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Rex, You're No Romo

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Sep 24, 2007 2:09PM

2007_09_sports_bears_week3.jpgBears fans finally got to witness Sunday night what a young QB taking it to the next level looks like. Unfortunately, it wasn't our QB. While at this time last year, Romo had yet to complete an NFL pass, last night he looked to be on his way to the Pro Bowl as he led the Cowboys to a 34-10 romp over the Bears. Grossman looked like he's on his way to the bench.

At least that's where we hope he ends up. We're not the only ones.

Rex Grossman had his worst outing of the season in front of a national prime-time audience, completing just 15 of 32 passes for 195 yards while throwing three interceptions. That's a 27.5 QB rating. His overall QB rating now sits at 45.2. Through the first three weeks, only Minnesota's Tavaris Jackson has a worse rating. No wonder that late in the game, the crowd could be heard chanting for Griese.

The running game wasn't any better. Cedric Benson managed just 46 yards on 16 carries — plus a critical fumble — and has averaged a mere 3.2 yards/carry so far through the first three games. We know that the offensive line is partly to blame, but it's mostly Benson that's not performing.

With the offense completely ineffective, can Lovie afford to continue to stick with Rex?

If Grossman goes out there next weekend against Detroit and stinks it up again, then the Bears will lose, and any chances of making the playoffs are over. The Rex Grossman era has to end.

Particularly because the defense doesn't look like it'll be able to bail out the offense as it had done in recent years. Already down two starters, the sidelines looked like a MASH unit last night. Lance Briggs and Nathan Vasher both left the game with groin injuries. Tommie Harris left early with a MCL injury. That's three more Pro Bowlers banged up and possibly out. We'll know more after they have their MRIs on Monday. Could the Bears' defense have nearly half their starters off the field next week? Sure, they have depth on defense, but without all those guys, the defense is not the same as the one that led them to the Super Bowl last year.

It looking like it's going to be a long, disappointing season for Bears fans.

Photo by AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh.