Bears appear to kick Andy Phillips out of competition with Connor Barth

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Two days after special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers called him "more than just a camp leg," 28-year-old rookie Andy Phillips tweeted his thanks and appreciation to the Bears on Sunday night for the opportunity he gave them, signaling his departure in what was a two-man competition for the kicking job with incumbent Connor Barth.

The Bears had not officially announced the move at the time of Phillips' post. Phillips had some difficulty making kicks in Saturday's Family Fest scrimmage at Soldier Field during special teams drills, but did kick a field goal to cap the scrimmage, while Barth missed an extra point.

Phillips was an interesting story - a one-time Olympic downhill skiing hopeful whose best opportunity may have been blocked during a two-year Mormon mission in Norway during the 2010 Vancouver Games.

He never played organized football until walking on at Utah and eventually earning a scholarship, as well as well All-Pac 12 honors in all four seasons.

It's not known whether the Bears will bring in more competition for Barth.

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