Omar Vizquel Signs with White Sox- 1 yr. $1.75 Mil

Genius signing. Ramirez needs to learn to play that position with more consistency. Beckham will be learning to turn the double play from a master, and Vizquel will add leadership to a somewhat quiet infield, if you don't count AJ. During late innings he will be a great defensive replacement that you wouldn't be afraid to let swing the bat in extra innings. Congrats Kenny on another smart move.

When Too Much Is Not Enough: Eagles 24, Bears 20

I have never really seen a Bears team like this. The god send with a rocket arm, Jay Cutler, looked ordinary, tentative, and frustrated. I realize that not every pass is going to be completed, but on at least three separate occasions Cutler missed wide open receivers for touchdowns. What I thought we were getting in Cutler was a superstar IN THE MAKING, and with the weapons he currently has, I had a feeling that it would take even longer. Tonight, those weapons seemed to be doing their job, and Cutler was really underwhelming. He looked disinterested, lacking in team effort, but most importantly, average.

Matt Forte took a back seat as far as running back highlights, especially with his 2.4 yards per carry. Kahlil Bell, a fill in, from the practice team, ran the first ball he has ever carried on the NFL level, 72 yards. Of course, this lead to another FG for the Red Zone Anemic Bears, but perhaps he can contribute for the remainder of the season.

I am sad that meaningful football has come to an end for the Bears before Thanksgiving, but I hope that this shines a light on so many of the Bears issues. The general manager, Lovie, and especially Ron Turner all need to have a strong post season once over. I do not feel that any coach could take this team, as it is currently comprised, to the promise land, but I fear how the future of this team will be constructed under this very small minded regime.

Onward and upward Bears fans. That Denver pick keeps getting better and better each year. Sigh.

BEARS PREVIEW!!!!!!! (Not very excited. Just looking for a reason to use exclamation point. They really make the blog pop!)

Bears vs. Eagles. I would have told you four months ago that this would be a huge game. HUGE! Now it is just a step closer to the end of a horrible season. Thank God for that.

I want to see 4 things tonight. 4!

1. Gaines Adams, our 2010 2nd Round Pick on the damn field.

2. Devin Aromashoudo (no idea), a WR with height, that Cutler has asked for, on the damn field.

3. THE SCREEN PASS. Run the damn thing until it stops working. (See game in SF for details)

4. Some semblance of a pass protection so the one guy I want to see on this team next season doesn't die.

Eagles 23 - Bears 17

Hawks 5, Oilers 2: Circus Trip of a Different Color

Hawks continue a very successful Circus Trip in Edmonton. Jonathon Toews had 2 goals and an assist, and Patrick Kane added a goal and an assist. The contract bound Kane and Toews have been on fire as of late, and the Hawks have a 6 game winning streak going into Vancouver to face the Canucks on Sunday night.

Until I learn more about this sport, I am keeping it to the stats. Anyone willing to help me figure Hockey out, please let me know.

Sorry for the Delay: Quick Saturday Recap

Bulls got toasted last night by the Nuggets, 112 - 93. The Bulls, led OFFENSIVELY by Derrick Rose with 28 points and 6 boards, played lousy defensively down the stretch. After leading by as many as 17 in the first quarter, the Bulls had a narrow 3 point lead at the half. That lead was gone before you could say "Ringling Brothers." The Bulls looked flat, and even though Rose had a quality offensive night, he needs to step it up on defense. He was scorched all night by JR Smith and Ty Lawson. Noah's streak of double doubles was broken, but Taj Gibson picked up the slack with 9 points, but 13 big rebounds. The Circus Trip continues on Monday in Portland. I am guessing more of the same will travel to Oregon until this team gets reliable scoring and in a hurry.

Hawks 7, Flames 1: Help Me Understand

The title doesn't really explain my point. First of all, congrats to the Hawks for an impressive team win and a huge 2nd Period. Now that that is out of the way, I don't understand the ins and outs of hockey. I am trying. I enjoy going to Hawks games. I sort of like watching it on TV, and I certainly enjoy the way that the Hawks run their franchise and raise young talent, but I don't understand enough about Hockey to appreciate the beauty of what I am watching on TV or from Section 216.

I am open to any tips followers have. Help me understand hockey. Help me understand why it is important to still pummel one another. Help me realize why they give out stars, like first grade teachers, to players who just got done beating the crap out of one another.

Anyhow. Keep your ears to the ground for new contracts for Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews. John McDonough is a marketing genius, so I am guessing that all the red carpets will be out for this one, once the circus leaves and our teams are allowed back home.

Lakers 108, Bulls 93. Wasn't that close.

Derrick Rose looked like the guy I remember from last year. Joakim Noah had another double-double. Too bad it all happened once the Bulls were down 20 and Jordan Farmer was letting Kobe catch his breathe.

