightower said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “So I mean if you call that struggling, fifth in the NFL in field goals… I understand the extra point question and he fixed that towards the end. I mean a lot of people would kill to have a top-five kicker.”

As for Szmyt, the Bears have always preached the importance of competition at all positions, and Hightower indicated as much.

“Competition’s always good,” Hightower said. “Having more than one leg in camp is always good. What I like about Andre the most is the fact that he’s a really really good player, a really good, quick ball-rise, strike, elevation. I like the fact that he’s got that one-track mind so he has the mental toughness and the fortitude to play that position. So it’s good. Working with him, just seeing him, and hopefully we can help him develop and be a player and help him contribute to the team, feed his family long-term. That’s what our job as coaches is, is to develop them while they’re here.”

While Santos will likely be Chicago’s starting kicker come Week 1, the kicker competition between him and Szmyt will certainly be something to monitor during the summer.

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Bears STC Richard Hightower reacts to new kickoff rule

While Bears STC Richard Hightower was surprised by the kickoff rule change, he understands the aim to enhance player safety.

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The NFL recently made a change to kickoff rules, which mirrors the same rule in college football. Teams will be allowed to start at their own 25-yard line if they elect to fair-catch a kickoff inside the 25.

While Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was surprised by the rule change, he understands the aim to enhance player safety.

“The rule is the rule,” Hightower said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Before it, like water under the bridge now honestly. Coach (Matt Eberflus) has kind of already spoken on it in terms of what he thinks is going to happen. We’ve discussed as a staff what we think the rule is going do in terms of us basically schematically planning for it. That’s really where we are in the situation right now.

“Health and safety is the number one priority for us, the NFL, for everyone. At this point, what we are trying to do is trying to figure out strategically how to attack the situation and the best ways to win the ball game.”

The amendment to the rule has been met with outrage across the league, where a fundamental aspect of the game could become obsolete. But Hightower does believe the NFL is coming from the right place. If anything, this one-year trial run will give us an idea if it’s sustainable for the long run.

“I think the league is trying to do the right thing,” Hightower said. “We’re all trying to do the right thing. We all care about our players. It’s a trial run and then they’ll vote on it again. And then we’ll see. But ultimately, it’s in the returners’ hands.”

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Bears OTAs: Notes, videos, highlights from Day 5

The Bears conducted their fifth practice of OTAs on Wednesday. Here are notes, highlights and press conferences from Day 5.

The Chicago Bears continued organized team activities (OTAs) this week at Halas Hall. That included the second open session during Wednesday’s practice, where the media got another glimpse of the offseason action.

There was plenty to take away from the second open practice of voluntary OTAs, including some standout rookies, attendance updates, Cody Whitehair’s transition back to center and how cornerback Jaylon Johnson is staying involved despite skipping OTAs.

Here’s a recap of what went down on Day 5 of OTAs, featuring notes, highlights and press conferences from Wednesday:

Bears’ Richard Hightower to participate in 2023 Coach Accelerator program

Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was nominated as part of the 2023 NFL Coach Accelerator program.

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Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower has been nominated to participate in the 2023 Coach Accelerator program, which will be conducted at the Spring League Meeting in Minneapolis.

The Coach Accelerator program aims to increase exposure between owners, executives, and diverse coaching talent, providing ample opportunity to develop and build upon their relationships. This year, there was a change to the nomination process, which allowed clubs to nominate those who reside outside of their organization.

The 40 participants in this year’s program, including Hightower, are expected to be considered for a head coach position in the future.

“In the year since its inception, we’ve been encouraged by the positive response to the Accelerator from both club owners and participants,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.”We look forward to continuing to build on an incredible program that supports diverse talent.”

Hightower joined Matt Eberflus’ coaching staff last offseason as the team’s special teams coordinator. Hightower has 16 years of NFL coaching experience, including with the Houston Texans (2006-08), Washington Commanders (2010-13), Cleveland Browns (2014), San Francisco 49ers (2015; 2017-21) and Bears (2016, 2022-present).

Former Bears defensive coordinator — and current Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator — Sean Desai is also one of the participants in the program.

