Talk about a love-hate relationship

If nothing else, Rex Grossman can be proud of this much:

He has had a polarizing effect in Chicago sports unmatched in recent memory by anything except the hatred that arrives every April 1 with the White Sox and Cubs.

As is the case with North vs. South, there is generally no middle ground with Grossman.

Sure, there's a very small percentage who say they root for both teams, but mostly it's pure vitriol.

That's where we are now with Grossman.

And it's mildly insane.

He is neither Brett Favre, as the sycophants insist, nor is he a worthless pile of discarded Wisconsin cheese, as say the haters.

He shouldn't be removed from the starting lineup immediately, nor should he have carte blanche all season.

He is neither responsible for the Bears getting to the Super Bowl last season, nor will he be to blame if they don't get back there this year.

He is good at times but was overrated early last season when the Bears were blowing teams out.

He was awful in the Super Bowl but hardly the only reason the Bears lost.

He's an NFL quarterback trying to find his way, and it's unclear as to whether he will, but he has shown enough -- and the Bears have invested enough -- to get the chance to display his talents.

He has skill and a chance to be exactly what the Bears say he already is -- a good NFL QB, which he is not at this moment.

He has faults and a chance to be exactly what his harshest critics say he will be -- useless -- which he is not at this moment.

He deserves an opportunity to prove himself again this year, but not for three-quarters of a season again.

Yes, there is a reasonable middle ground here.

It's just stunning to see the divide grow daily into the malignant malevolence usually reserved for two regular-season baseball series.

Part of it stems from Bears' rhetoric so over the top that it makes those who question Grossman even more infuriated, and the criticism grows disproportionately.

It's probably what drives people to the brink on such a hot-button issue.

And it's going to get worse before it gets better.

So if you fall into neither category, if you believe Grossman to be neither John Elway nor Jon Quinn, for safety reasons we suggest you keep it to yourself during the next few very long and tedious months.

And don't forget to duck for cover.

Leading off

Cubs manager Lou Piniella continues to say that Alfonso Soriano will lead off again when he returns, but that flies in the face of everything Piniella has said and done this year.

If Ryan Theriot continues to produce, why not leave him there and move Soriano down to a spot where he can run a little easier and drive in more runs?

We know the Cubs promised him he'd lead off this year, but they also promised him right field and then center field, and he has been at his best in left field.

This manager plays the hot hand and rides it, so it doesn't make sense for Piniella to yank Theriot from the top spot if he's still getting it done when Soriano returns.

The Lou do

The move to acquire Craig Monroe may not seem like a big deal, but Lou Piniella saw him rake during Detroit's postseason last year (franchise-record 5 homers) and he's still strong against left-handers.

Bringing in a veteran bat as the calendar turns to gut-busting time sounds like a Piniella call -- probably with an assist to former Tigers manager Alan Trammel.

Catching up

OK, I'm a dope, which comes as no shock to most of you.

While trying to update e-mailer Tim's Michael Barrett stats, I added one where I should have subtracted one, or vice versa, or maybe not exactly that. My fault, not Tim's.

I had a math teacher in high school who would shake his head at my problem-solving ability and say, "What a shmageggie. Do you also walk around the room three times before you go out the door?''

Not sure what that has to do with the price of subprime notes in China, but in any case after Thursday's loss, the correct numbers are, Cubs with Barrett: 32-37 (.464). Cubs after Barrett: 33-24 (.579).

Tackling the issue

With permission from the Bears first, of course, are we allowed yet to wonder whether Tommie Harris will play in the opener 16 days from now?

Monday Night Madness

E-mailer Bob K.: "I used to love Ron Jaworski's short analysis, but too much Jaws is like a headache that won't go away. I didn't think it was possible to miss Joe Theismann. As for Tony Kornheiser, remember what the bouncers say: You don't have to go home, but you do have to leave.''

Ballot box

Streamwood e-mailer Todd Podlin: "Joe Morgan over Ryne Sandberg on the all-time Gold Glove team? Exactly how many times was Morgan allowed to vote?''

Best headline

Sportspickle.com: "Tom Brady's baby said to have his mother's eyes, father's intangibles.''

And finally …

CBS' David Letterman: "The Falcons are waiting to see if Michael Vick violated the NFL personal-conduct policy. And I was stunned. I said to myself, 'The NFL has a personal-conduct policy?'æ''

brozner@dailyherald.com