Hanie back at No. 2 QB for Bears
BOURBONNAIS — Backup quarterback Caleb Hanie was back taking snaps with the second team Tuesday night.
He even took some reps with the first team in the 11-on-11 run drill a day after watching third-string rookie Nathan Enderle take all the second-team reps.
The one-day demotion was handed down by offensive coordinator Mike Martz after Hanie completed 3 of 7 passes for 32 yards in the preseason opener and was sacked three times.
“Mike’s done that before with me,” Hanie said. “Last season in training camp, too, just kind of let me sit back and look and see things. Then come back and go at it again hard (Tuesday), so nothing changed really.”
The day off didn’t seem to help Hanie much, as he was intercepted four times during Tuesday’s practice. But the defense dominated the offense for much of the evening, regardless of who was at quarterback.
It’s unclear as yet if the benching was a motivational ploy or an indication that Hanie’s grip on the backup job could be in jeopardy.
“I’m motivated,” Hanie said, “but I don’t need that as motivation. I’ll be motivated anytime, no matter what happens. I’m not too worried about it. I’m just going to keep going and keep trying to get better every day. That’s all I can do.”
Pay it forward:Even though veteran defensive tackle Matt Toeaina could one day wind up competing for playing time with rookie Stephen Paea, that doesn#146;t prevent him from taking the youngster under his wing.Toeaina, who finally is getting significant playing time in his fifth year with the Bears, picked Paea up at the airport when he flew in for the start of training camp.#147;He gets a little extra love because we#146;re from the same Polynesian descent,#148; said Toeaina, who was born in San Francisco but grew up in American Samoa.#147;With me being one of the older guys #8212; it#146;s kind of weird for me to say that #8212; but it just comes with the territory. What I#146;ve gained is not for me to keep. I#146;ve got to share with the other guys.#148;Paea hasn#146;t gotten a lot of reps yet because the Bears are deep on the defensive line, but Toeaina says the rookie will be fine.#147;I#146;ve seen a very hungry kid,#148; he said. #147;He#146;s definitely progressing as a rookie should and maybe faster than what most guys expect, and we#146;re expecting a lot out of him this year.#148;Hurricane headache:According to a Yahoo! Sports report, Bears wide receiver Devin Hester is one of at least 72 athletes who received impermissible benefits from 2002-2010 from Nevin Shapiro, a University of Miami booster who currently is incarcerated for his role in a $930 million Ponzi scheme.According to the report, Hester, who played for the Hurricanes from 2003-05, allegedly received money from Shapiro for clothing and an engagement ring. Hester did not answer questions about his relationship with Shapiro after Tuesday#146;s practice.#147;If this is about the Miami thing I ain#146;t got nothing (to say),#148; Hester told reporters. Asked if he knew Shapiro, Hester said: #147;I don#146;t have a comment.#148;The specialist:Despite his 73 rushing yards in the preseason opener, Kahlil Bell won#146;t be higher than No. 3 on the depth chart, which means he will have to contribute on special teams.#147;We consider him a four-phase starter (punt and kickoff returns and coverage),#148; said special-teams coordinator Dave Toub. #147;The third running back has to be that.#148;Extra points: Second-year defensive end Corey Wootton had successful arthroscopic knee surgery to remove torn cartilage and is expected to be out 3-4 weeks. #133; Wide receiver Travis Cobb, an undrafted rookie from Arizona, was waived. #133; The final training-camp practice Saturday at 11:30 a.m. is closed to the public.ŸFollow Bob#146;s Bears reports via Twitter @Bob LeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.