To tell you the truth, I thought it was a joke when John Clayton whispered in my ear Saturday that quarterback Rex Grossman had re-signed with the Bears. The Professor is always whispering funny things in my ear, but as he peered through his designer specs, you could tell he meant business.
How could this be? How could a franchise that has become the poster child for quarterbacking futility stay true to a man who has brought it so much misery. The Bears made the statement that Grossman will have to beat out Kyle Orton to win the starting job, thus setting up one of the least compelling quarterback battles of the modern era.
Each candidate can win games when matched with a championship-caliber defense. But judging by last season and the impending departure of linebacker Lance Briggs, among others, those days are long gone.
The Bears have plenty of room under the salary cap ($30 million) to be aggressive in making deals, but you don't sense that's going to happen. Clayton pointed out that several Bears players favored Grossman's return, but young people make mistakes.
I was struck by how naive the white-bearded Lovie Smith sounded as he addressed the situation during the combine. He acknowledged Grossman's highs and lows, but said he chose to focus on the highs. And while you have to admire the man's optimism, it's hard to ignore 27 interceptions and 14 fumbles over the past 24 regular-season games.
Grossman had so little confidence in his abilities that he jumped at the Bears' offer before having a chance to test the free-agent market. And who can blame him? When you work for an organization that offers unconditional love, you might as well stick around.
"It is a body of work. There have been some highs and some lows, but we think Rex is a good football player and I choose to remember more of those highs," said Smith. "I still don't think he has peaked yet. I still think his future is bright."
The Bears are a shell of their Super Bowl team, but they refuse to believe it. It would be one thing if Grossman was a caretaker quarterback, but he's the exact opposite of that. The organization has taken one of the most inconsistent quarterbacks in the league and surrounded him with questionable "talent."
Wide receiver Bernard Berrian is likely on his way out, Cedric Benson is a poor excuse for a starting running back and the offensive line has broken down. Other than that, things are going pretty well.
Listening to general manager Jerry Angelo discuss "sobriety in the marketplace" makes me think he's had too many. In signing Grossman, the Bears sent a clear message to their fans: We're not going anywhere.
Thanks for your continued support.
MM
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