Rex says he'll miss Jones' protection March 21, 2007 Count Bears quarterback Rex Grossman among those who'll miss departed running back Thomas Jones.In his first interview since the Super Bowl, Grossman told Comcast SportsNet on Tuesday that he owes a debt of gratitude to Jones, who was dealt to the New York Jets earlier this month. ''As a young quarterback, the hardest thing to pick up are protections and protection responsibilities, and he's just done an amazing job to help my development and clean up some of the mistakes and blocking some of the guys he's not supposed to block,'' Grossman said. ''Not only that, but just being a tough, physical runner and having an emotional attitude in the huddle, he was a great leader.'' As for Cedric Benson, who will inherit Jones' starting job, Grossman said, ''He's an amazing talent who could very well be a perennial Pro Bowler and rush for 2,000 yards and do a lot of the things that are expected out of Chicago Bears running backs.''Grossman struggled with the rainy conditions in the Bears' 29-17 Super Bowl loss to the Indianapolis Colts, throwing two fourth-quarter interceptions, losing a fumble and being sacked for an 11-yard loss after dropping the ball on a key third-down play. ''There were about four,five plays I would have done differently,'' he said. ''Obviously, in that wet weather, getting that snap was a little difficult. ... There was an interception [on a pass] to Bernard Berrian that I wish I'd have gotten out about 15 yards further. The ball kind of slipped out of my hands a little bit. ... I wish I would have handled the weather better.'' Asked about his goals for next season, Grossman said, ''I want to have at least half of the amount of interceptions [20] that I had [in 2006]. So my goal is to have single-digit interceptions and 30 touchdowns and go from there.'' Sun-Times staff > http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/305834,CST-SPT-rex21.article
I had no idea he was so highly thought of for his blocking. This deal looks better and better. Thanks Kelly.
Jones is going to make a fine addition to our backfield and he's big enough that he can watch Chad's right side while Barnes watches his blind-side. Plus we already have Baker who is a good blocking TE and if we grab Ben Patrick as another blocking TE and we grab a good OLineman in this draft, Chad is gonna have a brick wall to throw behind
Does he know half of 20 is 10? and I have never seen a QN say his goal is to have 9 or 10 INTs- strange quote.
I was also unaware of his blockign abilities. I sure missed Curtis' blocking abilities, as he was above average picking out blitzes, especially blitzes through the middle. This is another way Jones can help out our offense. Good stuff kelly.
here you go buddy, maybe you can read it one more time 10 is the most he can have from at least half of 20, really he wasnt single digits..im surprised you didnt pick that up
Nyjunc is correct. The sentence is flawed. In other words, by saying ''I want to have at least half of the amount of interceptions [20] that I had [in 2006]," he's saying that he'd like to have more than 10 interceptions. 10 is not the most he can have to satisfy his goal if his goal is to have at least half of 20. In other words, 10 interceptions is the least he can have if his goal is to have at least half of 20. Kabeesh? We all know what he meant, but Nyjunc is right, it's a strange sentence.
alright, you guys are just arguing over semantics now; we know the point of what he was trying to say. i actually appreciate his honesty and attempt to answer the question, rather than dance around it. obviously, he doesn't want to throw any picks, but he knows that's impossible, so he gave a realistic goal/prediction. cheers
Who's arguing? We're just having fun with Grossman's sentence structure. As far as his interception predictions, I could care less. What I really take from this article is what he said about Jones: tough, physical runner, having an emotional "attitude" in the huddle, great leader, etc. This is all a great endorsement.
I like the trade. I like Jones. I think that we got him for good value. Still, I have this free-floating anxiety that he will not perfrom the way we all hope and expect. Hope I am wrong. My gut tells me that Leon will be getting the majority of touches by the end of the year. Again, hope I am wrong.
