Bio - Podlesh is coming off his first season with the Bears, in which he set the franchise single-season record in net punting average (40.4). He set a Jaguars team record with a 38.2 yard net average in 2010 and also plays as holder for placekicks for the Bears. In 2011, Podlesh also set career highs in punts (89), yards (3,903) and gross average (43.9), finishing sixth in the NFL in net punting. Podlesh has landed 96 punts in the 20 yard line during his 75 NFL contests and forced 27 fair catches in 2011, tying him for third most in the NFL. A knee injury in 2008 forced him to miss the final five games of the season, but Podlesh rebounded in 2009 by playing in all 16 games and recording a 41.9 gross average and a 38.3 yard average on a career-high 72 punts.
Lou's Call – Going into the 2011 season, Podlesh was the biggest free agent the Bears signed during the previous offseason. Jerry Angelo replaced the popular Brad Maynard with Podlesh and took a beating from some of the fans for the move. It was one of his best signings in his time with the Bears. Podlesh became the first punter in franchise history to finish with a net average of better than 40 yards and Podlesh rewarded those on his punt coverage team with bottles of champagne after the season. Podlesh needs to have another great season to help the Bears win the field position battle.
Tom's Take – Adam Podlesh: Podlesh has one of the stronger legs in the game. He averaged better than 40 net yards on punts last year, best in Bears history. He's also good at dropping the ball inside the opponents 20.
Dionne's View – Coaches describe him as a gamer. But if we never have to talk about his game that's a good thing. He's an unsung hero for sure and after a franchise record setting year in net punting average, I am simply hoping for more of the same.
Friday, August 17 2012 8:00 AM EDT2012-08-17 12:00:47 GMT
During his four seasons with Chicago, Steltz has appeared in 48 games and started in seven. He has recorded 71 career tackles (43 solo), one interception, one PBU, one sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 TFLs.
During his four seasons with Chicago, Steltz has appeared in 48 games and started in seven. He has recorded 71 career tackles (43 solo), one interception, one PBU, one sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 TFLs.
Friday, August 17 2012 8:00 AM EDT2012-08-17 12:00:47 GMT
Peppers enters his 3rd season with the Bears as a seven-time Pro Bowler and ranks 3rd in the NFL in sacks, 4th in forced fumbles and first of all defensive linemen in interceptions.
Peppers enters his third season with the Bears as a seven-time Pro Bowlers and ranks third in the NFL in sacks (100), fourth in forced fumbles (36), and first of all defensive linemen in interceptions (8) over his career.
Thursday, August 16 2012 10:55 AM EDT2012-08-16 14:55:08 GMT
Melton started on the Bears defensive line during his third season, gathering seven sacks (which tied for third in NFL among defensive tackles and first in the NFC.
Melton started on the Bears defensive line during his third season, gathering seven sacks (which tied for third in NFL among defensive tackles and first in the NFC) in what would be an outstanding season.
Thursday, August 16 2012 8:00 AM EDT2012-08-16 12:00:59 GMT
As a rookie, Conte started in nine of the 14 games he played until being put on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. In those 14 games Conte tallied 47 tackles, 23 three of them unassisted.
As a rookie, Conte started in nine of the 14 games he played until being put on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. In those 14 games Conte tallied 47 tackles, 23 three of them unassisted.
Wednesday, August 15 2012 8:00 AM EDT2012-08-15 12:00:40 GMT
A versatile lineman who has started at both guard and center, Spencer was named to the Pro Football Weekly all-rookie team in 2005 after helping block for Shaun Alexander's 1,000 yard rushing season.
A versatile lineman who has started at both guard and center, Spencer was named to the Pro Football Weekly all-rookie team in 2005 after helping block for Shaun Alexander's 1,000 yard rushing season.
Tuesday, August 14 2012 8:00 AM EDT2012-08-14 12:00:24 GMT
Toeaina, whose entire career has been with the Bears thus far, has notched 60 tackles (35 solo), 2.0 sacks, 3 PBUs, 2 TFLs, and 1 fumble recovery since his signing in 2007.
Toeaina, whose entire career has been with the Bears thus far, has notched 60 tackles (35 solo), 2.0 sacks, 3 PBUs, 2 TFLs, and 1 fumble recovery since his signing in 2007.
Thursday, August 9 2012 7:30 PM EDT2012-08-09 23:30:24 GMT
Jay is beginning his 4th season as Bears quarterback after being traded from the Denver Broncos in 2009. Cutler had started 41 games in his 3 previous seasons with the Bears.
Jay is beginning his 4th season as Bears quarterback after being traded from the Denver Broncos in 2009. Cutler had started 41 games in his 3 previous seasons with the Bears.
Wednesday, August 8 2012 12:30 PM EDT2012-08-08 16:30:36 GMT
Tillman, a Pro Bowler in 2011, has spent his career with the Bears and leads the Bears with 30 interceptions since 2003 (26 over the past seven seasons).
Tillman, a Pro Bowler in 2011, has spent his career with the Bears and leads the Bears with 30 interceptions since 2003 (26 over the past seven seasons).
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Lou's Call – Going into the 2011 season, Podlesh was the biggest free agent the Bears signed during the previous offseason. Jerry Angelo replaced the popular Brad Maynard with Podlesh and took a beating from some of the fans for the move. It was one of his best signings in his time with the Bears. Podlesh became the first punter in franchise history to finish with a net average of better than 40 yards and Podlesh rewarded those on his punt coverage team with bottles of champagne after the season. Podlesh needs to have another great season to help the Bears win the field position battle.
Tom's Take – Adam Podlesh: Podlesh has one of the stronger legs in the game. He averaged better than 40 net yards on punts last year, best in Bears history. He's also good at dropping the ball inside the opponents 20.
Dionne's View – Coaches describe him as a gamer. But if we never have to talk about his game that's a good thing. He's an unsung hero for sure and after a franchise record setting year in net punting average, I am simply hoping for more of the same. 
