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Rex Grossman continues to handicap the Bears at quarterback and we want veteran Brian Griese to start.
Key points:
*Griese is a proven veteran, former Pro Bowl player and QB Rating Title holder (102.9) whose career was only slowed by injuries that are now remedied.
*Grossman’s QB Rating during last year’s Super Bowl run was only 73.9 and is currently a pitiful 55.1.
*Even Kyle Orton guided the Bears to an 11-5 record with his feeble 59.7 QB Rating in 2005 as a rookie.
*Grossman isn’t progressing, is in fact regressing, and the commitment to keep him in the starting role cost the Bears a shot at winning the Super Bowl last year.
*Griese is a winner who guided Michigan to an undefeated season and share of national championship, was named MVP of the Rose Bowl and upset Ohio State 3 times during his collegiate career.
*Grossman was a Heisman trophy runner-up but was unpredictable and didn’t secure a national championship.
*Griese has fared very well when “allowed” to play with a 3rd string line-up.
*It’s ridiculous the Bears don’t give Griese a shot to play let alone the starting role until Grossman demonstrates consistency and maturity.
*The Bears will not get to and win a Super Bowl on defense alone.
Bears fans are hard core and we can’t expect them to boycott the limited number of home games or stop drinking beer. However, if 10,000 fans refuse to purchase Bears merchandise everywhere and another 10,000 boycott all other beverages besides beer and all food at Solider Field until Griese starts I estimate the following effect on the Chicago Bears:
SOLDIER FIELD ("INSIDE") FOOD/BEVERAGE LOSS
*10,000 fans X $25 per person = $250,000
*$250,000 X 7 games = $1,750,000 loss
PLUS, the Bears rank 2nd in NFL-licensed merchandise $3.2 billion sales. Markshare isn’t readily available but if you assume the Bears have a 10% share with their 2nd place ranking and have a 50/50 split with the NFL they bring in $160 million from the sale of 3.2 million units based off a $50 average merchandise selling price.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE ("OUTSIDE") LOSS
*10,000 fans (<1/3 of one percent) boycott Bears merchandise
*10,000 fans X $50 per merchandise sales unit = $500,000 loss
The losses are material but, moreover, the publicity from this campaign will likely result in unwanted and heightened negative exposure for the Chicago Bears organization on a national basis influencing change. Think of Chicago sports personality Jay Mariotti promoting participation in his newspaper column and talk show.
Let’s make this happen by the October 14th home game against Minnesota or before!!!
Links: Brian Griese
Links: Bears Roster, Stats and Schedule
Links: Bears Ranked 2nd in Merchandise Sales
Links: 2004 $3.2 Billion NFL Merchandise Sales
