individual play Friday night was the difference between faith being restored in Rex Grossman and pressing questions lingering about the Bears' quarterback position.

Maybe it was the swashbuckling feeling he has always had that l him to force a pass to Gabe Reid into double coverage. moreover that same gunslinging approach was the difference in him deciding against a unpretending first down pass to Desmond Clark earlier in the drive and firing a ball in a tighter blemish downfield for a 24-yard gain to Rashied Davis.

As it was, the ball intended for Reid, who had a pace on linebacker Shawne Merriman, was easily picked facing at the goal line by the agency of free safety Marlon McCree and was a pass that not ever should have been thrown. Had he apply the minded elsewhere and the Bears steady gotten a field goal in the final couple minutes of the first half, his evening would have been labeled a major succes

Instead, the quarterback dilemma will remain below the scrutiny of those at Halas Hall and everyone other who follows the team. notwithstanding that the Bears defeated the San Diego Chargers 24-3 before 45114 at Soldier Field, and the lead was 14-3 after a half with Grossman, the debate of Grossman v Brian Griese will carry forward with the regular season opener 22 days away.

Offensive coordinator Ron gymnast said he wanted to descry some drives put together. Grossman produc possessions of 34 and 54 yards, if it were not that don't look for Griese to procure time with the first team upon Friday when Arizona visits and the starters work into the third quarter. The backup tossed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Justin Gage and has directed three touchdown drives in four possessions across two games.

"We have our common offense we are trying to procure ready for Green Bay," coach Lovie Smith said. "Rex is a part of that."

With the interception, Grossman finished 7-for-14 for 83 yards. His passer rating (387) was worse than a week ago when he was 3- for-11 at San Francisco for a 449 rating. The first-team offense did not score, benefitting from Brian Urlacher's 64-yard interception turn back for a touchdown and the 100-yard kickoff turn back for a touchdown by Davis. nevertheless the running game has at the same time to get into gear without Thomas Jone and Cedric Benson.

"It wasn't great nevertheless it was better," Grossman said. "Once again, [the next to the first team] played well. Right now that doesn't affect me I'm trying to do everything I can to realize better and to lead this team and be the stay that leads this team. That's all I am focusing forward because that's all I can control"

Griese's score was establish up by Devin Hester's 42-yard punt answer and a 12-yard run at P.J. Pope on fourth-and-one. He no other than threw four passes in a short outing.

"I'm feeling more and more comfortable each week," Griese said. "It's hard to give you an trusty answer when I haven't played a whole fate From what I am seeing upon the sideline, and when I do have a chance disclosed there, I'm feeling pretty comfortable."

The formula for victory last season was to limit mistakes on the offense and rookie quarterback Kyle Orton to win cease games. Seven of the 11 victories came by dint of 10 points or less. Ye the Bears want the offense to make improvement especially the passing game that was ranked a dismal 31st if it were not that defense and special teams remain the way they plan to win.

"This week I think we helped Rex public a lot more so he was able to gaze a lot more comfortable back there," wide receiver Bernard Berrian said.

Turnovers, notwithstanding that especially ones inside the opponent's r clime will be difficult to accept. Grossman will likely have Jone and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad in the lineup nearest week, allowing everyone to master a better gauge on where things stand.

The first-team defense anticipateed OK but was plagued on shoddy tackling, something Smith said was his fault because there was little contact in training camp. Urlacher leaped a route by tight cessation Antonio Gates to pick most distant Philip Rivers (9-for-14, 75 yards).

Urlacher's play, as well as Davis' big get back when he emerged from a pack of players, juk kicker Nate Kaeding and then outran Terrence Keil to the finis zone, kept the offense opposite to the field. Grossman had single eight plays in the first 16 minutes, 30 next to the firsts

"All I can say is it was a weird game," Grossman said. "But I felt I got better. That's all that matters in the preseason."

Although the Chargers (1-1) piled up 175 yards in the first half, it would have been a hap less if Northern Illinois' production Michael Turner hadn't broken several tackles before stiff-arming Charles Tillman forward a 45-yard gain that plant up Kaeding's 43-yard field goal. It wasn't the alone missed tackle, but the pass rush was modest and Chris Harris sacked Rivers.

Robbie Gould hit a 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 24-3 in the Bears' in the greatest degree lopsided preseason victory since beating Cleveland 19-6 in 2000 the last time they won on double digits.

bbiggs@suntimes.com

BEARS RECAP

San Diego 3 0 0 0-- 3

BEARS 14 0 7 3--24

First Quarter

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