Ohio State's Sanzenbacher accepts less to join Bears, play in Martz system
Share29
Comments
1
Former Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher agreed to terms with the Bears. (Columbus Dispatch)
By Dan Pompei
Tribune reporter
10:35 a.m. CDT, July 26, 2011
The Chicago Bears landed one of the prizes of the undrafted free agent class Tuesday morning when Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher agreed to terms with the team.
Sanzenbacher was one of the most pursued undrafted free agents.* His agent Joe Flanagan said Sanzenbacher had been sought by 25 of the 32 NFL teams, and he received phone calls from team owners and quarterbacks offering sales pitches to his client.
Flanagan said Sanzenbacher turned down a $20,000 signing bonus from one team and accepted much less from the Bears because he thought they offered a good opportunity to make the team and he considered himself a good fit for Mike Martz’ offense.
“He envisioned himself a Bear,” Flanagan said.
Sanzenbacher’s stock may have been helped by Jon Gruden, who mentioned Sanzenbacher repeatedly while watching tape with Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the ESPN special QB Camp with Terrelle Pryor.
Gruden called Sanzenbacher “reliable,” “tough,” and “a football player.”* He also wondered how Sanzenbacher did not get drafted.
At 5-11, 182, Sanzenbacher is not exceptionally big, and he ran a 4.56 40 yard dash, so he’s not exceptionally fast. But he was voted a team captain and team MVP and was first team all Big Ten.
Something tells me that this is a guy whose measurables don't tell the whole story. By his description he's certainly what Martz looks for and we could use a guy like him if he's in that Wes Welker or Eddie Royal kind of mold. He's also one of Gil Brandt's top 20 rookie UDFA's at #12. These last two signings (Sanzenbacher and Jones) along with Linnenkohl might be our best.
A limited receiver in what he can offer an NFL offense. A slot guy only who struggles to slip press coverage off the line and quickly get into his routes. However, has a real savvy about his game, knows how to set up corners, find soft spots underneath and possesses the toughness to go up and make a play on the football. Works back well toward the quarterback, consistently finding a way to uncover and can routinely act like a safety blanket over the middle of the field. However, lacks the type of burst to consistently generate much separation out of his breaks. He exhibits sneaky speed down the field, but isn't a guy who will be able to simply outpace defensive backs in the NFL.
Impression: He is what he is. Will always be a fringe roster type guy in the NFL who might be able to endear himself to an NFL coaching staff and fill out a receiving corps, but doesn't offer much in the form of size, speed or overall quickness.
Last edited by soulman; 07-26-2011 at 11:34 AM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap.
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
Great kid with a good head on his shoulders with even better hands. I've meet him a few times when he was back in the NW Ohio area while he wasn't getting tats, cheap cars, etc at tOSU. Gruden summed it up well "he's a football player."
Dane will give 110% if a special team player or as the 4th WR on the depth chart.
::cough:: tom waddle like ::cough::
Last edited by draw2anderson35; 07-26-2011 at 12:06 PM.
None of my posts on this forum have been aided by the use of deer-antler spray...
Well, Gruden loves him. It seems a lot of people do.
*quality of vid stinks, so turn up the volume*
Chucky's a pretty good judge of offensive "horseflesh" so I'll take his word for it. If he turns out to be another Tom Waddle type I think we'll all be very happy. Maybe he's one of the reason we won't spend big on a WR this year.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap.
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
Just talked to my friend who knows a guy that knew a guy that once roomed with Dane at tOSU... the $20K signing bonus was on the table from the Denver Broncos.
None of my posts on this forum have been aided by the use of deer-antler spray...
Chucky's a pretty good judge of offensive "horseflesh" so I'll take his word for it. If he turns out to be another Tom Waddle type I think we'll all be very happy. Maybe he's one of the reason we won't spend big on a WR this year.
I hope he's not a reason for it. As nice of a sleeper as he may appear to be, I'm sure he has work to do to be a legit NFL player. We need to raise the bar in this receiving corps. If we don't sign an every down receiver (not even asking for a no.1 type), then we'd better pray these receivers on the roster have learned how to consistently run routes and refined their techniques.
I hope he's not a reason for it. As nice of a sleeper as he may appear to be, I'm sure he has work to do to be a legit NFL player. We need to raise the bar in this receiving corps. If we don't sign an every down receiver (not even asking for a no.1 type), then we'd better pray these receivers on the roster have learned how to consistently run routes and refined their techniques.
I'm not expecting Sansenbacher to come in and set the world on fire as a rookie so if he can add a little it's a plus. I know now that we won't spend any big time $$$ on this position but I'm with you in that there are guys out there like Floyd or Sims-Walker who are not #1 guys but who do fit the need for the bigger guy Cutler wants. These guys shouldn't be all that costly and I can't believe they think that Andy Fantuz will be that guy.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap.
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Ohio St Sanzenbacher takes less to join Bears
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Butka 
