Grossman Still Lovie's Guy?

There's a half-burned Rex Grossman jersey hanging outside one of the local taverns just blocks from where I live, displaying the unhappiness many Chicago Bears fans feel toward the maligned quarterback. And even though he was far from the only reason the Bears were spanked by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, it's becoming more and more understandable why so many are calling for his head. Despite Grossman's propensity for producing multiple bone-headed plays every game, head coach Lovie Smith isn't one of those who are ready to make a change. At least he's not saying it publicly yet.

"Rex Grossman is our quarterback," Smith declared yet again after the game

The sad thing is, Grossman probably does represent the Bears' best chance at winning a Super Bowl this year. Despite his shortcomings, he still has more potential than either Brian Griese or Kyle Orton, neither of whom is likely to take the Bears deep into the postseason. But Grossman is a tease, which is why the Bears find themselves in this predicament. One play he's hitting a receiver in stride 30 yards down field, and the next he's floating a screen pass into the arms of a waiting defender or trying to force a ball into triple coverage.

And it seems he has regressed instead of developed in his second full year as the starter. Last season he put together a number of fantastic games, but was horribly inconsistent. This year he has become more consistent, but not in a good way. None of his performances thus far would lead one to think he's suddenly going to stop making the stupid throws that put his team behind the eight ball.

But for now, Bears fans, it looks like things will remain status quo. I suspect, however, that if Grossman lays another egg against a bad Detroit Lions secondary on Sunday, we'll finally see him get the hook.

Picture: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images