This is a make-or-break season, in his eyes and the Bears'. The excuse of being the equivalent of a rookie can't be used anymore; he started 19 games last season. Injuries aren't a factor now, knock on wood. And Grossman has enough offensive firepower surrounding him to open a weapons shop.
Grossman feels more in control, and not because his game underwent major alterations.
"Stepping back from football for five or six months and then coming back, you're a year older, you're smarter, you're stronger, you're wiser," he said. "I feel like that. And that, in turn, makes me feel more relaxed and confident to go do my job."
It helps when your teammates have confidence in you as well.
"I'm going to put a little pressure on him: There's no way he doesn't get across the water this year," defensive end Alex Brown said, referring to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.
Brown has no doubts about Grossman's ability, having played with him at the University of Florida.
"That sophomore year of college, where he threw for almost 4,000 yards, I see that type of attitude again, that approach — he was scary," Brown said. "I'm not much of a fantasy-football guy, but for those who are, you'd better grab Rex. He's going to be great this season."
Grossman revived, revved on ChicagoSports.com
08-19-2007, 02:33 PM
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