Mannings Defend Bears' QB

"He can't win the Big Game."

"He always chokes when the game matters."

"He's great during the regular season, but can't win in the playoffs."

No, these comments aren't about Bears' QB Rex Grossman, although they could be. They're actually referring to Colts' QB Peyton Manning, who until this postseason, had received his own share of criticism about his (in)ability to lead his team to the Super Bowl. It's no wonder that both he and his father Archie have defended the much-maligned Grossman these past few days. Manning has been in his shoes.

Manning finally beat his nemesis, the New England Patriots, several weeks ago to reach the promised land in Miami. It only took him nine years in the NFL. Manning is 30 years old.

Grossman has a long way to go, but at age 26, he has already achieved something that Manning could only dream of at the same age -- playing in the Super Bowl. Contrary to many naysayers, Grossman has won a Big Game -- the NFC title game over the Saints two weeks ago, which the Bears won 39-14.

Yes, the Bears QB played horribly in front of 93 million TV viewers. But being the eternal optimist that I am, my guess is that he will learn from this experience and become a better quarterback in the long run, even if it means meeting with a sports psychologist to get there.