Coach Mike Ditka refused to make Tommy Barnhardt punt outdoors this week. ”He worked on his low kicks,” Ditka said.
”I punted some outdoors last week and they went 35 or 40 yards,”
Barnhardt said.
Special teams coach Steve Kazor didn`t make Dennis McKinnon try to catch bricks or placekicker Kevin Butler kick cinder blocks in preparation for Sunday`s iceball playoff game against the Washington Redskins in Soldier Field.
But when the Bears left the warmth of Notre Dame`s indoor facility Friday morning, they planned to work outside in Lake Forest Saturday.
”If it`s as cold as it has been, there will be a problem kicking, catching and holding the ball, period,” Ditka said.
By Sunday, wind may be more troublesome than cold. But when the Bears play the Redskins, the kicking game often becomes a thrill factor regardless of the chill factor.
In 1985, the Bears trailed Washington 10-0 until Willie Gault returned a kickoff the distance. Kickoff man-punter Jeff Hayes was hurt on the play, and quarterback Joe Theismann had to punt. He booted a 1-yarder, and the Redskins collapsed and lost 45-10.
Gault will return kickoffs again Sunday, replacing Thomas Sanders opposite Dennis Gentry.
The Bears need a boost in all special teams except kick blocking and Butler`s kicking.
McKinnon`s punt return average has plummeted like the thermometer. After leading the league early in the season, the only player to return two punts for touchdowns this season has averaged 3.7 yards an attempt in his last nine games.
McKinnon blames it on strategy, and Kazor agrees for the most part.
”Maybe we`re putting too much pressure on the punters,” Kazor said.
A heavy rush means light blocking, and McKinnon is left to fend for himself.
”My body can tell you that,” McKinnon said. ”I`m catching the ball and looking to run, and I`ve got four or five guys on me.”
Ditka critized McKinnon for trying to make a running catch of a punt against the Raiders. He fumbled and bruised a knee. Kazor defended him for trying to make a big play.
Had McKinnon held on at the 49-yard line, it would have been the first time the Bears had started a series in enemy territory since the first half of the Nov. 29 Green Bay game, in which McKinnon also returned a punt into enemy territory.
”He`s frustrated. He`s trying to force it a little,” Kazor said. ”I`m sure they`re not kicking to him, and that`s part of it, too. Maybe I should go to more of a return look instead of putting on pressure.”
”That would be nice,” McKinnon said.
The rush has shaken punters and caused shanks, but the ball has been taking bad bounces for the Bears.
McKinnon has been relatively quiet this week, preferring to listen to tapes on his headset rather than reporters. Ditka is alternating him more with starting flanker Ron Morris.
McKinnon missed all of last season with a knee injury. ”People point to the loss of Jim McMahon last year,” said safety Gary Fencik. ”Dennis McKinnon was a critical loss, too.”
”I think he thrives on playing in big games, and he`ll play well,”
Ditka said.
McKinnon was not impressed by New Orleans Saints punt returner Mel Gray, who led the league.
”It`s easy to lead the league when you`re playing indoors because you don`t have to worry about wind,” McKinnon said. ”Get him out here and let him play in Soldier Field and see how his average begins to drop.”
If opposing teams are kicking away from McKinnon, they are really avoiding Gentry on kickoffs.
”We need big plays, not only on punt returns but on kickoff returns,”
McKinnon said. ”They`re pinning Gentry and Sanders in the corners.”
Gault said he is ready to contribute. ”I like doing it; I don`t mind. I set records doing it in college.”
Butler has yet to miss a field goal this year from less than 40 yards. He is only 3 for 12 from beyond 40, including two of 52 yards.
Butler has made 16 of his last 19, but the Bears have another problem at long snapper because of Mark Rodenhauser`s shoulder injury.
Ditka said rookie John Adickes and starting center Jay Hilgenberg will share the snapping duties. He said Adickes has improved and Hilgenberg`s injured shoulder and elbow are better.
The area in which the Bears are most solid is kick blocking. Their statistics covering all 15 games show a league-high 10 field goals or extra points blocked.
Al Harris was credited with four blocked field goals and two blocked extra points. Dan Hampton blocked two field goals. Both give credit to the line charge of Mark Bortz and William ”the Refrigerator” Perry.
It might be the Fridge`s only chance to play Sunday. What`s a cold game without one?
