Pace comfortable with Sanchez
GM says backup QB will be important to Glennon’s development
PHOENIX— While Bears brass huddled at the NFL owners meeting, quarterbacks Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez gathered a handful of their new teammates at a north suburban high school Tuesday.
Glennon vowed this month he would work out with his new receivers away from Halas Hall, per the collective- bargaining agreement. On Tuesday, he brought Sanchez with him.
Sanchez will be integral to Glennon’s development, general manager Ryan Pace said at the Arizona Biltmore. He praised Sanchez’s life experience more than his skill, although he called him ‘‘ a really good, solid No. 2 quarterback.’’
Pace cited Sanchez’s highs and lows in some of America’s biggest markets: New York, Philadelphia, Dallas and, while at USC, Los Angeles.
‘‘ I think havingg some of those experiences is going to help behind the scenes,’’ es,’’ Pace said.
When Sanchez z visited Halas Hall beforee signing a one- year deal last st week, he confirmed the praise raise Pace had heard from others around the league. ue. He passed the chemistry test with Glennon, too.
‘‘ There’s no more important room than the quarterback room,’’ Pace said. ‘‘ And we put a lot of thought as to how that room blends together, especially with the No. 2.’’ Glennon is the starter. Pace said he tried to trade for Glennon the last two years before signing him to a three-th year, $ 45 million dea deal this month. Sanchez won’t affect fect the Bears’ draft plans, but Pace wouldn’t bite when he was asked whether he could mentor tor a draftee. ‘‘ We’re going to draft the best playersp available, wherever that may be,’’ Pace said. ‘‘ And if it’s a quarterback, it’s a quarterback. . . . But right now, I like the way Sanchez blends with Glennon and with [ thirdstringer] Connor Shaw.’’
Here are five more things we learned Tuesday:
Fallout from Hall arrest
Pace and coach John Fox spoke with cornerback Deiondre’ Hall after he was arrested early Sunday and cited for three misdemeanors: interference with official acts, public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
Hall was tasered and spat in an officer’s face, according to the police complaint.
‘‘ The circumstances are obviously disappointing,’’ Pace said.
Later, Fox called Hall ‘‘ remorseful’’ but said the arrest ‘‘ puts us all in a bad light.’’
On the field, Pace said Hall will begin playing safety — he has college experience there — to go with cornerback.
‘‘ One of Deiondre’s best traits is his ball skills, his ball clock, the ability to time the pass breakup,’’ Pace said.
Fuller on themove?
Cornerback Kyle Fuller is ‘‘ strictly a corner right now,’’ Pace said, though the Bears still are considering a switch to safety.
Fuller didn’t play last season after having a routine arthroscopic knee procedure in the preseason. He’s training in Phoenix.
‘‘ Honestly, when he comes back, we’re going to want to see progress,’’ Pace said. ‘‘ We’re going to want to see him move like I know he can move.’’
No interest in Kap
The Bears examined every backup- quarterback candidate, including Colin Kaepernick, but they decided against him because of his on- field performance.
‘‘ To us, it just came down to the skill sets we value,’’ Pace said.
Kaepernick, who drew attention for kneeling during the national anthem last season, opted out of his deal with the 49ers this month.
Might he trade the No. 3 pick?
Pace didn’t rule out trading the No. 3 overall pick in the draft next month to move down and get more selections, but he said no one has called him yet.
‘‘ It hasn’t gotten to that point yet,’’ he said. ‘‘ We’re a month away now, and I think those [ trade discussions] will start happening.’’
Amedical tweak
After being crushed by injuries last season, the Bears have modified their training programs. Pace said they are making changes to scheduling, weight- room work and training activities.
‘‘ Just dialing things to adapt,’’ he said.