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Chalk Talk

Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans every day on ChicagoBears.com.

Why wasn’t holding called on the Rams when it was clear that they were holding Greg Olsen’s jersey on the fake field goal well before he caught the ball? Is there a special rule when the receiver is behind the line of scrimmage?

Matt
Pleasant Plains, Illinois

While pass interference cannot be called behind the scrimmage, holding is a penalty that can be assessed anywhere on the field. However, in this case, I’m not so sure a flag was warranted. The Rams’ David Roach did appear to reach out for Greg Olsen, but I don’t think you could say that Roach held him before Olsen caught Brad Maynard’s shuffle pass. I asked Olsen about it today and he said that Roach made a good instinctive play and should not have been called for holding.

Why does Devin Hester continue to run backwards and sideways when fielding punts? Every long punt return I’ve seen the runner’s first step is forward.

Brad
Trinity, Florida

I think it’s a combination of Devin Hester trying to make a big play and having a wall of tacklers directly in front of him. While he must make better decisions on punt returns, I also think that he needs to get better blocks from his teammates. I know the coaching staff has worked with Devin on going north and south and trying to get at least 10 yards without trying to hit a home run every time he touches the ball. But that isn’t easy to do when there isn’t any running room in front of you.

Given the inconsistent play on both sides of the ball this year, I’m becoming concerned that the Bears now have so many needs that it will be a long time before they’re serious contenders again. Can you please provide me with a plausible scenario by which the Bears avoid a lengthy rebuilding process?

John S.
Greencastle, Pennsylvania

I’m sure most people felt that the Bears faced a lengthy rebuilding process when they finished in last place with records of 5-11 in both 2000 and 2004. Yet on both occasions they rebounded to win their division the following season. I’m not saying that will definitely happen again; all I’m saying is that a quick turnaround is possible and I’m sure fans and media were saying the same exact things in 2000 and 2004 that they’re saying this year. The biggest difference is that the Bears have a young Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback to build around. What they need to do in the offseason is determine what their main problems are and then fix them. On the 53-man roster, there are 30 players who are 26 years old or younger. The Bears must develop those players and then add some other pieces via the draft and free agency.

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