Rex Grossman: Finished as Chicago Bears Quarterback. Rex is NOT Our Quarterback

CHICAGO - Rex Grossman's turbulent career with the Chicago Bears expires on February 27, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. E.S.T. The tormented quarterback's foray into free agency completes one of the most polarizing eras in Chicago sports History. There is no love lost between the City of Chicago and this erratic signal caller.

Good Rex / Bad Rex's Game degenerated into a Bad Rex parade of turnover riddled miscues that infuriated Bears fans. The revered Monsters of the Midway defense kept the Game close, only to be let down by Grossman's befuddling mismanagement. Our offensive fiasco of ill-timed fumbles and backbreaking interceptions arrived with his trademark, glassy eyed stare of dazed confusion. Rex' Deer in Headlight gridiron and locker room persona sparked the outrage.

The Championship window is never open for business very long in the NFL. Free agency, the NFL Draft, and salary cap legislation have ushered football fanatics into a League of Parity - where the door of Super Bowl opportunity is slammed shut within two years.

The raging Bears crowd turned on Rex shortly after his 2 Interception - 68 QB rating Super Bowl XLI debacle versus the Indianapolis Colts. Apparently, Chicago had earned entry into the Big Game despite Grossman - not because of the quarterback's gamesmanship.

The bloodthirsty Windy City ripped the quarterback for his miserable quarterback ratings, dubious turnovers, and statuesque sacks. Soldier Field was best described as a Barnum and Bailey Circus on Game Day - with Grossman agitating the audience with his awkward role as Chief Clown. The serenade of boos, barbershop chatter, and sports media fiasco was often greeted by Lovie Smith's stoic disdain:

"Rex is Our Quarterback"

This test of loyalty Public Relations debacle transformed and demonized Rex Grossman from the Golden Boy Florida Gator recruit to the surly Chosen One that was unqualified to handle the pressures of being The Man. Certainly, pompous attitudes of entitlement do not Play well in The Broad Shouldered City That Works. Bears coaching ultimately bowed to the crushing pressure and journeyman Brian Griese relieved Bad Rex midway through the 2007-2008 season.

Brian Griese was no Dan Marino. Griese wasn't even Bob Griese. But, he was not Rex Grossman.

Grossman was then to be beaten out by "the Bearded One," Kyle Orton at the 2008 training camp for the starting job. Chicago embraced The Neck Beard - completely shunning the Good Rex' era as a non-event.

We must recall that the talented Grossman flourished in the fun and gun system at Florida, nearly claiming the Heisman Trophy over Eric Crouch.

The cocksure quarterback's early NFL career was a hard-luck story of season-ending ACL and ankle injuries. Grossman oozed potential - but his flame throwing cannon arm was relegated to the sidelines for the majority of his three first seasons. Good Rex actually relieved The Bearded One in 2006-2007 and sparked the offense to two straight victories.

Healthy, Good Rex emerged that very next 2006 season as an early NFL MVP Candidate and established the Chicago Bears as the NFC Team to Beat.

Remember that?

The story of this embattled NFL player is almost Tragic.

Rex Grossman is Not our Quarterback.

Rex Grossman: Finished as Chicago Bears Sources:
Rex Grossman Stats, http://www.pro-football-reference.com
Greg Garber, Bears versus Colts Super Bowl XLI Recap, www.espn.com
David Haugh, Chicago Happy to See Rex Grossman Go, www.chicagotribune.com