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Stakes raised in boo-the-QB game
With public opinion a factor, beware Bears fans: If Rex gets benched, he won't be back
September 21, 2007
BY MIKE MULLIGAN mmulligan@suntimes.com
The outside world may be an unwelcome visitor to Halas Hall, but the weight of public opinion nonetheless can crush a player or coach in any sport. It's an idea to consider when contemplating the future of Bears quarterback Rex Grossman.
Two uninspired offensive performances into the Bears' season, there already are calls for Grossman to be benched. While considering just how long Grossman has before he's demoted or what he has to do to keep the organization's undying love, it's important to understand what the consequences of losing the job would be for him.
Howls of derision from the media and incessant booing from fans may speed the end of his Bears career -- and that could happen this season. If Grossman is demoted, it means he's not the quarterback of the future, not the man who is going to get a contract extension. He's in the final year of his contract.
If Grossman is pulled for Brian Griese, he should be the No. 3 guy with Kyle Orton also ahead of him. Part of the process with Grossman is to determine whether he's a long-term answer. If it's not Grossman or Griese, then Orton should get a chance.
If Grossman becomes the No. 3 quarterback, he doesn't belong on the team. He's not a reclamation project you can bring back for the playoffs. The Bears might be best off trying to trade him for a late-round draft pick like the Cleveland Browns did with Charlie Frye. Or it might be a simple case of not wanting to pay him the money he has coming this year, like the Jacksonville Jaguars did with Byron Leftwich.
It sounds drastic, but that's where this thing stands. A decision has to be made about the future, not just the present. Grossman either wins and gets a long-term contract or he's gone. Why keep him around if he's a No. 3 quarterback?
Can Grossman improve? Is he as good as he'll ever be? Have defenses figured him out? Everyone tired of the Good Rex/Bad Rex metaphor, but over two games we've yet to see Good Rex.
Clearly, there is a book on how to beat the Bears. Teams load the box and blitz like hell, which means the Bears need to run the ball if they face man coverage or throw it if the safeties drop. Teams that blitz are gambling and must be made to pay a steep price if they are ever going to stop.
There has been a lot of talk this week about blitz pickup and who is responsible for what. There seems to be a belief that Grossman is unprepared or that the Bears have been caught unawares on offense, something coordinator Ron Turner dismissed.
''That view is wrong,'' Turner said. ''Rex puts the time in. Mentally, he's very good. He's sharp. He knows what is going on. I don't know where that perception would come from that he's not doing the work.''
Turner said Grossman shows up early every Monday, takes care of all team responsibilities and also spends a couple of hours with Turner going over everything from the previous game. He's back again on Tuesday and the two spend a lot of time together. Grossman then goes downstairs to watch film and comes back up to talk to Turner again.
Turner said it's not unusual for him to go downstairs on Wednesday night and chase Grossman out of the building. The quarterback had a list of notes to go over with Turner on the Saturday before the season opener after breaking down tape at home until midnight the night before.
Some players break down tape more than others. Center Olin Kreutz is addicted to the process. Former Bears running back Thomas Jones used to study opponents, other guys at his position in the league and even old college and high school tapes.
Cedric Benson doesn't get a lot out of tape study. He does it as a matter of course and running backs coach Tim Spencer said Benson understands what his keys are on certain plays, but Benson said his position is one that relies more on instinct.
''Plays have steps you are supposed to take and areas you are supposed to go to, but you never know how [opponents] are going to react to that, so you have to react. There's a lot of instincts involved.''
Benson doesn't feel he needs to study tape to know how the Cowboys play with Jay Ratliff at defensive tackle now that Jason Ferguson is out for the season.
''I let the offensive line handle those guys,'' he said. ''As long as I got a little crack in there, or a crease in there, that's what matters.''
Benson says you can't teach a running back how to run, ''but they definitely try.''
And how does he deal with that? ''In one ear and out the other,'' he said.
Sounds like the same tactic Bears brass has taken with public reaction to the quarterback. But the tide of public opinion is building and Grossman needs to perform well Sunday against Dallas to turn it back.
