First Grossman Injury Opportunity of the Year

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Aug 11, 2006 9:02PM

The Bears open up their preseason schedule tonight, as they play the 49ers in San Francisco. The preseason doesn't mean much in terms of how a team will play once the games count, but it'll be interesting to watch some new additions and some guys battling for starting jobs. The biggest questions seems to center around the number two wide receiver. Will Mark Bradley be the same reciever we got glimpses of before his injury last year? What about Rashied Davis or Justin Gage? Are any ready to step up and prove they belong in the starting lineup? Or will the Bears realize they'd better call the Broncos about Ashley Lelie.

Chicagoist is also going to be watching Rex Grossman tonight. We're still not sold on him as the leader of the offense -- eight career starts isn't much of a body or work. While the job is supposedly his, provided he stays healthy, we're anxious to see Brian Griese. Given Grossman's history, Griese will be the guy who makes or breaks the Bears Super Bowl run.

Of little interest will be the running game. With both Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson out because of injury, it'll be Adrian Petersons' show -- at least at the beginning. When the Trib's game preview states, "P.J. Pope, 36, RB, Should finish with most rushing attempts in bid to land on practice squad—or intrigue another team" you know not to expect much on the ground.

As for the defense, we're also not too excited. With the league's top defense playing against one of the league's worst offenses this game gives the Bears a chance to rest their starters and let the practice squad guys have some fun.