Grossman may snap to it on Sunday
Bigger workload in practice could mean short leash for Griese
By David Haugh | Tribune staff reporter
12:03 AM CST, November 10, 2007

Bears fans might have written off Rex Grossman when he was benched after his Week 3 start against the Cowboys.

It doesn't appear coach Lovie Smith has.

In a sign that Smith likely won't watch idly if Brian Griese struggles Sunday against the Raiders, the Bears increased Grossman's work in practice this week from 30 percent of the snaps to 40 percent, a team source confirmed Friday.



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The off week allowed an extra practice Monday that meant Grossman could get more work without affecting Griese as much as a normal week.

So this doesn't necessarily mean the Bears have lost faith in Griese as a starter capable of turning around their season.

It merely means the coaching staff recognizes the Bears' desperate state at 3-5 and will be prepared if Griese turns the ball over with the frequency he did in a four-interception game against the Lions.

Grossman's quick-strike ability and streakiness might offer the Bears an alternative if they fall behind the Raiders.

Grossman, whose contract runs out at the end of this season, hasn't played since Sept. 23, when he was picked off three times in a 34-10 loss to Dallas. Griese has completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,411 yards, nine TDs and 10 interceptions in five games since replacing Grossman but has shown the same penchant for turning the ball over in bunches.

Kyle Orton, the QB the Bears might want to see in game action if they are eliminated from the playoffs, remains No. 3.

I smell a bit....

I think Griese has been terrible. If not for the 2 minute drills and prevetn defenses late in games, Griese has worse Number than Rex.Give Rex his last shots and then it is Orton time before we look draft

Also if you fuck someone like they are a millionaire they might go try to be one.

I get it. Lovie thinks the Bears can go 7-1 or 6-2 and get in. Laugh at him if you want but that's how a coach should think. I have no problem with this.

He'll go to Rex today if Griese sucks early. He'll stay with Rex as long as they are winning. It makes sense. If we lose the next two it will defidently be Orton.

Time to start rooting for the ... um... the Bulls, no.... the Cubs.... no.... the Sox.... yikes no..... the BlackHawks! What has happen to this town?

Oh shit! He's IN!!!

My words exactly. Anyone else notice that the entire offensive line ignored him on the sidelines when he was trying to get all pumped up?

And anyone notice that the Bears ran plays more of 10 yards in design?

Griese is a servicable backup QB. Come in, manage the game, don't try anything risky. Sadly, in this NFL, you need to throw more than 7 yard-in-the-flat patterns.

My words exactly. Anyone else notice that the entire offensive line ignored him on the sidelines when he was trying to get all pumped up?

Also if you fuck someone like they are a millionaire they might go try to be one.

they weren't ignoring him. they all slapped his hand. linemen rest on the sideline.