You just hope if he struggles and the crowd turns on him, everyone understands the consequences. Once he's gone, he won't be back.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mulligan/568110,CST-SPT-mully21.article
With public opinion a factor, beware Bears fans: If Rex gets benched, he won't be back
September 21, 2007
BY MIKE MULLIGAN mmulligan@suntimes.com
The outside world may be an unwelcome visitor to Halas Hall, but the weight of public opinion nonetheless can crush a player or coach in any sport. It's an idea to consider when contemplating the future of Bears quarterback Rex Grossman.
Two uninspired offensive performances into the Bears' season, there already are calls for Grossman to be benched. While considering just how long Grossman has before he's demoted or what he has to do to keep the organization's undying love, it's important to understand what the consequences of losing the job would be for him.
Howls of derision from the media and incessant booing from fans may speed the end of his Bears career -- and that could happen this season. If Grossman is demoted, it means he's not the quarterback of the future, not the man who is going to get a contract extension. He's in the final year of his contract.
If Grossman is pulled for Brian Griese, he should be the No. 3 guy with Kyle Orton also ahead of him. Part of the process with Grossman is to determine whether he's a long-term answer. If it's not Grossman or Griese, then Orton should get a chance.
If Grossman becomes the No. 3 quarterback, he doesn't belong on the team. He's not a reclamation project you can bring back for the playoffs. The Bears might be best off trying to trade him for a late-round draft pick like the Cleveland Browns did with Charlie Frye. Or it might be a simple case of not wanting to pay him the money he has coming this year, like the Jacksonville Jaguars did with Byron Leftwich.
It sounds drastic, but that's where this thing stands. A decision has to be made about the future, not just the present. Grossman either wins and gets a long-term contract or he's gone. Why keep him around if he's a No. 3 quarterback?
Can Grossman improve? Is he as good as he'll ever be? Have defenses figured him out? Everyone tired of the Good Rex/Bad Rex metaphor, but over two games we've yet to see Good Rex.
Clearly, there is a book on how to beat the Bears. Teams load the box and blitz like hell, which means the Bears need to run the ball if they face man coverage or throw it if the safeties drop. Teams that blitz are gambling and must be made to pay a steep price if they are ever going to stop.
There has been a lot of talk this week about blitz pickup and who is responsible for what. There seems to be a belief that Grossman is unprepared or that the Bears have been caught unawares on offense, something coordinator Ron Turner dismissed.
''That view is wrong,'' Turner said. ''Rex puts the time in. Mentally, he's very good. He's sharp. He knows what is going on. I don't know where that perception would come from that he's not doing the work.''
Turner said Grossman shows up early every Monday, takes care of all team responsibilities and also spends a couple of hours with Turner going over everything from the previous game. He's back again on Tuesday and the two spend a lot of time together. Grossman then goes downstairs to watch film and comes back up to talk to Turner again.
Turner said it's not unusual for him to go downstairs on Wednesday night and chase Grossman out of the building. The quarterback had a list of notes to go over with Turner on the Saturday before the season opener after breaking down tape at home until midnight the night before.
Some players break down tape more than others. Center Olin Kreutz is addicted to the process. Former Bears running back Thomas Jones used to study opponents, other guys at his position in the league and even old college and high school tapes.
Cedric Benson doesn't get a lot out of tape study. He does it as a matter of course and running backs coach Tim Spencer said Benson understands what his keys are on certain plays, but Benson said his position is one that relies more on instinct.
''Plays have steps you are supposed to take and areas you are supposed to go to, but you never know how [opponents] are going to react to that, so you have to react. There's a lot of instincts involved.''
Benson doesn't feel he needs to study tape to know how the Cowboys play with Jay Ratliff at defensive tackle now that Jason Ferguson is out for the season.
''I let the offensive line handle those guys,'' he said. ''As long as I got a little crack in there, or a crease in there, that's what matters.''
Benson says you can't teach a running back how to run, ''but they definitely try.''
And how does he deal with that? ''In one ear and out the other,'' he said.
Sounds like the same tactic Bears brass has taken with public reaction to the quarterback. But the tide of public opinion is building and Grossman needs to perform well Sunday against Dallas to turn it back.
You just hope if he struggles and the crowd turns on him, everyone understands the consequences. Once he's gone, he won't be back.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mulligan/568110,CST-SPT-mully21.article
