The Bears’ special teams were especially bad again Thursday.
Not the kickers, but the kick coverage.
“Jeff (Jaeger) did a good job; Todd (Sauerbrun) did a good job . . . the bottom line is that we didn’t go down and do what we practiced,” said beleaguered first-year special teams coach Keith Armstrong.
Jaeger contributed a season-long 52-yard field goal and high kickoffs, and Sauerbrun averaged 53.6 yards in five punts, including a 67-yarder from his own end zone.
But Glen Milburn ran like . . . well, Barry Sanders, returning five kickoffs for 189 yards, including a 69-yarder.
“We knew what they were running; we knew where we were supposed to be,” Armstrong said. “And we went down there and they beat our butts. It was just that simple. We were in our lanes, we knew what the return was, we knew that we had to get extra people over there. And the guys who had to get over the top didn’t get over the top to make the play.
“We saw that play on film and had plenty of time to practice against it. They are not the only team in the league that runs it. Milburn is an elusive guy, and if you give him a crease . . . we have seen enough plays on film where he has hit people. And he got us twice on that play today. We went down and covered the third (return) and they still get it down to the 30. And they get a penalty on top of it. So they get the ball again at the 45.
“It is very disappointing and very discouraging. When you look at what we did today, you have to say: `We didn’t get done on the field what we practiced.’ “
Milburn ran for only 57 yard in the five Sauerbrun punts.
“We have to become more consistent on the field as a group on the special teams,” Armstrong said. “Today we covered punts (well), but we didn’t cover kickoffs. Last week we didn’t cover punts well, but we covered kickoffs. So we have to be more consistent. Anybody can go out and talk about it. We have to go out and do it.”
Personnel changes on special teams could be forthcoming.
“We obviously have to look at who we are going to leave on the backside and the frontside of the return,” Armstrong said. “Today we started chasing ghosts. We ought to be able to go down there and stay pretty balanced with our approach.”
Armstrong said he realizes that if he doesn’t make the proper personnel changes, his job status could be in trouble.
