Interesting take on Rex's comments last week for those of you who don't have ESPN Insider.

All eyes on Grossmanposted: Sunday, January 7, 2007 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: NFL

Seeing as how I'm going to be in Chicago this weekend, I've been paying particularly close attention to Rex Grossman admitting last week that he didn't give it his all in the season finale. In case you missed it, this was his quote:

"In this league, especially at this position, you have to bring it every single week, no matter what. And the situation was I felt like I was going to play about a half, and it was the last game, it was New Year's Eve -- there were so many other factors that brought my focus away from what is actually important, and that's something that I am never going to do again.

There is too much I am responsible for to not give it 100 percent during the week and just the full attention. It's another lesson."

Now, this caught a bunch of flack. Folks says this is indicative of why he's awful, why he's a punk, why he doesn't get it, why he never will, why Brian Griese should start. To all this I say it's only partially indicative of those things.

First of all, pundits are acting like this is the first time an athlete hasn't prepared enough for a game. Hate to break it to everyone, but some athletes, every week and on every team, mail it in. The difference is that Grossman actually took responsibility for his actions (or non-actions) instead of lying about it. And what happened? Grossman was being ripped for being accountable.

Uh, isn't honesty what we want?

By being upfront about his shortcomings, Grossman handed me his Get Out of Jail Free card. It shouldn't happen again. And that leaves nothing but the game Sunday against the Seahawks. It's imperative to his Bears career that he not only wins but also has a good game. Grossman's 2006 season has been an enigma. We've seen him play well and play miserably. We've read about his sky-high confidence and watched him finish a game with a 1.3 QB rating. He had rebounded from his slump nicely until Week 17 against the Packers, when he threw three picks.

Sunday against the Seahawks, I don't think the Bears' coaches can simplify the offense enough. They need to do anything ­- slants, screens, hitches ­- to get Grossman easy completions. He's not going to turn into Peyton Manning ... oops, bad analogy after the Mustached One threw three picks against KC. He's not going to become Tom Brady because the Bears had a bye. But Seattle has vulnerable cornerbacks, and Bears receivers should be able to get open.

That leaves Grossman charged with getting them the ball. He's dug himself a hole. Assuming he prepares as he should, this will be the week we'll see if he can rebound.

_________________
"Tubby? Oh yes, Tubby."

Yeah, I agree. The other part that's indicative of those things is his shitty play. Shitty play and excuse-making: a recipe for a short stint in the NFL.


Uh, hello article-author, he's the freaking quarterback. He's the team leader. He's had a very up and down season, and is in no position to half-ass anything. Out of all the NFL players on a playoff team, Rex is the one who could least afford a terrible last game, and yet his excuse is that he wasn't prepared? Just awful.


Perhaps, but then, he wasn't being honest. He was simply making excuses. Just like the guy on the Packers said. He sucked, so he blamed it on the fact that it was a meaningless game that he wasn't expected to play the entirety of. Amazingly, he's actually managed to dupe a considerable number of people. I'm not fooled: he sucks, and this proves that he not only sucks, but is willing to attempt to hide his suckiness with excuses that are nearly as damning as his utter lack of capabilities.


Fine idea. It's not like the last time they tried that the opposing team jumped every route.. They should emphasize him not fumbling the snap; I'd be happy if he could manage to not eff that up.

_________________
You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

While I agree that a starting QB in the NFL should not publicly admit to not having his head in the game at a press conference, I really don't see this as Rex making up excuses for his bad play. The kid was right in being completely honest with the public in stating that his head was somewhere else (if in fact he WAS honest). Of course one could use the argument of "Well Rex, where was your head in the other low-rated games you had this season?", and the convienence of it being NYE is also a good argument to support a possible fabrication, however we have no other reason to believe that Rex WASN'T telling the truth.

The thing that drives me crazy in this whole Rex thing is this - it allows every analyst in America to be correct. Why? Because not a single f'n one of them will analyze the Bears game. Eric Allen is the only one I hear have an OPINION on the Bears (btw - he scoffed at the Bears chances).

Here is every analyst I've heard -

"Well, if Grossman plays well, the Bears will win. But, if it's "Bad Rex" the Bears don't have a chance"

Well, NO SHIT. Tell me what you think is going to happen! With this statement, they'll all come back and say they were right either way.

"I told you they'd win/lose if Grossman was good/bad."

I wish someone would step out and say what they think WILL happen. I've said I think Rex will be OK/Good and the Bears will win easily. Mattinthepoint goes the other way. Why can't actual paid analysts tell us what THEY think?

It's just too easy for them to sit on the fence and say they were right. Lazy and bad and I hate it.

_________________
My Maserati does 186.

I agree with Dr. Personally, I think that if Rex doesn't play bad, the Bears won't lose. However, if Rex doesn't play good, the Bears won't win.

_________________
"Tubby? Oh yes, Tubby."

But seriously, the Bears will win. Rex doesn't even have to be any better than Mediocre for it to happen. After watching the games this weekend, and knowing who is out for SEATTLE, I just don't think they can be a good team on the Road...

I say 31-21 BEARSSS

_________________
"Tubby? Oh yes, Tubby."

Heh, that's actually a really good point. But that's the thing with Rex; he is the most schizophrenic player I've ever watched play, and he's at the most important position on the field. Because of that, it's all but impossible to predict what the Bears will do. I think if those analysts actually watched a bit more Bears, they'd be of my mind and find it more likely that you'll see the "Bad Rex" than the "Good Rex."

