Smith: Grossman still is Bears’ quarterback

Let the fans boo and the critics ramble. Chicago Bears Coach Lovie Smith refused to budge Monday. He’s sticking with Rex Grossman as his starting quarterback.

A day after the Bears wrapped up their second consecutive NFC North title, Grossman’s lowly performance in the Bears’ 23-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday was still the main topic. A 1.3 quarterback rating and three more interceptions increased the clamoring for a change to veteran Brian Griese.

Grossman’s shaky outing took the edge off clinching a playoff spot and left many wondering if he could return to the way he played the first five weeks of the season instead of continuing on his present course.

“We are not making a change.... Rex didn’t play as well as he needed to yesterday. It was a bad game for us, bad game for Rex,” Smith said.

*

St. Louis Rams tight end Dominique Byrd, a rookie from USC, was accused of hitting a bar patron in the face with a drinking glass.

Byrd was charged with second- and third-degree assault and armed criminal action. His bond was set at $25,000, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office said.

Byrd’s lawyer said his client had posted bail and would plead not guilty.

Police said a 30-year-old man was treated for cuts to the face after allegedly being struck by Byrd, who was cut on his right hand.

*

Cincinnati Bengals rookie receiver Reggie McNeal was arrested in Houston and charged with resisting arrest after being refused entrance to a nightclub early Sunday. McNeal is the seventh Bengal arrested this year.... A judge in Columbus, Ohio, dismissed misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and assault filed against Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes.

*

Buffalo starting linebacker Angelo Crowell is expected to be out for the season because of a broken left leg. Crowell was injured in the Bills’ 24-21 loss to San Diego on Sunday.... Denver fullback Cecil Sapp will sit out the rest of the season because of a broken left leg, but linebacker Al Wilson could return to practice this week after injuring his neck in the Broncos’ 23-20 loss to Seattle.... Nick Novak, who made only five of 10 field-goal tries this season, was cut by the Washington Redskins.

From the Associated Press

*

The NFL said that the kickoff for the Chargers’ home game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 17 has been moved to 5:15 p.m. so that it can be televised in prime time on the East Coast by NBC. It will be the Chargers’ third appearance this season on NBC’s Sunday night series.

*

NBC studio analyst Jerome Bettis was replaced by Marshall Faulk on Sunday because of the death of Bettis’ father, Johnnie, 61, Nov. 28 after a heart attack.

-- Larry Stewart