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Rex Grossman

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Rex Grossman
refer to caption
Grossman in a post-game interview
Chicago Bears
Career information
College:Florida
NFL draft:2003 / round: 1 / pick: 22
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-American (2001)
  • AP National Player of the Year (2001)
  • NFC Offensive Player of the Month (Sep 06)
  • Ed Block Courage Award (2006)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2007
TD-INT:31-33
Passing yards:5,907
QB Rating:70.9
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Rex Terd-sandwich Grossman III (born August 23, 1980 in Bloomington, Indiana) is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He graduated from Bloomington High School South and attended the University of Florida on an athletic scholarship.[1] Grossman led the Florida Gators to two conference championship games, and was the runner-up for the 2001 Heisman Trophy.[2]

Grossman began his professional career with the Bears as the twenty-second overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft, but spent most of his first three seasons sidelined with injuries. [3] He completed his first full season in 2006, leading the Bears to a National Football Conference Championship, and helping the team score the second most points in the league.[4]

Early life

Rex Grossman was born to Daniel and Maureen Grossman in Bloomington, Indiana. Under the motivation and guidance of his father, Daniel, Grossman began playing football at an early age in grade school. He originally started his football career as a running back. Despite his success as a running back, Grossman’s mother, Maureen, asked his coach to convert him to a quarterback while he was in the sixth grade.[5]

He attended Bloomington South High School, where he threw 97 touchdowns for 7,518 yards.[3] Grossman threw 44 touchdown passes during his senior year, including a game where he threw six and two games where he threw four. His senior season reached its pinnacle on November 28, 1998, when he led his team to a 34-14 5A championship title over Homestead High School. Grossman threw five touchdowns for 216 yards, setting a state record for most touchdowns thrown in a championship game.[6]

Grossman received national recognition as the 1998 Indiana Player-of-the-Year by USA Today, and was ranked among the top fifteen players in the nation by the National Recruiting Advisor.[3] Parade Magazine also named him to their "All-America team".[3] He received state-wide honors when he was named "Indiana's Mr. Football" later that year.[3] Residents of his hometown community still remember his accomplishments and passing records. Grossman’s high school retired his jersey in the summer of 2007 to commemorate his initial return and success during the 2006 season.[7]

Collegiate career

After completing high school, Grossman elected to attend the University of Florida, instead of Indiana University, where his father and grandfather played football.[3] After redshirting his freshman year, Grossman became Florida’s third string quarterback, behind Jesse Palmer and Brock Berlin. Grossman struggled during his first game as the Gators' starting quarterback. After being called to fill in for the injured Palmer, Grossman threw three interceptions against the University of Georgia, prompting coach Steve Spurrier to bench him in favor of Berlin. Grossman rebounded during the following week by completing 21 of 34 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns.[8]

Grossman continued his success by leading the Gators to a 10-2 season in 2001. He came in second to University of Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch in one of the closest votes in Heisman Trophy history, losing only by 62 votes.[9] He also earned accolades as the AP National Player-of-the-Year, and finalist for other awards, including the Walter Camp National Player-of-the-Year Award, Maxwell College Player-of-the-Year Award and Davey O'Brien National Quarterback-of-the-Year Award.[10][3] Grossman played in the famed "Slingin' in the Rain" game against Louisiana State University, where he threw 22 completions in 32 attempts, for 464 yards and 5 touchdowns, en route to a 44-15 victory over the Tigers. [11][12] In 2006, in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Grossman claimed the victory to be his most memorable game at the University of Florida.[10] He ended his sophomore season with a 56-23 victory over the University of Maryland in the 2002 Orange Bowl.[13]

Grossman completed his junior year by leading the Gators to the 2003 Outback Bowl, where they lost to University of Michigan 38-30 despite his completing 21 of 41 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns.[3] Under the helm of Ron Zook, Grossman decided to forego his final year of collegiate eligibility and declared for the NFL Draft. Grossman achieved many feats during his collegiate career, including either breaking or approaching many of the records set by Danny Wuerffel, and earned a 146.77 passer rating, becoming the third most efficient passer in the Southeastern Conference's history.[3] He also threw 77 touchdowns for 9,164 yards.[2]

