Frequently Asked Questions
What is the banana ball punt that Tory Taylor uses?
The banana ball is a punt where Taylor hits the ball along the side, causing it to start moving in one direction before curving back the other way. This makes it extremely difficult for opposing returners to track and catch.
Did the Bears coaching staff call the banana ball punt against the Falcons?
No, Tory Taylor went rogue and called the banana ball on his own without getting the green light from the coaching staff. He operated on an 'ask for forgiveness, not permission' mindset when he decided to uncork it.
Who muffed the punt for the Falcons and who recovered it?
Falcons rookie Zachariah Branch muffed the 50-yard banana ball punt at the 10-yard line, never getting under it. Josh Blackwell was right there to recover it for the Bears.
How many muffed punts has Tory Taylor forced this season?
Through six games and only 17 punts, Tory Taylor has forced two muffed punts — one against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 and one against the Atlanta Falcons. His personal goal was to force three muffed punts this season.
Why did Tory Taylor target Zachariah Branch with the banana ball?
Taylor recognized that Branch was a rookie wide receiver and calculated he would not be ready to handle that type of punt despite having 44 punt returns in college. Taylor pulled the same move in Week 1 against Carolina's Jimmy Horn, who also had little punt return experience.
Erik Lambert
I’m a football writer with more than 15 years covering the Chicago Bears. I hold a master’s degree in the Teaching of Writing from Columbia College Chicago, and my work on Sports Mockery has earned more than twenty million views. I focus on providing analysis, context, and reporting on Bears strategy, roster decisions, and team developments, and I’ve shared insight on 670 The Score, ESPN 1000, and football podcasts in the U.S. and Europe.
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