Nate

Enderle

Enderle, handpicked in last year’s draft by now-former offensive coordinator Mike Martz, is not nearly as highly regarded by the current Bears regime. A big-armed but immobile passer, he’ll certainly have a hard time beating out McCown if the Bears make their roster decisions based on performance and not age.

Signed off the street last November, McCown ended up providing the Bears salvation from the Caleb Hanie disaster, keeping the team in his Week 16 and 17 starts. He had previously not attempted a pass since Week 1 2009. Four months shy of his 33rd birthday, he’ll be the Bears’ third-string quarterback behind Jay Cutler and Jason Campbell. Nate Enderle, hand-picked by Mike Martz last season, may not be long for Chicago.

They’re going with Josh McCown in Week 17. “Nathan will have his time,” said Smith. “He’s a good QB for the future, but that future isn’t now.” Enderle was hand-picked by offensive coordinator Mike Martz, which somewhat clouds his future with the Bears. Martz is not expected back with Chicago in 2012.

Hanie produced an 0-4 record with a 50.0 percent completion rate, 3:9 TD-to-INT ratio, and 41.8 passer rating in four disastrous starts for the Bears. A free agent in 2012, he’s gone from potentially competing for a starting job to likely settling for a No. 3 gig.

Enderle was handpicked by Mike Martz as the Bears’ fifth-rounder in 2011. He ended up falling behind Caleb Hanie and then Josh McCown before getting waived last week. In Jacksonville, Enderle will battle Jordan Palmer for the No. 3 gig behind Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne. The Jags have already hinted that they’ll probably stash their third quarterback on the practice squad.

It’s hardly a shocker. Hand-picked by QBs guru Mike Martz in the fifth round last year, Enderle failed to endear himself to the rest of the coaching staff. Although he possesses the requisite size and arm to succeed as an NFL backup, Enderle remains a project with average accuracy, no mobility, and spotty mechanics. Josh McCown should hold off Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Matt Blanchard for the No. 3 QB job.

Most famous for being Mike Martz’s teacher’s pet in Chicago, the 2011 fifth-round pick couldn’t make the Jaguars out of camp last season. If Enderle’s lucky, he’ll push Rusty Smith for No. 3 duties in Tennessee, but he’s unlikely to make it past first cuts.

The well-traveled 2011 fifth-rounder will serve as an extra caddie for Philip Rivers in camp. Enderle has no shot at making the team.

“What if Nate is better (than Hanie)?” said Martz. “Who knows? I don’t know that he is or isn’t.” Martz has never been a big believer in Hanie, even though his tape from preseasons and the 2011 postseason is pretty good. Enderle was handpicked by Martz, which is a big vote in the rookie’s favor. When it comes to QBs, history says Martz either likes you or he doesn’t.

Martz is ready to throw Enderle into a full-blown competition with current backup Caleb Hanie. Considering Martz inherited Hanie and handpicked Enderle, we like the rookie’s chances. Hanie is tentatively expected to be a restricted free agent that would require no draft-pick compensation as a former undrafted player.