Chicago Bears Week 13 Free Agent Stock Watch
By Tooch
Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (9) attempts a 47 field goal as punter Adam Podlesh (8) holds but it misses right to keep the Minnesota Vikings still in play in overtime at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Vikings win 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
FALLING
Robbie Gould
This one is tough. Really tough. Gould has always been a favorite Bear of mine and should be a Bear for life. So it’s very difficult to even consider him not finishing his career in Chicago. The fact remains the same though — he should have made a potential game-winning, 47-yard field goal on Sunday. Head coach Marc Trestman made a terrible decision by kicking it on 2nd down, but Gould still should have hit the field goal. It’s just that simple.
Roberto Garza
The Bears’ offensive line has been steadily improve this season, however it remains far from great. Garza is the only holdover on the line from a year ago and has unfortunately played like the Bears’ linemen of past years. He’s old, slow and struggles to make any sort of push on runs up the middle. As the captain of the offensive line, Garza needs to be setting a good example for rookies Kyle Long and Jordan Mills, not showing them bad habits and mistakes. Garza’s time in Chicago will likely depend on the future of Cutler as well.
Zack Bowman / Craig Steltz / Major Wright
These three get packaged together because the Bears’ secondary, most specifically the cornerbacks, were simply awful on Sunday — as Boomer pointed out in his report card — and allowed backup quarterback Matt Cassell to torch them. Steltz lead the team in tackles, however most of them came at the end of plays in which he simply cleaned up after initial contact was made. Bowman and Steltz used to be regular contributors on special teams, but have done very little to prove their value this season. As for Wright, it’s pretty tough to find yourself a new contract when you’re sitting on the sidelines watching. I guess at least that way though he can’t blow any assignments.