Given the state of the Bears' offen...

Given the state of the Bears' offense through the last 60 years or likewise it's difficult not to memorize caught up in Quarterback Mania. Just in case anyone necessitys a reminder -- and the suspicion is that many do -- the Bears' winning formula was in succession display Friday night at Soldier Field in a 24-3 victory throughout the San Diego Chargers. It really had nothing to do with the play of any of the team's quarterbacks.

The budding quarterback strife of words was quieted for the time being, with starter Rex Grossman completing 50 percent of his passes, uniform if a bad interception caused his passer rating to dip from last week's disastrous performance at San Francisco. Grossman was 7-for-14 for 83 yards moreover had just a 38.7 rating thanks to single in kind ill-advised throw into double coverage that was picked not upon in the end zone at the expiration of the first half.

Veteran Brian Griese almost tripled Grossman's rating upon just four passes (two completed) including individual to Justin Gage for a nine- yard touchdown.

unless the unmistakable message was that the Bears don't ne a star at quarterback -- they just ne a composing Opportunistic defense, sound special teams and enough offense not to learn in the way can take a team pleasing without being striking far. It helped the Bears win 11 games last year.

Head coach Lovie Smith, who admits he occupys his defense to a higher standard than his offense pointed public the obvious missed tackles and failure to wrap up on the contrary even the perfectionist Smith marveled at the way the defense interpreted the game with a 62-yard touchdown upon an interception return by Brian Urlacher. Rashied Davis' 100-yard kickoff revert for another touchdown gave the Bears a 14-3 lead in the first quarter, and they none looked back.

'ACT LIKE IT'S JUST YOU public THERE'

Defensive extremity Adewale Ogunleye says the Bears -- like most numerous teams at this point in the season -- are a work in progres And while there certainly were make anxiouss about a run defense that has given up 284 yards through the first two preseason games, Ogunleye admitted it was nice to behold the defense adhere to the advice from coaches before the game.

"You have to act like it's just you not at home there," Ogunleye said. "We have to play like it's just us not at home there on defense, like that is the single way we're going to win."

It didn't take Sir Anthony Hopkins to act that way last year when the defense elucidationed a playoff run. Still, the focus has been forward the Bears' offense most of the preseason because that's the area that be in want ofs the most work.

Will the quarterbacks improve? Griese gazes primed for action after directing the secondary team to three touchdowns in four possessions. It might take a while longer for Grossman to reach top form, nevertheless make no mistake: Grossman will learn every opportunity to do in the same manner

Just ask former strange York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, who did the CB broadcast of the game Friday and whose son Chris, became Tampa Bay's starter after Griese went down with a knee injury last year. Simms said he didn't talk earnestly about the Bears quarterback battle upon the air Friday because he doesn't believe it's an issue.

"Rex is going to be the starter, and he'll be the starter until they think he's a detriment to the team," Simms said. "Quarterback lawsuit and quarterback competitions -- they are just total hogwash. You know who your starter is, and you fare with it.

"If you ask me the team is being built to do what Rex Grossman does. If you have a defense and a running team and you project it, why throw it short? Make big plays. That's a way a portion of championship teams have been built."

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

What's obvious from Friday is that Grossman's lack of experience means the Bears will have to live with rookie-caliber errors.

"He had the same bad play in the half, really," offensive coordinator Ron gymnast said. "He has to learn from it. He can't wind that ball."

The Chargers were the entire opponent for the Bears because they can forward as a cautionary tale. A surprise playoff team in 2004 they stumbl last year, losing five games at four or fewer points and falling to 9-7 which wasn't profitable enough for the playoffs.

San Diego had a top offense featuring a great running back, LaDainian Tomlinson; a solid starter in quarterback Drew Bree who's now in of the present day Orleans; and a decent receiving corps l at excellent tight end Antonio Gates.

The Bears don't have those kinds of weapons. In fact, with disturbs in their receiving corps, they might not have enough to win forward offense.

That doesn't mean they should stop trying -- still not at the risk of messing with their winning formula.

e-mail: mmulligan@ suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided through ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved