They deserved It

Way back, when the Bulls were averaging 70 wins a season, we were watching them take on the Pacers- and the Bulls looked off. The whole game they looked like they were playing @ 70%, and although we were thinking they would win the game, Jackson made the remark that "maybe this is just one of those games they will lose." It just happens, sometimes - the best team on the court that nite wasn't the to be 87-13 Bulls champs, it was the Pacers. Last nite = No question, although the clear superior team the first 18 games of the season was the Patriots, it's now very clear that the best team for the last four games of the year was the Giants.

From the beginning of the Super Bowl, they were the better team. One kept waiting not only for New England to wake up from the stupor they were playing in the whole game but for the Giants to start to make mistakes that would take them out of the game. But the huge Giant drive in the first quarter made the statement : we're gonna play this down to the last second.

Although this wasn't as big a upset as the Jets in '69, I would rank it as the second biggest upset in SuperBowl history. The fact that the dynasty unbeaten Patriots were beaten to a team that many thought was , @ best, the third best team in the weaker conference.

Not anymore.

My two favourite moments in the game was the shot of the brother Manning up in the box seats celebrating his brothers 45 yard completion to Boss in the third quarter. One look and it was appearnt that he knew the giants had a chance, as long as plays like this were being made. And although I bring this up to show how the confidence was building on the Giants side as the game when on - hey, we can do this- I will freely acknowledge that I was more touched by the very obvious family love on display. Although his season was over, it was very obvious who he was pulling for. It wasn't his team playing, but you could see how invested in this game Peyton Manning was.

My other favourite shot was one of the Giants line before their final drive started. It was a quick shot, but you could see they were bucking each other up; and again, one could see the confidence. So, although I - along with 18 out of 18 reportes from dcs, The Sun Times, and the Tribune - picked New England to win it - by the time the Super Bowl Champs got the ball for their final drive, everyone was believing.

once more into the breach

One of the most reviled successful QB's- in terms of regular season winning percentage- is back @ the helm of the Bears. Welcome back Kyle Orten to taking snaps on the Bears. Since Rex came back in the last game of the year in 2005 to reclaim the starting job, Orten hasn't had a snap during a game that counts.

Although we know he was deeply over matched as a rookie in 2005, he did lead the Bears to a 10-5 record. However, he did so so comically that it is hard to take him seriously as a starter- or even as a third stringer. You think Rex looked bad when he is in the bad Rex mode? Shit, you'd have to tag Orten as Stunningly Shockingly Horrible Orten. But, two years later, he's back. And I, for one, welcome him back.


Oh, but there is a problem: there is still a season to go. I know that the Bears are 5-8, but they are only two games out of a playoff spot. Playing the third stringer- well, he's second on the depth chart rite now- means that the white flag is being raised. However, even though I am Diehard Hilts, I fully realise that this year the team is probably not gonna beat the Colts or Patriots, or even the Giants or the 1976 Tampa Bay Buc's, so I'm more than willing to give him a shot.

But: does he have a future in the NFL? He has worked in the Bears system for three years now, and there are a lot of familiar faces around him. Presumably he has grown - but we don't know. So, I will be interested Sunday, and not just during Hestertime. I have a feeling we are going to witness the second coming of Henry Burris- or, rather, the second coming of Kyle Orten- and I think we will get the same results.

I always felt bad for any of the Bears when they turn up laughingly bad. Hopefully he has used his two years in the wilderness to good effect. We'll see. I hope he stuffs it in my face and comes up with a decent game. It is baby Drax's first Bears game, after all.

Devin Hester, the next president of the United States of America

With a notable exception or two, the Bears looked like shit against the Broncos. Probably most alarming was the great gaps in the defense. Seven yard run here, 65 yard pass there, 432 yard run everywhere. The offense looked anemic as well- until the end. When Rex lost a fumble in the fourth with the Bears down 14, it surely looked over. Sometimes a team can hang around for an entire game even being outplayed, and deservedly win it in the end. I really can't say that in this game.

A clear chain of impossible events conspired to keep this season alive- for another week at least. Hall of Fames two kick returns for TD's were obvious points of divine intervention. The blocked punt. Adrian Peterson was stopped short of the goal line- but then the Bears' lines push wasn't whistled dead until the ball was in the end zone. And the final drive was kept alive with a ' very lucky to be called ' penalty on fourth down and one of the most spectacular and clutch touchdown catches in N.F.L. history by Bernard Berrian. And: nice pass, Rex- is this not a sign of God's help ??

