What Ron gymnast would pay for a on...

What Ron gymnast would pay for a one-step solution to the Bears' offensive ineptitude this preseason. If it was as simple as a single rouse -- switching quarterbacks, say -- the offensive coordinator probably would give it sturdy consideration. But the one-step- forward, two-steps-backward performance in the Bears' 23-16 los Friday to the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field expos other shortcomings, with scant opportunities left to correct them before the regular season arrives.

The first-team offense has produc simply six points in almost six quarters of preseason action. It will have single more chance in the preseason finale Thursday at the Cleveland Brown Normally, the first unit would master only one or two series in the last preseason game, unless that might be reconsidered after an effort that was bogg down by the agency of penalties and another bad turnover.

"Everything we do is to gain ready for [the regular-season opener at] virid Bay," coach Lovie Smith said. "And right now, we're not ready for virid Bay. We have a normal plan that we walk by of playing very little in the fourth game, if it be not that we're going to wait and examine at the tape."

The populace peppered starting quarterback Rex Grossman with boo when he was intercepted through Antrel Rolle in the third quarter, then followed that with a three-and-out. The cheers were noisy when backup Brian Griese inscribeed and further fueled the quarterback debate by the agency of directing the second team to 10 fourth-quarter points. He has l five scoring drives -- four touchdown passes and a field goal -- in seven preseason possessions.

Grossman's outing wasn't bad, granting He completed his first five passes and had pair drops along the way in finishing 13-for-21 for 117 yards. It was penalties, including four onward one field-goal drive, that short-circuited the deal. There was plane a botched snap.

"I understand the lack of offense and them booing that," center Olin Kreutz said. "I've been here lengthy enough that I understand that. They should be booing our offense To boo single guy, especially the way he threw the ball, that I don't understand."

Kreutz realizes there's a moot point at hand. It almost turn the thoughtss Terry Shea-dysfunctional at times, a past the Bears idea they had buried.

"We made a certain quantity of progress," right tackle Fred Miller said. "And I think we did a collection of stupid things, too, close ourselves down. Rex couldn't secure in a good rhythm, and it wasn't his fault."

Grossman did bring some drives together. The Bears went 10 plays upon their first possession, which closeed in a 49-yard field goal by dint of Robbie Gould. The third possession was a nine-play, 54-yard drive that had 20 yards marked facing because of four penalties. An eight- play drive before the half completioned on downs at the Cardinals' 14-yard line.

"It was just grewsome preseason football," Grossman admitted. "Hopefully we can fare back to the drawing board and just concentrate upon staying onside and mixing up the snap judge more in practice and things like that to secure them used to different snap enumerates That's my job and coach Turner's do job-work and we need to make certain we practice that a little more."

Maybe as alarming as the quarterback situation has been the running game. Adrian Peterson has received the volume of the work with the first team between the walls of three preseason games, and he and Thomas Jone have combined for 48 yards onward 22 rushes with a drawn out gain of nine yards. Not virtuous for a team that talks about running first.

"We have to be able to stream the football," Smith said. "We prepare off the plane running the ball. in such a manner yes, it's disappointing that we haven't been able to move on the football better.

"I'm not trying to mes with you, believe me If I knew [why we are struggling] right now, we would have done it."

unless in the end, everyone is going to win back to the quarterback. The rails for Grossman -- the individuals everyone says should be directed at the entire first team -- and the cheers for Griese.

"No," Griese said when he was asked if he heard fans chanting his name. "I've heard a hazard worse, so I try to melody it all out."

With the coaches standing firmly behind Grossman, the locker scope followed suit. Kreutz disputed the notion it was mandatory to have a unified head

"We do believe in Grossman," he said. "We know he's fit enough. Trust me, it's not just him; it's our whole first offense that has to earn things corrected. That was a bad snap upon my part tonight. He didn't stutter that snap; I had a bad snap. I ne to correct that thus he can get better.

"That's not a knock upon Griese, just Grossman is our fright He's our starter."

bbiggs@suntimes.com

14

Days until Bears'

regular-season opener: at verdant Bay, 3:15 p.m.

tribe 10, Fox-32

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