Bears Do Not Need a Veteran Backup QB

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2009-04-29T17:04:00-04:00

Playerpress

507 2855 Some Bears fans will never change. For years they have been screaming for a franchise quarterback and now that they have one in Jay Cutler, they are screaming for a veteran backup QB in the instance that, God forbid, Cutler goes down with an injury at any point.  Currently the Bears backup quarterbacks on the roster are Caleb Hanie, an undrafted free agent signed last year after the draft along with Brett Basanez, a cast off from the Carolina Panthers, and this years undrafted free agent signings Chase Patton from Missouri and Drew Weatherford from Florida State. <o:p> </o:p> I do not believe that Patton and Weatherford have a chance to make the squad and were only brought in to supply a couple of arms for the Bears rookie camp this weekend. <o:p> </o:p> In addition, Bears fans are in panic mode already! I have to wonder why. What difference does a veteran quarterback that has been a career backup have in regards to talent over a young player, besides years in the NFL? In addition, what makes you feel so much more secure with a veteran backup over a highly promising 2-4 year player? <o:p> </o:p> I know he has more experience in the league and has actually taken some snaps in a regular season game, as well as possibly even started a game or three in the NFL. <o:p> </o:p> In addition, many of these so-called “veteran” backup quarterbacks are actually first or second round draft pick busts that could not cut it as a starter in the league. Now these players go from team to team every year as career backups. Yet, you would feel better if they were the backup quarterback behind Jay Cutler for the Bears. I say hogwash! <o:p> </o:p> Just because a particular player does not have any regular season game experience in the NFL and is not a proven commodity does not mean that he is not more then capable of stepping in and leading the team if the need arises. <o:p> </o:p> Was Tom Brady, a 6th round draft choice, a proven commodity at QB before he was thrown into action because of an injury to Super Bowl quarterback Drew Bledsoe? <o:p> </o:p> Was Tony Romo, an undrafted free agent, a proven commodity at QB before he was thrown into action in the second half of a game for the Cowboys? Romo ironically replaced ineffective starter Drew Bledsoe. <o:p> </o:p> Was Matt Cassell, someone who had not even started a game since he was in high school, a proven commodity at QB before he was thrown into action when Brady went down early last season? <o:p> </o:p> Was Matt Schaub, a backup with the Atlanta Falcons, a proven commodity before he was thrown into action because of an injury to Michael Vick? <o:p> </o:p> These are just a few examples of backup quarterbacks stepping in when needed and performing on an NFL level. Some of them, in fact, were no names and not proven commodities what-so-ever, yet since they were given a chance they are now considered to be the elite and in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.    <o:p> </o:p> Back to the Bears. Personally, if you have a proven franchise quarterback and a promising number two in the helm, then the number three QB is nothing more then the scout teams quarterback every week. Most of the time they are not even on the active roster on game day.   Hanie obviously has something as far as talent or he never would have made the team in the first place. Oh and by the way, contrary to popular belief among some Bears fans, Hanie is NOT a rookie anymore! <o:p> </o:p> Some people in the Bears kingdom feel just because Hanie was an undrafted free agent that he will never amount to anything in the NFL. This “anything” being a backup, a starter, or anything else more then just a practice squad player. <o:p> </o:p> I say baloney to that! <o:p> </o:p> I would not want to mention that to Kurt Warner, Tony Romo, or Jake Delhomme, all of who were undrafted quarterbacks in the NFL. <o:p> </o:p> Any player, if he has the tools and works hard can be successful in the NFL. It distinguishes the professionals from the amateurs, the men from the boys so to speak. <o:p> </o:p> One of the reasons that Hanie probably went undrafted was because he played for a terrible team at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><st1:place u1:st="on"><st1:placename u1:st="on">Colorado</st1:placename></st1:place> <st1:placetype w:st="on"><st1:placetype u1:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:placetype></st1:placename>. Usually, as expected, only quarterbacks from winning colleges usually end up being drafted by NFL teams the majority of the time.</st1:place> <o:p> </o:p> However, now that Hanie is entering his second season with the Bears, he has a much better and firmer grasp of the offensive system. Something any rookie would obviously lack and struggle with their first year in the league with a new team on a new level.<o:p></o:p> <u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p> “I think it will help tremendously,” Hanie said. “Last year was a struggle, not getting many reps and trying to learn at the same time. It was all mental reps. Now I have a year under my belt. I know the offense, so I’ll be able to progress that much quicker as far as being game-ready and being able to get the reps that I need in the minicamps and OTAs. I think I’ll be able to progress a lot faster and play fast.”<o:p></o:p> <u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p> Hanie realizes that some Bears fans would like them to sign a veteran and experienced backup quarterback, and that’s OK with him. When he was asked what he would say to those people, Hanie responded: “I wouldn’t say anything to them. They have their own opinion. Obviously, they’d prefer to have a veteran guy that’s been established. But at the same time I think I bring a lot to the table, and given a chance I can go out there and make plays and run the offense.”<o:p></o:p> <u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p> You have to love his competitive spirit and confidence. He is working hard and truly believes that the #2 quarterback job is his for the taking, whether the Bears bring in a veteran or not. <o:p> </o:p> Some Bears fans have actually suggested resigning Rex Grossman as the backup. <o:p> </o:p> They have got to be kidding me! <o:p> </o:p> Do not get me wrong, I was actually one of the few who liked Rex in <st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city>, but the majority of the fans in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> hated him with a passion and in my opinion ruined his mental state. If in fact Cutler was to (knock on wood) get injured, I would really hate to hear the loud chorus of boo’s throughout Soldier Field as Rex ran onto the field. <o:p> </o:p> As much as resigning Rex might actually be a good idea because he knows the playbook and has a lot of experience, as well as being a winning quarterback for the Bears, that kind of reception would not adhere to a positive experience or a good performance. Too much pressure for anyone to handle. <o:p> </o:p> Caleb Hanie is the best choice over any available veteran backup quarterback out there. I would much rather have him as number 2 on the Bears. I am confident that if he does get a chance to play, that he will prove all of the naysayers wrong and that the Bears will not skip a beat. <o:p> </o:p> That being said, I hope he does not need to see any action, so he can develop his natural talent behind Jay Cutler. <o:p> </o:p> However, if unforeseen circumstances fall upon the Bears and Hanie goes in, I believe that he will surprise a lot of people and will be the next back up such as Matt Cassell, that teams will be clamoring for the following season. <o:p> </o:p> Mark my words!   0.0.0.0

2009-04-29T17:04:00-04:00

bears-do-not-need-a-veteran-backup-qb

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Bears Do Not Need a Veteran Backup QB

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