Grossman feels swell, but knee remains on trial
July 25, 2005
BY MIKE MULLIGAN STAFF REPORTER
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Bears new offensive Ron Turner had just returned from a family vacation with his older brother Norv, the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, when he received an urgent phone call. It was Norv calling to console his little brother about Rex Grossman's latest injury woe. Seems he'd read an Internet report that quoted an unnamed "mole'' from within the organization saying that Grossman's surgically repaired knee was swelling up after workouts and that the quarterback had been limping around Halas Hall for a couple of weeks.
It was news to Ron, who told his brother that Grossman was fine, and on his honeymoon. Grossman didn't hear about the report until he returned from Hawaii with his new bride, Allison. Trainer Tim Bream mentioned it after Grossman checked into training camp.
Standing on the practice field after Sunday's opening workout, Grossman extended his right leg to show his knee to a reporter.
"It's not swollen,'' he said with a shrug as he offered evidence. "It's the same size as the other one.''
There was a nasty scar running across his kneecap that looked almost pink in comparison with the deep tan of the rest of his leg.
"It left an ugly scar,'' he was told.
"It's not bad at all,'' Grossman said, laughing when he realized the reporter was talking about a scar he suffered "sliding into home as a 6-year-old.''
He pointed to another, almost imperceptible scar below the knee, and a couple of marks on either side of the kneecap where his reconstructive surgery had been done. His new wife, his parents and a bunch of fans waiting for an autograph must have thought it funny that the quarterback, a reporter and a Bears public-relations man were looking so studiously at the player's knee.
It was a fitting welcome to the 2005 season, one where Grossman's injury history has instilled fear that will only be conquered by a healthy run through the 16-game slate. Until then there will be scrutiny and concern over every misstep or bad hop. The sad reality is that Grossman will have to answer questions about his knee after every milestone: first practice, first game, first hit and first sack.
It's a process that seems certain to wear him out. The third football question asked of him after Sunday's series of drills in shorts and helmets -- following five queries about the heat -- was whether there were any trust issues with his knee.
"No,'' Grossman said.
A better question and a more telling response came when he was asked if he really felt like a third-year player considering he had started just six games in his first two seasons.
"I feel like my situation is a little unique,'' he said. "I have only played six games, so I understand things more than a rookie would. I have only played six games, so I don't really feel like a third-year guy. I'm somewhere in the middle.''
The Bears know the feeling. The whole program is in quarterback limbo, holding its collective breath while waiting for Grossman to prove what everybody connected to the franchise has long believed -- that he can be the best quarterback in town since Sid Luckman. Few of the people who hold that belief were even around when Luckman played.
Nonetheless, Grossman has proved to be a pretty astute fellow. He invited most of his teammates to his recent wedding, including new receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who showed up and had a great time. Six players attended, including Muhammad, Mike Brown, Todd Johnson and Qasim Mitchell. Grossman laughed when told he was obviously smart enough to look at Muhammad's rich free-agent contract and figure he was a guy who could afford a nice wedding gift.
"No, I'm smart enough to invite him because I know I need to start a rapport with him,'' Grossman said with a laugh.
That rapport was on display a couple of times on Sunday, including once in a seven-on-seven drill when Muhammad did a nifty job of keeping cornerback Jerry Azumah on his left hip while catching a ball thrown up for grabs to him. Grossman down played an opening day where heat was king and the team didn't even wear pads.
He said they've had 18 practices like this one already this offseason meaning minicamps and organized team activities. Things will get interesting today when everybody puts the pads on for the first time, according to Grossman.
The quarterbacks wear red shirts in practice, which means they are off limits and can't be hit. Still, the first day in full pads is something of a breakthrough for a guy coming off a knee injury. Could be a good time to ask some obvious questions.
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