Don Pierson writes in the Tribune today that Rex Grossman is the MVP of the league. He's right. He's absolutely right. But he's leaving out a really important point in his column (which I've linked below).
The other twenty-one players on the starting football field for the Chicago Bears are the same, with the exception of newly appointed starter Danieal Manning and replacement guard Roberto Garza.
You saw these 21 guys play a year ago.
You see those 21 guys play this year.
Difference?
In a sports world where value seems impossible to define, Grossman has eliminated the need for a dictionary. He has elevated the Bears from good football team to Super Bowl contender and he's done so with his presence and his arm.
Grossman has made the receivers better, establishing Bernard Berrian as the most consistent deep threat in the NFL.
Grossman has made the offensive line better, releasing so quickly that sacks become a near impossibility.
Grossman has made the kicker better, moving the ball with such efficiency that Robbie Gould rarely finds himself kicking beyond 42 or 43 yards.
Grossman has made the defense better, giving them long fields to work with and allowing them to play without the fear that "one mistake will lose the game."
Grossman has made Ron Turner, a coach who couldn't purchase a win for the University of Illinois, the front runner for Assistant Coach of the Year.
Rex Grossman is the most valuable player in the National Football League right now. He's also the quarterback of the Chicago Bears. And if reading those two sentences in succession doesn't make you smile, you're on the wrong fucking website.
#2 max said . . .Couldn't agree more. Not only that, the receiving options aren't a hell of a lot different, either, even though the passing game is. The most significant criticism of the Bears' offseason was that the team failed to upgrade on offense (for example). Plug in a healthy, confident Rex, and now it's a passing "attack." Stretching the field is not something this team does just to keep the defense honest. Rex has shown the touch and accuracy to be extremely dangerous anytime they cross midfield.
October 6, 2006
#3 District Selectman said . . .Beautifully written. Its not just that he puts the ball where the receivers can make plays, or gets rid of it quickly so the O-line doesnt have to block as long, its his confidence. Last year, we all knew Kyle Orton wasnt leading the Bears to a Super Bowl victory (dont get me wrong, I love K.O. but its the truth). Rex makes everyone else better and everyone else CONFIDENT.
Moose has caught everything thrown in his general area. Last year, there were times where Moose was Mr. Stonehands. I realize Orton's tosses weren't always easy catches, but some of the ones he dropped should have been caught, especially for being our number 1 receiver.
Presence. . . its nice to finally have a QB worthy of that respect.October 6, 2006
#4 jeff said . . .I'm dumb. I read 21 as 10 -- thought you were talking about just the D being the same.
October 6, 2006
#5 fred said . . .SI says Tommie Harris is MVP. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/tim_layden/10/06/bears.harris/index.html
October 6, 2006
#6 jonathan said . . .I've always liked Rex, I Thought he could be a damn good QB. Told everybody; It will be O.K. he'll be just fine.
Then Greise comes in and I accept the fact that this could very well be our starting QB and I was O.K. with that if he was better.
Through a shitty pre season Lovie says Rex is our guy. Good move Coach. Picture the pass falling perfectly in BB's hands. He's the man.
Have to agree with Max about Moose and I'd throw in Clark too. They had a shitty year that cannot be blamed on Orton. They sucked last year.
That was last year though.
This year we ROCK!October 6, 2006
#7 Dave said . . .Moose and Berrian feed off one another -- BB has the speed to create the deep threat, Moose has the skills to draw double coverage in many situations. It's a nice tandem. Throw in a running game when TJ gets rolling (please, let's have more of this) and the field really opens up. The last time I saw such a balanced attack from the Bears, well, we 86'd all the comparisons to that....
October 7, 2006
Da Bears will have Da Letdown. Just like the past years. All we hear is the Bear D this and the Bear D that. Then we all sit back and watch get smashed come play-off time.
And Grossman, he's nothing more then a NFC version of Payton Manning. Looks all world during the regular season, but chokes when it comes to the big one.
So don't get to comfortable in the blow hard town, becaus eyou'll be repeating the same ole excuses after this year too.
October 9, 2006
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.