Report: Griese to replace Grossman as Bears' QB

Sep 26, 2007 - 3:31 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Brian Griese will replaced the embattled Rex Grossman as starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears, the NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The moves comes as little surprise as the Bears are off to a 1-2 start and Grossman is coming off a wretched performance in Sunday night's 34-10 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

A No. 1 pick out of Florida in 2003, Grossman finished 15-of-32 for a season-high 195 yards with three interceptions against Dallas.

In the three games this season, he is 47-of-89 for 500 yards with one touchdown pass and six interceptions. His quarterback rating is a hideous 45.1.

Grossman has made 19 consecutive regular-season starts, but has been much maligned due to his penchant for turnovers.

Even when the Bears reached the Super Bowl last season, the success was attributed to the defense and special teams.

Grossman finished the season 262-of-480 (54.6 percent) with 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also lost five fumbles.

Veteran Brian Griese would draw the start for the NFC North matchup in Detroit. Griese has not started since he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005.

Last season with the Bears, the 32-year-old Griese saw spot duty in five games, completing 18-of-32 passes for 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

In his 10th NFL season, Griese has thrown 104 touchdowns and 80 interceptions in 81 career games with the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay and Chicago.

Bears coach Lovie Smith, was non-committal during Monday's press conference that Grossman start Sunday.

"Will Rex Grossman start Sunday? Well, our evaluation process is going on right now," Smith said. "And if you come out to practice Wednesday, you'll have a better idea of who will be starting at all positions."