QB controversy controversy
Calling for a contest between Grossman, Griese first means agreeing that Rex needs relief
Let's not call it a controversy just yet. Instead, we'll call it a healthy debate. Two lousy performances by quarterback Rex Grossman have given rise to a significant amount of angst among Bears fans. Their concern? That Grossman has cost them one win, nearly cost them another, and may cost them more.
''There's people calling for Brian Griese to sub for Grossman when he's bad,'' said Doug Buffone, the former Bear who talks football on WSCR-AM. ''They were saying that after the Arizona game. And I'm saying the same thing. I'm not saying replace Grossman or bench him. I'm saying if things aren't going the Bears' way, put in Griese. You can still start Grossman the next game.''
But what if Griese comes in and plays great? Would Grossman's confidence take a big hit? And what happens in the next game? Do the Bears return to Grossman, or stick with Griese? And isn't this how a quarterback controversy begins?
(Tom Cruze/Sun-Times)
The Cardinals' defensive pressure flustered Grossman in Arizona, causing him to throw four interceptions and fumble twice, and some questioned why head coach Lovie Smith didn't replace him with Griese. But since the Bears managed to win that game, and Grossman rebounded to throw three touchdowns in the following game, a win against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field, the talk subsided. It returned, louder this time, after Grossman again succumbed to pressure, throwing three interceptions and fumbling once against the Miami Dolphins last Sunday at home. Many believe the Bears could have avoided the loss, their first of the year, with a quarterback change.
''If Rex is horrendous, then let me see what Griese can do,'' Buffone said. ''With Griese as a backup, the Bears are in a position that no other team is in. Griese could be starting for 40 to 50 percent of the teams in the league. If Grossman is having problems, let's use Griese. This is not your typical situation. Griese is not your typical backup quarterback. They're paying this guy $5 million, and there's a reason for that.''
Griese, who signed a five-year deal thought to be worth between $14 and $20 million this offseason, came to Chicago with the understanding he would be the No. 2. He knows his role. He's not about to contribute to this debate.
''To be honest, I don't even think about it,'' he said. ''I'm not tied to anybody else. I'm tied to who I am and how I play. You know how the media is. The No. 1 guy in any sport at the No. 1 position -- I don't care if it's goalie in hockey or pitcher or quarterback -- that person is always under the spotlight and will get the most scrutiny. And you always see they'll get the most amount of blame and credit. Whether it's fair or not is not for us to decide. It's just the way it is.''
The Bears expected some inconsistency this season from Grossman, who began the year with just eight career (seven regular-season) starts. Although Griese outplayed Grossman in camp, Smith wanted no part of any quarterback controversy then, and he certainly doesn't want it now, midseason. While some might consider Smith unnecessarily stubborn, others believe he's doing what's best for the Bears.
''Lovie made the right decision to stick with Grossman [against Miami],'' said former Bears quarterback Jim Miller, who can be heard discussing NFL football on Sirius Satellite Radio and also calling Michigan State games on the Spartan Radio Network. ''The only way to learn how to deal with defensive pressure is to play your way through it. Grossman was great early in the season, but now other teams know how to attack the Bears. He has to learn by playing. Hopefully, he'll gain enough experience and be able to take it into the postseason.''
With a 7-1 record at the season's midpoint, the Bears seem a lock for the postseason. Yet nothing is certain. Beginning tonight against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands, they play three straight games in hostile road environments.
''I understand we want Grossman to play and to learn,'' Buffone said. ''But the window of opportunity for the Bears is right now. I want to see a sense of urgency. It's up for grabs this year -- at least the NFC is. Everything counts now. Home-field advantage is still up for grabs. All the Bears should be thinking about is, 'How do I win this game?' I have nothing against Rex Grossman. He's done a heck of a job, and he is the quarterback of the future. But it comes down to getting Grossman ready for the future vs. taking care of business right now.''
Griese, whose 2005 season with Tampa Bay ended after six games because of a knee injury, has attempted only seven passes in mop-up duty this season. As easy as many would like to make it sound, the NFL isn't baseball, and Griese isn't a relief pitcher. Who's to say Griese would be immediately effective?
''It's difficult to stay sharp, but you try the best you can in practice, and you do work on your own,'' Griese admitted. ''But I know what I do well, and I know what I need to work on. After nine years in the league, I think I know who I am. So if I'm called upon, I feel confident.''
Miller, who battled Cade McNown and Shane Matthews, among others, for playing time during five seasons with the Bears, cautions against viewing Griese as a savior.
''If you bring in [Griese] to relieve Grossman during a bad game, there's no guarantee he's going to bring the team back,'' Miller said. ''Griese is experienced, so you think he can, but don't forget that he didn't get the reps leading up to the game. Look at Damon Huard with the Chiefs. He wasn't so great in his first game [after Trent Green went down in the season opener with a concussion]. It took him two or three games. Granted, Griese is more experienced. He's seen a lot of tough situations, so you'd expect him to light it up. But you don't know.''
With a good game against the Giants, Grossman can again halt this debate. But should he falter, the voices are sure to grow louder. When does a healthy debate become a full-fledged quarterback controversy?
''For now, it's best to stay the course,'' Miller said. ''But the bottom line is, if Grossman is costing them too many games, you have to make a change.''