Greg Gabriel Comments on Caleb Hanie.........
Forget about the topic. Gabriel makes some great observations about Hanie and his future in the NFL. More than anything else this HOF Game will be a chance to watch him lead Martz's offense.
Hall of Fame game will be worth watching -- if it's played. Greg Gabriel
http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gifJuly 08, 2011, 04:00 PM EST
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http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c191.../static/NL.png If the lockout ends soon and training camps open on time, the first game we will be able to watch is the Hall of Fame game with Chicago playing St. Louis. Because it’s an extra game, the Bears will probably play backup QB Caleb Hanie much of the night. If you recall, Hanie played fairly well in the second half of the NFC Championship game last January.
I could not figure out why he was the third QB during the season. He clearly was more talented than last year’s backup, Todd Collins. In his three years in the league he has played consistently well in the preseason, showing mobility, arm strength and good decision making. Last year when the Bears had a new offensive coordinator (Mike Martz) and scheme, the feeling was they needed a veteran backup who new Martz’ offensive system in case something happened to Jay Cutler. Having never been around Hanie, Martz did not know how talented he was, and when he hurt his shoulder in preseason, the Bears went out and signed Todd Collins. Collins had proved for years that he wasn’t a good NFL player and in my opinion the signing was a waste. All it did was slow Hanie’s development. In the few games that Collins played during the season he was terrible! I was around Hanie for two years and I know he is a winner, a gamer and a leader. He just needs experience. I have no doubt that he can be an NFL starting quarterback in the future.
On the Rams roster, the players I want to see are Sam Bradford, receiver Mark Clayton and first-round pick Robert Quinn. Bradford was a leader of the Rams’ lockout workouts and with a year of experience under his belt he should be able to take charge from the get go. Things are no longer new to him.
http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c191...bert-Quinn.jpgICONRobert Quinn missed the 2010 college season, but he's an intriguing defensive prospect for the Rams.
Clayton did not get to play much last year before he was injured. He has the opportunity to be the Rams’ number one receiver and be a big help to Bradford. Quinn hasn’t played since the 2009 college season. In a situation like this, his natural talent and instincts should take over if he is in good condition. We know because of the lockout, he will know little about the Rams defense. I want to see what his natural pass rush talent is and he should have opportunities in this game. He probably will be going against the Bears first-round pick, tackle Gabe Carimi. It could prove to be an interesting matchup. What could prevent this matchup is after we get a new CBA the rookies are slow to sign. Here’s hoping that both the agents and management work hard to get all the rookies in camp quickly.