<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bobby Wade has fumbled or muffed his last punt for the Bears.The team waived the former fifth-round pick and three-year veteran on Tuesday, two days after he put his eighth return on the ground and one day after Wade said he expected to return punts again this Sunday against Atlanta.Wade, who also had two fumbles as a receiver, kept his job in other unlikely times. He mishandled two punts Sept. 25 against Cincinnati and three on Nov. 13 against San Francisco.Coach Lovie Smith and special teams coordinator Dave Toub kept turning back to Wade, who broke a 73-yard touchdown in Week 2 against Detroit and tied for fifth league-wide with a 9.6-yard return average.But beyond fumbles and muffs were Wade's dubious decisions to field punts inside the 10-yard line.Rashied Davis replaced Wade on Nov. 27 at Tampa, only to lose two returns the following Sunday against Green Bay. Those miscues gave Wade another chance, which proved his final one.Though the Bears have an open roster spot, it appears they will fill the returner job from within. Davis, Eddie Berlin, Bernard Berrian and Nathan Vasher all have experience returning punts, although the latter two could be deemed too valuable on offense and defense, respectively, to risk injury.Craig Bragg, signed to the practice squad on Nov. 30, also has been catching punts in practice.The open roster spot could be used to sign a safety, perhaps as early as Wednesday.Mike Brown's calf injury could sideline him for the remainder of the regular season, and Chris Harris didn't sound confident that his knee injury would be healed in time for him to face Atlanta.With Todd Johnson now battling a hip pointer, rookie Brandon McGowan might find himself in the starting lineup. Mike Green, who has struggled this season, and Daven Holly are the only other completely healthy options.The Bears waived safeties Jerrell Pippens and Bobby Gray during training camp, the latter after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The coaching staff liked Pippens.Wade ends his Bears career with 64 catches for 698 yards, 17 carries for 90 yards and a 9.3-yard average on 35 punt returns.Wade's release might have an impact more off the field than on. He was arguably the most active Bear in the team's community outreach program, constantly visiting schools to steer kids clear of gangs.</div>http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlinesAbout time. Wade also made poor decisions fielding punts. Inside the 10, get away from the ball, geez. You got lucky once, fielding a punt at the 2 and bringing it to the 50.
