| To avoid wearing facial expressions like this one, Lions P Nick Harris might want to avoid kicking the ball to dangerous Bears PR Devin Hester. (US Presswire) |
There are two rules for NFL punters when facing the Chicago Bears:
Rule No. 1: Don’t kick the ball to Devin Hester.
Rule No. 2: When in doubt, see rule No. 1.
What happens when you violate those rules? Ask current Jets’ punter Robert Malone. He was signed by Detroit last season when rookie Ryan Donahue suffered an injury, and made his debut with the team on a windy November day at Soldier Field. He kicked the ball to Hester three times, one of which was returned for an 82-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winning score.
He was waived two days later.
Nearly a year later, the Lions are preparing to face Hester again, and despite his dip in production this season – Hester’s average yards per return (7.8) is five yards off his career pace -- the player current Lions’ punter Nick Harris describes as “the best at his position ever” says the Bears’ can take advantage of Detroit’s vulnerable coverage unit.
"[Detroit] is a team that we see some opportunities [in the return game]," Hester told CBSSports.com. "At the same time, we've got to be patient. Other than that, you just make sure that we do our assignments and everything will work out for the best."
Hester’s claim that the Lions’ coverage teams offer opportunities for big returns is an understatement. Special teams’ coordinator Danny Crossman’s unit has already become the first since STATS LLC. began keeping statistics on returns to allow both a kick and punt return touchdown in consecutive weeks this season, and Hester has a proven track record against Detroit.
Harris says the biggest challenge when facing Hester is his ability to make a play in any situation, and punt gunner Kassim Osgood says Hester’s exceptional field vision gives him an advantage over most returners in the league.
Osgood says the key to stopping Hester Monday night isn’t simply to try and execute a game plan against him. The veteran coverage ace says the best way to contain Hester is simply to look in the mirror.
“You’ve got to ask ‘how would I defeat myself [as a coverage player]?” he said.
Osgood is hoping that Harris will be able to produce enough hang time on punts in the windy confines of Soldier Field to allow him to reach Hester before he makes his first move. If that doesn’t happen, Osgood says a coverage unit can do only one thing to stop Hester:
“Be prepared for anything.”
Nate Burleson, Lawrence Jackson fined: Lions’ wide receiver Nate Burleson is known for his elaborate touchdown celebrations which often make reference to the team the Lions are playing. His celebration against the Eagles in Week 6 did just that – Burleson flapped his arms like the bird, and then mimed shooting it down -- but the dance also earned him a career-high $10,000 fine. The NFL told Burleson he received the fine because the dance involved “violent action toward another team.” Burleson says he intends to appeal the fine, and that he has no plans to curtail his celebrations in the future.
In addition to confirming Burleson’s fine Friday, the league announced that defensive end Lawrence Jackson received a $15,750 fine for hitting Eagles quarterback Michael Vick below the knees last week. Jackson said via Twitter that he will also appeal his fine.
Jacob Lacey only Lion to miss Friday practice: The Lions listed the following players on the team’s Friday practice report: No Practice: CB Jacob Lacey (concussion). Limited Practice: DE Cliff Avril (back), CB Bill Bentley (shoulder), S Louis Delmas (knee), TE Brandon Pettigrew (knee), LB Stephen Tulloch (knee), DT Corey Williams (knee) and WR Titus Young (knee) Full Practice: DE Ronnell Lewis (eye).
Follow Lions’ reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSLions and @JohnKreger