ChicagoSportsBlogs : Non Compete

I'm going to take the last few Bears' moves one article at a time. Each of them deserves their own analysis. The first one is the one that caused me to spit my breakfast out. The text message I got from Corey (aka the Goose) simply said: Bears sign Grossman to 1-year deal. What?? You can't be serious. They did what?

I understand that everyone thinks this could have been worse; we could have given him a 3 year deal. But think about this for a second. We have to go into next season with a quarterback controversy. We have enough problems with all the holes in the offensive line we have to plug. The Urlacher neck injury, the lack of any real wide receivers, and Ron Turner are 3 good reasons we shouldn't have to even think about a quarterback controversy to open camp. But this is the Bears. We are the poster boys for quarterback controversy.

I didn't want to sign Grossman again this year. I was ok with letting him go because I think it's time to go with Kyle Orton. Orton is the same type of quarterback that we would be drafting this year. He just needs to be given a shot. Bringing back Grossman, and paying him $3 million is going to complicate Orton's life. It may complicate Jerry Angelo's life too. What kind of open competition is this going to be with Grossman being back? Jerry clearly thinks the world of Grossman. He always gives him the benefit of the doubt. He just can't seem to let go. Maybe he should call Brian Billick who knows a thing or two about sticking to a quarterback too long.

Mike asked some good questions in reference to the general-public's freak out to this signing. I've got some answers.

1. Sure, he's mind-boggling awful at times, but what if he grows out of it?

He isn't going to grow out of it. We already know what this guy is capable of. Sometimes he looks pretty damn good, but most of the time he looks inept. He is great at handing the ball off to a running back. Don't forget we've seen him behind pretty good offensive lines for most of his career too. That won't be true next year unless we make some big moves.

2. Isn't he worth at least one more look?

No. See above.

3. I just want him to compete with and/or back up Kyle Orton for one season.  Is that so wrong?

Yes. We saw Grossman last year. He regressed. He lost his job to Griese! Griese, a stable veteran QB who everyone wants to run out of town this year! Orton stands a good chance of beating Grossman out for the job, if he is mentally tough enough.

Where does that leave us? Well, if Grossman isn't the starter that's $3 million dollars that we could have used to sign someone that could actually start.