Bears' Garza signs up for more

At the end of his 14th year in the NFL, heading into the final game of a double-digit loss season, why would Bears center Roberto Garza want to come back next season, when he'll be 36 years old?

"From the moment I was 13 years old to now, before you step onto the field, there's that adrenaline rush, the emotions that you feel inside of you," said Garza, who signed a one-year extension Friday for what will be his 11th season with the Bears.

"That's the reason you play the game, to go out there and battle, go out there and try to fight a 350-pound nose guard with your buddies. There's nothing like it."

At his age, Garza admits retirement is always in the back of his mind.

Ironically, it was a month on the sidelines with a sprained ankle early in the season that convinced the 6-foot-2, 310-pound veteran he wasn't ready for life after football.

"You think about," Garza said of retirement. "Obviously you want to be able to do your job. If you can, then you can keep playing.

"When I got hurt, watching the team practice, it was tough to sit on the sidelines, and right there I knew I wanted to keep going.

"When I don't enjoy doing the week-in, week-out thing, then it's time to retire."

To Garza's way of thinking, 10 losses in 15 games don't outweigh his desire for competition, and the camaraderie that comes with the game. His second consecutive one-year extension will pay Garza about the same as last year's deal, which was worth $1.5 million, including bonuses.

It's not a lucrative deal, but it's not all about the money to Garza.

"Being a part of that offensive line group that we have here is a big part of (why) I want to keep playing," he said. "I love playing with those guys. It's fun to go out there and try to battle every week."

Wanting it isn't nearly enough, though. The body still must be able to move large men and to keep them away from your quarterback.

A new regimen has Garza lifting more weight than ever.

A recent Instagram post shows him squatting 675 pounds in bar weight, plus 80 pounds in chains, plus 115-pound tension bands.

He credits the increased workload to his work with world-class power lifter Donnie Thompson.

At the IPA Senior Nationals in November, Thompson established the all-time powerlifting record of 2,905 total pounds by squatting 1,235 pounds, benching 910 and dead-lifting 760.

"I've been able to find some different ways of working out to keep myself healthy, keep myself strong and go out there and continue to do my job to the best of my ability," Garza said. "I strongly believe in the weight room and the things that it can do for me."

Garza and former Bears center Olin Kreutz made a pilgrimage to work out with Thompson in South Carolina

"He knows a lot about getting strong," Garza said. "He also is a physical therapist. He does things for big guys as far as flexibility and the way he lifts weights has really helped me get my strength up and stay healthy.

"A lot of the things he does help 300-pound men play football."

Garza still works with Bears strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Clark, and the combination of programs has made him stronger then ever. And it makes it possible for him to continue doing what he wants to do.

"When you go out there and make a block, and Jay (Cutler) throws a long pass and we score, that's when you feel good about you're doing," Garza said.

"Or you double-team a guy - that's the stuff you play for, those moments in time where you do everything right and everything goes your way, and that's when it's fun.

"That's what's great about football, you get 70-80 plays to try to win your play and your matchup, and that's the reason I love to go out there every week."

"Whether it's coach Trestman or whatever's going to happen, I want to be a part of this team and this organization. I believe in the things that we're doing, obviously we have to do them better to win more games."

• Injury update: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen (concussion), safety Chris Conte (back) and kicker Robbie Gould (right quadriceps) will not play Sunday.

Defensive linemen Jared Allen (ribs) and Jeremiah Ratliff (knee) and cornerback Al Louis-Jean (hamstring) are questionable.

After full practices, defensive linemen Davis Bass (knee) and Ego Ferguson (ankle), guard Kyle Long (hip) and wide receiver Marquess Wilson (knee) are probable.

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