2012 WCG Awards: Chicago Bears Newcomer of the Year

by Steven Schweickert on Feb 8, 2012 9:00 PM CST in 2012 WCG Awards

Last week, we started awarding our own series of awards dedicated to the Chicago Bears, which Chris Conte won in unanimous fashion. This time, we're handing an award (and we'll take your recommendation for names - the Grizzlies? The WCG-ies?) out to the Newcomer of the Year - the best free agent signing, draft pick, trade target, or otherwise recently acquired player. And remember how I said Conte won unanimously (and set the record for number of Chris Conte mentions in a single FP story)? Not so this time. Hit the jump and see how the WCG staffers voted...

Lester's Pick: P Adam Podlesh - The big free agent acquisition punted for the 6th most yards in franchise history and had the 9th best yards-per-punt in Bears history. Honorable Mention to Chris Conte.

TJ's Pick: RB Marion Barber - Discount his two hiccups and he brought a needed element (short-yardage back) to the team.

Sam's Pick: P Adam Podlesh - First Bears punter to have an over-40 yard average for a season.

Stephen's Pick: OT Gabe Carimi - While he didn't see a lot of playing time because of injury, he showed clear improvement every week he took the field and, health willing, will hold down the right edge of our offensive line for years to come.

Kev's Pick: OG Chris Spencer - Spencer stepped in and played adequately-to-well in many situations, and without his presence the Bears may have been forced to leave Louis at RG and play Omiyale a lot.

Pete's Pick: OG Chris Spencer - "My choices are the same as Kev's." No joke.

Dane's Pick: QB Josh McCown - I don't want to nominate anyone, since no one made a significant enough impact to warrant recognition. But, if I had to choose, I'd say Cade McNown. Or Luke McCown. Or Josh McCown... Whichever one was on our roster. Why? I just don't know.

Steven's Pick: OG Chris Spencer - Thought the signing was a tad risky when he was picked up by the Bears in Free Agent Mania, but after getting in after a couple games, played solidly enough to warrant the second year of his contract. And anything that keeps Omi-Ole! from playing offensive tackle is aces in my book.

So with that, with three votes, we're naming Chris Spencer as our Newcomer of the Year. What say you?

To see our Rookie of the Year post, click here.

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Comments

Roy Williams

for proving the sheer mediocrity of our receiving corps.
I mean, seriously? Williams STARTED in the NFL this season?

by BOBdaBEAR on Feb 8, 2012 9:18 PM CST reply actions

Ok, fine.

I forgot about Podlesh. He’s my favorite Bears punter since the TD-slinging punter who had his career virtually ended years later when he decided to challenge Devin Hester. Twice. In one game.

I'm a ninja.

by Dane Noble on Feb 8, 2012 9:24 PM CST via Android app reply actions

not a damn kicker

Conte.
As for Barber, he successfully negated his season with those two “hiccups” . One was bad but two – unforgiveable in my opinion.

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f**k the prom queen."

by Maelvampyre on Feb 8, 2012 9:28 PM CST reply actions

Two?

I count three:

Illegal formation against KC
Running out of bounds against Denver
Fumbling in overtime against Denver

by BusterK on Feb 9, 2012 8:57 AM CST up reply actions

Spencer is a good choice

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends. | @wiltfongjr

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Feb 8, 2012 9:46 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

Yeah.

Now Pete AND Lester know what’s up.

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG

by Kev H on Feb 8, 2012 9:49 PM CST up reply actions

What's up is your laziness is catching.

I think these awards should be called the “Schweickies” to truly reflect their lameness.

"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith

by Pete Dixon on Feb 9, 2012 7:05 AM CST up reply actions

If they were the Peteys, they'd be even more reflective of something...

“You sold our dead bird to the blind kid?! Lloyd, Petey didn’t even have a head!”

Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!

by Steven Schweickert on Feb 10, 2012 7:37 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

well played

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends. | @wiltfongjr

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Feb 10, 2012 9:03 AM CST up reply actions

damn

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Feb 10, 2012 7:20 PM CST up reply actions

And the winner for tallest midget is......

by Joeb'n777 on Feb 8, 2012 9:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Joeb'n777

Yay! You win buddy!

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG

by Kev H on Feb 8, 2012 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

I'd like to thank all of the people who helped me get here:

by Joeb'n777 on Feb 8, 2012 10:08 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

conte

by Tudy on Feb 8, 2012 10:34 PM CST reply actions

Honestly, I might have to agree with Lester here and say Podlesh

I could be wrong but I thought I remembered hearing he was in the top 5 in the league in yards per punt average. He made us all forget about Brad Maynard

by Joeb'n777 on Feb 8, 2012 10:50 PM CST via mobile reply actions

I second TJ's pick of Marion Barber

I know he screwed up big and played a role in costing us two games, but I think its foolish to put it all on him. Outside of that he was an ideal short yardage back that can occasionally make big plays in the passing or the running game. We needed a guy that could give us 30-40 yards and TD almost every game, Barber was that guy.

"You have a young group and if they start feeling too good about themselves, that’s not a good thing. So it’s my job not to let them. So probably they will hate me. But that’s OK too. My wife hates me and she’s still married to me." - Mike Tice

by badsamaritan on Feb 8, 2012 11:02 PM CST reply actions

This category

is depressing, not a whole lot of ‘game changers’ to discuss. Shows how the talent gap between Chicago and GB/DET is widening as quickly as the miles on our vets are piling on. Please, Mr. Emery, reverse this trend!

by HasClothesLikeaDickhead on Feb 8, 2012 11:09 PM CST reply actions

I expected more rippage on teh Barber

"Violence is not always the answer."
"Violence is the question, and the answers always YES!"

by T.Moore on Feb 8, 2012 11:31 PM CST reply actions

I'm going with Adam Podlesh

After all, he did set a franchise record in just his first season in Chicago. Chris Spencer played well also, but records are records, and Podlesh is now the owner of a franchise record.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

Follow me @EDuerrwaechter

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Feb 9, 2012 6:19 AM CST reply actions

SAM HURD

Without him the ending of our season would not have been complete. Way to go after two big injuries on the team and then to find out about you. Sam you are my newcomer of the year.

by jheun on Feb 9, 2012 6:23 AM CST reply actions