Chicago Sun-Times

Sanzenbach­er doesn’t take spot for granted

- BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com

CLEVELAND — Dane Sanzenbach­er knows better than to read anything into anything when it comes to the NFL. So even though Rashied Davis’ departure seemed to clear his path to the Bears’ 53-man roster, he knew he had to make a play Thursday.

That’s why he returned a punt that could have gotten him obliterate­d in the regular season on the first possession of the Bears’ 28-20 victory over the Browns in their preseason finale.

‘‘Nobody remembers a fair catch, do they?’’ Sanzenbach­er said. ‘‘If it was close I was going to take it. Any time you can get the ball in your hands and make a play on special teams, it can turn some heads.’’

Sanzenbach­er was stopped for no gain on the punt return. But he was not to be denied. After an intercepti­on by Jeremy Jones on the Browns next possession, Sanzenbach­er caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Josh Mc

with a nifty one-handed grab against tight coverage.

‘‘In a game like this you want to make plays. You want to leave that last impression,’’ Sanzenbach­er said. ‘‘We talked about it before the game — might as well do it now. You might not get another shot.’’

| yards for a touchdown.

‘‘It should have been a picksix,’’ McCoy said. ‘‘I figured they were going to come back to the play because that’s the same exact play I missed the tackle on. Just using football smarts and taking risks. All I was thinking was, ‘Get the ball and go.’ ’’

 ?? | TONY DEJAK~AP ?? Bears linebacker Xavier Adibi (45) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Montario Hardesty in the first quarter.
NFL NOTEBOOK
Page 59
| TONY DEJAK~AP Bears linebacker Xavier Adibi (45) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Montario Hardesty in the first quarter. NFL NOTEBOOK Page 59

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