Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox (13) returns a kick-off for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Chicago.(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Story Created:
Oct 8, 2009 at 5:38 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Oct 8, 2009 at 5:38 PM EDT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — With one huge burst and some big assists from his blockers, Johnny Knox looked like Devin Hester as he outran just about everybody on his way to the end zone last week against Detroit.
Everybody, that is, except the Chicago Bears' ballboy.
The Lions couldn't touch Knox on his 102-yard kickoff return, but somehow, University of Illinois junior Darryl MaGee managed to keep pace most of the way on the sideline even though he was carrying several footballs.
"I've seen (the clip)," Knox said. "I talked to him about it. He's pretty fast."
In a way, it seems appropriate that MaGee got his moment in the spotlight from a rookie who keeps finding ways to grab it after playing in obscurity at Tyler Junior College and then Division II Abilene Christian in Texas, whether he's catching touchdown passes or breaking off big returns.
Knox is third among rookie receivers with 190 yards and tied for the lead with two TD receptions. On kickoff returns, he's averaging an NFL-leading 35.8 yards per return and emerging as a key component for a special-teams unit that ranks among the best.
The Bears are averaging a league-leading 31.3 yards per kickoff return. They are second with 501 total yards and three returns for 40 or more, and they're tied for third with 13 returns for at least 20 yards.
They're having similar success returning punts.
Chicago is tied with Minnesota and Cleveland for the league lead with three for 20 or more yards, and between the long returns and spot-on kicks, the special teams were particularly impressive against Detroit.
Robbie Gould hit a career-best 52-yard field goal, Brad Maynard buried the Lions inside the 20 on all four punts and the Bears racked up 277 yards running back punts and kickoffs. Danieal Manning, Earl Bennett and Hester each contributed returns of 24 yards or more, but the most impressive came from a fifth-round draft pick whose star continues to rise.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub had a feeling Knox would start the second half against the Lions with a big return and he did just that, breaking a 21-21 tie and setting the tone for a runaway win.
"We ran left twice (in the first half) and we saw how they were covering, and they were covering fast," Toub said. "We felt like we might be able to get something back to the field, show the same return but then bounce it back to the field and it worked out for us."
The result was a Hester-like run, with Knox sprinting through a hole in the middle before turning up the right side and running untouched to the end zone, although he might have actually dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line.
Knox eventually left the game with a right shin injury, but said he's fine. The same goes for Hester, who exited with a strained muscle in his neck in the first half after he got crunched by the Lions' Louis Delmas and William James following a short reception.
Both expect to play against Atlanta after a bye this week.
Before he left the game, Knox conjured flashes of Hester's first two seasons as a record-setting return specialist before his production declined with a bigger role at receiver last year.
"You've got to just not really get overwhelmed with a big head, but enjoy it while it's there and continue to work hard," said Hester, who's handling punts while Manning and Knox share kickoff returns.
So far, he likes what he sees from Knox.
Knox wants to be one of the best, although he realizes he has a ways to go. For now, he's emerging as a contributor on offense and a special-teams unit that ranks among the best.
"He's the type of guy that's willing to listen to the veterans, suck everything in like a sponge," Hester said. "He's the type of guy who's not really outspoken unless you really get him talking. But other than that, he's the type of guy that's really going to listen."
