A state of ignorance

Bottom line is that for the most part, the media has praised Grossman when he's been good, and torched him when he's been bad. When he's pressured he is bad..but is that ALL his fault? His receivers overall are middle to the bottom third of the NFL - they seldom get any blame. His protection does break down but again, he needs to read the blitz and pick up a secondary receiver.
Finally, there are plenty of ignorant media people.

He does have a point. When a columnist writes a bad story, there arent 200 guys with microphones in their face looking to get his reaction to it.

Rex has had his ups and downs, no denying that. But those in the media who gave up on this team long ago have already been proven wrong. I have yet to see the editor of the Sun Times publically asked if Marrioti needed to be replaced by someone who is more consistantly accurate in assessing the Bears overall potential.

I'm behind Grossman 100 %. The sports media is exceptionally ignorant. You can almost count on one hand how many in the sports media really show some intelligence or substance in their reports. Mike Mulligan is probably one of the few that I find that can back up what he says and actually seems to understand the topic he is reporting on. People like Marrioti, Mike North, etc. are the worst of the crop.
GO REX, KEEP ON SLAMMING THE MEDIA.

I understand where he's coming from. Like near the end of the season,there were fans who understood what was going on with the BEARS and defended them. Some media-types played like they didn't know why the BEARS's secondary was giving up yardage and the O was not as good in meaningless games. Here in Chicago I only saw 1 or 2 columnist who appeared to stress the real reasons while the others feigned ignorance to sell negativity to people who wanted things that way. We as a society will buy into negative columnists because,by and large,we are just negative to begin with. It got to the point where you had to wonder if they actually watched the games or just read the box scored and seen the highlights and low lights. It used to be,that the columnist were ex-jocks who understood what it meant to lace up a uniform and not look for dirt. Off the record was just that. Now,you have guys who aren't even welcomed into the locker-room who write stuff like they've seen it with their own two eyes. You have columnists who can't even get a quote from managers,players or even the waterboy because they are "burned-up". No one talks to them but they have inflammatory articles written every other day. They don't seem to have any knowledge of any sport but are quick to dish out some kind of dirt on the players. And it seems like no one is above their ridicule. Some guys will praise a person one day and write a scathing article the next time. If a person just throws out stuff to hope it stick and not divulge any facts that is ignorance. To write things that hurt more than just the player is just a step below ignorant. Some people don't even know what they are talking about but that won't stop them from being a know-it-all. Maybe he's tired of people rehashing the same stuff over and over again. Doing that is lazy as well as ignorant. I'm sure as a columnist you've known a few guys who fit the description that Rex is talking about. I know as a reader I've read quite a few.... GO BEARS!!!

Unfortunately Rex used the wrong term when he called the media ignorant. Ignorance can be cured with education, some reporters are self-centered and incapable of being educated therefore they are stupid and stupidity unlike ignorance lasts a lifetime.

Roman responds: So he was being honest when he said he didn't mean it in a bad way.

Any time a man writes an article about what a woman weighs you can see what Rex is talking about. From infancy men are taught that you can't ask a woman about her age or weight. If you don't know that by now you are ignorant.

Yes Roman, Rex was being both honest and kind. Honest in that much of the media is uneducated in the inner workings of any offense and kind in not coming straight out and saying other reporters are just plain stupid.

Roman responds: Thanks for the "other."

Hey Roman, what do you think about Brett Favre coming back next year? After all that boo-hooing he decides he's coming back. He waited until the week before the Superbowl so he can upstage the BEARS,I think. I wish that last game had meant something because he used that game as a personal platform to sooth his ego. I for one am glad he's coming back. I think we really know how to whip his hind-quarters in games that matter. When I think of him and his self-serving ways I want to call him that word that they always used on NYPD Blue that begins with a "P". O.K. everybody look at Brett. Now, we can start the "is he retiring after this year," watch. It's a shame that he doesn't know when to quit. I'm not saying he should've,I'm just saying he should put an expiration date on it for real. GO BEARS!!!

Roman responds: I think he's in it at this point just for records. It's kind of sad. But I think it's been this way for a couple of years. Although I know one Favre fan who would disagree.

This trivial incident shows clearly how out of touch the media is. This was probably recommended by public relations as a way to boost Rex's popularity. People in the news media are disliked and distrusted by most Americans. By attacking them, Rex has boosted his opinion in the eyes of many.

Roman responds: Interesting comment, and true. But remember, one of the reasons Rex attacked the media was because we listened to "fans' reaction." I assume you weren't one of the thousands calling for him to be replaced by Griese. If you were, join the club.

