February 9, 201115 yr comment_88960 http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/...mond-mcgee.html Source: Bears will sign punter Richmond McGee February 9, 2011 6:28 AM | No Comments By Brad Biggs Brad Maynard said all last season that he was hopeful to return to the Bears in 2011. While the team got modest contract extensions finalized for long snapper Pat Mannelly and defensive tackle Matt Toeaina before the season ended, Maynard is one of the 14 players on the roster set to become an unrestricted free agent. Now, perhaps the team has his replacement in place. Richmond McGee will sign a reserve/futures contract this week, according to an NFL source, bringing a familiar face back into the fold. The 27-year-old Texas product has been a camp leg for the past two years and got extensive work last offseason when Maynard was working his way back from arthroscopic hip surgery. McGee spent a week on the practice squad in 2010 and had a week on the 53-man roster at the end of 2009. McGee has been viewed as a candidate to one day replace Maynard, but it's doubtful he'll be given the job without competition. If Maynard is re-signed, the veteran would automatically become the favorite to be the punter in 2011. Maynard turns 37 today and only two punters in NFL history have kicked more than him. While he didn't have his best statistical season (40.1 yards gross average, 35.2 yards net), he's a directional punter who fits special teams coordinator Dave Toub's system well, and he played several games in difficult windy conditions. Maynard has been a big part of the highly ranked special teams units over the last seven seasons. But the Bears keep bringing McGee back because they believe he has a future. They'd move on to another free agent if they didn't see potential in him. As was reported here on Dec. 28, the Bears brought in four punters for a tryout during Week 17. They looked at A.J. Trapasso, Brent Bowden, T.J. Conley and Australian Dan Power. Clearly, they believe McGee is the best option right now. Whether McGee is essentially insurance for Maynard remains to be seen. The Bears may want to wait until the labor situation is resolved to address contracts for veterans. The futures contract McGee will sign is binding, but it will not take effect until the first day of the new league year when rosters can expand from 53 to a maximum of 80. However, Maynard doesn't figure to be in line for a big pay day, and the Bears could sign him now without impacting cash flow at Halas Hall. Report
February 10, 201115 yr comment_88991 Maynard had his share of poor punts this season so the Bears need to be serious about his competition this offseason. Report
February 10, 201115 yr comment_89000 Maynard had his share of poor punts this season so the Bears need to be serious about his competition this offseason. Punter is irrelevant this year because we're going to score on every possession!!!! Report
February 10, 201115 yr comment_89009 Step away from the Kool-Aid! ...or pass the glass! Punter is irrelevant this year because we're going to score on every possession!!!! Report
February 10, 201115 yr comment_89013 Step away from the Kool-Aid! ...or pass the glass! My teal lock key wasn't on...lol Report
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