49ers (1-1)
Bears(2-0)
Yahoo Sports wrote:By ANDREW SELIGMAN, AP Sports Writer
August 24, 2007
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- The Chicago Bears hoped scenes like this were a thing of the past. Instead, Rex Grossman struggled in the most recent preseason game and teammates rushed to his defense, just as they often did last season.
Although the debate between fans over who should start at quarterback gained momentum this week, Grossman will get the call against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night.
"I just want to go out and look sharp," said Grossman, who fumbled three times against Indianapolis on Monday. "That's pretty general, but that's my goal -- look sharp, lead our team down the field a couple times and get some touchdowns and just feel good about the performance. Get some momentum and some rhythm heading into (the season-opener at) San Diego."
While Grossman figures to be at the center of attention, there are other issues for the Bears (2-0 preseason), such as Tommie Harris' health. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle pronounced himself ready to go after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury last December, but coach Lovie Smith said no decision had been made on his status.
Meanwhile, several 49ers are looking to solidify spots in the rotation.
Rookie linebacker Patrick Willis, the 11th overall pick, will make his first start in place of Brandon Moore, who led the team with 114 tackles last season but missed a few too many in the first two preseason games. He may eventually replace Derek Smith as the starting middle linebacker, but for now, he's a backup.
Starting right tackle Kwame Harris is expected to alternate series with rookie Joe Staley, who could secure the No. 1 spot with a solid outing.
With the starters expected to play into the third quarter, a matchup with the defending NFC champions could be a good barometer for a 49ers team that is 1-1 in the preseason after going 7-9 last year. That included a 41-10 bashing by the Bears at Soldier Field.
"On paper, we got better," coach Mike Nolan said. "On the practice field, we got better. In the two games we have played, we've been a little better, and we need to stay on that course over the next 2 1/2 weeks to get ready for the season opener."
The Niners believe they are poised to make a playoff push, with quarterback Alex Smith and running back Frank Gore leading the way. Gore is out for the preseason with a broken hand, leaving Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks as the primary ball-carriers for now.
Smith is showing signs that he's poised for a breakout after two difficult seasons.
The surprise top choice in the 2005 draft, he is 12-for-17 with 164 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He played the first half in last week's 26-21 win over Oakland and threw for 106 yards while going 8-of-12.
"We're still looking to accomplish some things, to get into a rhythm," Smith said. "Obviously I'll have more time to do that in this game, but the goal is always the same. We want to get the first-team offense together for an extended time, and then see what we can get out of it."
Grossman was out of sync against Indianapolis, fumbling two exchanges with center Olin Kreutz and fueling the debate over whether he should start.
"We know (Grossman's) the best quarterback in this locker room, he's the best quarterback for us," Kreutz said.
But they've had a tough time convincing some fans over the past 12 months.
During a preseason game against Arizona a year ago, they serenaded backup quarterback Brian Griese with a "Griese! Griese!" chant. And although Grossman performed at a Pro Bowl level the first five weeks last season, his inconsistent play afterward refueled the debate.
Coach Lovie Smith stuck with his quarterback, but he might not have as much patience this time, with expectations as high as the Sears Tower.
The latest round in the quarterback debate came after a performance that rekindled memories of the Super Bowl loss to the Colts in rain-soaked Miami, where Grossman fumbled two snaps and threw two interceptions.
Lost amid the mistakes is the fact that the Bears won 27-24 on Monday, and he has completed 17 of 21 passes, albeit for just 109 yards, this preseason. Also, the Bears are 17-6 during the regular season with Grossman and played for a championship.
"How many other quarterbacks are out there that you want quarterbacking your team? Time and time again, I'll take Rex," veteran guard Ruben Brown said.
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