djb@cbosgd.UUCP (David J. Bryant) (01/04/85)
I watch the Bears mostly to see Willie Gault. I had the privilege of watching much of his college career at the University of Tennesee, where he was half of the fastest wide receiver tandem in the NCAA (Anthony Hancock, now of the Kansas City Chiefs, was the other half). Gault did it all - kickoff returns (5 for touchdowns his senior year), punt returns and high-speed pass routes. Naturally, he also ran track. There are numerous stories about Willie, most of the typified by the quote from an opposing coach who, when asked at half time what he was going to do to defense Tennessee in the second half, replied, "I think we're doing a good job of containing their running game, but I don't know what we're going to do about that guy on the motorcycle" (referring to Gault, of course). By the way, the short pass he turned into a touchdown against the Redskins was not done at full speed. When Willie kicks into high gear you have a hard time seeing him. His kind of amazing speed makes people just stop and stare, then grin (unless you're a defensive back). I remember in a college game (against Alabama) Willie was headed downfield with a pass for what looked to be a sure touchdown. An Alabama defensive back, however, was coming across field on an angle, and appeared to have a trajectory that would intersect with Willie and bring him down. When the defensive back closed to within about 10 feet, Willie saw him out of the corner of his eye, and immediately kicked in the afterburners. In the wink of an eye he was in super-high gear and rocketing down field, leaving the defender far behind (and very shocked). I watched that replay several times and couldn't help but shake my head and laugh. Look for Willie to continue running back kickoffs and giving 110%. He's always done that. Periodically he will turn the run back into a 100 yard high hurdle... From a rabid TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER, David Bryant AT&T Bell Laboratories Columbus, OH (614) 860-4516 (cbosgd!djb) ps: Two more Gault quotes: Some network commentator ex-coach: "You'll know the Bears' offense has matured when the quarterbacks start getting the ball more to Willie Gault." Mike Ditka, after the first game of the season, when asked if perhaps the fact that the Bears didn't throw a single pass to (or even near) Gault was some sort of mistake, replied, "We sure didn't bring him in here to block!"