[CBFF] Inside the Bears: Jerry-rigging: GM wants Grossman back -Sent Using Google Toolbar

[Phil DeNomme]

``Given the familiarity that he has with our system and us with him, there's
no downside."

That's some wishful thinking....

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Subject: [CBFF] Inside the Bears: Jerry-rigging: GM wants Grossman back
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Inside the Bears: Jerry-rigging: GM wants Grossman back

Jerry-rigging: GM wants Grossman back



It could be that the return of Rex Grossman is down to just a little
negotiating.

General manager Jerry Angelo, who has not spoken to assembled media
since four days after the season ended, reiterated his desire to see
the former first-round pick return in comments made public on the
organization's Web site.

``We would definitely like to have Rex back,'' he said. ``We've talked
internally, and at some point we will visit with him and see if we can
create a situation that's workable for all of us. We've invested a lot
in Rex, and we see him competing for the starting position.

``Given the familiarity that he has with our system and us with him,
there's no downside. He's been a good soldier for us in terms of
whatever role we've asked him to play, particularly this past season.
We feel that having him in the mix makes us a better football team.''



The Bears wrapped up their organizational meetings last week at Halas
Hall and will be headed to Indianapolis for the scouting combine on
Wednesday. That would figure to be a place for Angelo to get together
with Eugene Parker, Grossman's agent, who is based in nearby Fort
Wayne, Ind.

It's interesting to note that Angelo makes it clear Grossman would be
competing for the starting job that belonged to Kyle Orton at the end
of the season after Grossman suffered a sprained knee at Washington.
He didn't hand the job to him outright.

Parker has made it clear he and his client are keeping all options
open heading to free agency. Grossman wanted to sign a longterm
extension at this time last year and when that didn't happen, he
earned the right to reach the open market. Free agency begins at 11
p.m. Feb. 28. While it remains to be seen how other clubs regard
Grossman in what is a weak cast of available passers, there doesn't
figure to be many teams willing to put him in the mix for a starting
job immediately. Grossman has made known his desire to return here
also.

What does it all mean? A signing could be on the way before too long.
If Grossman returns, it's been speculated that could signal the end
for veteran Brian Griese. Griese is due a $300,000 roster bonus and
the club doesn't figure to have the same three passers as it did last
season. Angelo is expected to draft a young passer come April.

In terms of Orton, the GM announced on the team's PR machine that the
depth chart at quarterback is out of his hands.

``That's going to be determined by the coaches [in relation to] the
competition that we're able to create here in the offseason. But we
certainly respect and feel very good about what Kyle has done for us,
not just this past year but when you go back to his rookie year, and
we certainly see a player that has gotten better.''

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