Grossman Improving

by WCG on May 25, 2007 7:16 AM CDT in News

They always know how to say all the right things in camp. Just hope some of this carries over.

During last weekend's minicamp, Rex Grossman stepped up in the pocket and rifled a completion to Mark Bradley along the sideline. In Wednesday's OTA workout, the Bears quarterback quickly took off running when his receivers were covered.

Granted, there are no angry defensive linemen trying to plant Grossman in the turf during non-contact practices. But the focus that he's placed on improving his fundamentals and techniques has been evident in 7-on-7 and team drills.

Working on keeping his weight on his back foot before stepping up in the pocket, Rex Grossman has been holding the ball further back toward his right shoulder.
Throughout the Bears' offseason program, Grossman has worked with new quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton on stepping up in the pocket, which should result in stronger, more accurate throws while also enabling the fifth-year pro to run with the ball when no receivers are open.

With Hamilton charging at him during drills to simulate a pass rush, Grossman has been concentrating on holding the ball with two hands further back toward his right shoulder in order to keep his weight on his back foot as he sets up to throw.

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An improvement

would be if he broke his leg at training camp, so we can avoid the unlikely possibility of him lucking into a season that is perceived as progress, prompting the Bears to re-up him post-07.

by Santos Sorrow on May 25, 2007 7:54 AM CDT 0 recs

Sure...

Then we get to go into the season with Brian Griese who is so good he got ran out of Denver for the likes of Jake Plummer and Tampa Bay for Chris Simms.

by lopey986 on May 25, 2007 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

Dont forget

He could not do better than Jay Fielder in Miami. I honestly do not know why they got him, I would honestly rather see Orton as the backup. When he got snaps in the Regular Season last year he looked horrible. The guy is a career backup so its not like he hasnt come into a game cold before.

by Devin47 on May 26, 2007 11:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not to get off topic, but

Nobody would have succeeded in Denver in that situation. Griese was replacing John Freakin' Elway, the year after a Super Bowl, with a gutted offense. And, he still posted pretty good numbers. In fact, the years he's been the starting QB, he's probably put up as good or better numbers than Drew Bledsoe. I think the reason he gets no credit is because he was undrafted and (something I heard often this year) he doesn't wow coaches in practice with his athleticism or arm.

Don't believe me? See for yourself:

Drew Bledsoe

Brian Griese

Oh, and Chris Simms

Jake Plummer

PS: don't know why I chose Bledsoe, but he just seems like the typical average QB that you hope your team's QB can be as good or better than.

PPS: Not that Griese's been an all-star at any point, just better than he gets credit for

by Kevin Butler Explosion 3000 on May 27, 2007 7:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

He was a third round draft pick.

Not undrafted.

by tyger1147 on May 28, 2007 11:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

Oops

My mistake.

by Kevin Butler Explosion 3000 on May 28, 2007 12:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

FANS?????

Hoping for a broken leg is sick.. grow the hell up and act like a man not some deranged fan you nut job.I live in WI and I remember early in Favre's career everyone in this state wanted to get rid of him because of his "mechanics and gunslinger mentality"..I believe Grossman can get it done,not saying he's gonna be Favre,but He only played one season so far and we ended up in Miami. His team is behind him and he is strong willed soon the haters will stop I promise you that.

by payton34 on May 25, 2007 11:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

Fanatic/nut-job????

The capitalization of "He" in that last sentence (it's hard to tell with lack of punctuation) says all one needs to know.

by tyger1147 on May 25, 2007 12:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

You grow up, jerk

I agree with Santos. Get real, dumbass.

by Bear z Fan on May 25, 2007 6:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

see if it translates

into the season. last offseason we heard about how accurate he's been in practice and how good his throws are, get into the season and he's overthrowing the short routes and floating the deep ones. We'll see.

by mike b on May 25, 2007 8:22 AM CDT 0 recs

i agree

my expectations for Grossman this year are exactly what he did last year. I hope he doesn't do worse and more than likely will do better and I'm going to wait until the season starts before I raise my expectations.

by marco054 on May 25, 2007 1:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

This is the best news one could hope for...

with regards to the QB situation (outside of an unlikely trade for McNabb). I think at least 1/2 of Grossman's interceptions came from bad footwork and a lack of pocket presence. If he can improve that part of his game he could be very good.

by shawndgoldman on May 25, 2007 1:08 PM CDT 0 recs

if they keep this stat

i would be willing to bet he led the league in tipped ball interceptions.

by mike b on May 25, 2007 3:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

and...

interceptions thrown off the back foot.

by shawndgoldman on May 25, 2007 10:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wade Wilson - Good Riddens

All of Grossman's problems were the result of poor footwork. One could see by Grossman's footwork and body position that the result of his pass would be bad for the Bears. I put the blame on his QB Coach!
Grossman will make ESPN's soap opera analyst look like idiots!

by phastphil on May 26, 2007 9:51 AM CDT 0 recs