QBs Jay Cutler, Dan LeFevour and Mike Teel. (Phil Velasquez / Tribune) By Brad Biggs
BOURBONNAIS -- Two practices in to the 2010 season, Mike Teel has yet to throw a pass in a full squad drill or 7-on-7, but the newest quarterback to join the Bears is hoping for a chance.
Rookie Dan LeFevour, a sixth-round pick from Central Michigan, also hasn't done anything in 11-on-11 or 7-on-7 as all of the work has been handled by Jay Cutler and Caleb Hanie.
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz said in the spring that he believed in LeFevour observing and learning, and obviously the Bears need the vast majority of the work to go to the starter and No. 2 as they learn a new system.
Teel is hoping to pick things up as quickly as possible so he can make an impression in his new team. The Bears signed him earlier this month as a fourth arm for camp. Director of player personnel Tim Ruskell is high on Teel after drafting him out of Rutgers when he was the general manager of the Seattle Seahawks. Teel spent 3 1/2 weeks with the New England Patriots during the spring and this is his latest shot.
"That's what it is an opportunity to come in and learn stuff and try to absorb as much information as I can and come in and play," said Teel, who appears to have a stronger arm than LeFevour. "The bottom line is I need to come in and learn the stuff as fast as I can. I am way, way behind, and I need to learn the best I can."
Teel said the time spent with the Patriots was an eye opener. Tom Brady was there for two of the weeks. Other than that, since being let go by the new Seahawks regime, Teel has been back home in New Jersey working out with his quarterback mentor Phil Simms, the MVP of Super Bowl XXI. Teel grew up in Oakland, N.J., and Simms lives in the next town over, Franklin Lakes. He went to Bosco High School at the same time as Simms' youngest son Matt. Teel has counted Simms as his unofficial quarterback coach since he was in junior high.
"I didn't have any playbook to learn or anywhere to be this offseason, so I was working with him," Teel said. "As far as throwing the ball and the quarterback position he is the best I have been around and it is definitely to my advantage."
The challenge for Teel will be learning enough in the coming weeks to be able to take advantage of any chances he gets in preseason. LeFevour seems a pretty safe bet to make the roster with his status as a draft pick. At this point, it's about Teel getting the chance to show the Bears -- and the rest of the NFL -- what he can do.
Teel signed a two-year contract with the Bears. Like LeFevour, he was a sixth-round draft pick, chosen by the Seahawks in 2009. Teel was a three-year starter at Rutgers and passed for 6,580 yards and 45 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Scarlet Knights.
"That's what it is an opportunity to come in and learn stuff and try to absorb as much information as I can and come in and play," said Teel, who appears to have a stronger arm than LeFevour. "The bottom line is I need to come in and learn the stuff as fast as I can. I am way, way behind, and I need to learn the best I can."
Teel said the time spent with the Patriots was an eye opener. Tom Brady was there for two of the weeks. Other than that, since being let go by the new Seahawks regime, Teel has been back home in New Jersey working out with his quarterback mentor Phil Simms, the MVP of Super Bowl XXI. Teel grew up in Oakland, N.J., and Simms lives in the next town over, Franklin Lakes. He went to Bosco High School at the same time as Simms' youngest son Matt. Teel has counted Simms as his unofficial quarterback coach since he was in junior high.
"I didn't have any playbook to learn or anywhere to be this offseason, so I was working with him," Teel said. "As far as throwing the ball and the quarterback position he is the best I have been around and it is definitely to my advantage."
The challenge for Teel will be learning enough in the coming weeks to be able to take advantage of any chances he gets in preseason. LeFevour seems a pretty safe bet to make the roster with his status as a draft pick. At this point, it's about Teel getting the chance to show the Bears -- and the rest of the NFL -- what he can do.
Teel signed a two-year contract with the Bears. Like LeFevour, he was a sixth-round draft pick, chosen by the Seahawks in 2009. Teel was a three-year starter at Rutgers and passed for 6,580 yards and 45 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Scarlet Knights.
Teel does have a very strong ar and can really and accurately put the ball downfield with a lot of air under it.
That picture is funny! Teel and LeFevour both look confused and Cutler looks relaxed and uninterested.