Griese, Bears prepared to wing it

Against the NFL's No. 1 run defense, the Bears may need quarterback Brian Griese to step up big time today against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field

Two weeks ago, in Griese's first start in two years, the Bears called 60 pass plays, which was an unfair burden to place on a player who understandably was a bit rusty after throwing just 32 passes in a little more than 23 months. But if the Bears wind up having as much trouble running against the Vikings as most teams, Griese is now much more prepared to go airborne with the attack.

"He should get better each day (he's) in control, and Brian has done that," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "You expect that from a veteran who has been in the situation. Maybe it is like riding a bike -- you never forget, but you know you do get a little bit better every time you pedal."

Griese's bike had some mechanical problems in that first game, when he tossed 3 interceptions and was sacked six times by the Lions. He was much improved a week later against the Packers, throwing 2 TD's and only 1 interception while getting sacked just twice.

"I definitely felt more comfortable, obviously, just having another week to go through the process of getting ready with the guys on the field and working with the coaching staff off the field," the 10-year veteran said. "Not to say that's an excuse for what happened in Detroit, I would never say that, but I am definitely feeling more comfortable as we go along."

Just as importantly, the coaching staff is more comfortable with Griese, and his specific talents and weaknesses.

"We have faith in him," Smith said. "He seems more and more comfortable in that role. He's one of the guys. He's our quarterback now."

Griese completed a modest 15 passes in his efficient outing in Green Bay, but he distributed the ball to nine different players, five of whom had receptions of 17 yards or longer. The only favorite receiver Griese has at this point is the one who isn't covered.

"I don't necessarily look for one guy and throw him the ball," he said. "I've been fortunate that I've had good players at different positions, whether it be tight end or running back or receiver.

"I'm going to throw the ball to the guy that's open, hopefully. I'm going to take what the defense gives me in a lot of situations. A lot of times that means going to your second or third receivers, and for me, that's just kind of been the way I've operated."

Last week's success has also helped Griese assume more of a leadership role. The quarterback position naturally lends itself to a leadership position, but nothing brings a leader more respect than success.

"Some guys are naturally comfortable in being a leader, but when you move into something new, you still have to earn it over a period of time," Smith said. "The best way for guys to accept you a little bit easier or a little bit quicker is for them to see you perform a certain way. That had to help. Of course that had to help Brian's confidence, but the team and everyone else, too."

Today, Griese gets to throw against a defense that is No. 30 in passing yards allowed. But that statistic is somewhat misleading because opponents tend to abandon the run early after experiencing little success against a Vikings front seven that is led by tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams (no relation). And the Minnesota defense is a much more respectable 16th in average gain allowed per pass play, so opponents aren't gouging the Vikings for huge chunks of yardage, even when they put it up.

"They've got a good pass rush (13th in sacks)," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "They've got a good secondary. But they're so tough to run against, that people are saying, 'Hey, why even try?' and so they throw it."

The Bears don't anticipate taking a similar approach, but if it comes to that, Griese's prepared to wing it now more than ever.