John Clayton eschews reality-based analysis, decides Young is next great QB
DGDB&D: a Texans blog. —
... Can I volunteer to throw the first rock?
The NFL chews up quarterbacks like patrons at a football game devour hot dogs. Alex Smith, the top pick in the 2005 draft, is struggling in San Francisco and could be beaten out by journeyman J.T. O’Sullivan. Matt Leinart is the starter in Arizona, but one stumble could bring Kurt Warner into a starting role again. Rex Grossman isn’t exactly wowing them in the great Chicago Bears quarterback ...
Black and Blue all over: Rough night for QBs
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... bruised his right knee, although the injury does not appear too serious. Chicago's Rex Grossman probably fell back in his competition with ...
Bears: Cutdown analysis
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... and Rex Grossman as the only quarterbacks on the active roster. In that scenario, the Bears would have a third quarterback on the practice squad. But Hanie's performance opened enough eyes that he probably wouldn't have made it through waivers. Rather than risk losing him, the Bears kept him on the 53-man roster. ...
Top Ten Needs to Reach 2-0
Top Ten Chicago Sports —
... Orton needs to stayed focused and remember that when he gets hit, he won't break. Maybe that is the reason Miss Rex Grossman never really played all that well under the pressure of a blitzing LB or a DE that boot scootin' boogied around an OL, he thought he was gonna break. 13 of 21 for 150 yards and zero TD's isn't bad, it's not really great either, but at least he didn't deliver the ball to a defensive back by throwing off his front foot, unlike, well, you know who he is. ...
Rapid Reaction: Bears 34, Lions 7
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... threw for a career-high 334 yards, and even with the big lead, the Bears called more passes (35) than running plays (30) before Orton was replaced by Rex Grossman. ...
Bears putting their (strategic) faith in Orton
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Few expected such sentiment from the coordinator of an Orton-led offense, especially not when the Bears pitted him against Rex Grossman for the starting job during training camp. Orton's victory in that competition suggested they preferred the relative safety of Orton over Grossman's high-risk, high-reward approach. It emphasized the Bears would rely on a conservative formula to win games: ...
Orton earns Bears' trust
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... And in reality, not even the Bears could have predicted their passing game would work so smoothly. Orton won the starting job in training camp because he made fewer mistakes than Rex Grossman -- not because coaches envisioned a pass-first offense with the quarterback directing traffic at the line of scrimmage. ...
No matter how you slice it, Brady's knee is bad news
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... take a hard look at free agency for an insurance policy (at minimum) or a starter (if the dread becomes reality). Matt Cassel is in the final year of his contract, and if the Patriots want to bring him back for continuity's sake, they'll still need to foster competition in training camp. Here's a list of quarterbacks about to enter free agency: Kurt Warner Kerry Collins Jeff Garcia J.P. Losman Rex Grossman Kyle Boller J.T. ...
Culpepper deal all about 2009
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... The Lions have no doubt looked ahead at the 2009 free agent class and realized all of their options would be flawed in some way. (Rex Grossman, anyone?). If Culpepper doesn't endear them during his stint this season, there will be little harm done. They could release him and move on. If he establishes himself once again as a legitimate starter, then they will be able to cross of the biggest task on their "to-do" list before the offseason starts. ...
Grossman Steps In For Injured Orton
The National Football Post » Hot News and Rumors —
... because of a right ankle injury. Rex Grossman started the second half for Chicago. The Bears were trailing 23-13 when Orton scrambled to his right in the closing minute of the first half. ...
Rapid Reaction: Bears 27, Lions 23
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Rex Grossman rallied the Bears against Detroit. But how would he fare against stiffer competition -- starting next week against unbeaten Tennessee? The best guess is you would see much more of tailback ...
Another chance for Grossman
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert Rex Grossman was deeply disappointed and a bit defiant in the days after learning he had lost the Chicago Bears' two-man quarterback competition this summer. Finally, he encapsulated his thoughts into a succinct turn of phrase. "It's something I have to deal with right now," Grossman said in August. "But I'm going to make sure I do whatever I need to do ... to make sure I'm a great player in this league. My personal goals haven't changed. My role in the immediate future has changed, ...
NFC North midseason awards, Take II
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... , and his willingness to trust him with a wide-open offense, has put the Bears in the thick of the division race. UPDATE: Smith will really earn this award if the Bears hold on to first place with backup quarterback Rex Grossman at the helm. ...
NFC North midseason awards
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... , and his willingness to trust him with a wide-open offense, has put the Bears in the thick of the division race. UPDATE: Smith will really earn this award if the Bears hold on to first place with backup quarterback Rex Grossman at the helm. ...
