Sanzenbacher has strong backer

**short faced bear** · 08-06-2012, 09:39 PM

But Cutler's support may not be enough for receiver to make roster
By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter

8:31 p.m. CDT, August 6, 2012
BOURBONNAIS — If Jay Cutler's input factors into the decision, Dane Sanzenbacher should have a serious chance to make the Bears' 53-man roster.

But even if Sanzenbacher performs well in the preseason, there is no guarantee, unless the Bears commit to keeping an inordinate amount of receivers.

The off-the-field bond between Cutler, the quarterback, and Sanzenbacher, the second-year receiver, has been evident for quite some time. Friendship aside, Cutler is a firm believer in Sanzenbacher, the player.

"You watch film on Dane and you have to keep him, from a quarterback's perspective,'' Cutler said. "I know there are numbers and he's got to contribute with Dave (Toub) and the special teams group. But every single day he's coming out here, he's catching balls. … He's going to be hard to let go, if we have to.''

Sanzenbacher, who joined the Bears last season as an undrafted rookie from Ohio State, seemed to be on the outside looking in at the start of camp. The Bears added Brandon Marshall, Eric Weems, Devin Thomas and rookie Alshon Jeffery to a receiving corps that already included Devin Hester and Earl Bennett.

When Thomas, a special teams ace, abruptly quit football Sunday, it appeared to open an opportunity for the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Sanzenbacher to stick as a possible sixth receiver. That was before the team re-signed veteran receiver Rashied Davis to a one-year, $825,000 contract Monday. Davis, 33, clearly has the upper hand over the 23-year-old Sanzenbacher in terms of special teams play.

"I don't feel like it is more pressure,'' Sanzenbacher said about Davis' signing. "It's out of my control. I just keep doing my job, doing whatever I can do, and let the coaches make their call.''

The Bears began last season with six receivers on the active roster, including Sanzenbacher. He finished fourth on the team in receptions with 27 catches for 276 yards and three touchdowns.

It remains unclear how many receivers the Bears plan to keep this season, but those at the bottom of the depth chart will have to contribute on special teams. During training camp at Olivet Nazarene University, Sanzenbacher has fielded some kickoffs, worked at fullback on kick returns, and volunteered to line up as a gunner.

Receivers coach Darryl Drake evaluated Sanzenbacher's performance through 10 practices.

"He's does have to be better, and he has been better,'' Drake said. "Been very pleased with what I've seen from him. Don't want him to slack (off) or take his foot off the gas at all. Just continue to do what he's doing, and we'll see what happens.''

Drake declined to speculate on how many receivers would be kept on the final roster.

"I want this to be the most difficult decision that we've had to make since we've been here,'' Drake said. "When it's like that, then you've got some guys that can play.''

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,4778154.story

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 08-06-2012, 09:51 PM

My gut feeling is that Tice and Lovie will give serious thought about what Cutler says are the best fit for WR weapons. That doesn't mean Cutler gets everything he wants. It just means it will be heavily weighed in the outcome.

Nobody in their right mind would think Davis is a NFL wide receiver worth anything. He had 4 catches last year. Four. He is what he is, an arena football guy, who after four seasons with the SaberCats got Jerry Angelo to give him a roster spot on the Bears. He can play special teams. But others can do as well. You don't piss on Cutler, and take away Sanz, just so a 33 year old special teams guy can take his spot.

Plus, it sounds like Sanz is busting his butt to be a solid ST's guy too.

**Riczaj01** · 08-06-2012, 10:00 PM

If all he is, is solid they should keep him. The difference in ST's play between Davis and Sanz does not take the ST's from great to elite. My gut feeling is the coaches decided they didn't want Sanz which is why they brought in 2 ST's guys in Weems and Thomas; plan was ruined when Thomas retired so now they brought in the crapfest that is Davis.

**4DaBERS** · 08-06-2012, 10:02 PM

I was at camp today and Sanz was making some very nice returns on punt drills. I know we have a few of those guys, but the more he can do the better

**short faced bear** · 08-06-2012, 10:02 PM

I would think the bottom line is injuries. Toub can do more with less Drake cannot PERIOD. Keep Sanz.

**MPBears68** · 08-06-2012, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by short faced bear

I would think the bottom line is injuries. Toub can do more with less Drake cannot PERIOD. Keep Sanz.

What he said ^^^^.

Sanz please.

**soulman** · 08-06-2012, 11:26 PM

I'm a Sanzen.....backer too, LOL. If we release this kid it will be the most stupid personnel move of this regime yet. This kid has all the tools to be an annoyingly successful slot receiver in the mold of Wes Welker so fuck Rashied Davis and his ST skills. That's exactly what we got Weems for.

Rashied Davis won't score any TD's and it's highly unlikely he'll prevent any. Sanz on the other hand has already proven that as small as he is he can get open and score. Sanz had as many TD's last years as Davis had catches for cripes sake. It was asinine to even bring him back.

So let's just hope they keep listening to Cutler because as he has been most of the time, he's not wrong. Sanz is a keeper and if they do let him go I swear that it will come back to haunt us just like trading Welker to the Pats did to Miami. They're a bunch of fuck ups down there anyway so there's no excuse to follow their model.

If we release him and he clears waivers I'd bet you the Pats would sign him in a heartbeat as a hedge against losing Welker after this season. Sanz has too much potential to let go free. Find somebody else to cut or put on the PS.

**Henry Burris** · 08-06-2012, 11:28 PM

just to reiterate what everyone else says, Sanz all the way. He had less plays than anyone at WR last year, but was the WR with the most touchdowns (only Davis had more than him on the team). Only Knox and (ugh) Williams had more 1st downs than him too. Granted, that's not an amazing group to compare someone to, but they'd been in the league for a while, this dude was straight outta college, bustin' his ass.

Also, Cutler says "**** you" to Martz; Martz is fired.
Cutler says he wants 6'2 WRs; Angelo is fired, and we get a guy that can pick 'em.
Cutler couldn't audible at the LOS last year, no matter how stupid the play, now he has an OC that WANTS him to change the play if need be, and made the offense to serve him.
The Bears are doing everything they can to make Cutler THE FACE of the franchise, and his word goes a lot further than anyone elses...

**short faced bear** · 08-06-2012, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

just to reiterate what everyone else says, Sanz all the way. He had less plays than anyone at WR last year, but was the WR with the most touchdowns (only Davis had more than him on the team). Only Knox and (ugh) Williams had more 1st downs than him too. Granted, that's not an amazing group to compare someone to, but they'd been in the league for a while, this dude was straight outta college, bustin' his ass.

Also, Cutler says "**** you" to Martz; Martz is fired.
Cutler says he wants 6'2 WRs; Angelo is fired, and we get a guy that can pick 'em.
Cutler couldn't audible at the LOS last year, no matter how stupid the play, now he has an OC that WANTS him to change the play if need be, and made the offense to serve him.
The Bears are doing everything they can to make Cutler THE FACE of the franchise, and his word goes a lot further than anyone elses...

I'd like to hear Jay say "**** you Drake !!"

**Blue Horse-shoe** · 08-07-2012, 01:09 AM

Yeah lets piss off the Santa Claus Sidewinder by cutting another one of his buddys. Sheesh ....

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