Angelo used wishes 1-2-3 at QB
So says general manager Jerry Angelo, who said he went into the offseason with a wish list to build on the team's division title. Nos. 1 through 3 on that list were quarterback. He finally found a skilled veteran to come on board in Brian Griese, and former first-round pick Rex Grossman finally stayed on the field.
With Grossman's contract up after next season, it stands to reason that Angelo will approach him about a new deal in the offseason. He has been reserving judgment and has said that more emphasis is placed on how players perform in the postseason. So far, Grossman has a higher passer rating in the playoffs than his Indianapolis Colts counterpart, Peyton Manning.
''My wife has bought my dog a No. 8, one of those little jerseys for him,'' Angelo said. ''So it's going good at home, at least what's being thought of Rex. And I can share part of that enthusiasm that she feels, and I know our dog will, too.
''I've made the statement that it's an ongoing evaluation. We do evaluate the big games and put a little bit more weight on those. We feel real good about Rex and what he's done. Hopefully, he can finish strong in this last one.''
If Grossman doesn't get a new contract in the offseason, he's likely to become an unrestricted free agent after next season. Agent Eugene Parker knows doing a deal in season only would limit the market.
''After the season, Rex and I will discuss that,'' Parker said. ''His sole focus right now is on the Super Bowl, and that's where it should be. We're not worried about anything else.''
SOMETHING SPECIAL: During the Bears' 7-0 start, it was the dramatic comeback from a 23-3 deficit at Arizona that convinced Angelo this team could be headed somewhere come February. The Bears overcame six turnovers to pull out a 24-23 victory.
''I'm just sitting there in that press box, and everybody is there,'' he said. ''I'm going, 'You've got to be kidding me. Couldn't we do this Sunday at 12 o'clock? Do we have to do it Monday at 8?'
''I said, 'Well, we've been doing it to other people, and I guess we've got to get a taste of our own medicine.' But, boy, I don't think I could be any prouder of a football team than I was that night.''
FLYING THE NEST? President Ted Phillips talked about the price of success Wednesday, and part of that is having to pay your employees more when the team wins.
Special-teams coordinator Dave Toub figures to be a hot candidate if he wishes to test the market and certainly merits a healthy raise. Toub's unit finished No. 1 in league rankings, and it wasn't based only on the success of rookie return sensation Devin Hester and All-Pro kicker Robbie Gould. The coverage units were among the best in the league.
Toub is coming out of a contract, and an interesting opening has developed that he is familiar with. John Harbaugh, who coached special teams in Philadelphia for nine seasons, has become the Eagles' defensive backs coach. Toub worked under Harbaugh for three seasons before joining the Bears and has a relationship with Eagles coach Andy Reid that dates back 20 years to their days on staffs at UTEP and Missouri.
CONFLICTING EMOTIONS: Wide receiver Dan Sheldon spent a week on the Bears' practice squad in September. The Burlington Central and Northern Illinois product had been with the Colts during the offseason and training camp.
''That's how my luck goes -- they're both there,'' said Sheldon, who's training to get a shot in NFL Europe. ''I know a lot of guys on the Colts, but I fall back to the hometown team.''