And what are we to make of Hall of Fame? He had an NFL record six returns last year, plus another TD on the longest play in NFL history -the 108 yard missed field goal run back- and the KO return in the Super Bowl- the fastest points ever scored in the Super Bowl. That's eight last year - and four this year. He has more TD returns than Billie "White Shoes" Johnson and Gale Sayers. And his rate of TD/returns is the highest in NFL history. I believe that if he retired today, he should immediately be enshrined in Canton. What- there's ever been better??

More than anything, it was Hall of Fame that kept the patient alive. The Bears wanted to let it get away, but he brought them back. He didn't allow the Broncos get away. On the Tillman punt block, I thought right away that that ' fear of a Hester planet ' somehow made the block possible- later views on the Sunday nite recap shows shows that to be correct. It was way more than just him, but a supreme player elevates those around him. What time is Sunday's kickoff??

And the playoffs are still in reach. Waited forever for the Sox this past season, and am waiting still for the Bulls. But maybe just maybe they can stay alive this season and turn a corner. As it is, they are tied with six other teams at one game out of the wild card position. Many have said the Bears will have to win out, but It's possible nine wins will do.

The Giants are next. They are 7-4, but were just beaten by the Vikings. The Bears mite be able to do it next week. The Bears also have to play Green bay, who has only one loss (to the Bears) this year. The other games are winnable- but only if the Bears can start to win. They haven't won two games in a row this year, and nothing (other than miracles) suggests they can again. But there is still life.

HALL

OF

FAME

Gate D

Wonderful article- well, smutty wonderful- about the antics going on @ N.Y. Jets games @ the Meadowlands in N. J.. Yes, two sides to every story, but things like this always tickle me. They use the word 'harassment', so I do feel..................it was an interesting article to read.

I can remember women @ Comisky doing the same and being tossed. On the street, same. Now, where is the same section @ Soldiers Field?

Frankie Vegas' Picks Week 10

2nd Half Left. Time to dice up your guy.
If even Doug Buffone can slip in his percentages, no one is infallible.


Picks appear in blue.

NFL Sunday, Nov. 11

Indy -3.5 at San Diego
48.5 over

Chicago -3 vs. Oakland
38 over

Pittsburgh -10 at Cleveland LOCK!
47.5 under

Carolina -4 vs. Falcons
36 over

Dallas -1.5 NY Giants
49 under

Tennessee -4 vs. Jacksonville
35 over

Green Bay -6 vs. Minnesota LOCK! (buy a half point and win)
40.5 over

Baltimore -4.5 vs. Cincinnati
44.5 under LOCK!

New Orleans -11.5 vs. St Louis
46.5 under

Washington -3 vs. Philadelphia
38 under

Arizona -1 vs. Detroit
45 under

Monday, Oct. 29

Seattle -10 vs. San Francisco
39.5 over

The minute fiftyseven drill

Only watched the second half of the Bears game, but liked several things from what I saw.

The defense held. Although Philly got a T.D. late, the defense didn't fall apart in the second half. It was a tough game, but they held their own till the end.

Cedric Bensen looked like he was a running back in the second half. he was running with spirit and hitting the holes. Final stats indicate only 46 yards on 17 carries and one catch for 19 yards (terrible), but I like the way he looked running.

The "anti Hester policy" deployed by teams to avoid kicking to him. He was become such a World Historical Force in football these past 22 games or whatever that teams have finally started to avoid him completely in the kicking game. He had no returns at all- but for the Bears, it wasn't all bad= when they kick to avoid Hester, invariably the Bears got great field position. I love to watch Hester run, so that sucked- but getting the ball on the 4o was great too. It'll be offset a bit by his continued and growing use in the offense. When he knows all the plays by heart (give'm some time!), he'll be silly dangerous on every play. We're lucky we have him.

Gotta love the winning drive. The Eagles have a pretty good D, and it was a relief to see the offense MOVE when it HAD TO. Great confience in Griese that was missing from Rex.

Dicey win, but something to build on.

ARRRRRGH !!!

Well, they didn't look so bad that first half, did they?

What worries me most is the beating up of the defense in the second half. I'm used to Rex being, well, Rex: but even though the Bears struggles the first two games, the D held up.

But, and I hate to say it: they looked like a beaten team that was deserving of the 3TD + beatdown. W/ 10m left, they looked like they wanted to quit. The last ten minutes were all quit.

And the injuries. The entire 53 man roster will be out in 3.4 weeks, @ the present rate. Nitemare!! Key players lefat and center and rite, all shipped off to the hospital. And I haven't really even brought up Rex.

