Tribune Staff Report
There might not have been a lot of effort in the Pro Bowl Sunday night, but the AFC kickoff coverage team did its job, working to bottle up the Bears' Johnny Knox.
Knox was an injury addition as the return specialist last week after Minnesota's Percy Harvin backed out of the game because of injuries. He returned four kickoffs for 103 yards in the NFC's 41-34 loss. Knox was the target of two passes during the game but didn't have a reception.
Knox, who suffered a sprained ankle in Week 16, was replaced in the second half. It wasn't announced if he was injured.
This marked the third time in four years that the Bears provided the NFC with the return specialist. Danieal Manning led the league in kickoff returns in 2008 and could have been a Pro Bowl selection that season.
Knox is the fourth different special teams player to gain Pro Bowl honors under special teams coordinator and the sixth total Pro Bowl player Toub has had as Devin Hester and Brendon Ayanbadejo went twice each.
For his efforts, Knox received $22,500.
Full Pro Bowl story | Box score | Photos
Photo: Miami's Yeremiah Bell tries to intercept a pass intended for the Bears' Johnny Knox in the 2nd quarter. (Jim Rassol / Sun Sentinel)
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Come on people, this was a poor excuse for an exhibition game. Don't get your enthusism up too high based on what he did in the game. 90% of the people playing are just trying not to get hurt so they are only going aboput 60% effort on any one play. Typical fans of Bears, evaluate him when everyone is trying their best.
Come on people, this was a poor excuse for an exhibition game. Don't get your enthusism up too high based on what he did in the game. 90% of the people playing are just trying not to get hurt so they are only going aboput 60% effort on any one play. Typical fans of Bears, evaluate him when everyone is trying their best.
How abour Toub for head coach?
Way to go, Johnny--the Cutler trade's "better half."
This was the lamest pro bowl I've ever seen. The only exciting plays were the interceptions and the sacks. It looked like the offensive lines were just standing there shaking hands with the defensive lines. It also looked as if the qbs were allowed to complete their passes. The game looked like a ballroom dance class. I mean, it appeared that everybody was playing not to get injured.
Yea! The Bears produce special teams players. We should all be so proud. Especially because those plays account for about 5 percent of all plays a team runs.
Let's celebrate our special teamers. Only on the Bears do they play such a critical role. Our defense can't defend and our offense can't hold onto the ball or score in the red zone, but certainly, let's spend a lot of time focusing on the Johnnie Knoxes and Tim Shaws of the world.
I thought Johnny Knox' efforts returning kicks were pitiful. He seemed very hesitant, slowed and fell down when he neared tacklers or ran out of bounds, and even DOWNED THE BALL IN THE END ZONE on one kick that wasn't very far in! In contrast, the AFL returners showed far more aggression in their returns. They ran ALL kicks out of the end zone. He was there to RETURN kicks in a meaningless game, not down them - ANYONE can do that! He looked for all the world like he's caught all of Devin's return malaise symptoms. In short, he WASTED a wonderful opportunity to showcase his talents,
boy oh boy... Poor johny Knox. The kid nearly cost McNabb 3 interceptions all by himself.(ON CONSECUTIVE PLAYS) Or should I say poor Jay... Knox could be a viable WR someday, just not this year. Take a hard look at the kid from Philly (Jackson) Same body-type,hes a WR and returner and hes fast like johny, BUT Jackson is way stronger and way more aggressive, if Knox could get to that point only then should he be running routes in the PROBOWL!
He needs a nickname. How about "Johnny Rocket"?
I think Knox did great and by the 3rd KOR the AFC was starting to respect his speed.
Toub IS THE MAN!!!
dave toub is the man.
4 returns for 100+ yards is being "bottled up"?