Griese agrees to five-year deal with Bears

March 21, 2006

CHICAGO (AP) -- Brian Griese agreed to a five-year deal with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, adding depth at quarterback and a potential challenger to starter Rex Grossman.

"I don't think there's any question he's going into the position to compete for the job," Griese's agent Ralph Cindrich said. "That was made clear."


The 31-year-old Griese completed 112-of-174 passes for 1,136 yards and led Tampa Bay to a 5-1 start last year before a season-ending knee injury. The Buccaneers decided to waive him this month rather than pay a $2.6 million roster bonus.

Griese has passed for 16,344 yards and 103 touchdowns in eight seasons with Denver, Miami and Tampa Bay.

Cindrich said Griese passed physicals with the Bears, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay, and "he'll be ready to go" in time for minicamp. Cindrich, who would not reveal the financial terms of the deal, said the contract will likely be signed on Wednesday.

The Bears have said they are committed to Grossman as their starter, but Griese has started 72 of 75 games in his career.

Cindrich said the Bears made no promises

After tearing the ACL in his right knee early in the 2004 season, Grossman broke his left ankle in the preseason and missed the first 13 games. Chad Hutchinson flopped, and rookie Kyle Orton began the season as the starting quarterback.

Behind a defense that was ranked No. 1 for much of the season, a strong offensive line and effective running game, the Bears went 11-5 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

Grossman's numbers -- 20-of-39 passing for 259 yards in two games -- weren't overwhelming, but the passing game opened up when he returned.

Not that he'll get the job, but his low-key, clock-management style of play seems to be a much better fit for Turner's offense than Rex Grossman's west coast style.

Just sayin...

But a five-year deal?

It wouldn't matter if Peyton Manning were in a Bears uniform. Who the hell is he gonna throw to?

It wouldn't matter if Peyton Manning were in a Bears uniform. Who the hell is he gonna throw to?

It wouldn't matter if Peyton Manning were in a Bears uniform. Who the hell is he gonna throw to?

Griese is OK, but a WR would be much, much more appreciated by this Bears fan.
Moose is the probably one of the top three No. 2 receivers in the game right now, but he damn sure ain't a no.1. That Moss kid from Miami would be nice though.

Every website and expert is predicting that they're getting Fasano, that TE out of Notre Dame. He should be a good blocking TE with some speed and hands. Again, if the receiver core is going to be TE based with Fasano and Clark, I like Griese more than Grossman though it's Grossman's job to lose.

if the Bears truly see TE as a need, they need to stop dicking around and trade up for the TE from Maryland, Vernon Davis


fast as a receiver, strong as a linebacker- this guys a stud, plain and simple.

So are we talking the next Antonio Gates, or what? Just how good is this guy?

Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland – Davis produced the jaw-dropper moment of the combine, running a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash – a ridiculous feat for a guy who checked in at 6-foot-3 3/4 and 254 pounds. In terms of sheer shock, it rivaled Matt Jones' 4.38 time in the 40 last year. According to some scouts, Davis' physique was the most impressive, too. Davis did well in pass-receiving drills and actually looked dominant at times in pass-blocking drills. His 42-inch vertical jump amazed, and he won the broad jump for his position (10-8) by almost 10 inches over the next best effort. Davis likely pushed himself into the draft's top eight selections.

Good enough to be a considered as a top 10 draft pick.

What about this guy?

sure he's clubhouse cancer, but...
would free up a draft spot for a good corner back, their biggest need on the D

T.O.'s gonna be dancing on the star this season.

It doesn't hurt to have Orton as the #3 to develop him into an NFL qb and a good backup. I'd like a receiver and/or a great TE. Where to the Bears pick - do they have a chance at Vernon Davis ?

Package last year's first round pick, a pro-bowl LB (soon to be all-pro) and this year's #1 pick to move up sixteen slots?

You're an NFL genius.

Package last year's first round pick, a pro-bowl LB (soon to be all-pro) and this year's #1 pick to move up sixteen slots?

You're an NFL genius.

Edit: Oops, you wrote Benson *or* Briggs, not *and*.

not and, or.
and thank you for recognizing my genius. Fact is the Bears will lose Briggs in free agency anyway (his agent is Rosenhaus and he's already demanded more than Urlacher makes), so go after a true need position.

Hell, Davis can play both ways. TE and take over Briggs spot at LB- he's big and fast enough, so why the hell not?

Fact is the Bears will lose Briggs in free agency anyway (his agent is Rosenhaus and he's already demanded more than Urlacher makes), so go after a true need position.

Please don't start the "play both ways" talk with Davis until we actually draft him. *Then* you can start making ridiculous statements like that.

Anyway, I hope you're wrong about Briggs and FA. I know that the Bears are making it a priority to sign him prior to this year's camp and I hope it gets done. Although, I'm sure they'll be hard pressed to put that much money into one position (LB) when there are other needs. But I think they have something special at LB and are getting by cheap elsewhere (OLB, S, CB) to complain.

I know sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet, but Jiminy Christmas, did you really think I was serious about playing both ways?

I mean, home games maybe, but every week?! And the fact is, with this much salary cap room, why not make a play for Davis? Is TE a need or not? If you're just going to draft the 3rd or 4th best TE and just make him block 90% of the time, just draft a lineman.

I know sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet, but Jiminy Christmas, did you really think I was serious about playing both ways?

I mean, home games maybe, but every week?! And the fact is, with this much salary cap room, why not make a play for Davis? Is TE a need or not? If you're just going to draft the 3rd or 4th best TE and just make him block 90% of the time, just draft a lineman.