CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS
  • BULLS
  • BLACKHAWKS
  • CUBS
  • WHITE SOX
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Navigation
  • About Us
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • Get In Touch
  • Join Our Group
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Former Bears Head Coach Has No Doubt Bears’ Justin Fields Will Play in Super Bowl
  • Justin Fields jersey is a best-seller in this surprising state
  • REPORT: Former Bears safety a Texans defensive coordinator candidate
  • Chicago Bears should look to sign both of the top defensive tackles in free agency
  • Jay Cutler apparently didn’t care for Brandon Marshall’s wedding
  • REPORT: Chicago Bulls working for major trade deal with important player before the deadline
  • Did the Dallas Mavericks win the Kyrie Irving Trade?
  • Will Anderson Jr. the dominant player Bears need to jumpstart rebuild
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – FansCHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS

    Former Bears Head Coach Has No Doubt Bears’ Justin Fields Will Play in Super Bowl

    February 7, 2023

    Justin Fields jersey is a best-seller in this surprising state

    February 7, 2023

    REPORT: Former Bears safety a Texans defensive coordinator candidate

    February 7, 2023

    Chicago Bears should look to sign both of the top defensive tackles in free agency

    February 6, 2023

    Jay Cutler apparently didn’t care for Brandon Marshall’s wedding

    February 6, 2023
  • BULLS

    REPORT: Chicago Bulls working for major trade deal with important player before the deadline

    February 6, 2023

    Did the Dallas Mavericks win the Kyrie Irving Trade?

    February 5, 2023

    Chicago Bulls are on the way to the top this 2023

    January 26, 2023

    3 possible trade targets for the Chicago Bulls

    January 19, 2023

    Air Jordan 11 ‘DMP’ to get Holiday 2023 release?

    January 19, 2023
  • BLACKHAWKS

    Comparing the Dynamic of Two Rebuilding Clubs

    January 25, 2023

    Chicago Fans’ One Wish for Every Team in 2023

    December 31, 2022

    Blackhawks’ Sam Lafferty returns to line-up vs. Jets

    December 9, 2022

    Blackhawks recall Lukas Reichel from Rockford

    December 6, 2022

    Phillip Danault: A Player Extraordinaire

    November 29, 2022
  • CUBS

    Chicago Cubs still sculpting their bullpen

    January 17, 2023

    Chicago Cubs 2023 prospect watch: Matt Mervis

    January 15, 2023

    Cubs add three shortstops through International Prospect signing day

    January 15, 2023

    Cubs and Trey Mancini agree to a two-year deal

    January 14, 2023

    Cubs hot stove: With Nick Madrigal as the odd man out, could the Cubs trade him?

    January 13, 2023
  • WHITE SOX

    Chicago White Sox 2023 prospect watch: outfielder Oscar Colas

    January 18, 2023

    Chicago Fans’ One Wish for Every Team in 2023

    December 31, 2022

    MLB analyst pitches insane White Sox Yankees trade

    December 22, 2022

    Outfielder Andrew Benintendi signs with White Sox

    December 16, 2022

    Analyst Reveals Poor Grade For White Sox Offseason So Far

    December 12, 2022
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Facebook Twitter Instagram
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
Home»Bears»2015 Chicago Bears Grades: Special Teams ‘special season’
Bears

2015 Chicago Bears Grades: Special Teams ‘special season’

Z PBy Z PJanuary 20, 20163 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
chicago bears grades special teams
chicago bears grades special teams
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

2015 Chicago Bears Grades

Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | Offensive line | Defensive line | Secondary

When the Chicago Bears were competing for division titles, one of their hallmarks was a solid special teams groups heralded by Robbie Gould as a kicker. Gould is perhaps the best symbol of the downturn the Bears have experienced on special teams in recent years. The Bears special teams manifested itself as a problem throughout the 2015 season in all three groups, from kickoffs, to punts and returns both punt and kickoffs. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Bears ranked 12th overall on special teams, combining elements of all special teams play.

Robbie Gould — One of the most inconsistent players on the 2015 Bears, Robbie Gould started off the year making his first fifteen field goals on the season. He then proceeded to finish the season making 18/24 of his field goals. While there were only 6 misses, a 66% success rate is very pedestrian for an NFL kicker, especially Gould who will have the highest cap hit for a kicker in 2016, according to SPOTRAC.com.

Along with his shakiness making field goals, the Bears ranked 27th in touchback percentage, according to teamrankings.com with a paltry 47% of kicks going for touchback. It may be time for the Bears to move on from Robbie Gould, however he was a team captain last season and is viewed as a team leader by teammates and Head Coach John Fox. Maybe removing Gould from his kickoff duties, and focusing more on field goals and PATS, would help Gould become a better kicker overall in 2016.

Pat O’Donnell —  O’Donnell’s most notable game was against Seattle in week three where he had 10 punts that week, and suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss one game this year. O’Donnell improved on all statistics in 2015 with net average increasing by two yards and his punts that pinned opponents inside the 20 increased as well. O’Donnell’s job for 2016 should be safe.

Deonte Thompson — A revelation of sorts in the second half of the season, Thompson provided stability and confidence to the kickoff return unit. He brought kicks back to and past the 20 on a regular basis, did a great job following blockers. He probably played himself into the position for next season.

Marc Mariani —  Mariani had a shaky year returning kicks between not fielding them cleanly and often getting stopped before reaching the 20 yard line. While Mariani proved to be a reliable target for Cutler in the passing game, his main job as a returner suffered and it’s likely Mariani won’t be part of the Bears plans in the return game for 2016.

Grade

The special teams certainly did improve from 2 returns in the first 3 weeks to only allow one more return for TD in the remaining 13 weeks. Overall, the Bears earn a C- for special teams. Improvement for this grade is dependent on the Bears adding more quality depth and increasing their talent pool across the team, thus making the special teams better.

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

Chicago Bears grades Deonte Thompson Pat O'Donnell Robbie Gould
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
The Worst Things Bart Simpson Has Ever Done Ranked
Z P
  • Twitter

Chicago sports.

Related Posts

Bears February 7, 2023

Former Bears Head Coach Has No Doubt Bears’ Justin Fields Will Play in Super Bowl

Bears February 7, 2023

Justin Fields jersey is a best-seller in this surprising state

Bears February 7, 2023

REPORT: Former Bears safety a Texans defensive coordinator candidate

Bears February 6, 2023

Chicago Bears should look to sign both of the top defensive tackles in free agency

Bears February 6, 2023

Jay Cutler apparently didn’t care for Brandon Marshall’s wedding

Bears February 4, 2023

Will Anderson Jr. the dominant player Bears need to jumpstart rebuild

Leave A Reply

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Team Message Boards

bears TP
bulls TP
cubs TP
sox TP
hawks TP
we want you to write
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
© 2023 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.