Professional career

2003–2005

The Chicago Bears selected Grossman during the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Under the leadership of coach Dick Jauron, Grossman was sidelined in favor of veteran quarterbacks Chris Chandler and Kordell Stewart.[14] Grossman only saw playing time during the later portion of the season after the Bears had been eliminated from playoff contention. His season ended when he was forced to leave the final game with a broken finger.[15] Prior to the start of the 2004 NFL season, the Bears fired Jauron and hired Lovie Smith, who declared Grossman the team's starting quarterback. Grossman was criticized when he threw a game-ending interception against the Detroit Lions on opening day.[16] Criticism of his durability intensified when he damaged his knee ligaments while scrambling for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. The injury forced Grossman to spend the remainder of the season recuperating.[17]

Grossman missed most of the 2005 season after breaking his ankle in a preseason game. Grossman appeared in a press conference after the game, where he remarked “Shit happens” to a crowd of spectators.[18] On December 18, 2005, Grossman returned to the field, leading the Bears to a 16-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. In the following game against the Green Bay Packers, he completed eleven of sixteen passes for 166 yards for a touchdown and one interception in a 24-17 victory. Grossman’s victory enabled the Bears to clinch a playoff berth and the National Football Conference's second playoff seed.[19] In his first playoff game, Grossman struggled to anchor the Bears’ offense, throwing 17 of 41 passes for 192 yards for one touchdown and an interception in a 29-21 loss against the Carolina Panthers.[20]

2006–present

During the 2006 Chicago Bears season, Grossman became the first Bears quarterback to start sixteen games since Erik Kramer in 1995.[21] In a season dubbed as a "roller coaster ride" by Grossman himself, the fourth-year quarterback had several productive performances, which were seemingly diluted by a handful of turnover-ridden games.[22] While earning a passer rating of at least 100 in seven games, he earned a sub 50 rating in five games during the latter portion of the season. Grossman, who was named as the “NFC Offensive Player of the Month” in September, concluded the season’s final month with a 64.4 passer rating, including a zero rating during the season’s finale game against the Packers.[23][24] Grossman’s work ethic drew criticism, when he admitted that he was not adequately prepared to play, and later claimed the game to be "meaningless".[25] After noticing that his words had been misinterpreted, he rationalized his statement days later.[26] His inconsistent performance drew criticism, and calls for Smith to bench Grossman in favor of the veteran Brian Griese.[27]

Nevertheless, Smith, who supported Grossman throughout the season, declared that Grossman would remain the Bears’ starting quarterback throughout the playoffs[28], causing much skepticism within the Chicago area.[29] He temporarily silenced his critics by leading the Bears to a 27-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, completing 21 of 38 passes for 282 yards and one interception, fumble, and touchdown.[30] The following week, he led the Bears to 39-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints, which allowed the Bears to claim the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl XLI.[31] Grossman completed 20 of 28 passes, including a one-yard touchdown pass. However, in this game he threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, and fumbled twice due to miscues between him and center Olin Kreutz.[32] Despite additional criticism from his detractors, Grossman received the Ed Block Courage Award after the season ended. The award is awarded to one player from every team, who possesses ideal characteristics of sportsmanship, spirituality, and professionalism, and is believed to be positive role models to their community.[33]

Before the 2007 season, Grossman vowed that he would improve his performance by simply “protecting the ball."[34] Smith named him as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2007 season, despite inconsistent and lackluster play throughout the preseason.[35] Grossman struggled in his first three outings of the season, and committed ten turnovers with a 45.2 passer rating.[36][37] After week three, several news sources reported that Smith demoted him in favor of Brian Griese.[38] The official announcement came the next day, when Smith announced that Griese would start in the team's next game.[36] On November 11, 2007, Grossman reclaimed his first-string role after a shoulder injury sidelined Griese.[39] Though Grossman only played for roughly one half, he led the Bears to a 17-6 victory over the Oakland Raiders with a 59-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian.[39][40][41]

