Disappointed Grossman talks, says he will be ready

It's a lousy job, but someone has to do it, and that someone is Rex Grossman.

The job in question is the Bears' backup quarterback position, the consolation prize in Grossman's training-camp competition with Kyle Orton for the No. 1 job.

"It's my job, so I've got to be good at it," Grossman said. "That's how I look at it. It's not easy. But I'm going to be out here working hard to maintain myself, improving and being ready whenever they need me."

Like any backup, Grossman is only one play away from being a starter. On the other hand, he can't count on ever playing. Orton started 15 games as a rookie in 2005 without being injured.

"I'm not anticipating anything happening," Grossman said. "But I've got to be ready because that moment could be the biggest moment of my career, and I've got to take off and be ready to go."

Monday afternoon was the first time Grossman has spoken to the media since it was announced a week earlier that Orton would be the starter.

"I was a little surprised, but I've had some time to digest it, and I'll be ready to go," said Grossman, who has been the starter, when healthy, in each of the previous four seasons. "I will be ready at a moment's notice. You never know what's going to happen. My plan is to stay ready.

"My role from everyone else's standpoint has changed, and that's taken a little bit of time to get over. I'll never fully get over it, and I don't think anyone would expect me to."

But Bears coach Lovie Smith expects Grossman to play the hand he has been dealt.

"Everyone wants to start," Smith said, "but there's a role for everyone on the football team. Sometimes you don't like it, but as a team player you have to go with it, and that's what Rex is doing."

Grossman could have gone to another team as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, but he chose to sign a one-year deal with the Bears, who promised only a chance to compete for the job.

The 27-year-old says he isn't second-guessing his decision to stay in Chicago.

"I was in this battle," he said. "I felt like this was a great option for me to come back and start, and it didn't happen, but the season is just around the corner."

In both of the Bears' home preseason games, Grossman has been booed frequently, which could make for an awkward situation if he is asked to play again at Soldier Field.

"I haven't worried about that because I don't control that," he said. "I feel like I've a done a lot for this team over the last five years, and I've had some unfortunate things happen to me and some bad games.

"But for the most part I feel like I have been a pretty good contributor to this organization and to winning a lot of games.

"I don't know how many games I've won, but we've won a lot of games when I've played, so I am proud of a lot of things I've done, and I'm not paying attention to anyone or anything that will try to tell me otherwise."

As a starter, Grossman has a career regular-season record of 19-11, including 13-3 in 2006, when the Bears also won two playoff games before losing to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI.

But Grossman was just 2-5 as a starter last season. His goal is to again become a starter.

"I'm going to make sure I do whatever I need to do to make sure I develop whatever skill I need to make sure I'm a great player in this league," Grossman said. "My personal goals haven't changed. My role and the immediate future have changed, but my outlook hasn't changed at all."

It won't be easy for Grossman to improve his game if he spends an extended period on the bench, but for now he doesn't have much choice. He insists there are ways he can get better or at least keep from regressing.

"Just make sure you study the film, make sure you work out a little bit extra because you're not going to have the same amount of reps," Grossman said. "Somehow, some way, try to find those throws. Just stay mentally sharp and motivated for your next opportunity.

"That's not going to be a problem."