Texans quarterback Rex Grossman must like the role of underdog.
After years of carrying the weight of the Bears franchise on his shoulders, he's done something in Houston that he never did in Chicago: exceed expectations.
Grossman was signed to a $620,000 contract to be the third quarterback in Houston, but coach Gary Kubiak elevated him Tuesday to the backup job over Dan Orlovsky based on his excellent final preseason game performance.
"I'm just very comfortable with him right now," Kubiak said. (Insert snide comment here.)
Beating out Orlovsky isn't exactly David beating Goliath, but Orlovsky was the heavy favorite considering the $2.4 million signing bonus and $9 million contract he signed with the Texans.
The backup job in Houston is particularly important because starter Matt Schaub is so injury prone. Schaub returned to practice Tuesday after hurting his ankle nine days ago, and is fully expected to start Sunday against the Jets.
Schaub is unlikely to start all 16 games this season, though, so there's a good chance Grossman will have the opportunity to revive his career before long.
Rex Grossman is one snap away
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 8, 2009 5:16 PM ET
Note to Gary: Prepare to become very uncomfortable in a hurry.
Interesting phrasing, there Florio. I wouldn't say that Grossman "carried the weight of the Bears on his shoulders for years", but rather that "he was the weight that dragged them down for years"
Good for you, Rex.
Classy guy--works his butt off, keeps his mouth shut, ignores the media (who have a hard-on for dog-piling on him), and does whatever is asked of him.
He may not have all the physical tools, but he sure has the cojones and the character.
I hope he has a long and successful career.
In no way shape or form did Grossman deserve the media and fan backlash he received while in Chicago. No one who does the right things, say the right things and not even show up on the police blotter deserve that. I wish him well.
If Schaub does go down again, it'll probably end all three QB's careers. Any team where Grossman can beat out ANYONE is not exactly a talented team.
And possibly Kubiak's as well.
That's just gross man.
Ole Wrecks has had his moments when actually looked like he belonged. Maybe he's the next Rich Gannon. Rich had his ups and downs before striking it big at the age of 40.
@Dewey:
"He may not have all the physical tools, but he sure has the cojones and the character."
It's the mental part that concerns me.
Grossman does not belong on an NFL roster, as evidenced by 31 other teams leaving him out on the street this offseason. The Bears failure to admit this set the team back for years and cost them a Superbowl.
very inconsistent ... the apt replacement for Sage
Good for you, Rex. That deep ball he threw the last preseason game was a thing of beauty. Of course, the occasional beautiful throw is what teased the Bears' for years.
Still, I wish him nothing but the best. He's a hard worker, a good team player, and can get a hot hand occasionally. I wouldn't want him carrying my team for an extended period of time, but you could do a lot worse for a game or two.
The fact that Rex Grossman is on an NFL roster is bad enough. Grossman starting is ridiculous. I personally believe any game he starts they will most likely lose. They deserve to lose for making him their 2nd string qb.
Jesus Christ some of you fans are harsh on sexy rexy.
He wasn't the best quarterback, but he certainly had his moments. 22 touchdowns in the regular season is a plaudable amount. Sure he also had 20 interceptions, but it is what it is. He was probably better than Kyle Orton, and Rex definitely helped in our superbowl year (2006).
BTW, Rosenthel
"I'm just very comfortable with him right now," Kubiak said. (Insert snide comment here.)
That's your job
Rex has never been in a qb friendly system like he's in now. Never know what some good coaching will do. If the Texans can finish 3rd in the league in offense with Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels at the helm, you can't really make too many assumptions that what happened in Chicago will happen again in Houston.
aj - perfect point of view. Rex didn't have a Johnson, or Daniels to throw to up there. But to be quite onest, I hope we don't have to see him in the first place this season. Just sit on the bench just in case, and get paid. Maybe, just maybe Shaub stays healthy all 16+.
"Tex-Rex" will have a steller season if needed to play this year.
Grossman tosses a good deep ball, and looks like an NFL QB with time to throw and with open throwing lanes. Problem is, he's barely 6'0", so he can't see over the o-line and his balls get batted (insert snide comment here), and self destructs when defenders get near him.
Rex is a clever and intelligent QB - people in Chicago forget that he led the #2 rated offense in the NFC the year Chicago went to the Super Bowl. The media needed a whipping boy in Chicago and the fans jumped on the bandwagon. He was run out of town for not winning the Super Bowl. I am, and always will be a Grossman Fan and would like nothing more than to see Rex take Houston to the big dance.