Cubs News: Hightower on facing All-Pro Keisean Nixon, Devin Hester being honored |
CHICAGO - When your punter has eight punts in a game, that is not a good sign of how your offense is doing. When your punter averages just 41.9 yards per punt, that is also not a good sign. However, rookie punter Tory Taylor rebounded later in the game, as his last punt was a 62-yard punt.
Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was proud of Taylor’s resiliency and how he finished the game. “Obviously, he didn’t start the game (the way) he wanted to start the game, but finished the game really well. Three plus 50 punts, one 62-yard punt backed up in his own end zone. So, what I like about the way that game transpired for Tory is the resolve and the resilience in his eyes. So, obviously, he didn’t start the way he wanted to start … The primary goal in that game was to not let Marcus Jones wreck the game and he did not. So, we wanted to take him out of the game and make sure he didn’t wreck the game,” Hightower said. “He never flinched. He didn’t blink and I’ve been on sidelines before when you have a specialist or a player and you see fear in their eyes, that’s the worst thing you can see as a coach. But, I saw a competitive fire for him to continue to keep going and get it right and he wants to start the game better. I want him to start the game better, but I was really happy how he finished and I’ve challenged him on that to start the game better. I challenged him personally. I challenged him in front of the group … He responded and I’m looking forward to him responding again.” When Chicago faces the Green Bay Packers this coming Sunday (Noon / FOX), they will face perhaps their biggest special teams challenge yet in kick returner Keisean Nixon. Nixon has been named a first-team All-Pro the past two seasons. “Nixon is a two-time All-Pro, first-team All-Pro returner last year and this year. So, again, every year we play him. He’s smooth. He’s elusive. He’s instinctive,” Hightower said. “He’s going to bring the football out nine deep. It doesn’t matter. Wherever the ball is, he’s going to bring it out regardless and they’re going to try to return it and they try to use that as a strength. So, we’re looking forward to covering against him and it’s going to be a huge challenge for our cover unit.” For Chicago, kick returner DeAndre Carter has been having a strong season. On his sole kick return against the New England Patriots last Sunday, Carter had a 38-yard return. It seems rather fitting that the kick returners may have a prominent role in this game given the Chicago Bears will be honoring Hall of Famer Devin Hester at the game. While it may have taken him a few years to get into the Hall, Hightower is proud of Hester and happy he is finally being honored the way he deserves. “I thought he should have been in the Hall a long time ago and I’m happy that he finally got in. We take great honor and pleasure in seeing him anytime he comes back,” Hightower said. “He’s one of the greatest Chicago Bears to ever play here and it’s someone we show in the meeting room from time to time to inspire these guys. So, they can learn a lot from Devin and his journey.”
