Hasselbeck, Grossman have plenty in common
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck knows exactly what Rex Grossman has been through this season -- going from being a starter to getting benched and then back to a starting role.
Been there, done that.
Anointed starter when he first arrived in Seattle from Green Bay in 2001, Hasselbeck learned nothing is set in stone in the NFL when he was replaced by veteran Trent Dilfer after some subpar play not long after his arrival.
It was a rough lesson.
"The key is how you handle the benching," Hasselbeck said. "For me, I was fortunate that I had good people around me and helped me through that and helped me handle it in a professional way, in a way that was good for the team.
"I think in a way I earned the respect of my teammates -- not by how I played on the football field, but more how I handled getting benched."
His lesson in humility was made easier by recalling his early days with the Packers.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with humility; in fact, I think that's what people really like," he said. "For three years I sat on the bench (in Green Bay) and watched Brett Favre.
"He's a very humble guy. He treats everyone the same. When I was there, he was as nice to Reggie White as he was to the janitor. That never changed."
Like Grossman, Hasselbeck got his second chance because of injury.
"Trent Dilfer tore his Achilles and I got a chance to start again," Hasselbeck said. "I think it was at that point that I earned the trust and respect of my teammates, more so than I did when I first got here and the job was just handed to me."
Bears fans have to be hoping that Grossman responds as well as Hasselbeck has the second time around. He recently joined Dave Krieg as the second Seahawks quarterback to win 50 games and has a 28-8 record at Qwest Field.
"As a quarterback, your teammates have to believe in you, your teammates have to respect you, and the way to do that is to play well and also be a good teammate," he said.
"I think the confidence comes from what people have in you, not necessarily what you have in yourself."