Credit opponents for slowing Hester

Q. What's wrong with Devin Hester's returns?

A. I think it's the determination of the opponents' special-teams coordinator challenging his squad on every kick. In many cases, these are guys hanging on the roster by the skin of their teeth, and they have to make plays on special teams to keep their jobs, so they have a higher desire level than an every-down player. It's competitiveness within the NFL.

Early in the season, it was a matter of Devin trying to do too much on his own. He thought he could outrun these guys, and he can't always do it. He has to follow the choreographed path that's set for him. You have to stick with it because, if you don't, you make your blockers more susceptible to penalties.

The key is for Devin to stay with the return called no matter what, and you have to be up to the challenge of an opponent motivated to get after you. If anybody has a bull's eye on his chest, it's Devin because of his earlier success.

Q. Do the return teams miss the blocking of Brendon Ayanbadejo, or are their other factors responsible for whatever drop-off there has been in blocking for Hester?

A. Ayanbadejo's loss has nothing to do with the success or failure of the Bears' special teams. He's a quality player, but the Bears have other quality special-teams players, and they're coached really well. It's making sure everyone is on the same page every return - the blockers and the returner. There's no freelancing in the return game.

Q. Could more playing time for Anthony Adams, Hunter Hillenmeyer and Corey Graham improve the defense?

A. Probably. I've always been a big fan of Anthony Adams. If they feel that Tommie Harris isn't 100 percent, even though Adams is a nose tackle and Tommie plays the three technique (shaded off the outside shoulder of the guard), I would rather have a guy in there who's 100 percent. Anthony is a healthy guy.

Nick Roach was playing because Hillenmeyer wasn't healthy, but now, because Hillenmeyer has more experience, maybe he's a guy who should be put back in there and see if the defense plays better with him.

Corey Graham should be on the field as much as possible. He needs to be on the field the majority of the snaps.

Q. Have you seen any drop-off in Dusty Dvoracek's play? Could he benefit from getting fewer snaps in favor of someone like Anthony Adams?

A. At his position, maybe it's Matt Toeaina who should get some snaps. He's the guy who has more weight, mass and strength. Dvoracek's job is to take up two blockers at the line of scrimmage, get penetration and allow the linebackers to run free.

Lance Briggs is having a really good year. Brian Urlacher could probably have a better year, but he's still playing solid run-stopping defense, and he's playing well around the line of scrimmage.

Dusty is doing his job. Sometimes what the opponent is going to do against you limits the plays you can make. But when you see him contribute to holding the Tennessee running game to 20 yards, then he's doing the things necessary for the linebackers to run freely to the ball.

Q. Are there inherent problems with the Cover-2 defense, or are the current problems more personnel related?

A. When they talk about the origin of the Cover-2, they always talk about the great Steelers teams of the 1960s and 70s. Back then it was five- and seven-step drops. Now, look at how quickly the ball is out of the quarterback's hand. If you don't have an extremely disruptive three-technique tackle who's really putting insecurities in the minds of the middle three offensive linemen to get pressure on the quarterback, it's really going to be difficult to get sacks because the pace of the passing game.

It's a combined effort of everyone on the defense. You have to have linebackers who can really get into the flat area and a middle linebacker who can get into the deep middle. The talent has to disrupt the rhythm of the quarterback.

Marc Bulger is going to be a challenge for the Bears because he's going to put pressure on the cornerbacks and safeties to make big open-field tackles.

Q. In the last couple of weeks, has Tommie Harris been more of a disruptive force?

A. There's a lot of room for improvement from everybody. Are there flashes of Tommie from the past? Yeah. But flashes aren't good enough when you're playing 40-50 snaps a game. It can't be flashes of brilliance, it needs to be consistency, and that's true of everyone.

• Tom Thayer answers key questions each week from Daily Herald sports writer Bob LeGere. Thayer's analysis can be also be heard during each Bears broadcast on WBBM 780-AM.