The Bears signed free-agent Lance Briggs to a 6 year deal with $13 million guaranteed. That makes Lance a man who can buy a heck of a lot of SUV's if he wants.  Hey, he can open his own dealership or buy one! Got to think of what to do with the big bucks. Oh, by the way, you have to play tough Bears D, Lance, that is part of the deal. And, in doing so, you may be able to bolster a defense that sagged last season. Urlacher was playing hurt, and teams ran on the Bears without fear, something that didn't happen in recent seasons.  It's been a hallmark of the Bears D, that you couldn't run on them. But last season, backs pushed the Bears around.

Hopefully, this will stop.  Some people have to stand up. With this signing, it insures that Briggs will be back bashing people. He's a happy Bear, or at least a happier Bear. And, he needs some young, tough hungry Bears to play with, so they, collectively, can scare opposing runners in the backfield. I'm looking forward to seeing sacks, runners stopped in their tracks, interceptions, a defender running with the ball, and protected with a posse of players. That's what I want to see. A Happy Briggs can bring that about. Eat well, Lance. Go into Hibernation for a few months. We'll see you in the Spring.  

Continue reading "Bears Bolster Defense with Briggs signing"

Brett Favre held a press conference and said he knows he can still play, but felt he was "mentally tired" and he said he didn't want to play, to go through the grueling process of mentally preparing for a new season. 

You know, he is a great competitor, a "warrior" on the football field. What happens, when he is left alone, spends time with his family? Takes time off for himself. Tools around in his hometown in Mississppi, goes on a vacation. He finds that the wounds of this past season have healed. The memories of losing to the NY Giants in OT in frigid Lambeau Field perhaps will have faded, and he remembers the interception he threw in OT, to give the ball back to NY, who capitalized and won a thrilling NFC title game. 

It takes a strong man, to step back and say, "You know, that's it." There will be a battle ahead for Favre, when he has healed from being "mentally burned out." Then he will have another decision to make. "Should I come back?" Comeback.  It is not far-fetched.

Continue reading "Favre Packs It In?"

Last time I looked at the standings, the Chicago Bulls were a game out of the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. With over a month of regular season games until the second season begins, which is the NBA playoffs, The Bulls have not only a good shot at finishing 8th, but could catch Philadelphia for the 7th seed. The Bulls have a simple formula: win games. Win the games you are supposed to win, and beat some good teams on the road. After all, that's what playoff teams do.

I think this is doable. The Bulls really needed scoring punch and Larry Hughes is coming through very nicely. He has put up nice offensive numbers in his outings, Drew Gooden gives the team strong production for his minutes. He scores, makes passes, and rebounds.

And, Noah is playing exceptional in recent games. He had a career high 20 rebounds versus Cleveland the other night, with 13 points. He seems more relaxed and seems to fit into the Bulls system.  It appears he just wanted a chance to show what he can do. With Wallace's departure, the Bulls look for Noah to be a force on the glass. And, he has really responded.

Continue reading "Bulls Have Good Shot At Playoffs"

The Chicago Bulls had a big lead in the 4th Quarter last night and allowed Philadelphia to outscore them 40-20 in the final frame, to toss away a game they should have won.

If the Bulls do not make the post-season, they will look back at this game, and say,"We could have won that game." I hope it doesn't come that that. But, when you are up by 18 points early the 4th quarter, there is no way you should lose that game.

I don't know, Chicago used to be have a tough, aggressive defense, and when ahead, would not lose this game, Oh, that's when Michael Jordan played.  I forgot. Actually, last season, at this time of the year, they would have won this game. But, every season and every team is different. Heck, every game is different with these guys.

Continue reading "Bulls Blew One at Home"

The Bulls are 15 games below .500. They have 13 games left on the schedule. And, are 3 games out of the 8th team in the Eastern Conference.

In other words, the Bulls have their work cut out for them. It's plain as a clear day. They face the improved Atlanta Hawks at home tonight, and have to win this game. Then, on Wednesday night, they go on the road to play Philadelphia in another important game. That would be payback time, for the game they let slip away, losing 110-106 at home. Basically, these are must win games for the Bulls. They could pass the Pacers who play at New Orleans tonight. They are a half-game behind Indiana. A win over the Hawks gets them going in the right direction.

This team has been a yo-yo all season. Perhaps certain players don't have their heads in the season anymore. There has been all this talk about not signing contracts...becoming a restricted free-agent. Your value will get better if your team goes to the playoffs.

Continue reading "Bulls Need to Win. Period."

Drew Gooden came to the Chicago Bulls in a late season trade and has been a solid contributor. He has scored, rebounds the ball, and plays adequate defense. Tonight he scored 31 points and lead the Bulls to a key win over the Hawks, who were last seen flying over some tree tops.

Bulls had to have this win. They pass the Pacers in the fight for the final playoff berth and now have their sights on the New Jersey Nets. They just have to keep fighting and winning. The Bulls got solid play from the starters and Ben Gordon.

Now, the biggest game of the season is at Philadelphia where the memory of their recent game with Philly can't be that faded--not enough time has passed--and that will help "spur" the Bulls on as they need this road win badly.  It's the playoffs to get into the playoffs.

Continue reading "Bulls Win Means Gooden Has the Goods"

It's the weekend before the major league season starts, which means, in Chicago, fan fever runs hot, while the weather is freezing. There is a lot of shout-out about the Cubs this season.  Kerry Wood has been lights out in spring training as a closer. After all these years, 1. He appears healthy. 2. The Cubs have finally found a role for him. He has blazing speed and can strike out anyone in the league in 3 straight pitches. If he holds up, the Cubs will be a contender. They need to get to the 8th or 9th inning with a lead. Now, let's see that happen! But seriously, with the arrival of Fukodome, the Japanese import, the Cubs will have more power in their lineup, dangerously full of hitters: Soriano, Lee, Ramirez. If these guys hit, then it will be fun to go to Wrigley to see a game, and not to be seen.  One game l went to during the summer, I went to buy a beer an a social broke out.  Put on some music and you could have held a dance!  Ah, it's great to see the green ivy line the outfield wall.

Continue reading "Everyone is picking the Cubbies"