Pressing NFC North personnel updates
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... . It remains likely that Rex Grossman will start Sunday against Tennessee, but coach Lovie Smith would not commit to a starter. It's a good sign that Orton was able to get on the field Friday, but that probably speaks more to his potential availability in next week's game at Green Bay. ...
Audibles: NFC North Week 10 preview
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Nice timing, Rex Grossman. You finally get back on the field -- or at least we think you're going to be -- and it's against unbeaten Tennessee. The Titans' physical defensive front won't give Grossman much time to get acclimated, assuming Bears starter ...
Black and Blue all over: Question of intent
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... out Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Lee attributed his quiet numbers to a downturn in passes thrown his way. Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth on Chicago tailback Matt Forte: "He's going to be one of the toughest running backs we have to face.'' Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times has the story. David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune calls on five Bears to step up their play Sunday against the Titans: quarterback Rex Grossman, punter Brad Maynard, defensive tackle Tommie Harris, ...
Rapid Reaction: Titans 21, Bears 14
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... With a conservative gameplan in place for quarterback Rex Grossman, the Bears didn't have much wiggle room on defense. They focused on the right area of Tennessee's offense, and they probably never imagined Collins would respond so productively. ...
Even without run game, Titans control Bears
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... In the third quarter, on one of their best chances at a big play, Hester had Finnegan beaten by a step running a post, but Rex Grossman couldn't measure the pass correctly and overthrew him. It could have been a 67-yard touchdown if Hester had a chance to catch it in stride. ...
NFC North MVPs
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... After defeating Rex Grossman in a less-than-rousing training camp competition, Orton entered the season with pretty middling expectations. The "game manager" label was thrown around often, as was the unfortunate concept that Orton was less likely to make a mistake than Grossman -- rather than more likely to do something well. ...
Cardinals' Wilson packs rare punch at impact
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Bears at Cardinals, Oct. 16, 2006: "I blitzed him off the edge and he just ran clean right by one of their tackles." Wilson sacked Rex Grossman, forcing a fumble. ...
Vikings hope to stand pat at quarterback
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Buffalo Charlie Batch Pittsburgh Rex Grossman Chicago Kyle Boller ...
Cowboys make puzzling trade for QB Kitna
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... year of their deals. Now that we've established that it's a strange deal, I do think Kitna is a good fit for the Cowboys. Jerry Jones wants Roy Williams to become his No. 1 receiver -- and the wide receiver had his best season as a pro with Kitna in 2006. Kitna is not going to compete with Romo for the starting job, but he's still good enough to pose a threat if Romo starts piling up turnovers. Of the crop that included quarterbacks such as Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, Jeff Garcia, Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch, ...
Finding context in the Stafford debate
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... JaMarcus Russell LSU 2007 18.64 Rex Grossman Florida 2003 18.39 ...
Bucs might be out of ammo for Cutler deal
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... give McCown a chance to compete for a starting job, and they did give him a new contract. Other than that, they have Griese, who is nothing more than a nice veteran backup, and second-year pro Josh Johnson, who is a project. There's little doubt that the Bucs will bring another quarterback into the mix, but it's a long shot that Cutler's going to be the guy. Barring something miraculous, the Bucs might have to lower their expectations a bit. Free agents Rex Grossman, Kyle Boller and Byron Leftwich are available. Or ...
Bucs' QB competition only just starting
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... don't see the Bucs taking Josh Freeman with the No. 19 pick because I don't think he's ready to start right away and I think Morris needs to win fairly quickly. As far as a possible trade for Jay Cutler, slow it down. I still think that's a very long shot. Cast your eyes on the next level that's more realistic. Cleveland could be looking to deal Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn. Or there are free agents like Byron Leftwich, Kyle Boller and Rex Grossman still out there. I think Morris really is intent on having a ...
Bears in good position for Cutler -- if they want him
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Of course, we know Smith doesn't change his mind gradually. (I seem to recall something about Rex Grossman being "our quarterback" as well.) Orton will be "our quarterback" until the minute Cutler, or someone else, is. ...
Angelo -- yes, Jerry Angelo -- reels in the big one
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... And we talked internally quite a bit as an organization. We try to measure twice to cut once, and everybody felt good about this. But we just said as an organization that we were only going to get into it to win it." This is the same general manager who, up until this week, was prepared to enter a critical year with the unproven Kyle Orton as his quarterback. He's the same guy who has tried to get it done with Jim Miller and Kordell Stewart and Rex Grossman and Brian Griese. Jerry Angelo is the same man who chose a defensive coaching ...
