Early camp surprise
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<p align="justify">He wears No. 83 and you haven't heard anything about him as far as the NFL goes.
<p align="justify">Yet.
<p align="justify">If wideout Mike Hass continues his impressive play at the Chicago Bears training camp, that could change. Fans wanting the name of a surprise player for the first week, here's your man.
<p align="justify">He's matching established receivers like Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian catch for catch, even if most of his receptions are coming from third-string quarterback Kyle Orton instead of starter Rex Grossman. Hass, who was on Chicago's practice squad last year, was just as steady Friday at Olivet Nazarene University as he's been all along.
<p align="justify">"I'm just trying to make as many plays as I can," he said. "So far I'm pleased, but we still have a long ways to go - some hots and protections, those types of things. I just have to keep making plays, open eyes and good things will happen for me."
<p align="justify">Position coach Larry Drake hasn't missed a move, or catch, by Hass.
<p align="justify">"He has a great deal of ability, the ability to get open and catch the football," Drake said. "I've been real happy about Mike. Mike can play more than one position. He's demonstrated that and, hopefully, will continue to do that because he'll have a chance to come in and help us."
<p align="justify">Hass could catch 10 passes in each exhibition game and still might not make the active roster if the team elects to keep only five receivers. Chicago already has Muhammad, Berrian, Mark Bradley, Rashied Davis and Devin Hester.
<p align="justify">"It does become a numbers game," Drake said. "But he's auditioning for a job each and every day not only here but if something were to happen somewhere else.
<p align="justify">"Hopefully, he'll continue to catch our eye here and we find a way to keep him. You've got to have guys ready, and I feel real comfortable with Mike."
<p align="justify">Hass played collegiately at Oregon State, then was a sixth-round pick by New Orleans in 2006. The Saints cut him Aug. 3 last year, with Chicago signing him the next day. He since signed a two-year contract on Feb. 8.
<p align="justify">Hass was glad to get out of New Orleans "because they didn't play me all that much."
<p align="justify">"They drafted me, and kind of hid me and wanted me to be on their practice squad. But I didn't want to be on a team that really didn't give me an opportunity. That's all I can ask for, for a guy in my position."
<p align="justify">Hass' resume is impressive. He won the 2005 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver. He set Beaver school records with 220 catches for 3,924 yards while scoring a school-record tying 20 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 206-pounder was the Pac-10's first player to top 1,000 yards receiving in three seasons.
<p align="justify">Drake said Hass is making it tough for Chicago not to put him on the final 53-man roster.
<p align="justify">"They have a lot of established guys with game experience who make plays," Hass said. "It's tough. Hopefully, when cuts come around, it's like we can't cut this guy, we like him too much."
Reed Schreck is the NFL Writer for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.</font>