The Motivation of Rex

by Adam T on Jan 4, 2007 8:17 AM CST in News Comment 24 comments

This could be seen as just another Bears spin on a bad subject, but this isn't the first time that Grossman has freely admitted to there being a problem. Not too long ago during Grossman's 'bad' stretch he told reporters that he didn't know what was wrong, which to a playoff team isn't good. Luckily, the coaches seemed to know and got him turned around. Now this. After the Packers loss, Grossman said he did not prepare properly. The game meant nothing and he didn't put his all into it.

Not that it has to be a big deal, but the fact remains that a decision has still not been made on Grossman as our franchise QB, so things like this really need to be kept behind closed locker rooms.

Coach Lovie Smith said Tuesday that his problem with the 26-7 loss -- to a team that the Bears shut out 26-0 to begin the season -- was execution, not effort. But offensive coordinator Ron Turner talked Wednesday about a lack of preparation.

''[Grossman's] still a young player,'' Turner said, ''and he's still learning the intensity and the preparation and everything that goes along with it and that you have to have that every week. But he wasn't the only one who didn't play well.''

If there is concern that Grossman's poor work habits will carry over into preparation for the divisional playoff game next weekend at Soldier Field, no one was letting on.

''He came out today and threw the ball like he never threw a pick,'' wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad said. ''I've got the same confidence I had in him when he had some bad games earlier. He went on a stretch where he was playing really well, had another bad game. If you follow the trends, he should be able to come back with some good games.''

With two weeks to get Grossman's head straight I have no doubt he will be ready to play, the question is just how well is he going to play.

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yeah

but preparation doesn't change him staring down clark before he throws to him, or throwing to another receiver who has adb standing right behind him. he still makes dumb decisions.

by mike b on Jan 4, 2007 9:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sure it does

The more it is drilled into him that he shouldn't do it, the less he is going to do. That can be fixed through prep and coaching.

by Adam T on Jan 4, 2007 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i don't know

if you don't know that shit by now...

by mike b on Jan 4, 2007 9:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That' a whole other problem

by Adam T on Jan 4, 2007 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

why?

Urlacher said the same thing two weeks ago. Urlacher said that he has a hard time being motivated for games that don't matter.

Why is it a big deal when Rex says it, but not when Urlacher says it?

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Jan 4, 2007 10:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know maybe

that Urlacher is a what 5-6 time pro bowler and a 1 time defensive player of the year who didn't throw 3 INTs in the first half.

by Adam T on Jan 4, 2007 10:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So?

I don't get it...

Why is it okay for your best player and repeat pro-bowler to not be focused, but not your young quarterback?

Sure...Urlacher didn't throw 3 int (nice strawman though), but the defense sure hasn't played well, and he is the leader of that defense.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Jan 4, 2007 12:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't followed the games...

But has Urlacher played well?

Just curious.

There's a difference between saying it's hard to focus and still focusing and playing well and saying it's hard focusing and saying you just didn't prepare well and then being horrible.

by tyger1147 on Jan 4, 2007 10:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

he has played okay

He definitely has not played great, but middle linebacker mistakes are much harder to "notice" than quarterback mistakes.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Jan 5, 2007 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I had a feeling

that a lack of motivation had been an issue for the boys lately. I can imagine it's rather difficult to get excited for meaningless games. Hopefully they can flip that switch and get read to go for the playoffs.

first the Rush...now the Bears.

by mike on Jan 4, 2007 10:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

focus

If the embarassment by the Packers on national TV doesn't get the Bears focused and pumped for the playoffs, this Bears team could be considered as big a fraud as the last 13-3 Bears team.

Unleash your inner Grabowski.

by jrm78 on Jan 4, 2007 11:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Life is funny...

I was listening to sports radio this morning and they happened to mention Terrell Owens 20 catch game. As you all will remember, that was the famous Cade McNown "I didn't prepare for this game" game. That interview pretty much sealed his fate as a Chicago Bear. Then I read this.

Life is funny

by Chad on Jan 4, 2007 12:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry...

But a statement like that coming from the starting QB, especially a guy that has played a handful of good games is unacceptable.

A home game, against your biggest rival, and you decide not to prepare?? The fans deserve better than that. I know the game didn't "mean anything", but at this point every game should mean something to Rex since his job security is quarter to quarter by now...

TSG MILE HIGH REPORT

by Thesportsguru on Jan 5, 2007 9:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Acceptable or not

we all know how you make people forget about those things, so get to it.

by Adam T on Jan 5, 2007 9:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Job security?

The Bears have made it quite clear that the QB job is Grossman's. IT was a little shaky late in the season, but Rex stepped up and quited all the whispers.

And again, why is it okay for your starting middle linebacker to say something very similar, but not your starting quarterback?

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Jan 5, 2007 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The dumbass

was just being honest or being real crafty with the press. I suppose it's better to say you went into the game unprepared rather than I'm a moron and don't know how to look off receivers.

At least we didn't choke at home against a non-playoff team in a must-win game, like some teams.

Visit The Cub Reporter (mvn.com/mlb-cubs)

by thecubreporter on Jan 5, 2007 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Achem...

"At least we didn't choke at home against a non-playoff team in a must-win game, like some teams."

cough -Dallas Cowboys- cough

by Chad on Jan 5, 2007 1:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was replying

to whom I believe is the author of the Broncos site. But Cowboys apply to....

4 fumbles (only lost two the lucky bastard), 1 Int for the Pro-Bowler and 3 straight losses at home in important games. Dude's a keeper, no doubt.

But he gets to bang Carrie Underwood so all is good for him...

Visit The Cub Reporter (mvn.com/mlb-cubs)

by thecubreporter on Jan 5, 2007 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't wait...

Until Tony Romo wafts away like the fart in the wind that he is.

by Chad on Jan 5, 2007 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Awwww...

Someone misses his best friend Terry, huh?

(Plus: "fart in the wind"... Shawshank, no?)

by Danimal on Jan 5, 2007 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure...

It maybe in "Shawshank" but that's not where I know if from. I'm not sure if I feel comfortable admitting where I picked that up.

by Chad on Jan 5, 2007 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it's definitely in Shawshank

"The man just went and vanished like a fart in the wind." As for where you picked it up...that's your business.

first the Rush...now the Bears.

by mike on Jan 6, 2007 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it's just me

But doesn't it seem that Rex doesn't look off at ALL his receivers -- and that leads to the picks?
Don't DB's just have to watch his eyes? Appears to me he has only ONE receiver in mind, for each play and damn it -- he's getting the ball no matter what. 2nd, 3rd options -- forget it.

Rex still seems to be more effective when he performs play-action, but he is still only looking at one intended target.

Perhaps this has been addressed elsewhere, and I haven't seen it.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jan 5, 2007 8:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Disagree...

I think that DBs get a good idea of the routes that are going to be run and try to jump the short passes. That is why the Bears WRs have been really effective running the double move routes.

by Chad on Jan 5, 2007 10:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs