Bears need to overhaul quarterback roster in 2007

	The Bears survived Rex Grossman's spotty play this season to reach the Super Bowl, but they may not defend their NFC crown without some more options under center next year. Bob Rosato/SI
	MAILBAG Peter King will answer your questions each week in Monday Morning Quarterback: Tuesday Edition. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Well, the cup, and my e-mail bag, runneth over with rancor on public enemy number one in Chicago in the wake of the Bears' Super Bowl loss. Let's first give you my view of what the Bears should do at quarterback in 2007, because I don't think they can go to training camp with Rex Grossman, Brian Griese and Kyle Orton and think they've done everything they could do to win. In order of preference, I think the Bears should do one of the following:

1. Offer Houston a second-day draft pick for David Carr, who has no future there. Carr won't be able to revive his career in Houston. Too many bad memories in 2006 that coach Gary Kubiak can't get out of his mind. Carr needs a new start. Let him compete with Grossman and Griese, and may the best mediocre quarterback win.

2. Sign Jeff Garcia in free-agency. Promise him the starting job, with an asterisk -- that the leash won't be long.

3. Do not sign Grossman long-term. Bad strategy. Make him earn a new deal in 2007, the last year on his contract.

4. Wait for the Broncos to cut Jake Plummer. If that doesn't appear likely to happen this offseason, do the same thing you would done for Carr, only make it a sixth- or seventh-round pick. If not, go with a lesser veteran like Damon Huard in free-agency.

5. Draft Troy Smith with the 31st pick in the first round. The Heisman winner, who was terrible in January bowl games, will have lots to prove.

Now onto your e-mails.

GO WITH GARCIA. From Steven Bonney, of Lacrosse, Wis.: "Jeff Garcia might not be good in the long run, but as we have seen, the Bears are ready now. This team could be truly scary with Garcia at the helm.''

Scary, no. More competent, yes.

STICK WITH GROSSMAN. From Mike Schrader, of Iowa City, Iowa: "Being that this was Grossman's first full season, is there no chance for improvement? It took Manning, Elway, Favre, and Aikman numerous years of playing until they won the Super Bowl. I think for a quarterback's first full season, Grossman did well.''

Agreed. But the Bears are a team built to win now, and you have to question a guy who made mistakes in key spots all season, and who threw two crucial interceptions in the fourth quarter of the biggest game of the year. I think he should return, but not without competition.

GOOD QUESTION. From John, of Flagstaff, Ariz.: "Have you ever asked Peyton Manning about the disturbing disability issues regarding former players? Isn't it going to take someone of his stature among the current players to get anything done on this? If he and Tom Brady can come together to fix the slick game ball issue, can't they work together to fix something really important?

With Manning's sense of league history and knowledge of his father's career and teammates', it seems that he could be the one current player needed to spearhead changes on this issue. I'd really like to hear his opinion on this. If he or someone else of his stature doesn't do something about this while they are active players, then they will be stuck with the Mike Ditkas and Carl Banks' of their world. Sincere, but ultimately ineffective.

John, I fear Manning, and most of the current players, would answer the question in a politically correct way. Particularly Manning, who is a league guy all the way. But the point you make is a great one -- until a player with some current juice makes this a cause celebre, I doubt it'll get as much attention as it deserves.