Caleb Hanie's 'feet, brains and everything' click in crisp practice
BOURBONNAIS — Caleb Hanie looked like a different quarterback Thursday night just three days after being benched for a practice following a subpar showing in the preseason opener Saturday night against the Buffalo Bills.
He was much quicker and more decisive with his reads, driving the ball with authority and displaying a crispness that was previously lacking. Twice in the span of a few plays in 11-on-11, Hanie launched perfect strikes way downfield to Johnny Knox and Kris Adams for what would have been long TDs.
“I think everything's finally catching up — feet and brain and everything,” Hanie said. “I'm just trying not to overthink things and just go out and throw the ball. I'm going to miss some reads, but as long as I'm decisive in everything, that's all that matters. We can fix all the other stuff.”
Because free agents weren't allowed to practice until Aug. 4, Hanie missed the first four days of work, even though he re-signed with the Bears as a restricted free agent. He was able to go to meetings but missed the physical reps.
“At first you don't think it's going to matter that much,” he said. “(But) then after a lot of installs start piling up on you, you start losing some things here and there. It definitely hurt just not getting in a rhythm as fast as everybody else. But it's still not an excuse. You still should be ready to go.”
If he didn't know it before, Hanie is now aware that quarterbacks under offensive coordinator Mike Martz have to be able to respond to tough coaching — which he has done. His performance the past couple days should put an end to ill-informed speculation that he might lose his backup spot to rookie Nathan Enderle.
“It's all about how you respond to Mike, and how he wants to do his coaching,” Hanie said. “You just try to do exactly what he says and listen kind of with a filtered ear and take it from there.
“The thing about this game is you've got to be really resilient and you've got to have a short memory, especially as a quarterback. It goes for interceptions and stuff like that, but it works for this tough situation, too. In my mind right now it's like it never happened, so I'm rolling forward. That's all I can do is look ahead.”
Forget about it:
Center Chris Spencer has had a big playbook to digest in a short amount of time since he was signed as an unrestricted free agent on July 31.
“It's a lot different than what I'm used to,” said Spencer, who spent his first six seasons in the Seahawks' West Coast offense. “The language is completely different, just the way it's spoken. It's so much different than what you're used to. But once you forget about everything you've done in the past, it starts to come easier.”
Spencer got his first extended practice time with the starters Wednesday when right guard Lance Louis became ill and was sidelined, forcing current center Roberto Garza back to his old right guard spot. The offensive line was back to status quo Thursday night with Louis returning. Garza was back at center.
Getting a look:
Undrafted rookie defensive end Mario Addison has been getting more reps with Corey Wootton sidelined following arthroscopic knee surgery, and the Troy product has made an impression.
“We thought he had some of the skill we're looking for at the defensive end position,” coach Lovie Smith said. “Mainly athletic ability for a big guy (6-foot-3, 252 pounds) that can move. Great quickness. He's getting better and better with his pass-rush technique. We have high hopes for him.”
In and out:
Linebackers Lance Briggs (knee bruise) and Brian Urlacher (general soreness), wide receiver Devin Hester, cornerback Zack Bowman (concussion), tight end Desmond Clark, running back Chester Taylor (knee) and nose tackle Anthony Adams (calf) did not practice. Briggs will not play in Monday night's game but is expected back for the third preseason contest.
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