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Bears 2023 free agency preview: Will DeAndre Houston-Carson return?

DeAndre Houston-Carson has been a special teams mainstay for seven seasons. Will he be back for another?

NFL free agency will be here before we know it, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of players set to hit the market. From key starters to valuable reserves, general manager Ryan Poles will have important decisions to make about who to bring back.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going through each individual player and breaking down their 2022 performance and whether or not they fit in the Bears’ long-term plans.

Safety and special teams ace DeAndre Houston-Carson has been one of the players able to hang on with the Bears for the long term, spending seven seasons in the navy and orange. Will he be able to make it eight?

Bear Necessities: STC Richard Hightower hasn’t lost confidence in Velus Jones Jr.

Velus Jones Jr. had a costly muffed punt in his Bears debut, but the confidence hasn’t wavered heading into Sunday’s game vs. Vikings.

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Bears rookie Velus Jones Jr. made his NFL debut last week against the Giants, after missing the first three games with a hamstring injury. Jones played exclusively on special teams as a kickoff and punt returner.

Jones showed his speed and playmaking ability returning kicks, but there was one play that left a lasting impact. With 2:13 minutes left in the game (and the Bears trailing 20-12), Jones muffed a punt that the Giants recovered. It ultimately sealed the win for New York.

Despite that critical error, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower has confidence in Jones moving forward.

“I haven’t lost any confidence in Velus,” Hightower said. “I’m glad no one ever gave up on me the first mistake I made. That’s how guys get better. You’ve got to give him chances, you’ve got to give him opportunities, and he’s a special player. Nobody feels worse about that play than Velus does, so he’s right back out there. He’s ready to go.”

Jones will continue to return kickoffs and punts heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Vikings, and it sounds like he’s ready to make up for his costly mistake in his NFL debut.

“I think when, we are talking about V12, Velus, he is so confident, super confident,” Hightower said. “So that, I mean he was already talking about the next opportunity that he was going to get after that happened. Obviously, he didn’t feel great about that. He’s a confident person and we have all the confidence in the world in him. I can’t wait to see him return it again.”

Bear Necessities: Rookie Velus Jones Jr. has impressed returning kicks

Bears STC Richard Hightower had praise for rookie kick returner Velus Jones: “He’s got really good acceleration and he’s got good vision.”

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Bears rookie Velus Jones Jr. has been impressing this summer with his speed and playmaking ability, whether that’s on offense or special teams.

In last Thursday’s preseason game, we caught a glimpse of the impact Jones can have in the return game. Jones returned both punts and kickoffs against the Seahawks, and it’s clear the team is trying to get the ball in his hands as often as possible.

Jones’ biggest play came on his second punt return of the game, when he fielded a punt at Chicago’s 19-yard line. Jones turned up his 4.3 speed and was able to elude tacklers before being brought down for a 48-yard punt return, which led to the Bears’ first touchdown of the game.

“He can go from zero to 10 in a hurry,” said special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. “He’s got really good acceleration and he’s got good vision. So, he’s just gotta keep working at it and he’ll get better the more he works at it. Those guys usually get more excited blocking for a guy they know has a chance to go to the house. They’re gonna block anyway, but there’s a little extra juice when you’ve got a guy back there that you know can make a play.”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Jones will play in Saturday’s preseason finale as he was still sidelined during Thursday’s practice.

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WATCH: Bears press conferences from 12th training camp practice

The Bears returned to Halas Hall for their 12th practice of training camp, where Darnell Mooney, Jaquan Brisker and more met with the media.

The Chicago Bears returned to Halas Hall for their 12th training camp practice on Wednesday, which comes just a couple of days before their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

There were plenty of storylines from Day 12 of training camp, which featured a much better performance by the offense. Despite missing most of his top wideouts, quarterback Justin Fields had an impressive outing, which included a nice connection with Isaiah Coulter. Not to mention, the first unofficial depth chart was released.

Here’s a look at the press conferences following Wednesday’s practice, which featured special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, safety Jaquan Brisker and kicker Cairo Santos.

STC Richard Hightower

WR Darnell Mooney

S Jaquan Brisker

K Cairo Santos

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