After reclaiming his starting role, Grossman threw three touchdowns and one interception over the course of three and a half games.[42] He sustained a knee injury during his fifth consecutive start, and was replaced once again by Griese.[43] Grossman was forced to relinquish his starting position to Kyle Orton, who had previously temporarily relieved him after his 2005 preseason injury.[44]

Grossman practices with the Bears in 2008 at Bourbonnais, Illinois

Grossman became an unrestricted free agent after the 2007 season, but said he wished to return to the Bears.[45] Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said, "We would like to have Rex back in the mix." He added that Grossman will face additional competition if he returns, emphasizing the team’s need for a stable passing game.[46][47] Smith has also voiced similar opinions.[48] Grossman signed a new one-year contract with the Bears on February 23, 2008.[49] Under terms of the deal, Grossman will have a $3 million base salary. He can make close to $2 million in incentives as long as he's the starting quarterback.[50] The Bears also granted Orton a contract extension, and planned to have the two compete for a starting position.[51] Smith believed that Orton had bested Grossman over two games in the preseason, and named him the team's starting quarterback for the 2008 season on August 18, 2008.[52]

Playing style

Grossman’s Gunslinger attitude is illustrated in his desire to throw long passes, similar to his youth idol, Brett Favre.[53][54] During the 2006 season, Grossman had an above average completion rate when throwing passes worth twenty or more yards, but struggled to complete shorter passes. According to columnist Paul Attner of Sporting News, this attitude attributed to Grossman's inconsistent play.[55][56] During week twelve of the 2006 season, Grossman threw a game-ending interception while attempting a deep pass to Rashied Davis.[57] However, during the divisional game in the 2006 playoffs, he threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Berrian on the opening play of the Bears’ second drive.[58]

Additionally, Grossman’s ability to elude pursuers and scramble has significantly decreased since his season ending leg injury in 2004.[59] Although he only played three games in 2004, Grossman amassed more rushing yards than he did in sixteen games in 2006.[60] However, he showed his potential to scramble during a game against the St. Louis Rams, after he converted a third and long with a twenty-two yard run. Though the run was the longest of Grossman’s career, it only gave him five net yards for the season at that point.[59]

Personal life

Grossman's family has a long football history. His father and grandfather were football players for Indiana University. His grandfather, Rex, also played for the Baltimore Colts during the 1940s.[5] He resides in Bloomington, Indiana during the offseason with his wife Alison Miska, whom he has been married to since July 9, 2005.[61] Grossman also has a sister and nephew who live in Lincolnwood, Illinois, and his parents are friends with Archie Manning.[62]

Despite the bitter Bears-Packers rivalry, Grossman has been a longtime admirer of Favre, and former Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh.[10] Grossman was also an avid Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers fan during his youth. Outside of football, he enjoys playing basketball and watching movies.[10] Additionally, he was a regular guest on FOX News Chicago’s The Final Word, a Sunday night sports show that is co-hosted by former Bears wide receiver Tom Waddle. He also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated for Kids' February 2007 issue. The cover featured Grossman with teammates Devin Hester and Tommie Harris posing with bears in a museum exhibit.

Grossman has also earned several nicknames over the course of his football career. While at the University of Florida, Spurrier dubbed him “Sexy Rexy." The nickname earned national recognition when teammate Muhsin Muhammad used the nickname while introducing Grossman during a starting line-up segment on Monday Night Football.[63] Grossman was also infamously known as "Rex Glassman" and "Wrecks Grossman" due to his injury-prone years.[64] After the mid-point of the 2006 season, commentators and fans would refer to Grossman as either "Good Rex" or "Bad Rex" depending on how he performed in a game.[65]

On June 28, 2007, Grossman's hometown of Bloomington, Indiana declared the day "Rex Grossman Day" for his accomplishments in football and the community.[66] For the past four years, Grossman has held a charity golfing event for the Boys and Girls Club of America, raising over $100,000 for them.[67]

NFL career statistics

A graphic illustrating Grossman's varying quarterback rating over the 2006 season

