Countdown to Kickoff… Craig Steltz Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

Sep 09, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears strong safety Craig Steltz (20) attempts to grab a fumble by Indianapolis Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Chicago defeats Indianapolis 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

We decided to do a countdown to the Chicago Bears season opener on September 8th versus the Cincinnati Bengals.  Thanks to one of our Twitter followers, we decided to combine the countdown with a roster preview of sorts.

We’re less than three weeks away!  In fact, three weeks from today, we’ll be celebrating a Bears win over the Bengals in Marc Trestman’s debut or questioning who the hell Phil Emery hired.  Let’s get to know #20 on the 2013 Bears, safety Craig Steltz.

The Bears selected Craig Steltz in the fourth round of the 2008 draft out of LSU.  Can you believe he’s starting his sixth season with the Bears?  For all you youngsters out there, you can learn a lot from Steltz.  Don’t just accept your role, excel in your role.  While Steltz was originally drafted to be the starting free safety, he never really cracked the starting lineup.  But what he has done, is excelled as a special teams contributor and has consistently improved in his technique and assignments.  When pressed into action, he’s been solid, though not spectacular, while stepping in for starters.

Steltz should make the roster as a backup safety for the reasons I just mentioned.  It looks like local kids Tommy Zbikowski and Tom Nelson are on the outside looking in for a roster spot and second year safety Brandon Hardin’s place on the team is on life support.

We’re 2o days away. Are you ready???

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