Speculation about Grossman rises
Without so much as a sneer, Brian Griese declined to answer how many snaps Lovie Smith had allotted him Thursday at practice in Chicago.
“If Lovie wanted you to know that, he’d probably tell you,” Griese said calmly.
No matter how safe Smith’s rhetoric has sounded, Rex Grossman will be on the clock from the first snap against the St. Louis Rams on Monday night. For the first time all season, the Bears also will come prepared to use Griese if Grossman’s errors stymie the offense for the third straight game.
Asked if the Rams game represented a “last chance” at keeping his job, Grossman had the guts to admit what Smith has wanted to avoid.
“Definitely, it’s getting to the point where it’s pretty critical that I start to play the way I’m capable of playing, no doubt,” Grossman said.
Vikings face quarterback fiasco
In case there was any doubt, Minnesota made clear last week that its top off-season personnel decision – for the second consecutive year – will be determining its starting quarterback. Much like the quandary they faced in 2006 – Daunte Culpepper rehabilitating a serious knee injury, Brad Johnson nearing the end of his age continuum and no draft position to select a ready-made starter – the Vikings face flawed options no matter which way they turn.
If there is any clarity in the situation, Johnson is unlikely to return in 2007.
Yet, Johnson’s top backup, Brooks Bollinger, is a player no team would build its off-season plan around, and it is far from certain that highly regarded rookie Tarvaris Jackson is ready to take over.
Coach Brad Childress will start Johnson today in Detroit because, even at 5-7, the Vikings remain in the thick of the NFC playoff chase. Barring another turnover-filled game or the Vikings’ elimination from postseason contention, Johnson will continue to start while Jackson takes more practice reps as the No. 2 quarterback.
Delhomme will likely sit out
The Carolina Panthers promoted rookie quarterback Brett Basanez to the active roster, another signal that Jake Delhomme may not play today against the New York Giants.
Delhomme did not practice all week because of ligament damage in his right thumb caused in Monday’s loss to Philadelphia. If he can’t play, Chris Weinke would make his first start in more than four years, with Basanez as backup.
Another Bengal arrested
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Deltha O’Neal was charged with driving while intoxicated after being stopped at a traffic checkpoint in Amelia, Ohio.
The two-time Pro Bowl player had a blood-alcohol level of 0.10, above Ohio’s legal limit of 0.08, the State Highway Patrol said. O’Neal was alone in his car and arrested at the scene.
He is to appear Tuesday in Clermont County Municipal Court. The seven-year veteran is the eighth Bengals player arrested this year.