The following is a list of Grossman's statistics from his regular and postseason games. Grossman has occasionally put up notable statistics; among all quarterbacks during the 2006 season, Grossman ranked tenth in number of pass attempts, seventh in touchdowns thrown, and third in interceptions.[60] He completed his first full season with a relatively low 73.9 quarterback rating. His supporters have pointed out that this was better than quarterback ratings of Favre, Peyton Manning, and Terry Bradshaw during their first full seasons;[68] however, many quarterbacks with relatively undistinguished careers have performed similarly or better in their first years, including Grossman's former backup Brian Griese.[69] His twenty-three touchdowns in one season rank Grossman among the best Bears quarterbacks in the franchise’s history.[70] However, his twenty interceptions in one season are among the most thrown by any Bears’ quarterback in almost two decades.[70] The unusual combination ranked Grossman as statistically the most inconsistent quarterback in almost a decade in 2006, just ahead of Ben Roethlisberger.[71]

References

  1. ^ CBS Chicago, Rex Grossman's Family Talks About His Success Retrieved on February 24, 2007
  2. ^ a b University of Florida Athletics, University of Florida Athletics: Rex Grossman Retrieved on December 21, 2006 Cite error: The named reference "Grossman’s_Gators" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i RexGrossman.com, Rex Grossman #8 Retrieved on December 21, 2006 Cite error: The named reference "Grossman’s_Bio" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ SNY.tv, By the Numbers: The Super Bowl Retrieved on April 3, 2007
  5. ^ a b Chicago Suntimes, BEARS' RX: REX Grossman has Spent a Lifetime BEING GROOMED FOR Retrieved on December 21, 2006 Cite error: The named reference "Grossman_SunTimes" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ IHSAA.org, 1998 IHSAA State Finals Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  7. ^ Sun Sentinel, Hoosier state’s best Retrieved on February 2, 2007
  8. ^ Alligator.org, Grossman rebounds with solid game Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  9. ^ Sports Illustrated, Bizarre voting robs Grossman of Heisman Trophy Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  10. ^ a b c d Chicago Tribune, 20 Questions with Rex Grossman Retrieved on December 21, 2006 Cite error: The named reference "Grossman_ChiSports" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ St. Petersburg Times, Rex is slingin' in the rain Retrieved on May 13, 2007
  12. ^ LSU Athletics, Univ. of Florida vs LSU (Oct 06, 2001) Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  13. ^ CNNSI.com, Florida 56, Maryland 23 Retrieved on February 26, 2007
  14. ^ CBC News, Bombers eye Kordell Stewart Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  15. ^ BearsHistory.com, Bears History: 2003 Chicago Bears Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  16. ^ DetroitLions.com, Big Plays Help Lions Defeat Bears In Opener, Snap Road Losing Streak Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  17. ^ Chicago Suntimes, Rex barks, Vikings bite Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  18. ^ BearsHistory.com, Bears History: 2005 Chicago Bears Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  19. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Chicago 24, Green Bay 17 Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  20. ^ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: PANTHERS 29 BEARS 21 Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  21. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Grossman closing in on personal milestone Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  22. ^ Chicago Tribune, Why Tony Romo? Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  23. ^ Viking View, Grossman NFC Offensive Player Of The Month Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  24. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Grossman vows to 'fight my way out' after clunker Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  25. ^ ESPN, Grossman says preparation was lacking against Pack Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  26. ^ Chicago Tribune, So Rex was misquoted Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  27. ^ Chicago Tribune, Grossman's last fling as starter? Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  28. ^ Smith feels Bears are primed for playoffs Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  29. ^ Chicago Tribune, Chicago Bears fans skeptical after poor play against the Packers Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  30. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Bears prevail in OT, one win from Super Bowl Retrieved on January 15, 2007
