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Smith impressed by the progress of backup QB
By David Haugh
Tribune staff reporter
December 27, 2004
The more coach Lovie Smith talks about quarterback Chad Hutchinson, the more it sounds like the Bears' No. 2 quarterback for the 2005 season already is on the roster.
"Every time I'm asked this question, I say the same thing: I like Chad Hutchinson an awful lot," Smith said Monday. "I think he's a good football player and a competitor, start to finish."
Bringing back Hutchinson to back up Rex Grossman, or perhaps to challenge Grossman in training camp, would be a popular decision internally given the money it would save. Instead of pursuing a veteran free-agent quarterback such as Matt Hasselbeck or Mike McMahon, the Bears might be able to focus on bigger priorities at left tackle or a game-breaking player at a skill position.
For that reason, members of the organization had hoped Hutchinson would play capably in his five-game audition. Smith thinks Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions showed more progress.
Hutchinson completed 20 of 35 passes for only 114 yards but did not throw an interception. Smith especially likes the way Hutchinson leads and says his charisma helps overcome other shortcomings.
"It won't be perfect with any quarterback, [and] there will be some passes you want to have back, but I like him leading our team," Smith said. "[Sunday] was a step for him. [Down] 16-0, he led us back. I know there was a defensive touchdown, but the offense started moving at the end and put us in a position to win."
It means something
Smith vowed not to let the stakes for Sunday's season finale against the Green Bay Packers be minimized despite the apparent lack of meaning in both teams' seasons.
"We're not going to the playoffs, we realize that, [so] we're playing for pride, which should be enough," Smith said. "You get a chance to compete. You play pickup basketball—you try to win at whatever you play. Plus, you're playing Green Bay."
A problem tackled
If left tackle Marc Colombo plays as well against the Packers as he did in the second half against the Lions, Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo may not feel so desperate to find a left tackle in the off-season. They do not come cheap, after all.
Asked if Colombo had a chance to establish himself for the future in two starts, Smith did not hesitate.
"Sure, he can," Smith said. "That's why we're playing him to get as many looks as we can. He didn't start well [in Detroit], but he finished a lot stronger."
Extra points
It was no surprise, but Smith officially pronounced fullback Bryan Johnson and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye out of Sunday's finale. … Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer sprained his ankle in the first quarter but finished the game, and Smith thought he would be fine. Safety Bobby Gray did not play because of a quadriceps injury but is expected back for the Green Bay game. Same for special-teams player Todd McMillon and his sore hamstring. … As many coaches and players around the league did Monday, Smith praised the impact Reggie White made on people and the game before his death Sunday at 43. "It seemed like we all knew Reggie in some way," said Smith, a former assistant at White's alma mater, Tennessee. "He let everybody know what he believed in and said what he thought was right and would let you know that at any time. Who can you find who really doesn't like him?"
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http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-041227bearsbits,1,4644117.story?coll=cs-bears-headlines
By David Haugh
Tribune staff reporter
December 27, 2004
The more coach Lovie Smith talks about quarterback Chad Hutchinson, the more it sounds like the Bears' No. 2 quarterback for the 2005 season already is on the roster.
"Every time I'm asked this question, I say the same thing: I like Chad Hutchinson an awful lot," Smith said Monday. "I think he's a good football player and a competitor, start to finish."
Bringing back Hutchinson to back up Rex Grossman, or perhaps to challenge Grossman in training camp, would be a popular decision internally given the money it would save. Instead of pursuing a veteran free-agent quarterback such as Matt Hasselbeck or Mike McMahon, the Bears might be able to focus on bigger priorities at left tackle or a game-breaking player at a skill position.
For that reason, members of the organization had hoped Hutchinson would play capably in his five-game audition. Smith thinks Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions showed more progress.
Hutchinson completed 20 of 35 passes for only 114 yards but did not throw an interception. Smith especially likes the way Hutchinson leads and says his charisma helps overcome other shortcomings.
"It won't be perfect with any quarterback, [and] there will be some passes you want to have back, but I like him leading our team," Smith said. "[Sunday] was a step for him. [Down] 16-0, he led us back. I know there was a defensive touchdown, but the offense started moving at the end and put us in a position to win."
It means something
Smith vowed not to let the stakes for Sunday's season finale against the Green Bay Packers be minimized despite the apparent lack of meaning in both teams' seasons.
"We're not going to the playoffs, we realize that, [so] we're playing for pride, which should be enough," Smith said. "You get a chance to compete. You play pickup basketball—you try to win at whatever you play. Plus, you're playing Green Bay."
A problem tackled
If left tackle Marc Colombo plays as well against the Packers as he did in the second half against the Lions, Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo may not feel so desperate to find a left tackle in the off-season. They do not come cheap, after all.
Asked if Colombo had a chance to establish himself for the future in two starts, Smith did not hesitate.
"Sure, he can," Smith said. "That's why we're playing him to get as many looks as we can. He didn't start well [in Detroit], but he finished a lot stronger."
Extra points
It was no surprise, but Smith officially pronounced fullback Bryan Johnson and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye out of Sunday's finale. … Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer sprained his ankle in the first quarter but finished the game, and Smith thought he would be fine. Safety Bobby Gray did not play because of a quadriceps injury but is expected back for the Green Bay game. Same for special-teams player Todd McMillon and his sore hamstring. … As many coaches and players around the league did Monday, Smith praised the impact Reggie White made on people and the game before his death Sunday at 43. "It seemed like we all knew Reggie in some way," said Smith, a former assistant at White's alma mater, Tennessee. "He let everybody know what he believed in and said what he thought was right and would let you know that at any time. Who can you find who really doesn't like him?"
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http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-041227bearsbits,1,4644117.story?coll=cs-bears-headlines