Chicago Football Chili

The hype, as it were, is about Ortman vs. Grossman.  And last night's game did nothing to substantially prove one better than the other.  But I do have a tale of two Bears quarterbacks from last night's game...

All cards on the table here - like many a Bears fan, I have been a big fan of the same quarterback every year for the past 30 or so.  Which is to say, THE ONE ON THE BENCH.  And today is no different.  The quarterback who impressed me is Caleb Hanie. 

Even sounds like a quarterback name, doesn't it?

Hanie, the 22-year-old rookie from Colorado State, just plain looks like a QB.  When he came onto the field, he had presence.  His eyes were not of the "deer in the headlights" type.  He didn't look scared about being in front of a pro crowd.  He looked confident, as if he were exactly where he was supposed to be, doing exactly what he was supposed to do.  Not bad for an undrafted free agent with absolutely no pro experience.  And he made plays, like that laser pass into coverage to Brandon Rideau for a touchdown.  And that 18-yard scramble for a first down.  And had two rookie receivers not dropped a couple of catchable passes, he surely would have led the team to victory.  It's a promising start, and I'm sure there will be plenty others singing his praises as THE ONE ON THE BENCH very soon.

Not faring so well was the other #12 in play - former Bears QB and Bears Network commentator Erik Kramer.  In what seemed unbelievable at the time, he managed to botch the names of all 4 quarterbacks who had played by halftime.  It was Harry Carey-esque.  Kyle Orton became Ortons.  Rex Grossman, take your pick, was both Max and Rhett.  Brodie Croyle became Rory Coyle and Damon Huard was Damian.  All in less than 30 minutes of play-time.  By the time Caleb Hanie became Chet Hanie in the 4th quarter, it was really more of an expectation. 

Having not done that particulary job, I can't speak to the pressures and difficulties of it.  And should he have missed a third-stringer offensive lineman's name, you'd have to give him the pass.  But 5 out of 6 quarterbacks?  That's not going to help his Commentator Rating.

The running game, and other observations next time...

 CHILI DAN