  31. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Super Bowl reshuffle: Bears back on top of NFC Retrieved on January 21, 2007
  32. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17 Retrieved on February 4, 2007
  33. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Grossman to receive prestigious award Retrieved on March 12, 2007.
  34. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Grossman aiming high as the season opener approaches, Retrieved on September 25, 2007.
  35. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Center snap remains a point of emphasis for Bears, Retrieved on September 25, 2007.
  36. ^ a b ChicagoBears.com, Griese replaces Grossman as starting quarterback, Retrieved on September 26, 2007.
  37. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Bears bench QB Grossman, turn to Griese, Retrieved on September 26, 2007.
  38. ^ NFL.com, Griese to replace Grossman at QB for Bears, Retrieved on September 25, 2007.
  39. ^ a b The Chicago Tribune, Not finished yet, November 11, 2007.
  40. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Disappointed Grossman coping with demotion, Retrieved on Retrieved on September 28, 2007.
  41. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Grossman regains starting quarterback position, Retrieved on November 16, 2007.
  42. ^ Fox Fantasy, Stars & Flops: L.T. finally tops 100 again, Retrieved on December 6, 2007.
  43. ^ USA Today, Backup leads Redskins past Bears 24-16 Retrieved on December 6, 2007.
  44. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Orton to start next Monday night in Minnesota, Retrieved on December 12, 2007.
  45. ^ ESPN.com, Uncertain about future, Grossman says he'd like to be back with Bears , Retrieved on January 3, 2007.
  46. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Angelo says Bears looking for QB, RB competition, Retrieved on January 3, 2007.
  47. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Smith sees QB stability as critical issue with Bears, Retrieved on December 31, 2007.
  48. ^ Yahoo! Sports, Rex Grossman: Wanted Back by Lovie, Retrieved on January 3, 2007.
  49. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Grossman agrees to one-year contract with Bears, Retrieved on February 23, 2008.
  50. ^ ESPN.com, Grossman signs one-year deal with $3 million in base salary, Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
  51. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Grossman gearing up for first preseason start, Retrieved on August 11, 2008.
  52. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Bears name Orton their starting quarterback, Retrieved on August 18, 2008.
  53. ^ NBC Sports, Collinsworth mailbag: Grossman reminiscent of Favre Retrieved on January 29, 2007
  54. ^ Chicago Tribune, Grossman could be a Favre in training Retrieved on January 29, 2007
  55. ^ SportingNews.com, Do the Bears have a prayer?, Retrieved on August 11, 2008.
  56. ^ Yahoo! Sports, the Bears have a prayer? Retrieved on January 29, 2007
  57. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Smith's faith in Grossman not wavering Retrieved on January 29, 2007
  58. ^ Washington Post, Saints Impressed With Resilient Rex Retrieved on January 29, 2007
  59. ^ a b Chicago Tribune, Grossman zeroed in Retrieved on January 29, 2007
  60. ^ a b Pro Football Reference, Rex Grossman Statistics Retrieved on February 24, 2007
  61. ^ DaBearz.com, Grossman excited about progress with new offense Retrieved on December 24, 2006
  62. ^ Chicago Tribune, Archie Manning feels for Grossman Retrieved on February 6, 2007
  63. ^ Chicago Tribune, Bear with Us Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  64. ^ JSonline.com, Grossman, Favre both face scrutiny Retrieved on December 21, 2006
  65. ^ CBS Chicago, Good Rex And Bad Rex Show Up Vs. 49ers, Retrieved on October 16, 2007.
  66. ^ City of Bloomington Rex Grossman Day, Retrieved on June 30, 2008.
  67. ^ Chicago Tribune Local attractions: Grossman holds 4th annual charity golfing event, Retrieved on June 30, 2008.
  68. ^ MidwestBusiness.com, Reporter’s Notebook: The Numbers Don’t Lie at RexGrossman.com Retrieved on February 10, 2007
  69. ^ NFL.com, Player Profile - Brian Griese, Retrieved on June 19, 2007
  70. ^ a b BearsHistory.com, Bears History: 2006 Chicago Bears Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  71. ^ Pro Football Reference, Rex Grossman Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Chicago Bears Starting Quarterbacks
2005-2006, 2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Florida Gator Quarterbacks
(2000-2002) 		Succeeded by
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Bears 1st round draft pick with
Michael Haynes
2003 		Succeeded by

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