Cutler offers fourth-quarter upgrade
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... leads at Carolina and against Tampa Bay during successive September weekends? If the rest of the season played out with no changes, the Bears would have won the NFC North with an 11-5 record. ESPN Stats & Information offers a statistical comparison that could assuage that concern. Newly-acquired quarterback Jay Cutler had a 94.2 passer rating in the fourth quarter last season, more than 30 points higher than the Bears' combination of Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman. Here are the figures, courtesy Allison Wachs: ...
NFC North at night
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Former Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman has hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent, according to multiple media outlets, including ESPN. Grossman hasn't generated much interest on the free-agent market, but it's a near-certainty that he'll go to training camp with someone. He might consider waiting for a few weeks in order to avoid signing with a team that drafts a notable quarterback. ...
Life in the big city
Nick Friedell's Blog - ESPN Chicago —
... and Rex Grossman, which is not nearly as daunting a task when it comes to producing on the field. Every Bears' fan wants to love him and thinks that he is greatest thing since sliced bread. The difference is that no matter what Packers' fans thought of the former Cal quarterback, deep down, they knew he was still just a kid -- an unproven QB who hadn't accomplished anything in the league yet. Cutler, on the other hand, is a Pro Bowler who is expected to lead his team to the promised land instantly. ...
Why I don't see Vick in Jacksonville or AFC South
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... it's not really the Wildcat. The Wildcat features a non-quarterback in the shotgun, no?) The Titans already have a complicated backup quarterback they are trying to figure out in Vince Young. The Texans, to me, don't fit either category. They are hoping this is the year when Gary Kubiak takes Matt Schaub to new heights. They've got what they consider good options behind Schaub with Dan Orlovsky (in whom they have made a significant investment) and Rex Grossman. The Jaguars, obviously, qualify in category No. 2, with Jack ...
Camp Confidential: Giddy in Chicago
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... sky -- to watch practice at Olivet Nazarene University, "The support has been absolutely tremendous from day one," Cutler said early in camp. "We've just got to go out and win games now." Coach Lovie Smith scheduled a physical camp, putting players in full pads for nine consecutive days at one point. But nothing has wiped away the near-giddiness players and coaches are carrying themselves with. After going 9-7 with quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman last season, the Bears can only imagine what they can do with Cutler ...
Things to watch in Texans-Chiefs
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... or Rex Grossman running this team. Is the buzz about Grossman legit? It's hard for me to imagine he can push past Orlovsky into the backup job based on the financial investment the Texans made in Orlovsky so quickly in free agency. With good preseason play he can ensure no one thinks his status is overly contract-influenced. ...
Camp Confidential: Texans aim to be aggressive
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... hasn't looked very good, but the team knows it will take him a while to be comfortable in the system and are convinced with coaching he can be a quality No. 2 quarterback for them. Even before a hamstring injury Rex Grossman wasn't going to challenge him for the backup quarterback job. ... ...
Texans: Cutdown analysis
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... Busing was a playmaker and a big hitter all preseason, and he came in at a position where the Texans added only a late draft pick, Troy Nolan, who’s on IR. Busing played in 27 games with the Bengals over the last three years, but the little-known undrafted player out of Miami (Ohio) has worked primarily as a special teamer and could be a key teams player for the Texans. Underdog receiver Glenn Martinez also stuck.
No-brainers: With Rex Grossman’s performance in the preseason finale, Dan Orlovsky ...
NightLink: Bears/Cards One of the Most Memorable Ever?
Windy City Gridiron —
With a post-game press conference that will forever transcend time, the 2006 game between the Bears and the Cardinals was one for the ages. Undefeated to that point, but down 20 points at halftime, the Bears needed miracles to win that game. Of course, they got 'em. Jeff Dickerson reminisces:
Rex Grossman tossed four interceptions, but got bailed out by two defensive scores by Mike Brown and Charles Tillman, and a Devin Hester ...
Final Word: NFC West
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... he could sign with the team if he agreed to start out as the third quarterback behind Rex Grossman and "some other quarterback" Warner couldn't recall during ...
Tracing the Bears' defensive decline
ESPN.com - NFL Nation Blog —
... approaches Johnson’s ability to absorb blockers. And Harris rarely makes a play in the backfield, let alone affects the outcome of the game.
To realize how a defensive tackle can change a game, you only have to think back to the Bears’ 2006 victory at Minnesota. Harris sliced through the Vikings’ offensive line to force a fourth-quarter fumbled exchange between quarterback Brad Johnson and tailback Chester Taylor. The Bears recovered, and Rex Grossman soon hit Rashied Davis for a go-ahead and, ultimately, winning ...
