Thread: Hanie Looked Good in Preseason Finale............

September 2, 2011
Caleb Hanie delivers solid performance


By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 9/2/2011 12:51 PM



CHICAGO – The Bears wanted to see Caleb Hanie perform with efficiency Thursday night, and the backup quarterback did just that in a 24-14 preseason victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Starting in place of Jay Cutler, who was held out of the contest, Hanie led the Bears to a field goal and touchdown on his only two series, completing 7 of 10 passes for 83 yards and a 128.3 passer rating.

On Hanie’s final play, he floated a perfect 19-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Knox in the left corner of the end zone, giving the Bears a 10-0 lead with 1:47 left in the first quarter.
Caleb Hanie started in place of Jay Cutler in the preseason victory over the Browns.“It felt good,” Hanie said. “We moved the ball really well. The running game was solid. The o-line did a great job of protection. I didn’t really feel anybody all night. Couldn’t ask anything more for the last preseason game; just come out and look solid and get a touchdown pass finally and get things rolling.”

Hanie struggled at times during the preseason, completing 36 of 63 passes for 388 yards with one TD, two interceptions and a 67.4 passer rating.

“It was a different preseason,” Hanie said. “It was a little up and down. But sometimes you’ve got to struggle through that kind of stuff. I felt like I’ve been getting better and better each week the last couple weeks, so it’s good to finish on this high note and hopefully carry that momentum into the season.”

Catch this: Knox caught the Bears’ first and ultimately only touchdown pass of the preseason, making an excellent grab with two defenders draped on his back.
“I think it was the throw,” Knox said. “I had two defenders on me. The o-line did a great job of giving time to just lay it in there.” Although veteran Roy Williams remains the starter, Knox will continue to push for playing time.

“It’s going to go throughout the season,” Knox said. “He’s a great receiver. I feel the same way about myself. So there’s going to be competition each day through practice and through the games.”

Making plays: Second-year defensive end Nick Reed made the most of extended playing time, registering a sack, deflecting two passes and dropping fullback Owen Marecic for a one-yard loss on fourth-and-goal from the 1.

“I had fun going out there playing,” Reed said. “Our team did good, and I showed up a little bit in the stat department more than I had in the past. There’s always room for improvement. There are things I could have done better. If they keep me, I’ll find out what it was.”

Drawing a flag: Rookie safety Winston Venable was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness when he drilled receiver Demetrius Williams, causing an incomplete pass.
While Browns trainers were treating Williams on the field, Venable sought an explanation from one of the officials.

“I was just wondering who had made the call and he let me know that all three of them had made it and a couple people in the stands might have made the same call,” Venable said with a smile.

“He told me that they were just trying to be protective of players and it kind of looked helmet-to-helmet, especially because I left my feet I guess. I’ve got to see it on film. But I think just protection of the players is really what they’re looking out for.

“The refs are experienced guys. They see hits like that and they want to protect players. So I’m sure they made a good call.”