Job No. 1: Find franchise QB
Smith would like Grossman back for another shot
January 1, 2008
The Bears embarked on their offseason adventure Monday without a starting quarterback for 2008.
Bringing stability to the position isn't so much a New Year's resolution as it is a quest spanning decades. The last time the Bears were in this position, after the 2002 season, they signed free agent Kordell Stewart, drafted Rex Grossman and wound up getting coach Dick Jauron fired.
Lovie Smith has been on board since, and he has swapped out starters 10 times in four seasons, using Grossman, Jonathan Quinn, Craig Krenzel, Chad Hutchinson, Kyle Orton, Grossman again, Orton again, Grossman again, Brian Griese, Grossman again and Orton again. Dizzy yet?
''It's always tough when you play three quarterbacks,'' Smith said. ''No matter what the reason.''
This was the second season in Smith's four years that he has used three quarterbacks, and the sixth time in the last nine seasons for the team. No matter how you define the Bears' offseason needs -- and they are numerous -- the No. 1 issue remains quarterback.
''You look at the teams that consistently win, normally you're talking about one guy at the position,'' Smith said. ''We don't have to look very far; it's in our division, what the Packers have been able to do with one guy. It makes it a lot easier.
''I look forward to the day where we have one established guy that we can count on for years to come, and I think that's in our future.''
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