[CBFF] QB hopefuls Hill, Hanie get their chance to impress :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears

[Tom Shannon]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/929768,CST-SPT-bearnt03.article#


  QB hopefuls Hill, Hanie get their chance to impress

May 3, 2008
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BY BRAD BIGGS <mailto:bbiggs at suntimes.com> bbiggs at suntimes.com

For a team that will go into training camp undecided on its starting 
quarterback, it's fitting that the Bears also have a competition to 
determine who will man the No.3 spot -- or at least who will be in 
position for that job.

Southern Illinois' *Nick Hill* and Colorado State's *Caleb Hanie* were 
thrown into the fire with a host of unfamiliar faces as the Bears had 50 
players on the field for rookie minicamp Friday: 12 draft picks, 10 
undrafted free agents (including Hill and Hanie) and 28 practicing on a 
tryout basis.

You never know what you'll find on this weekend. Safety *Brandon 
McGowan* emerged from a tryout to win a roster spot in 2004.

There were dropped passes, missed routes and bad throws to go around, 
but that's what you get the first time around.

''Right now they haven't had a chance to digest a lot of the playbook,'' 
coach *Lovie Smith* said. ''You just want the guys to come out and take 
control of the huddle, complete some passes. It's as simple as that.

''I like what Nick and Caleb were able to do. Of course, all 
quarterbacks throw some good passes and have a few bad ones in there. 
Typical first day for both of our quarterbacks.''

Hanie might have a slightly more powerful arm and quicker release, but 
it's splitting hairs at this point. It's not out of the question both 
could stick around, with one on the practice squad.

''Competition makes the best out of everybody,'' Hill said. ''I've just 
got to come out here and compete every day, and in meetings you've got 
to be aware and just prepare.

''The next three or four months, this is all I'm going to do. It's every 
night just study the playbook because I know it's a once-in-a-lifetime 
opportunity that I have, and I've got to show the coaches that they can 
feel confident and throw me out there in a game.''

Extra points

If the burst and size of running back *Matt Forte* wasn't the most 
striking element of the day, then it was the size of chiseled tight end 
*Kellen Davis*, the fifth-round pick from Michigan State. The Bears 
struggled to get the 6-7, 262-pounder into a jersey for photos.

• • Massachusetts running back *Matt Lawrence* (1,585 yards and 16 
touchdowns last season) is one of the 28 tryout players. Also included 
are four punters.

• • Western Kentucky wide receiver *Curtis Hamilton* made a couple of 
nice catches.

-- 
Life... is like a grapefruit. It's orange and squishy, and has a few pips in it, and some folks have half a one for breakfast.
  - Douglas Adams