REX!! Fuck, I have no clue. I'm always a "Let'm try, he'll work it out!" If I had my tepid way, Bobby Douglas would still be the Bears starter. However, I'm not sure greasycat is the answer anymore than Rex.

we'll see next week, now not expecting the Bears to win but hoping some miricles come our way.

Yeesh!!

Frankie Vegas' Picks Week 1

Okay here goes winners:
Already picked Indy -6 and the under (53) agaist New Orleans...so batting 1000 to start. Here is this weeks action:

Picks appear in blue.

NFL Sunday, Sep 9

Dallas -6 NY Giants
44 under

Denver -3 Buffalo
37 under

Houston -3 Kansas City
37 1/2 over

Jacksonville - 6 Tennessee
38 under

Minnesota -3 Atlanta
35 1/2 over

New England -6 NY Jets LOCK!
41 over

Oakland -2.5 Detroit
39 1/2 over

Philadelphia -3 Green Bay
42 1/2 under

Pittsburgh -41/2 Cleveland
36 1/2 under

San Diego -6 Chicago CLOSE CALL!
42 1/2 over

Seattle -6 Tampa Bay
41 over

St Louis -1 Carolina
43 under

Washington -3 Miami
34 1/2 over

Monday, Sep 10

Cincinnati -2 1/2 Baltimore LOCK!
40 over

San Francisco -3 Arizona FUN FAV
45 over

In praise of Rex

Bad Rex was on display in front of the world wide audience, and the team paid for it. He sucked. We lost. But, just give him some time. I believe it may be well worth our while. The question is : if we had Luckman or Nameth or even Jimmy Mac, would we have won the Super Bowl? Maybe (even probably), but these types of payers do not grow on trees.

Given Rex's total playing time of 23 games (my constant harp this year), I'm willing to wait another year for him to develop. Rex needs time to grow, and shouldn't be judged wholly on these 23 games. He looked terrible in some, but he also looked great in others. Given that some of his great games were against shitty teams, but he had enough to show me some promise.

But do the Bears have time? Jackson has posted in these pages that 2006 may have been this generations shot @ the Super Bowl. Very maybe. In todays NFL, teams seem to be good for 2-3 years before they fade. The Bears the last two years have been very good, and that was playing with less than a full QB. The Bears may be in the mix again next year, and another full year of a healthy Rex can only be good for the Bears.

Go elsewhere? They did have a 'good' year without Rex last year, which is kind of damning towards Rex; in the regular season he was not much better than Kyle Orton record wise. maybe the solution is to make a trade, start Griese, or draft someone new. But I've seen more than enough from Rex to say Lets try again next year. Another years seasoning will do him good. And, hopefully, our memories of Super Rex will begin.

No way !!

Well, it was the best team that won. The Colts, best team from a strong AFC, proved that they were way too much for the best team in a weak NFC. After a brief bit of hope in the first quarter, the dominant team showed who deserved it. The Bears did they best they could, fighting off the inevitable until a late in the game. In this way, just hanging around hoping to accomplish a miracle, the Bears actually did quite well. Before the game, I posted a few items that Da Bears would have to accomplish if they were to win.
Let's review:

What Went Wrong

Beat up the Colts.
Never happened. It was the fourth quarter before the defensive line finally got to Manning. Otherwise, there was next to no pressure on him. Thomas Jones had some nice runs, but overall, line play on both sides of the ball went to the Colts. Any chance for the miracle would have meant decisively winning this battle.

Bad Rex.
Great. We hoped. My favourite line of the night was said by me in the fourth quarter: O.K. everybody, this is the drive that we will always remember as the real start of Rex's Hall of Fame Career! After the fumble or interception or whatever badrexplay that immediately followed my pronouncement, the next line was I hope this is not the drive that we will always remember Rex's career by. Rex was terrible. Better than Orton would have been, but just terrible. Fumbles, interceptions, and no leadership. I'm sticking by Rex for next year, but what a shitty game yesterday.

Turnovers.
Too many. Bad situations. The only hope was for it to all fall the Bears way. Not yesterday. The early interception of Manning gave a lot of hope to Bear fans, but he settled down.

What Went Right

Keep it Close.
What can you say? As badly overplayed as they were, they were in a position to win the game near the end if things went right. They were only down by two at half despite indications that things were headed south. The Bears needed to keep it close, and they accomplished that. A wicked hit on Manning, a fumble, interception, bad call or missed tackle etc... and the Bears might have just pulled off the miracle. As it turned out, when it came time for a championship caliber team to stand up, it was all Colts. But as sloppy as they played the entire game, it was only with four minutes left or so where it became obvious no miracle would happen. They did the best they could.