I will have a full report tomorrow, but I will leave you with these questions. Where was Salmons in the second half? Where does Luol go and hide against big time opponents? He must be hiding all that talent the same place Greg Olsen is hiding all of that potential he is supposed to have.

Talk tomorrow.

The Circus Continues

The Bulls are missing something. I can’t put my finger on it, oh yeah I can, they need a consistent scorer, most probably one that can post up with his back to the basket. Where have I heard this before? 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,……. You see where this is going.

Derrick Rose isn’t the player he was this time last season, although if you read the article located on the left hand side of this lovely blog, he plans on turning that around tonight against the Lakers Rose’s numbers show the signs of a sophomore slump, or perhaps a lingering injury. This has yet to be determined, but three less points a game and one less assist will not be tolerated by this fan base the remainder of the season. After that Boston series last year, expectations have never been higher for this group of veterans and youngsters.

Joakim Noah has been a surprise to everyone this season. A double-double machine is not what anyone thought Noah was going to become when we saw that Colonel Sanders/Bozo the Clown act at the draft, but I think the effort he has put in during the off-season has really paid off. Leading the NBA in rebounding in his third season, having a double double in nine out of his first ten games, and to quote John Salmons, being the “glue” that keeps this team together, are all amazing accomplishments by a young player who was once suspended by his own teammates.

Tonight’s game will be a test for the “Circus Trip” Bulls. Kobe and the Lakers, even though they have had a few hiccups along the way, have been strong at home. Gasol’s return to the floor tonight, Bynum’s averaging 20 and 10, and of course Kobe’s ability to drop 40 on you at any time, are just a few of the reasons that tonight most likely will not end well for this “scrappy” Bulls team. Chicago has been getting by on horrible shooting, by playing gritty defense for 4 quarters. This Lakers team often does the same thing, except with premier talent on the offensive end. I am sure that we will see another strong night from Noah, but as for the rest of the team, you never can tell. Will Salmons be 9 -18 from the field, or 1 – 12. I guess we hide and watch.

I will leave you with this little nugget. Unless someone becomes a consistent threat from the outside, Rose will never have a lane to drive through. He has no where to go once he finds that extra gear, if everyone has abandoned their man to triple team Rose. Shooters, who actually shoot, open the floor and give Rose the chance to do what he was brought here to do. That pick and pop game he has with Miller only lasts so long, and quite frankly too much time with Miller on the court costs us defensively.

My pick: Lakers 102, Bulls 89

Heilman Traded to the Diamondbacks

The often hittable, and local native, Aaron Heilman was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two A - AA players. I like this move by Hendry. Probably saves us some money, and I think that Caridad and Berg proved that they can pretty much handle Heilman's duties. Safe travels Aaron.

Grabow Signs: Two Years, $7 million

Via Bruce Levine, Paul Sullivan, and others, John Grabow has signed with the Cubs for 2 years, roughly $7 million. I do not understand this move at all. If Hendry feels that this pen needs veteran depth, maybe I can be swayed, but once again I think he outbid himself for an average lefty reliever with control issues. Lou loves playing the match-ups and this guy's numbers were better against RH hitters than LH, so from a Pinella vantage point, I am very confused. There have been rumors (via MLBTraderumors) that the Cubs could be players for Billy Wagner, but this move probably takes them out of that equation. Marmol will be the closer, and Grabow probably sets up. We all know about Marmol's on again - off again control problems, so setting him up with a loogy who averaged 5.1 BB per 9 innings is confusing. Esmalin Caridad and Justin Berg, both who showed promise at the end of last season, should see some work next season. This may remove some of the pressure that otherwise would have been placed on Grabow's ahoulders.

An entire season of being a Cub should be interesting for a guy who has made most of his living pitching for the no pressure, no expectations Pirates.

Welcome!!!

My name is Andrew Ferguson; I am a die hard Chicago sports fan. I have always looked for a place to chat about more than just the Cubs or Sox, the Bulls or Bears. I wanted a place that anyone can vent about their favorite Chicago team. I will voice my opinions, hope to hear yours, and along way we all might learn even more about these teams that we are so passionate about.

As far as my favorite teams are concerned, if you stick around long enough, it won't take you very long to figure that out. I am not a rumor mill, so if you are looking for who will be catching some of those Cutler picks next season, I am not the place. If you want to share any of the rumblings or grumblings that you hear along the way, feel free, but make sure you give the sources their due.

Feel free to talk about whatever sports you choose, no matter the season. I know what it feels like during the harsh Chicago winters to pine away for the "Boys of Summer". And, when training camp starts in the summer, you want football so bad those pre-season games seem almost meaningful.

Last but not least, have fun. Treat one another with respect. Remember that fan is short for fanatic, so we are all a little off.