ETA: seconds after posting this, Patrick had to all but beat a prediction out of "The Playmaker," and even so, got no response. The only answer given is that "Seattle can win this game." How timely.

_________________
You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

I heard Irvin too Matt, pretty funny. But, that's the thing, nobody wants to look at the GAME. Seattle's defense is hurting, their secondary is "off the street", etc. Give me some analysis, that is what they are paid to do.

They won't. It's too easy to say Grossman could be good or bad.

You said it's "impossible to predict what the Bears will do", I don't give them that pass. It's not impossible to predict, it's impossible to know. Their job is to predict, they should do that.

_________________
My Maserati does 186.

Well yeah. Why waste your time on a non-East Coast team unless you absolutely have to? What's Eli up to these days?


Oh, I don't either: I'm just agreeing that it's the perfect out for them.

_________________
You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

Explain?

I guess my thoughts on Rex can be summed up as such:

The kid is a good quarterback who has had a season where the worst possible thing could have happened to him... and that is, the team is too good for him right now. The fact that the Bears are 13-3 and legitimate Super Bowl contenders with Rex as their quarterback each game was the WORST thing that this obviously still-learning quarterback could have been faced with, let alone being a quarterback in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately-fanbase city like Chicago (with the exception of the Cubs).

If what we think is true... that these next couple games will decide the fate of Rex in Chicago... then I have to honestly say I feel Rex got a raw deal. I guarentee you that if the Bears let him go, a team like Tampa Bay or Oakland will pick him up and reap the benefits of his talent (which he has proven more often than not as the Bears' QB) and will be a Top 5 quarterback within the next 2 years.

Rex Grossman will win a Super Bowl in his career, if not more. Whether it is with the Bears remains to be seen.

They "Cubbed" me, Nas. Yet again, this team fooled everyone into a false sense of security, only to prove at the last possible second to be a fraud. I'm sick and goddamn tired of this team ripping off a stellar regular season record only to get stomped in the playoffs. As for Grossman, you're right: I'm sick of his bullshit. He sucks, and every second spent pretending he doesn't is a second wasted on moving forward.

Edit: Wow, I posted this before reading your post and Ugueth's. I'd love to hear what attributes Rex has that makes either of you feel he'll be a good QB in this league. Rex has demonstrated:

1. a lack of ability to throw short screens to the sidelines
2. a lack of ability to avoid the rush
3. poor decision making
4. his short stature leads to a greater-than-average number of batted balls

In my mind, the only good attribute he's shown is the ability to throw the medium-range and longball when he gets ample time from the line.

_________________
You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

As for #1, how many times has he flat out missed TJ on a design screen to the sideline? It's incredible that he misses that pass so often. I have no idea what you're talking about with #2; in my mind, his inability to avoid the rush is without peer. Like Silvy points out, he has one move: backpedaling a la Carmello Anthony. You're right that every QB has to learn #3, but I find it troubling that he doesn't seem to be progressing in that regard.


I'd have given you #1 up until that last press conference. #2 & #3 I find dubious, and as for #4, I'll point to one Ron Mexico.

_________________
You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

I'll have to agree with Nas and go with his list on this one, Matt. don't get me wrong here... I'm not saying that Rex Grossman is going to be in the Hall of Fame anytime soon (or at all), but it IS true that he is a leader DESPITE what he said in his press conference (which I agree was appalling). His team mates have NEVER given up on him even when most of Chicago has, including myself at times. That fact alone makes me believe that if this quality continues, Rex will have 10 other guys on that field who believe that he is their leader and will play accordingly. Rex doesn't have to be perfect in order to win in the NFL. Granted, he can't be as bad as he was on NYE (or at Arizona, or any of the other low-rated games), but everyone knows that if you win 9 games during the season you have a VERY good chance at making the playoffs. Rex has the ability to do this each season, barring any further major injuries.

If the Bears lose because of him in the playoffs, why should Rex be handed the starting job next year? Let him earn it. If Griese is as bad as many say then he should be able to beat him out. The Bears should not get rid of Grossman since I think he has a lot of potential but constantly handing him the starting job every year doesn't help our team win right away. After next year, the Bears probably won't be a super bowl contender based purely on the shelf life of really good teams. Most teams can't win 12+ games 4 years in a row.

Open up the competition next year and let the best QB win.

The Bears have played their hand with the QB situation. Given their aging O-line, the potential gaping hole at OLB, and the soft spot at safety, I'd be shocked if they took a QB in round 1 of next year's draft. And considering the money they gave to Griese this offseason, they're not getting anybody in the FA market either. This is it. Grossman/Griese or vice versa, with Neckbeard holding the clipboard.

DO NOT FEAR THE ORTON!

_________________

man, i WANT to believe that 13-3 record....but i keep remembering the Eagles at Soldier Field..and 'da Beeears LAST 13-3 record! Please prove me wrong Chicago Bears!

Who, you mean this guy? He's the best.

That's... what I'm worried about.

_________________
You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

I was referring to his doing this every season.

_________________
You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

/

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

My friend sent me that picture via email yesterday, with the caption "they don't call them Packers for nothing."

_________________
You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

/

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way