If you decided to visit the Chicago Tribune home page Thursday morning, you found the main story online is a countdown to when the Bears will "finally" cut Rex Grossman from the team. No, not just the sports page; the main page. It's more of a story than your latest Blagojevich news, two Illinois soldiers being killed in Afghanistan, and a discussion of President Obama's health-care plan. Grossman was apparently more newsworthy. Attached to the "Countdown to Rex-ile" -- where it discusses fans "rehearsing" their "toasts" -- you'll find a story by David Haugh where he discusses how unfair Grossman's treatment has been in Chicago. Gee, I wonder where these fans are getting it?
Many fans are smart, but the masses were continually fed vitriol about this polarizing quarterback in the newspapers they read daily on the CT Subway for the past three years. Is it any wonder they began to harbor ill-will towards him the next time he had a remotely bad game?
You can trace Grossman's demise back to the Bears' 2006 campaign. He led the team to a 13-3 record in the regular season, yet throughout the entire second half of the season the Chicago media was crying for a new quarterback. Whether it was the newspapers, talk radio, television, or the internet: He can't lead this team to a Super Bowl, they shouted. Well, he did. Last I checked, it's the only Super Bowl in which the Bears have participated since the 1985 shufflin' crew.
Early the next season, it was evident Grossman could no longer lead the team. His confidence was shattered. It's easy to point to the big dollars pro athletes make and say something ignorant like, I wouldn't care what people thought if I made that much money. Doing such a thing is dismissing the fact that they are human beings. If you really want to put yourself in Grossman's shoes, ask yourself what you'd be thinking after 2006. You hold a 17-6 regular season record and took the team to the Super Bowl in your only full season as a starter. You know what I'd be thinking? What the #$%& do you people want?
If the masses want to dismiss the job Grossman did in 2006, they'll claim the Bears won in spite of him. It's true the defense and special teams -- namely Devin Hester -- were spectacular. To do so, you'd be overlooking the fact that Grossman still threw for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdown passes in the regular season, including a long one to Bernard Berrian to jump-start the season-opener in Green Bay. You'd also be overlooking his 282 yard, one touchdown performance against the Seahawks -- which included a clutch pass to Rashied Davis to set up the game-winning overtime field goal -- in the playoffs. You'd also be overlooking his game-breaking touchdown pass to Berrian in the NFC Championship game -- one the Bears won with ease.
At this point, I'm not even discussing the Bears need for him. A parting of ways was needed for both sides. He could have never succeeded in Chicago moving forward. Unlike many Bears fans, I'll be rooting for Grossman to succeed elsewhere -- unless he's playing against the Bears. He deserved better than this.
I understand Grossman had many downs, but he had plenty of ups as well. At some point everyone just needs to turn the page and leave him alone. This countdown is more than just a bit amateurish. He's a human being, and the Tribune is a professional news outlet. The bottom line is he was the first quarterback since Jim McMahon to lead a team to the Super Bowl. As beloved as McMahon was, Grossman was equally as bemoaned. You could justify it a bit easier if he was a bad guy, but he's not. I guess it's fitting he gets a classless dismissal day from the media. Why would February 26, 2009 be any different than any other day Grossman spent in Chicago?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-26-2009 @ 12:09PM
clemensused said...
Less Rex, more Megan Fox
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2-26-2009 @ 1:39PM
Dan said...
Couldn't agree more. He should be, needs to be, somewhere else. The Bears' track record with QBs should be a bold red flag that they're doing something wrong and the highlights show that he has something that not everyone does.
The Bears need to reevaluate why their quarterbacks go bust so frequently and make the necessary changes. Last year was a big step forward as at least some attention was on Forte's breakout and Hester's development. Hopefully the Bears can continue to put together a well-rounded and consistent offense that will allow a future draft pick to hand off when he needs to, trust his tackles and work his way into being a leader.
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2-26-2009 @ 2:58PM
Stewie said...
What is a CT Subway?
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2-26-2009 @ 4:37PM
dave said...
He might have the W-L record, but never consistent enough to play for any team for more than a year or two before blowing up. He is a lot like Favre in the way he always looks for the big play. Of course, he doesn't have the arm or the accuracy of Favre. He isn't as tough as Favre. He isn't a leader like Favre.
OK, I guess he does suck. For confirmation, watch one of the SEVERAL zero QB rating games he had. So long Rex-you provided us great entertainment.
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2-26-2009 @ 4:40PM
daperp730 said...
i love this article, well said Matt
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2-26-2009 @ 5:52PM
DEAN said...
Let's not forget that even Joe friggin Montana couldn't throw touchdown passes from his back which is where Rex spent most of the 2007 season. He had a split second to make a decision then run for his life. They protected Orton way better last year than they ever did for Rex. You're right, give the guy a new start somewhere else.
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2-26-2009 @ 7:58PM
swd23mj said...
Great article! I will also be rooting for Rex. One of my favorite Rex moments was in 2005 in the second to last game against Atlanta when he replaced Orton. The entire crowd was going crazy when he replaced Orton. Oh how quickly things change.
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2-26-2009 @ 9:24PM
Redskins0492 said...
I will definitely root for Rex Grossman. I really hope he finds a good job somewhere with the place to start. Personally, he's one of my favorite QBs of all time, and he's a really talented QB. I mean, sure he threw interceptions, but if we gave him the same amount of time to develop that we are giving Kyle Orton, then he'd be a superstar. Not only that, but he has a great attitude. Despite all of the shots that people took at him, he stood strong and didn't let it get to him. He led us to a comeback win against the Lions when Orton was doing shit. I mean, I know they're the lions, but with Orton in, we're just not as effective.
It's sad to see Sexy Rexxy treated this way. I think he'll end up starting with someone like the Vikings or 49ers sometime soon. Just another great player who is going to be a star on another team.
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2-27-2009 @ 2:31PM
Tony said...
The problem in Chicago is CHICAGO, the team and the press. This team has NEVER developed a QB from scratch.Jim McMahon was a product of the team around him,he had a Hall Of Fame running back and one of the GREATEST defenses in the history of the game to help him.Rex Grossman will not be remembered as a BUST, he will go somewhere else and revive his career.I,m willing to bet he gets a Superbowl ring before the Bears win another N.F.C. championship. The press and fans in Chicago are second only to Philadelphia in booing the players on their own teams. Why would ANY young player want to come to the Bears, Only to get beat-up on the field and in the press.Hang in there Rex I hope to see you playing at Soldier Field again someday and shredding the Bears apart!
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2-27-2009 @ 5:13PM
corey said...
Great article!I will be a Rex fan for life just because the way he handle himself over the last couple of years.Kyle Orton has about the same stats the only difference is Rex is a winner and a leader and I hope he can go to Detroit and show Chicago fans what could've been two times a year and I'm a huge bear fan.
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