By George Ofman
Hope you didn’t fall asleep after stuffing yourself with stuffing, and a little bit of turkey. Speaking of turkeys, who devised the rumor that Mike Martz would love to coach Jay Cutler? Didn’t he criticize his play earlier in the season and wasn’t he fired by then Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who happens to be underperforming as the Bears defensive line coach? Even Martz said of the rumor “Somebody is making this crap up.” Don’t serve this with yams.
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Ron Turner appeared oblivious to the rumors he might be out at the end of the season, claiming he’s only concentrating on the Vikings. Here’s something else to concentrate on; resumes.
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It wasn’t all that long ago the Blackhawks were as moribund a franchise as there was in sports. So look at them now. They had won eight straight games heading into today’s matinee at Anaheim. They’re near the top of the league in points, the fans are not only back but delirious and the franchise is worth 26 percent more than a year ago. All they need to do before the playoffs is stay health and keep a watchful eye on Cristobal Huet.
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How is it the Hawks are having no trouble navigating their circus trip while the Bulls look like month-old cotton candy. After yet another drubbing, this one at Utah, Luol Deng claims the team is battling uphill. Derrick Rose thinks it’s a lack of communication and Joakim Noah isn’t sure what the problem is. May I offer this word and go from there? TALENT!
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Omar Vizquel I understand. Andruw Jones is a bit of a stretch for me. But this is vintage Kenny Williams. He’s wanted both players for years. Vizquel agreed to a two-year contract several years ago, then the Giants offered him three and he bolted for the left bank. Jones was part of a rumored trade for Magglio Ordonez. Now both are with the Sox. Vizquel will turn 43 but is still a vital player who didn’t make a single error playing some second, short and third last season, and will be a mentor to some young Sox infielders. Jones will be 33 and needs a bat transplant. He can still hit homers (17 in 82 games at Texas last season) but he’s nowhere near the player he was with the Braves.
And then, ask yourself this question; How does a guy who averaged 32 homers and 97 RBI for seven years suddenly put together back-to-back years totalling 92 homers and 257 RBI, then drop to 26 and 94? Then he signs a two-year, $36 million deal with the Dodgers and breaks down? Go ahead; ask yourself the question. I’ll bet most of you come up with the same answer.
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Is it fair to say Jimmie Johnson belongs in the same breath with Tiger Woods and Roger Federer?
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When it rains, it pours. C.J. Fiedorowicz had committed to Illinois. This guy was rated the top tight end in the nation, according to guru analyst Tom Lemming. Then he watched Ron Zook’s offense, which seldom passes to the tight end. So Fiedorowicz decided to back out of his commitment and declared for Iowa. Is Zook simply a passenger in the ocean liner being captained by Charlie Weis?
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By the way, will the Irish simply hand the job to Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly and get it over with? PLEASE?
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Gotta love Brett Favre. He’s playing Brutus to Jay Cutler’s Caesar. Favre praised the Bears QB to the hilt this week, saying he is better than he was at age 26; he’s damn good and the Bears are better off with him than without. Sunday, Cutler will exclaim, “Et tu Brett” while the Vikings destroy him and his teammates.
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Allen Iverson is retiring. That should put to rest the dopes who actually wanted to see the Bulls sign this self-centered lug.
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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 November 27, 2009