Bears Notebook: Punter Adam Podlesh 'in a slump' says special teams coordinator

Bears punter Adam Podlesh has been in a slump, and his job could be on the line if his numbers don't improve. The Bears looked at other punters this week. (US Presswire)

Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub minced no words about P Adam Podlesh a day after the team brought in three punters for tryouts.

"As far as his performance, he's kind of in a slump right now," Toub said. "We're trying to battle through it.

"He had a real good practice today. So we're encouraged."

Nevertheless, Toub said it was necessary to bring in other punters for a look.

"Everybody knows that you have to perform at a high level and if you don't, as a coach and as a team you have to explore other options that are out there. You have to know who's available if you do make a change."

Podlesh is 21st in the league in net punting average (38.4 yards per punt) a year after setting the team record at 40.4 yards per punt. He ranks 30th in the league in punting average (41.7).

Boo birds: Chicago Bears TE Kellen Davis earned an earful of boos last week when he dropped a fourth-down pass downfield with the team trying for a desperation TD on the game's final play. He was shaken up on the play but heard the boo birds just the same.

"I had a bad run in the past game last week and I want to bounce back hard," he said, alluding to a first-quarter lost fumble and one other dropped pass.

If Davis could have one play back, it would be that last drop.

"Definitely the last one, the deep seam ball," he said. "That's a play that I've always made, and to come up short really, really made me upset and disappointed in myself," he said. "I've got to come back from that and make some more plays for this team."

As for the boos?

"They're great fans," he said. "I hope not to mess up in the future, but I'm not perfect, so hopefully they won't boo me."

Led to slaughter: The Bears haven't been able to beat the 49ers in San Francisco since their Super Bowl-winning season of 1985, having lost seven straight. Worse, they've lost by a combined score of 239-42. Few Bears can remember playing out there more than once, so how can there be such a difference in scoring and eight straight losses against a team they only play occasionally?

"Maybe the length of the flight," Melton said, laughing. "It's far. I don't know."

Better reception: QB Josh McCown, a possible backup this week, thinks he'll be ready if called upon even though he was coaching high school players until a week ago.

"I throw every day with the guys, but there's a difference throwing a slant route or a go ball to a high school kid and throwing it to Brandon Marshall -- and there should be," he said.

Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSBears.