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Thayer: Hanie's Play Rests On The O Line

(WSCR) With a backup quarterback leading the Bears offense, the play of the rest of the offense become even more critical.

As Caleb Hanie attempts to lead the Bears to victory in Denver this weekend, it's imperative that his offensive line does everything in it's power to make his day as smooth as possible.

"There will be some contributing factors for the Bears to look like the Bears you expected them to look like. It's going to take a better effort by the offensive line in terms of sustaining protection," Bears radio analyst Tom Thayer told The Mully and Hanley Show. "I've said it enough to kind of sound like a broken record now, but that's going to be a specific (factor)."

LISTEN: Tom Thayer on The Mully and Hanley Show

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Thayer said solid play from the offensive line can make Hanie look like a completely different quarterback.

"I think if Caleb Hanie gets that comfort, a half second, he can be so much more efficient," Thayer said. "You can see the results of how he can play here, but it's going to take a great effort by the offensive line in terms of the length of pass protections. Obviously, the run game is going to have to be an important part of it, but I do think with Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell, it still has the ability to be the same threat as if (the Broncos) were getting ready for Matt Forte. The key is, is the performance of the offensive line, their performance along with the receivers, going to help Caleb Hanie be the type of player he can be?"

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