Sayers' 2 cents: Bench Grossman
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Ex-Bears great says `it's a shame' Smith won't play Griese
By Fred Mitchell
Columnist
The Chicago Tribune
December 5, 2006
Criticism is flowing from the Bears' extended family regarding the decision of coach Lovie Smith to stick with struggling young quarterback Rex Grossman.
Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers weighed in Monday on the controversy.
"It's a shame Lovie Smith won't go to Brian Griese," Sayers said. "He is 10-2 with Rex, but the defense is winning these ballgames. You are not going to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman. You're going into the fourth quarter (Sunday against the Vikings) ahead 21-6 . . . why can't you go with Griese for a couple of series? Just see what he can do. When they do call on him, it may be too late."
Griese clearly outplayed Grossman during exhibitions, but Smith repeatedly quashed any talk of a quarterback controversy.
"Every position should be competitive," Sayers said. "That is one position that is not competitive. He says, `Rex is my quarterback.' And I don't think he cares what Griese does or how he plays."
The Bears beat the Vikings 23-13 to wrap up their second straight NFC North title, despite a 1.3 passer rating from Grossman. The Vikings held the ball on offense almost twice as long as the Bears.
"The defense is spending too much time on the field," said Sayers. "And I think that's why you are seeing these injuries (to Tommie Harris and Nathan Vasher this week). You could be tired and not alert to what is going on. The defense gets the ball back for the offense and all of a sudden [Grossman] throws an interception. That is too much pressure put on those people. The offense has to produce, and they are not producing."
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