ChicagoBreakingSports
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Devin Hester returns a kick against the Lions last season. (Chris Sweda/Tribune)
By Brad Biggs
Special teams has remained a strength of the Bears even if Devin Hester remains in a touchdown drought when it comes to the return game.
Much more goes into special teams than returns, and the fact is the Bears sent Johnny Knox to the Pro Bowl as a returner last season in a year in which Danieal Manning was also deserving.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub has benefitted from consistent core players - kicker Robbie Gould, punter Brad Maynard and long snapper Pat Mannelly - and they make nearly everything he does easier. Toub, meanwhile, has done well when it comes to shuffling his pool of players to work with on an annual basis. No greater example is needed than linebacker Tim Shaw. He didn't join the team until Week 2 last seasn and set a franchise record with 30 tackles. Shaw will be a core player this season but three of Toub's top eight contributors in terms of playing time in 2009 must be replaced as linebackers Jamar Williams and Darrell McClover and running back Adrian Peterson have moved on. Let's look at special teams:
Read the full story on chicagotribune.com/sports
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