Special Teams.
We got what we wanted out of Hester. We couldn't've asked for two or three td's from him. Gould did well. And Vintieri actually missed a Super Bowl kick. For awhile, these items may have looked like possible signs of an upset. In the end, they were just isolated incidents early in the game, signifying nothing. Just wasn't enough.

In the end, the magic the Bears needed just wasn't in the air. They needed a lot to go rite, and it didn't. They pushed it for awhile, but in the end it was a mismatch.

Yes way.

No way !!

Yes way:
I think the Bears have a chance in the Super Bowl. I even think chances are more or less equal for both teams. Maybe I'm just the biggest homer outside of Springfield, but I'm not buying into the notion that Da Bears are the quaking underdogs that should be shivering under their angry masters rolled up newspaper.

Well, for one, how about statistics that point to Da Bears 10th NFL title? Consider what’s on the Scores website : a system that has supposedly been a correct predictor in 14 of the past 16 Super Bowl. According to this system, 12 categories are compared, and whoever has led the other in more of them in the regular season wins the title. Categories include such indicators as rushing yards, point deferential, opponent total yards, etc… this system has Da Bears leading 9-2 and one tie. A team like the Bears leading in nine categories has won 15 of the last 18 games.

And then there is today’s New York Times article by Mike Smith, who indicates that in recent Super Bowl history, the generally held theory that ‘defense wins championships’ has held. This holds even in games that feature good defenses against high powered offenses. This seems to favour the Bears fifth ranked D vs. the Colts third ranked O.

But statistics can be made lap dogs for anyone with an argument to push : isn’t the Bush administration attempting to tout the economy these days to show its competence? Similar handling of statistics show that Rex has a 2006 playoff QB rating almost ten points better than Manning. However, the point of my argument is is that this game will be competitive, point spread be damned. And yes, Da bears can win.

Beat up other team.

This is not a call to play dirty, but a call to play the game its meant to be played. Football is a sport where it is of the utmost importance to physically dominate the other team. One has to pound on the other team for 3 1/2 hours in order to assert its will. This means hitting the other players hard enough and consistently enough where they will be taken off their game. This way several things happen : the opposing team is worn down. They may get injuries. They become tired from having to exert themselves so much. And they get the mindset that whatever they do, a big hit is coming their way. Lets hope the Bears Tyson them. This is most important when it comes to the sumo crew on the line. Games are won through the strength of the lines. It will be most important for the Bears to do well on both sides of the line.

On defense, if the Bears can get in and put some hurt cycles on Manning, he becomes less of the awesome danger he is. Lets get him aching and thinking. We need to see him being pressured when he drops back to pass. We need to see the blitz hounding him. And the Colts running game must be halted.

On offense, Rex needs the time to be comfortable. How many bad Rex plays have been when he made a bad decision while scrambling for his life? Then think how much like a pro QB when he has the time to confidently throw downfield. We also need to see Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson having lanes to run. Lets control the offensive line!

Good Rex.

And Rex should have not just a good game; he has to play worthy of Super bowl champion QB. He must, of course avoid a QB rating in the 23’s and the 10’s, and especially the 1’s and 0’s. Especially that sort of game. But he must show more: this is the Super Bowl. He’s started 26 games in the NFL now (this is his fourth playoff start), and he has shown flashes of leadership @ different times this year. We got to get a full game from him.

The defense must control the Colts offense so they do not go wild.

No doubt, the D has a tough job to do. The DCS staff have written already about the non-inviolability of this fifth ranked defense. But in this most Super of games, they must not resemble voile. Control the Colts line. The secondary must have a great day against the Colts passing game. Tough, tough, tough; but it’s doable.

Special team have to come up big.

Both team have excellent kickers. Adam Vintieri is in his element, but Robbie Gould has also had a great year. Punting and kick coverage should go the Bears way. A big wild card is Devin Hester. The Colts coverage has been suspect, so look to Hester to make some magic happen. Avoid fumbles !! Hopefully, when we think back to on Hester this season years from now, it will be on his spectacular game in the super bowl. It can happen. And maybe not on a kick return : i’m waiting for him to get some plays on offense, or maybe a fumble return or interception.

Finally, who knows where this game will take us?
Who will be the star of the game; will it be Hester or Manning or Urlacher or…………..someone we haven’t concentrated on so far this year. Who knows?

