Grossman: Time to establish myself

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Rex Grossman's two previous treks to Lambeau Field have been successful. He's 2-0 on the home turf of the Green Bay Packers, which is not bad considering he's made only seven regular-season starts in his career.\nWhen Grossman leads the Chicago Bears into Sunday's season opener, he'll be doing more than trying to keep his perfect record intact on the historic field of his team's greatest rival.\nGrossman, the 1998 Indiana high school Mr. Football from Bloomington South, wants to shut down the doubters, stay healthy and show he is capable of moving the Bears' offense.\n"It's an unbelievable time in my life really to have this opportunity to be a starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears and go up to Lambeau Field and play the Packers. It's a special thing, a beautiful thing. You know what I mean?" Grossman said Wednesday.\nGrossman is relieved the preseason is finally over. He was the target of numerous critics, even some boos, when the Bears' first team offense failed to score a touchdown until the exhibition finale. There were calls for veteran Brian Griese, signed as a backup and insurance, to step in as the starter.\nEntering his fourth season, Grossman's young career has been sidetracked by injuries. He had a torn knee ligament in 2004 and a broken ankle in the preseason a year ago. All that while he's trying to show he can be the player the Bears drafted in the first round in 2003 after a stellar career at Florida.\nHe understands why no one is sure which direction his career might turn, adding he's not worried about the perceptions, even if he is very aware of them.\n"I mean I played eight games, so there is not a lot to go on," he said.\n"I'm going to make a good pass, I'm a good quarterback. I make a bad pass, I'm a bad quarterback. That's just how it is when you are not really established. And that's definitely one of my goals this year ... to get established as a quarterback for this franchise and the league."\nThe Bears' passing offense was rated 31st last season, when Grossman spent most of the year rehabbing his ankle and Kyle Orton, a rookie, started 15 games. Grossman returned late in the season and got into two regular-season games -- one as a starter -- and also was under center for a playoff loss to Carolina.\nGriese, 5-1 as a starter until he was sidelined with a knee injury last season for Tampa Bay, has pushed Grossman, and the Bears hope the competition has made him better.\n"I think we have depth at the quarterback position, obviously, and I think that will make us good. I think Rex will step up to that challenge," receiver Muhsin Muhammad said.\nGriese played well in the preseason -- mostly against second-team defenses -- and his play and poise did not go unnoticed.\n"I think it has pushed Rex, no doubt about it," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "(Griese) is sharp, and he's accurate, and he can move this team and direct this offense, so I think Rex sees that and says, `Hey, I better be on top of my game.'"\nGrossman will watch a player he's always admired Sunday when the Packers have the ball. Brett Favre near the end of his career, is out to show under a new coach that he still can play at the level that made him one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks.\nGrossman, meanwhile, wants to prove he belongs.\n"Obviously we're at the complete opposite of the spectrum. I'm out for respect, trying to get established. He's about the most established guy in the league, everyone knows what he can do," Grossman said.\n"We're pretty different in that aspect. But, you know, I think people are doubting me and that's a motivating factor for me. And I'm sure it's the same way for him right now"