Mariani piling up the return yards

Late last season, the Chicago Bears brought in former Havre High great Marc Mariani for a reason — to solidify the kick return game. And, at the end of 2014 season Mariani did just that.

Now, in his second season, and first full season with the Bears, Mariani is doing more than just solidifying the Bears’ kick return game — he’s owning it.

Last Sunday, Mariani had one of his best return games of the season, as he returned two kickoffs for 50 yards and averaged nearly 10 yards per return on four punt returns. Mariani also had his longest kickoff return through six games — a 35-yarder in the Bears’ overtime loss at Detroit.

Now fully healthy, Mariani is doing what he once did for the Tennessee Titans, which is make a difference in the return game. He’s seventh in the NFL in kickoff returns with nine for 232 yards and a solid 26-yard average. Fielding punts, Mariani is 18th in the league with a nine-yard average, and he’s returned 11 punts for 95 yards.

But, unlike in Tennessee, Mariani is seeing extensive time at the wide receiver position for the Bears. He hasn’t registered a catch in regulation this season, but he’s been on the field for the most offensive snaps of his six-year career, and sooner or later, he’s going to have his breakout game there, too.

No, it’s been a great start to the season for the former Montana Grizzly All-American, and he and the Bears are getting deserved week off before returning to action Nov. 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.