Lovie is ‘disappointed in QB play'

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Coach Lovie Smith rarely shows many lineup or roster cards in the early hours after a game. He stayed that course Monday in declining to either announce a change at quarterback or clarify that there will be no change from Caleb Hanie after Hanies disastrous three-interception performance Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

His strongest indication of an impending change was in a very straightforward, Right now, were disappointed in our quarterback play. It hasnt been as good as wed like it to be.

Smith was quick to apply that assessment to other positions. But in recent weeks Smith at least noted that Caleb did some good things. That was decidedly not the mood Monday, probably because Hanie didnt do many good things.

Hanie has a 41.8 overall passer rating in his four starts, all losses. And while he is expected to give way to Josh McCown at least to give a demoralized team a statement that different solutions are at least being tried, Smith was not making that change officially.

Right now, Caleb Hanie is our starting quarterback, Smith said. He played Sunday. We finished up, we felt like we needed a boost, we needed to change the course a little bit, but we do that with all players.

Smith stopped well short, however, of declaring Caleb is our quarterback. None of those decisions have been made with any of our position players. We evaluate the video, which were doing right now...

What was clear Monday is that Nathan Enderle will not follow Andy Dalton, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton or any other fellow rookie quarterbacks onto the field at this point. Enderle did not distinguish himself in preseason and dropping him in against Green Bay with Clay Matthews or Minnesota with Jared Allen cant be calculated to enhance his development just yet.

This isnt a tryout period, either, Smith said. Were trying to win a football game. So the best guys that give us an opportunity to do that, of course talking with our coaching staff, will be on the field. No more than that.

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