Prodding Podlesh continues for Bears special teams
November 15, 2012, 10:20 pm
If Adam Podlesh is hearing footsteps, it’s not all in his imagination.
The Bears have brought punters in for tryouts as recently as this week. The usual cover story is simply a wish to at all times have a “ready list” current in case of need.
That’s true. Partly.
“When you’re bringing guys in, there’s a reason why you’re bringing guys in,” said special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “You want to know for the emergency list, No. 1, and it’s a performance-based business. Everybody knows that you need to perform at a high level, and if you don’t, as a coach and as a team, you have to explore other options that are out there.
“You have to know who’s available if we do make a change.”
Podlesh was a significant free-agent signing just before training camp 2011 and proceeded to post a career-best 43.9 yards.
This year the average stands at 41.7 but has been in recent decline: 38.3 in Tennessee (Titans punter Brett Kern averaged 49.8 not including on blocked); 38.8 in the weather of last Sunday night (Houston punter Donnie Jones punted eight times for a 44.6-yard average).
Podlesh was not discussing the situation this week but the message seemed unmistakable.
“As far as his performance, he’s kind of in a slump right now,” Toub said. “We’re trying to battle through it. He had a real good practice today, so we’re encouraged.”
Tags: nfl,
Football,
Tennessee Titans,
Houston Texans,
Chicago Bears,
John 'Moon' Mullin,
Dave Toub,
Adam Podlesh,
Brett Kern,
Donnie Jones
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