Open competition for quarterback. That's the best Chicago Bears news I've heard in a long time. Lovie Smith has decided to let Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman battle it out for top dog in this year's training camp. I'm excited. Aren't you?

This will be a nice change of pace for Chicago, as they typically have a dead-set starter going into camp, even if they don't annouce it. For a team that hasn't had a pro-bowl (or even solid, for that matter) NFL QB in quite some time, that's borderline ridiculous. Battling it out should enable the best signal-caller to come out on top when the regular season starts. This will put the Bears in the best position to win right off the bat, as the survivor should be battle-tested before the season even begins.

Honestly though, the Bears need another quarterback. They need an actual proven veteran. Brian Griese was not proven, at least not for the few years before his Chicago stop. He sat on the bench too long and slipped into uselessness as we watched Rex implode. What a waste of that good money we paid him.

Continue reading "Chicago Bears Quarterbacks and I"

As Kobe and the gang put the finishing touches on their astounding 4-1 series victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, I began to wonder "Could Detroit or Boston really beat L.A.?"

Watching the Celtics wrap up their series against the Pistons in six made me realize: No. They can't. As much as I respect Boston's accomplishments this season, I can't help but think they're going to fall short in the finals. The reason?

The Lakers' role players. They're simply better than what Boston can offer. Compating top three to top three, Kobe beats Paul Pierce easily, Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett are comparable in how they contribute to their team (KG's got the edge on defense), and Lamar Odom versus Ray Allen is a win for Odom judging from recent performances. Allen's shot has been spotty in the playoffs. He had solid games five and six, but 3-10 and 2-8 nights won't get it done against the Lakers. Odom doesn't always have to put up points, he rebounds and assists well, and is a constant match-up problem off the dribble.

Continue reading "Kobe and the Lakers; are the finals over already?"

It's shocking to me that the Bulls and Doug Collins haven't gotten together yet. It's as though owner Jerry Reinsdorf bought Collins a drink, chatted him up, then got his phone number, and then puts in a few calls without asking him on a date. It's a good thing there aren't many other suitors, otherwise Doug would have moved on by now.

The Bulls are interviewing every candidate under the sun it seems. At this point their focus has been on successful assistant coaches. This is probably because they're looking to hire one of them with the understanding that they'll eventually succeed Collins as head coach. While this is a solid idea, it does keep the Chicago Bulls focused on coaches and not on what to do with their number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft. That's a decision that the Bulls cannot afford to misfire on, as it could haunt them for years.

Continue reading "What are the Bulls waiting for?"

I have to say I'm a little underwhelmed. How do the Bulls really justify their selection of Vinny Del Negro as head coach? Mike D'Antoni has an impressive record from his time in Phoenix. He, along with Steve Nash, brought that team up from the cellar of the NBA to one of its elite teams. Doug Collins had at least a variety of head coaching experiences and has a grasp on how he likes to run teams.

Vinny Del Negro, however, has neither. He's never coached a team on any level. One more time for those of you that didn't read it correctly: He's never coached a team on ANY level. Not even an assistant head coach on a high school junior varsity team. That fact is worrisome to say the least. He was an assistant GM in Phoenix for one season, then apparently decided he could coach and dropped his name in the Phoenix coaching lottery. The Bulls then brought him in for a reportedly two day interview late in their search, and decided to hire him a short time later.

Continue reading "And the Bulls pick...Del Negro?"

What a sad story Cedric Benson turned out to be, along with being a total bust. The 4th overall pick that showed all the traits to be an every-down back in this league while he was at Texas. When he wasn't injured (which was often)he even showed flashes of greatness as he backed up Thomas Jones during the Bears run to the Super Bowl. The pieces fell into place for Cedric as he was handed the starting job on a plate.

My, how one's luck can turn. He had a very mediocre last season with the Bears, rushing for a paltry 674 yards at 3.4 yards a carry. He managed to get in arrested twice over the offseason, which is half as many rushing touchdowns as he scored last season. Impressive Cedric, most impressive. GM Jerry Angelo obviously didn't share my sarcastic sense of humor. Anyone reading his comments could tell he was incensed at Cedric's utter lack of intelligence in his situation. And thus he decided to take action and send a message to his team as well as the whole NFL.

Continue reading "Bears to Benson: See ya!"