Football is a serious sport. In a billion dollar industry, wins and losses correlate to extensions and contracts. Men’s jobs are on the line every week. One false step could ruin a player’s or coach’s career. There is nothing funny about the NFL.\nThat is unless you have watched the ever-evolving career of Bloomington’s finest, Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman. \nIf you caught the most recent Bears game last Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, Grossman vindicated himself, again, as the most maligned player in the league. Posting 195 yards and three interceptions, Grossman earned himself another negative-point week. For those with a short memory, in a week six Monday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals last season, Grossman posted six turnovers for a total of negative 11 points. \nRegardless of how many good games he has, Grossman isn’t worthy of a fantasy roster spot. But his presence in a game could mean big points for opposing offenses. With so many turnovers, the juggernaut that is the Bears defense stays on the field and tires more easily. The Cowboys padded a lead with Grossman turnovers, and statistically, it paid dividends for owners of the likes of Cowboys Terrell Owens (14 points), Tony Romo (22 points) and Marion Barber III (23 points).\nLook for offenses to do well against the Bears if Grossman stays the starter. With only 10 total points all season, it’s time to start putting more stock in teams going against the Bears and the one and only Rex Grossman.\n \nWeek three studs:\nKevin Curtis, wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles – If you were watching an early game Sunday, witnessing Curtis’s numbers in the first half alone could only merit one response: Oh. My. God. Curtis had 205 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the first half.\nBrian Westbrook, running back, Philadelphia Eagles – My pick for last week, Westbrook’s stats were outstanding. He earned more points, 40, than some teams might have put up this week.
Two to start:\nReggie Wayne, wide receiver, Indianapolis Colts – Last season at Denver, Wayne had 138 yards receiving and three touchdowns. With cornerback Champ Bailey on Marvin Harrison, watch for Wayne to have a monster game.\nMarion Barber III, running back, Dallas Cowboys – The St. Louis Rams are simply awful. Without running back Steven Jackson, that translates to more three-and-outs and longer drives for the surging Cowboys offense. Barber gets at least one touchdown.
Two to sit: \nLarry Johnson, running back, Kansas City Chiefs – Don’t get too discouraged about LJ. He’s playing at San Diego, and he has faced three formidable run defenses without a quarterback. He’ll be OK, just not this week.\nCadillac Williams, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – In two games against the Carolina Panthers in 2006, Williams only averaged 46 yards. The Caddy has been in neutral this season, and there is no telling where he’s going. Leave him in the garage on Sunday.
