QB Controversy In Windy City?

QB Controversy In Windy City?
By Tim Sullivan
Posted: 5:00 am PDT 2006-08-25

If it's late August, if NFL teams are breaking camp, then two ever-popular words can't be too far behind:

Quarterback controversy.

This year is no different, as several teams are weighing the pros and cons of veterans vs. youngsters; highly paid vs. underpaid; and experience vs. potential.

Usually, these summertime signal-caller standoffs are reserved for the bottom-feeders. Again, this year appears no different as the Jets -- with Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey -- and the Bills -- with J.P. Losman and Kelly Holcomb -- have taken center stage.

But another team may creep into the equation before too long. And it might surprise you.

"Brian is doing a great job. He's very smart, has got a great work ethic and is very quick with the ball. I'm also very impressed with his accuracy."

Such are the words of Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner, and they were used to describe one Brian Griese, Chicago's backup -- for now -- who signed a five-year, incentive-laden deal March 21. Turner, as well as Coach Lovie Smith, has been impressed with the nine-year veteran's grasp of the offense and overall pocket composure. Not to mention his three preseason touchdown passes.

But, surely, a healthy Rex Grossman will lead the charge as the mighty Bears (-$300 to win the NFC North, +800 to win the NFC, +1700 to win the Super Bowl on WagerWeb.com) look to build on last season's success, right?

"I know how those things work. To be honest, I'm not even thinking about that," said Griese, who could earn $20 million over the life of the deal. "I'm thinking about trying to get better as a player, learning this offense, getting used to Turner and the way he calls plays, and really proving myself to the guys on the team."

He appears well on his way. And with a team that's built to win this year -- the Bears' season over/under is 9.5 wins on WagerWeb.com -- a quarterback change could be in store if Grossman stumbles out of the box.

For now, though, let's scrap the controversy part, and just call it a quarterback question. Or should we say questions?

After all, let's face it: The fragile Grossman, in three seasons, has started just eight games and won just four of them. What's more, the former Florida Gator is 0-1 in the postseason and has yet to establish that required rapport with his receivers.

Now, Griese isn't an MVP candidate. In fact, in this same space last week, we knocked the former Michigan Wolverine for being a part of an average group of quarterbacks to don Dolphins jerseys in the past five seasons.

But he is 13-10 as a starter since leaving the Broncos in 2002. And, in his final six starts with the Buccaneers, he won five of them.

"Fans are going to scream for Griese, fans are going to scream for Grossman," Chicago wide receiver Justin Gage said. "But as long as we've got two healthy good quarterbacks, then I'm good with that."

Perhaps, by Week 1, Bears fans will agree with Gage. Remember, we're talking about a team that will probably only go as far as its dominating defense will allow it, regardless of whom is under center. After all, unheralded rookie Kyle Orton went 10-5 as a starter last season.

So what are bettors to expect this season?

"Rex," Smith said bluntly, "is our starting quarterback."

For now.

RICKY AND DeANGELO: Panthers rookie running back DeAngelo Williams may be small -- 5-foot-9, 213 pounds -- but he has always thought big. Even when he was in high school, as he was grooming himself into a Division I recruit, he idolized former Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams.
For what Ricky did on the field, of course, not off it.

"I just thought that he had so much leg strength, so much power. He was able to make something out of nothing with his shiftiness, but he could also run you right over," DeAngelo said of the former Dolphin and Saint. "Those are the same characteristics I wanted to have. I've developed that a little, but I still have work to do. I'm getting there."

The Panthers agree, and they're willing to wait as he continues his journey. Williams, who topped 1,900 rushing yards in each of his last two seasons at Memphis, won't be thrown into the fire as DeShaun Foster will carry the load this season.

"I'm a little nervous," Williams said. "But it's great playing at this level and talking to DeShaun on the sidelines, asking him if I made the right read and cuts."

Here's thinking Foster, who compiled 1,251 total yards and eight touchdowns last season, will be a better influence on DeAngelo than Ricky the rest of the way.

KEEPING UP WITH JONES: Jimmy Smith's sudden retirement May 11 simply shook the Jaguars and clearly threw a wrench into what was a feel-good period in Jacksonville. Coach Jack Del Rio's crew was fresh off a 12-4 season and its first playoff appearance since 1999. Not exactly the best time to lose the franchise's all-time leading receiver.

But the Jaguars have since moved on. And they may have found their next top gun, in the form of 2005 first-round pick Matt Jones. A former quarterback at Arkansas, the rangy 6-6, 229-pound Jones grabbed 36 passes for 432 yards and five touchdowns even though he started just one game as a rookie.

"I want to be a solid, all-around receiver," Jones said. "If I continue in the weight room and continue doing some of the things I want to do, then I can be. I don't know that I'm there yet."

Regardless, Jones is a constant matchup problem, and now that Smith is gone, he'll be on the field that much more.

"This season," Del Rio said, "is going to be a special year for him."

Keep that in mind on fantasy draft day.

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