Roman,
Although I no longer live in the Chicgo area I do still follow the Chicago sports teams and read your articles frequently on-line. I do enjoy your candor and consider you neither ignorant nor stupid. I believe most readers know which Chicago reporter falls into that category without mentionig who. Although at times I may not agree with your opinion, I can honestly say it has never been dripping with disdain like some others. Thank you for not being one of the "others" previously mentioned.

Mr. Modrowski: So you take offense at some members of your profession being called “ignorant”

by Rex Grossman? I think it’s about time someone said it! One definition of “ignorance” is

“lacking in or without knowledge” – this perfectly describes the condition of many sportswriters

at your paper and elsewhere who make a habit of presenting their opinions and personal agendas as fact.

Roman responds: I didn't take offense. Go back and read the story. I said most would agree with him. I agree with him. I just thought it was stupid of him not to bite his lip until after the game. He had been playing it smart for two weeks. But there wasn't much of a backlash, so it's no big deal. And I'm assuming you weren't one of the fans calling for his head this season. He did rip the media for following the fans' reactions. So join the club.

Most newspaper writers are ignorant of the inner workings of professional sports. That is not their fault, they are writers, not athletes.

I would venture to say that of all of the professional football writers out there, less than 5% played professionally, less than 20% played in college, and less than 50% played in high school. I think that is why professional athletes think they are “ignorant” when they criticize an athlete's or team’s play.

That doesn’t make them bad writers, but it does call into question whether they are really qualified to analyze why a quarterback throws an interception, or why a linebacker misses a tackle.

The percentages are probably higher for radio commentators and television commentators because many of them (at least the color guys) have played professionally or in college. Unfortunately they oftentimes have to be funny or outrageous and don’t have time for much analysis. The exception is the in-depth shows on ESPN (and other places) that have the time to review game film, and even then they normally don't go back several games to identify trends and more in-depth reasons for a team's/athlete's play.

Roman responds: Good point, but that completely refutes Rex's argument. Because ESPN has been more critical of him than any other medium.

I thought Rex "ignorant" comment was true. If you google search Rex's name and click "news", you will see mostly negative articles about this kid from people that you can tell hardly ever watched a bears games. They may have seen highlights on ESPN (who loves to kick dirt on the Bears) and then write a story about how much he stinks. They will constantly point out his bad games to prove it. Rarely point out his good games or his talent. Anyone who has been a regular on this blog knows I have been a supporter of Rex thoughout the season. Even through the bad games. I just can see this kid getting better and better. The Bears never had a QB with the guts to take shots down the field like this kid does. Yes he can be wreckless at times but that can be coached. He has led the Bears to the SB in his first full year starting. Why don't people harp on that? Why don't people harp on the fact that the Bears Probably would have lost to Seatle in the Playoffs if it wasn't for this kid? All you hear is negative. I think he will play well in the SB. He is due. He didn't play all that well in the NFC championship game. He was off in the first half. But he made some key throws in the second half. So yeah I believe Rex made a valid point saying that the media is ignorant. After all the dirt you guys thrown his way, shouldn't he get a chance to dish some back?

Let me see if I follow the logic here: Chicago Bears QB Rex Grossman, having gone beyond just the titled Super Bowl “Media Day” and meeting the media for interviews on at least three consecutive days, proclaims them to be “ignorant” in response to the repetitive and inane questions posed to him about this season’s performances and the upcoming game.

Sensing a broad generalization that is both obvious and delivered with little context, you feel compelled to defend your fellow media members from such an obvious and minor slight by going out and quoting a couple of guys who only further lend credence to what Grossman said.

Dan “its about moving the meters” McNeil, who all season has second guessed every Bears win and proudly thumped his chest with “I told you so” in to 2 of 3 losses. A guy who can’t get behind Coach Lovie Smith because his press conferences aren’t of the sideshow variety and because Smith only looks at the schedule one week at a time.

To back him up you get the “Hot Dog Man” Mike North, who, when given the chance to explain himself, loves everything and everybody. Just give him a second chance to explain himself.

If you, as a media member, feel slighted in the least bit by Grossman’s comments, just read three Jay Mariotti columns. Any three written over the course of the season (or a 3 week period).

On second thought, Grossman was in error. Given what is spoken and written by the overwhelming majority of print and electronic media, “idiots” would have been the more apt and accurate description.

