Special teams asst Chris Tabor "likely" candidate to join Ron Rivera's Staff

[The Saltman]

Per Gantt:

special teams asst Chris Tabor "likely" candidate to join Ron Rivera's #Panthers staff per source.

and

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/bears-special-teams-aide-could-join-riveras-staff.html

For the second time in his tenure as special-teams coordinator, Dave Toub could see an assistant get a promotion with another team.

Chris Tabor, who has worked under Toub for three seasons, is a likely candidate to become the special-teams coordinator of the Carolina Panthers under new head coach Ron Rivera.

Although Tabor can't talk to the Panthers while the Bears are still active in the playoffs, the move is considered a strong possibility, according to one source with knowledge of the situation.

Tabor is out of contract after this season, so he will be free to move to another team without having to get permission. Kevin O'Dea left the Bears after the 2007 season to become the special-teams coordinator of the New York Jets while an illness sidelined Mike Westhoff.

[AceMan]

Bears ST coordinator? HELL YESSSSS!!!!

[The Saltman]

he is their asst special teams coordinator

[frash.exe]

copypasta from bears.com

Chris Tabor is in his third season as Chicago's assistant special teams coach after being hired on February 22, 2008. Tabor came to the Bears after spending two seasons at Western Michigan University as the Broncos running backs and special teams coach.

In two seasons as an assistant to special teams coordinator Dave Toub, Tabor has helped his unit finish eighth and sixth in the NFL (according to the Dallas Morning News ranking system) in 2008 and 2009, respectively. During that time, the Bears rank second in the NFL in kickoff return average (25.0 ypr). In 2008, Danieal Manning led the NFL in kickoff return average (29.7) and in 2009, Johnny Knox finished second in the league earning a 2010 Pro Bowl nod as a returner.

Chicago is also second in the league, during that span, landing 66 punts inside-the-20 while tying for the NFL lead in fewest touchbacks with just seven. During Tabor's time as assistant special teams coach, Chicago ranks third in the league in punt coverage (6.8 ypr) and blocked kicks (six).

Since 2008, Chicago is one of only three teams in the NFL to not allow a special teams return touchdown, joining Buffalo and Tampa Bay. The Bears three kick return touchdowns during that span are tied for sixth in the league.

The Bears are sixth in the NFL in field goal percentage since 2008 connecting on 50 of 57 attempts (87.7 percent).

Prior to his time in Kalamazoo, he spent four seasons at Utah State where he was the running backs and special teams coach (2005) after being the Aggies' assistant head coach in charge of wide receivers from 2002-04.

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/coach.asp?coach_id=26

[SorthNarolina]

A different ST coach could affect Kasay's future. Will having a Kicker who can't kick off be a big deal for him?

[PanthersGuy28]

As long as he keeps Rhys Lloyd, as amazing as Kasay is at FGs he blows at kickoffs. You can say he cost us the superbowl in a way. I'm not putting him down in any way, he has to be one of the best field goal kickers ever.

[The Saltman]

I think it is freaking time we had a kicker that can also kickoff, easier said than done tho.

[AceMan]

he is their asst special teams coordinator

Thanks for the correction.

I would still like the move.

[The Saltman]

as would I

[TarPanther9180]

I think it is freaking time we had a kicker that can also kickoff, easier said than done tho.

Exactly. There is no reason we can't go out and find a guy that can handle both duties.

[SorthNarolina]

I think it is freaking time we had a kicker that can also kickoff, easier said than done tho.

What is the most asinine part is that if Kasay got injured then we would sign another kicker and not promote Lloyd. If we're going to have a KOS then he might as well be a draft pick that could be the future.

[Chaos]

What we need is a punter that can kickoff as well, like the guy Atlanta has. Then your placekicker can be all about scoring points, and you still eliminate that third unnecessary kicker position.

[Future of the Funchise]

wow... finally someone competent.

[Nicbsbll2]

As long as he keeps Rhys Lloyd, as amazing as Kasay is at FGs he blows at kickoffs. You can say he cost us the superbowl in a way. I'm not putting him down in any way, he has to be one of the best field goal kickers ever.

Enough with the Kasay lost us the Super Bowl poo. He's not the one that let the Patriots score 32 points in the game. All the defense had to do was stop Tom Brady after the kick went out of bounds and they couldn't do that. Hell, they moved the ball with so much ease that last drive that I'm sure they could have gotten the ball at the 10 yard line and still got in to field goal range.