In the 16 game sprint that is the NFL, the four game mark represents a quarter of your season.  That's why if you are 1-2 after three games, game four becomes a must game.  This especially after being trounced on your home field the previous week and taking on a suddenly resilient arch rival in week five.  For the Chicago Bears, the future is now and now is the time for Lovie Smith to put Rex Grossman on the shortest leash ever.

I was aghast when the Bears drafted Rex in the first round.  I follow the SEC and I watched Rex do the same things at Florida that he does in Chicago.  He literally drove Darth Visor nuts. Yet, the Bears saw something in Rex, maybe his cocky demeanor, maybe his above average arm strength, maybe his bargain basement price point, that attracted them. They've invested in him, nurtured him and enabled him, even when most sensible people realize he may not be the guy. 

The time has come for Lovie to treat Rex like any other NFL quarterback (except maybe Tom Brady and the  aging hillbilly.)

I would start Rex against Detroit.  But at the first sign of the offense not moving, after the first throw into triple coverage resulting in an interception, at the first sign he can't pick up the defense, I yank him out of the game faster than you can say Harbaugh.  Maybe not forever, but I will sit his butt on my bench and give Brian Griese or Kyle Orton an opportunity to give it their best shot.

Think about it.  If a DB gets burned twice in a game, you usually pull him.  If an offensive lineman can't hold a block resulting in multiple sacks, you usually pull him.  Why is it then that it is so hard to pull an ineffective quarterback?  What I have always objected to is not the fact that Lovie is playing him, it's the fact that Lovie is his chief enabler. Like an only child who can do no wrong, Rex is not held accountable for his play.  Perhaps the fear of consequences, like riding the pine or not being signed to a contract extension may serve as a wakeup call.

The alternatives to Grossman, Griese and Orton do not exactly inspire confidence either.  But perhaps a new approach to the quarterback position will be the needed tonic to revive a stagnant offense.

With the defense is disarray due to injury, the Bears must find a way to make their offense self-sustaining.  If they don't, they can all gather in January and enjoy the playoffs at Rex's condo.

Lightning Round

• Thanks to the Baltimore Orioles, the White Sox have moved a game ahead of the Royals in the battle to keep out of the AL Central cellar.  The Sox magic number for fourth place is four.  If they sweep the Royals, it's over and they will not only avoid their first last place finish since 1989 but their first ever last place finish in the AL Central.  Look, I know nobody cares, but it's important to me that they don't finish last.  I sure as heck hope that it's important to them.
• Don Cooper is not happy with his pitching staff. Right now, amongst Sox coaches, there is more finger pointing going on that at a Brittney Spears custody hearing.
  
• Because of their poor finish, the Sox will get a high draft pick.  Maybe they can sign him.
• Mark Buehrle has something in common with the Dallas Cowboys: It was no contest when he met the Bears.
• In the NL Central, the Brewers, who are on life support, show a faint echo of brain wave remaining.  The Cubs magic number is four with six to play and a three game lead.  Unless the Cubs turn into the 1964 Phillies, they will most likely head to the playoffs.
• It's another episode of Milton Bradley, village idiot.
• It just keeps getting better for Houston Nutt during what looks to be like his final year at the helm of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
• It's nice to see that America likes football more that estrogen on steroids.
• If you think the Bears and Chargers have taken a tumble, meet the New Orleans Saints.
• 
  One thing about Alabama fans, they sure don't mess around.
• A tournament that gives new meaning to the phrase " Back door scoring."
• Exactly what the Pittsburgh Penguins hoped wouldn't happen in pre-season.
• The NHL, in an effort to make the penalty shot a regular feature at least three times a game because they think the fans like it, has made even more rule changes which limit player contact (which the fans actually like.  The contact I mean.)  This is like MLB torquing up the balk rule. 
  
• Oklahoma State Mike Gundy shows university mandated contrition for his outburst the other day.
• If you have a grandpa or father who fought in WWII, make sure you catch some of Ken Burn's epic "The War."  You already know the facts, it's the human side that is fascinating.
• How does crap like this happen?  Do we really want actors meeting with our enemies?  Who does Kevin Spacey think he is, Jesse Jackson?
• Don't have a mini-cow, man.
• When cheating on your wife, pay particular attention to who is about to receive your latest text message.
• She's a brick...house.  She's mighty, mighty, lets her endorsements hang out.
  
• STTNG turns twenty this week.  Engage.
• Today's List: SI's baseball power rankings.