The Appalachian State-LSU football game blared from the television as Caleb Hanie sat in his Vernon Hills hotel room Saturday, patiently waiting for the word.
How appropriate that last year’s Cinderella story provided the background for this year’s Bears underdog.
Hanie, the undrafted rookie free-agent quarterback from Colorado State, capped a strong preseason by earning a spot on the team’s 53-man roster when cuts were announced officially Saturday evening.
“After a couple of [exhibition] games, I figured I had at least a shot at making it,” said Hanie, who will join starter Kyle Orton and backup Rex Grossman. “It just really depended on the numbers for me. I’m just thankful to be in this position now.”
Others weren’t so fortunate.
The Bears kept six receivers, but Brandon Rideau wasn’t one of them. His strong finish in the final exhibition game made him hard to pass up, yet Mark Bradley squeezed him out. The Bears also kept four running backs to go with the receivers and quarterbacks, indicating how intent they are to bolster the offense rather than just rely on the defense.
As reported Friday, the Bears also released 2007 draft picks Dan Bazuin and Michael Okwo. None of the other cuts was particularly surprising, although seventh-round picks Joey LaRocque and Erwin Baldwin played well enough to merit second looks despite being waived. Both could end up on the eight-man practice squad, set to be established Sunday, along with Rideau.
The release of long-snapper Thomas Gafford points to Patrick Mannelly being healthy enough to resume his duties. And guard Chester Adams, who sprained his MCL in Thursday’s exhibition finale, could receive an injury settlement.
But the big story is Hanie, who became an instant hero in the Bears’ exhibition opener against Kansas City — the night he outdid Orton and Grossman. The mobility he displayed throughout the exhibitions had fans wondering why the Bears wouldn’t give him serious consideration as the starter.
Hanie is glad to have an opportunity, period.
“[Coach] Lovie Smith gave me a call and said, ‘Usually these calls are bad, but I just wanted to let you know you made it,'” Hanie said.
The Bears considered keeping just two quarterbacks before training camp started. Three were kept last season, and all three — Grossman, Orton and Brian Griese — started at least three games in 2007.
“Everybody obviously wants to get into a game and play,” he said. “More than anything, [injuries] just make you realize how ready you have to be every week. If something happens to those guys, I’m right there at the edge of playing. It just makes you stay on your toes.”
Hanie also realizes there could be roster changes any day as the Bears attempt to address urgent needs.
Orton has been designated the starter, but the club might think there is a veteran quarterback capable of providing immediate help. Chris Simms’ name comes up the most often, and Tampa Bay released him Saturday.
The Bears also have unresolved issues on the offensive line, with rookie tackle Chris Williams out following back surgery and guard Terrence Metcalf recovering from minor knee surgery. Veteran Fred Miller has been offered a one-year deal but has yet to act on it.
Bolstering the line would mean giving up a roster spot, maybe even at quarterback.
“You can’t relax, because there are guys out there who want a job somewhere,” Hanie said. “General managers are always looking to upgrade their teams. I just have to continue to work hard and make sure they want to keep me around.”
The Bears’ 53-man roster
%% NO PLAYER POS
4 Brad Maynard P
8 Rex Grossman QB
9 Robbie Gould K
12 Caleb Hanie* QB
16 Mark Bradley WR
18 Kyle Orton QB
20 Craig Steltz S
21 Corey Graham CB
22 Matt Forte* RB
23 Devin Hester WR/KR
25 Garrett Wolfe RB
26 Trumaine McBride CB
27 Kevin Jones RB
29 Adrian Peterson RB
30 Mike Brown S
31 Nathan Vasher CB
33 Charles Tillman CB
35 Zackary Bowman* CB
36 Brandon McGowan S
37 Jason McKie FB
38 Danieal Manning FS
44 Kevin Payne S
52 Jamar Williams LB
53 Nick Roach LB
54 Brian Urlacher LB
55 Lance Briggs LB
57 Olin Kreutz C
58 Darrell McClover LB
60 Terrence Metcalf G
63 Roberto Garza G/C
65 Patrick Mannelly LS
67 Josh Beekman G/C
69 Kirk Barton * T
71 Israel Idonije DT
74 Chris Williams* T
75 Matt Toeaina DT
76 John Tait T
78 John St. Clair T
80 Brandon Lloyd WR
81 Rashied Davis WR
82 Greg Olsen TE
85 Earl Bennett* WR
86 Marty Booker WR
87 Kellen Davis* TE
88 Desmond Clark TE
91 Tommie Harris DT
92 Hunter Hillenmeyer LB
93 Adewale Ogunleye DE
94 Marcus Harrison* DT
95 Anthony Adams DT
96 Alex Brown DE
97 Mark Anderson DE
98 Dusty Dvoracek NT
*-rookie %%
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vxmcclure@tribune.com
