By George Ofman
Terrell Owens and Milton Bradley: Separated by birth?
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Rumors are usually exciting, intriguing, exhilarating and even . . . true! But the one having the Bears interested in perhaps obtaining the team wrecker from the Buffalo Bills was slightly intriguing, mostly stupid and not happening. Can we invent something more sensible such as “The Bears are trying to coax Jerry Rice out of retirement?” That ought to do it.
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I don’t want to see Rush Limbaugh get an NFL franchise. And I’m relieved someone in the fractured group trying to buy the Rams had the sense to drop him. Of course, they were total nitwits to consider him in the first place.
Did you really think NFL owners would have approved one of the most dangerous men in America if it ever got to that? Please! This was all about Limbaugh fueling his publicity machine. Unfortunately, it worked.
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Rush Limbaugh and Milton Bradley: Twin sons of different mothers?
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Notre Dame hosts USC again. The Trojans have won the last seven meetings by a combined scored of 284-95. Would it be hasty to suggest USC could score that many points this Saturday?
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If the Blackhawks proved anything Monday night, they can score and often. They fought back from a 5-nothing deficit to beat Calgary 6-5, the greatest comeback in the storied history of the franchise. What the game also proved is this team may need to find a goaltender worthy of the talent that surrounds him. Is Cristobal Huet French for sieve?
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The Cubs filed for bankruptcy. It happened through section 363 of the federal bankruptcy code. This is how the bankrupt Tribune Company planned to hand over the team to Tom Ricketts. A bankruptcy lawyer wrote “The parties who structured the sale of the Cubs and obtained the court’s approval of the sale process showed a great deal of imagination and creativity in the proposal they presented the court.” I’m dumbstruck! The Cubs have lost nine straight playoff games, haven’t won a pennant in 64 years or a World Series since 1908 yet they claim bankruptcy and get away with it. I say hire the judge in this case and make him team president!
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Rush Limbaugh and Terrell Owens: A couple of mothers?
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Do you feel the way I do about Sunday’s Bears game in Atlanta? It’s a trap game. Trap as in trap door. The Falcons offense is made for the Bears defense. It can run (Michael Turner), it can pass (Matt Ryan), it has a good offensive line and it just scored the most lopsided victory in the history of Candlestick Park where it beat the Golden Gate Bridge off the 49ers. And Sunday night’s game is in Atlanta, scene of last year’s disaster and in my estimation, one of the worst losses the Bears have incurred in decades. This is not a must win for the Bears playoff chances, but consider that the following week they play at Cincinnati, where Cedric Benson is smokin’. (Fine, sue me for that line). If the Bears split these games, they’re okay. If they win both, they’re better than okay. If they lose both . . . look out.
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The Bulls have lots of issues heading into a season without Ben Gordon but I remain a firm believer in Tyrus Thomas. I realize this kid (gee, I’m sounding more like Ozzie Guillen every day now) has some issues but there is a bundle of talent waiting to be unearthed. I really think he has the stuff of a 15-point, 10- rebound-a-game player. Then again, he acts like a $10 million talent with a 10-cent brain. Whether a guy like Vinny Del Negro can induce him into being a player remains to be seen. There have been trade rumors surrounding Thomas and if the Bulls feel they can get better dealing him, all the power to them. But it might behoove management to seriously consider letting him grow here. He has the potential to be an impact player and right now the Bulls possess only one of those, and that’s Derrick Rose.
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At what stage do Fighting Illini big wigs (boosters included) determine Ron Zook has the coaching ability of Rush Limbaugh? I think he’s already overstayed his welcome.
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In a related story, the Big Ten Conference cut a deal for fve New Year’s Day bowl games. The Fighting Illini is scheduled to compete in the “Going Nowhere Bowl” scheduled for January 2nd in Auburn, New York. It happens to be 399th and last on The Sporting News’ list of best sports cities in America.
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George Ofman, an original member of The Score and a veteran of NPR, has covered more than 3,500 sporting events over the course of his career. Comments welcome.
Posted on October 16, 2009