Bears looks to former Buccaneer to spark special teams

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Faced with a shortage of fleet-footed kickoff return men, the Chicago Bears hope they've found the next best thing in Rabih Abdullah and Leon Johnson.

Although neither possess world-class speed, Abdullah and Johnson combine decent speed with strength on 6-foot, 220-pound frames.

"They can break away if everybody's blocked, and we knock tacklers down, certainly," Bears special teams coach Mike Sweatman said. "But as far as track speed, I'm not a track coach. These guys are tough."

Johnson was a known quantity to the Bears after averaging 20.4 yards on 14 kickoff returns and 9.1 yards on 28 punt returns last year. It's Abdullah who caused a stir in Saturday's preseason opener by replacing injured Ahmad Merritt and averaging 36.7 yards for three kickoff returns, including a 49-yarder.

"Rabih is really a terrific player," Bears coach Dick Jauron said. "He's no secret. We think he's particularly effective running behind our wedge blocking on kickoffs."

Abdullah returned six kickoffs in four seasons with Tampa Bay, making his name covering kickoffs and punts there. He was second on the team with 21 special teams tackles last year. He signed in free agency with the Bears after becoming unhappy with the way the Buccaneers used him.

"I talked with (Bears GM) Jerry Angelo in the offseason. We had a long conversation," Abdullah said. "I chose Chicago because he said he'd give me the chance to possibly play running back. Last year Tampa used me as a fullback, and I don't think of myself as a fullback."

Abdullah seems a perfect fit for the Bears' backfield philosophy of using physical running backs.

"He's a very tough guy, a very hard-nosed guy, and I think he fits in very well with our group," Jauron said.

The Bears' special teams in general stood out in Saturday's preseason game. Johnson had a 35-yard punt return and Nate Jacquet a 47-yard kick return.

"It's more than just our technique here on special teams," Abdullah said. "I think we've got good manpower on teams."

NOTES: Defensive tackle Ted Washington will continue to miss some practices and will not play in Friday's game in St. Louis while recovering from off-season ankle surgery. ... Kicker Paul Edinger iced his knee after practice Monday because of a bruise he suffered during Saturday's 27-3 loss to Denver. Edinger was standing on the sidelines watching a punt by teammate Brad Maynard when he got hit on the knee as play spilled over off the field. Edinger said he's able to kick despite the bruise. ... Guard Mike Gandy suffered a knee injury during Monday morning's workout and left the field.