Bears set Grossman’s off-season program

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears starting quarterback Rex Grossman is looking to bounce back this season after a disappointing showing in Super Bowl XL.

The coaching staff hopes to use this off-season to develop the QB’s arm and avoid what they call jump ball-itis - the practice of throwing high-arching passes that force the receiver to slow down and attempt to out-jump their defender.

When no conventional football methods were working, the Bears decided to go off the beaten path in search of a solution. They found their answer in the heart of Wrigleyville, and it is simply referred to as “the towel drill.”

Chicago Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild has had his pitchers using the towel drill, and has seen immediate results.

“I think the towel drill was largely responsible for the success our staff had last year. Mark Prior found it particularly beneficial, and his record surely reflected that,” Rothschild said.

Prior finished 2006 with a 1-6 record, and sources inside the Cubs clubhouse say the only thing separating him from a winless season was the towel drill.

“If I can have the kind of career Mark Prior has had here in Chicago… I mean, wow. I would do whatever it takes,” Grossman said in a phone interview. “He’s been the model of consistency and reliability for a team that has had its trouble over the years – I’d like to be able to do the same for my squad.”

Grossman went on to say that, in private conversations, Prior told him the towel drill was the key to his success. Training begins next weekend with a hand towel, but the Bears hope to have Rex step up to a beach or bath towel by April.

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!