Reports: Griese to start Sunday against Lions
ESPN.com news services
Updated: September 25, 2007, 10:11 PM ET
The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and NFL.com, citing anonymous sources, reported on their Web sites that backup Brian Griese will replace Grossman as the starting quarterback when the Bears face the Lions.
Chicago returns to practice on Wednesday to prepare for Sunday's game at Detroit.
The Bears would not confirm that any decision has been made, saying only that coach Lovie Smith would be available for his regular Wednesday news conference.
Grossman threw three interceptions as the Chicago Bears fell to the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 on Sunday night. The following day, Smith, who usually gives Grossman full support, instead said: "Will Rex Grossman start Sunday? Well, our evaluation process is going on right now, and if you come out to practice Wednesday, you'll have a better idea of who will be starting at all positions."
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Grossman has struggled ever since February's Super Bowl, when he threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. This year, he ranks 23rd in the league with 500 yards, has a 45.2 rating and is 47-of-89 (52.8 percent) with six interceptions and just one touchdown.
Now in his fifth pro season, Grossman has been inconsistent as Chicago's starter, but he did get the team to the Super Bowl last season.
Griese, a 10-year veteran, was a Pro Bowl pick with Denver in 2000. He has passed for 16,564 yards, but has also been released three times -- by the Broncos, Miami and Tampa Bay.
"I have confidence in our entire football team," Smith said Monday. "Brian is a part of that. After you have a loss like that, we all feel bad. We should."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
