Grossman will start Sunday in Seattle

Saying that the only criterion that mattered was who gave the Bears a better chance to win Sunday against the Seahawks in Seattle, coach Lovie Smith named quarterback Rex Grossman to start for the first time since he was benched after the third game of the season.

"It's another great opportunity for me to play with these guys and get things rolling," said Grossman, who helped the Bears snag a 17-6 victory last week against the Raiders with a 59-yard TD pass to Bernard Berrian with 3:11 left in the game.

Grossman had relieved Brian Griese, who suffered a sprained left shoulder late in the second quarter of the Raiders game, his sixth consecutive start. Griese did not practice Wednesday but said he would be capable of playing in Seattle.

"It's something I had on my right (throwing) shoulder earlier in my career that I played with," Griese said. "On my left shoulder, it's not a big deal, really. I should be ready to play on Sunday."

Smith said he wasn't sure if Griese would be active Sunday or if Kyle Orton would be moved up on the depth chart to No. 2.

"I don't have any question in my mind that I will be ready if called upon on Sunday," Griese said.

Grossman has thrown 2 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions this season with a passer rating of 53.9. Griese has 9 TD passes, 10 interceptions and a passer rating of 77.1.

Smith announced his decision shortly after Wednesday's practice ended, but minutes earlier Griese said he hadn't been told who would start.

"That's not my decision to make," he said. "You've got to ask the decision-makers. I'd like to continue to play, yeah. Obviously, we all think that we can play better and be in a better situation than we are now. I think there are some things that we can build on and I look forward to doing it."

Grossman helped the Bears to the Super Bowl last season but had an extremely uneven season, mixing outstanding performances with meltdowns. His slow start this season brought not only the benching but extensive criticism locally and nationally from the media and fans.

"I'm just going to go out there and play like it's recess and have fun," he said.