Grossman can't change short, slow

OK, so for two more days the Bears' quarterback predicament will dangle out there like a big pizza pie in the sky.

Wednesday the drums will roll -- along possibly with Rex Grossman's head -- and Lovie Smith will announce his starter for Sunday's game at Detroit.

"It's just a feel you go with," the Bears' head coach said Monday.

Smith always has felt Grossman should play. Now it sounds like he isn't so sure.

"I make decisions based on what gives us the best chance to win," he said.

Grossman doesn't appear to be that guy anymore. He can improve in some areas, but it's doubtful he can do anything about his primary problems: Short and slow.

A quality quarterback can be one but not both. It's an especially bad combination when combined with an aging, vulnerable offensive line.

Anyway, Dick Jauron has been a defensive specialist his entire professional career. When he coached the Bears, someone asked what sets, say, a Brett Favre apart from lesser quarterbacks.

His answer was, the ability to make something positive happen when a play breaks down.

Grossman rarely makes plays with his feet, like running for a first down or completing a pass from out of the pocket.

In fact, an NFL personnel specialist told me a couple of years ago that the slow-footed Kyle Orton would make more plays out of the pocket than Grossman will.

Grossman's supporters like to explain away his deficiencies by saying he's aggressive, a gambler, a gunslinger.

In football terms, that means a quarterback will take chances by trying to squeeze the ball into tight spots or throwing it up and expecting his receiver to outfight the opposition for it.

Sorry, but that isn't why Grossman throws interceptions. He throws them because he's short and slow.

So let's quit making up pretend excuses for Grossman. His interceptions come because he can't see over linemen and isn't mobile enough to get somewhere to create a seam to throw through.

As we saw early last season, Grossman does his best work when the offensive line allows him to stand back in the pocket, recognize what's developing downfield, and pick apart the defense.

When Grossman's protection breaks down, look out, he's liable to throw the ball anywhere because he simply can't see the field.

In 2006, Grossman's line was just good enough to help him help the offense help the Bears get to the Super Bowl.

In 2007, those same blockers are a year older, more likely to break down physically the way Ruben Brown did against Dallas and less likely to keep Grossman in a comfort zone.

Too short … too slow … not enough protection … a 1-2 record …

Lovie Smith's problem is that replacing Grossman with Brian Griese isn't exactly like replacing Joe Montana with Steve Young.

Still, sometimes change has to be made for the sake of change and in the hope of renewed hope.

The Bears' division remains there to grab, but waiting too long to reach out would squander it.

"Our evaluation process is going on," Smith said, adding that the quarterback question will be answered when the Bears return to practice Wednesday.

Unless Smith is captured by space aliens before then, you have to believe that that dangling pizza will land with a topping of Brian Griese.

mimrem@dailyherald.com