[CBFF] [Fwd: Bears agree to terms with QB Hanie]

[Tom Shannon]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Bears agree to terms with QB Hanie
Date: 	Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:05:07 GMT
From: 	<Brad Biggs>



The Bears are expected to carry four quarterbacks to Bourbonnais this 
summer.

They’ll start with two in rookie minicamp next weekend, and there could 
always be a third who shows up as a tryout guy.

Colorado State’s *Caleb Hanie* has agreed to terms to a contract as an 
undrafted free agent, joining Southern Illinois’ *Nick Hill*, who the 
team targeted first according to sources familiar with the situation.

Like Hill, Hanie made a pre-draft visit to Halas Hall. He followed 
*Bradlee Van Pelt* in school and was a productive performer for the 
Rams. He's a little erratic at times, but is athletic. He needs to 
improve his accuracy.

As we've said here earlier today, it could be the Bears carry only two 
quarterbacks on the 53-man roster this season—*Rex Grossman* and *Kyle 
Orton*. They could stash a third on the practice squad and have some 
increased roster flexibility, especially for when some injuries hit.

The Bears had 62 players under contract when the draft began and 
selected 12 players. But they do not count against the 80-man roster 
limit until they sign their contracts. So, it was misreported here that 
they can sign only six undrafted free agents. The Bears can actually 
sign 18. They’ll bring in fewer than that and let some tryout players 
fight for a job or two. They can only carry 80 to training camp, so as 
draft picks sign, players will have to be cut if the club is at the 
80-man limit. We’ll do our best to track down a list of these free 
agents as soon as we can. The Bears should release some kind of list Monday.

Right now, we know about Hill, Hanie, Western Kentucky wide receiver 
*Curtis Hamilton* and St. Xavier kicker *Shane Longest*. As always, stay 
tuned.

Inside the Bears is going to pack the car and head home after a marathon 
session at Halas Hall. We’ll be back here in the morning when 
first-round pick *Chris Williams* arrives. Check in for a few updates 
throughout the day.

Remember, training camp is just 86 days away.


-- 
Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.
  - Kurt Vonnegut