EXTRA POINTS
More from McManis
Bears special-teams coordinator
Chris Tabor uses a point system to increase competition among his players.
“Guys are always trying to get their points,” Tabor said. “If a guy gets a tackle, it makes a guy say, ‘Hey I’m going to go get that tackle.’
‘‘We’re competing against the other team, but we’re also competing against ourselves.”
It helps to have Sherrick McManis around to set the tone, too. Against the Cardinals, McManis tackled Christian
Kirk one-on-one in the open field on a punt return. He also did it at full speed.
“Boy, that’s a big-time play,” Tabor said. “Obviously, he showed why he’s been such a good player in this league for a long time.
“[Punter Pat O’Donnell ]dida great job of flipping the field. That’s a 62-yard bomb coming out in the second half there, and he put it outside the numbers.’’
For Tabor, it’s a highlight that other special-teams stalwarts, namely Josh Bellamy and Benny
Cunningham, will have to beat in his points system.
“That’s what makes special teams fun,” Tabor said.
Kush vs. Daniels
Left guard Eric Kush committed two penalties in the first half against the Cardinals, including a chop block that backed the Bears up 15 yards.
Kush, though, is still in good standing with coach Matt Nagy .It doesn’t sound as if second-round pick James Daniels will be replacing him anytime soon.
“He’s done a good job,” said Nagy, who coached Kush with the Chiefs. “He’s a kid that works extremely hard at trying to home in on his weaknesses and get better at his strengths.
“So far, he’s done pretty well. Now with most guys, there’s been a few things that he wishes he could have back on some runs and protections. But those happen to some of the great ones, too. So I like where he’s at. He’s putting the work in every day, and we appreciate that.”