Roman responds: It wasn't that I was offended, not at all. It was here's this Bears quarterback who seemed to be playing it smart for two weeks, then he drops a word on the media that is somewhat inflammatory. My interest was about the backlash, which wasn't that great. Do you really think this is the first time someone has called the media ignorant or idiots? Please. I also find it interesting that the fans who sided with Rex didn't notice that one of the reasons he thought we were ignorant was because we paid too much attention to the "fans' reaction." So join the club, unless you weren't one of the thousands calling for Rex to be benched.

I am one of the people who stood behind Rex all season, and was proud of the way Lovie and the Bears backed him. How could you not see talent in this guy, after watching an assortment of bad quarterbacks for the Bears over the last 50 years. Send in Griese? He's a good quarterback, but let go by several teams who did not see him as a franchise quarterback.

Yes, a lot of Rex's mistakes were not his fault. Some of those early flat or screen passes, inside their own 20, returned for TDs should fall on the offensive coordinator's play calling. The three int's agaist the Patriots were all thrown slightly behind the Bear receiver, which just happened to be where the DB was located. Not exactly where you'd want your DB. Poor decisions...no, poor mechanics...yes. A lot of passes bounced off of receivers hands or pads when thrown slightly behind them, but you cannot expect the receivers to catch a lot of those.

How bad was Rex? Compare his stats to Bradshaw...not too shabby.

I think the media lost a lot of credibility after the Saints game. How many columns did you read about "America's Darling" or "this seems like the Saints year", as opposed to assessing their terrible run defense or the fact that a dome team has NEVER won a championship outdoors (including Super Bowls).
Very few people out there are worth reading...Rex was too kind.

One could say the press is ignorant, of football history. Searching through the stats and facts of previous Superbowls, I could find no precedent of a quarterback enabling one team to win, when the other team was was far superior in defense and special teams, exactly equal in points scored and roughly equal in the running game. History would indicate the reverse. Defense is the difference.

Ignorance of history is the crime. Bears win.

Jay Marrioti has just made Rex Grossman's point for him in his column today. Instead of just saying that Dan Grossman was a class act he attempted to be cute and funny by thanking him for not burning his retinas with a blow torch after making sure the floral arrangement Mr. Grossman sent to his room did not contain any poison ivy. That is what my father would have called a "back handed" compliment. But then Marrioti has always reminded me of the child that thrives on negative attention because he doesn't know how to achieve positive attention. After Rex and Urlacher hoist the Lombardi trophy will Jay give them the credit they deserve or will he down play the victory accusing Peyton Manning of choking in the big game?

I believe the comment Grossman made would have gotten even less attention if the media wasn't so starved for stories the last two weeks.

Once the "Tank incident" was covered virtually nothing controversial of note has happened. At this point I think we'd probably have a Sports Center lead story if someone left their fly open coming out of the can.

I'm glad that at least this year the main story for the Superbowl will be the football. Let's hope Prince doesn't have a wardrobe malfuntion.

Roman, so what if he called the media ignorant now vs. after the game vs. ever. You say that will just fuel the media to put more scrutiny on him but that just proves how ass backward the media is. Objectivity is something that has long been lost by the media. It's been replaced by the quest to get a shocking reaction by egotistical journalists that will bring the power of mass communication upon all that don't share the journalist's opinion.

Oh, by the way...GO REX, GO BEARS!

Well, I think most reporters are by definition ignorant or they'd be making news instead of reporting it. Sports reporters? just moreso. Like rex said, not in a bad way, just in the only way they know how. The real question is, are the reporters, and by extension their readers, still ignorant after covering and reporting a story? If so, then you've got a bigger problem. Maybe sensationalism, yellow journalism, bias, or even propaganda.

The super bowl is now more of a feature story than a sports story. What we need are more articles on dip, parties and attire!!! The sports story is dominated by the line, and that is set as much by perceptions as it is by who is the better team. Bears and the points are a very good bet. I hope the bears win and all the reporters write about the best commercials. Go Bears!!!!

Last Hour Super Bowl Pop-Quiz
(The following questions should be answered yes or no. The quiz can be taken pre and/or post game.)

1. Is this year's defensive team as good as the 1985 team?
2. Did the Bear defense dominate the Colt offense?
3. Did the Bear defense or special teams cause game changing/winning turnovers?
4. Did the Bear offense control the ball and keep the ball out of Peyton Manning's hands?
5. Did Rex Grossman effectively lead the offense and perform when the team needed him to win the game?

To borrow a line from the film Independence Day---"Time's up"

Who is ready to play?