Denver Broncos: Grading the Caleb Hanie Signing and Twitter Reaction

The Denver Broncos have signed QB Caleb Hanie to serve a backup role to recently acquired quarterback Peyton Manning, according to ESPNChicago.

Hanie last played for the Chicago Bears, where he played in six games and started four. He filled in after Jay Cutler suffered a season-ending a thumb injury. Hanie, however, was benched in favor of Luke McCown because he did not play well in any way, shape or form.

If Manning goes down—which unfortunately is a glaring possibility—Hanie will have to take the reigns. Fellow Broncos QB Adam Weber, a 2011 undrafted free agent, isn't going to be more than a third-stringer in 2012.

The Broncos should have waited until April and then draft a second- or third-round quarterback instead of signing Hanie. They could have developed their draft pick into Manning's successor. 

Now they have an unreliable backup quarterback, which could pose a problem for the Broncos if Manning gets injured.

Grade: D+. The Broncos should have spent a high draft pick on a quarterback. That's the bottom line. They additionally wasted an opportunity to groom a quarterback under one of the best ever to play the game.

Twitter Reaction:

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter:

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Broncos struck deal with former Bears QB Caleb Hanie as backup for Peyton Manning. Broncos have added two former CSU players in two days.

 

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ESPN's NFL Live Host Trey Wingo:

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Caleb Hanie signs with Denver. Broncos clearly convinced Peyton is 100%.

 

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CBS's Zach Zaidman, being humorous:

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 No word on if Broncos will hold news conference to introduce Caleb Hanie.

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