So:
Keep it close in the first half.
Beat up on the Colts.
Pressure on manning and good coverage in the secondary.
Rex
Hester.
Make turnovers happen.
Start showing signs of dominance in the third quarter.
Play hard till the end.

Baaaeeerrrzzz : 26-20.

High Times!

A few bullet points for Mike Vick with his latest interplay with the TSA.

1.) If you are the recipient of a 100mil+ contract have someone else carry your weed.

2.) If that water bottle was supposed to secretly hide your weed, you are a complete dumbass. Camo Bob would have known better.

3.)If that was a home made bong with resin, try putting a couple of j's in your crotch.

4.)You are done in Atlanta.

5.)You are not a good NFL quarterback, exciting yes, effective no.

Week 17 Picks

The last weekend of the NFL season is upon us and DCS has the following picks for your wagering pleasure.

Cowboys by 10 over Lions
Eagles by 8 over Falcons
Giants by 2 over Redskins
Bears by 5 over Packers

Oddly Rambles on about the Bears

I think the important point to be taken from this post is that Da Bears were happy to get the Lions game done with and happy to get the win, no matter how close it came to being a defeat rite at the end. Not for the first time this season the Bears cling onto a game they could have lost 75 different ways. However, as a sign of improvement as the season has gone on, the games they "cling onto" now are games in which they are clearly the better team and usually have the lead for most of the game. They are winning in the end, and this is a good sign. Their inability to put down these clearly inferior teams is troubling. However, I can imagine, well, 75 different ways in which the Bears can get into the Superbowl and one in which they can wn in all.

It seems that no team, including Da Bears, has been a clearly dominate force the entire season. The Bears were 'The Team' for awhile, but that passed. No team in the supposedly superior AFC has been 100% the entire season. Given the uneven state of competition in the NFC and homefield advantage, the Bears have at least a good chance of making a run for the Championship game. Then, the Bears may do what they have to do to win that game, versus whoever. It may be a stripped ball fumble recovery, a kickoff return, a missed field goal, or even a Devin Hester interception or fumble return (just imagine !!) -- or even something more that we can't even imagine yet -- I'm getting the feeling that these Bears may be able to do it.

The example of this winning complexion in the Bears can be seen in the last play of the game. Again, Bears winning and clearly the better, even dominate team, the whole game. Last play of the game: time runs out with a Lions pass into the end zone that had their reciever held onto it, would have beaten the Bears. The Lions reciever should have had it. Hester was right behind the reciever, apparently having blown the coverage. But when I look at the replays, I can't shake the feeling that Hester, in the end, had hung long enough and had applied just enough attention to the reciever to create the conditions for the miss. Even Hesters "Beatles-like" reputation as a returner may have preyed on the recievers mind. Hester was beaten for a touchdown pass in his signature game a few Monday nites ago in St. Louis. The Ram reciever who scored was picked up on mic on the sidelines saying to the effect of "Did you see who I beat? It was the rookie, Hester. #23." Note: Hester scord the first of his two return TD's on the ensuing kickoff.

Sometimes teams are dominate and are clearly the best and prove it on the field. Sometimes teams are dominate and are clearly the best but can't do it on the field. The Bears may be just good enough to apply some of their magic dust right through to the end.

Lets go Bears !

Rambles on about the game

As Jackson has noted in these pages before, the Bears defense has that permable look about it. In the end, as noted above, it was a "bend not break" game, but again against a team they should have put away early they allow the game to be decided at the end. Too scarey.

Griese got some nice playing time, and used it well. The offense moved under him. Rex also had a good game. In retrospect, I am glad Lovey mad the rite decision to play Grossman and stick with him after the last Vikings game. I called for Lovie to play Griese a portion of the next game v. St. Louis, which turned out to be one of Rex's better games. By sticking with him the entire game, Lovie is really telling Grossman that the Bears need him to win. Lets hope he responds.

The blocking went well most of the time.

Gould is great. Unnoticed was his 4-4 field goals and continued solid kicking.

Hester has not had a great return in 2 games!! What the hell !!? Where have all the good time gone ?

Bensen had some nice runs. Welcome is his putting down the shoulder and smashing his way to yards.

I love the instant replay. A call went against the Bears in the 3d Quarter, but I was happy the replay worked. Its good for the game, despite the delays inherent in using the system.

NFL Week 14 Picks

Here we go again rolling the dice. DCS did pretty well last week aside from the unforseeable upsets of N.E. and Indy.

Bears 15 over Bucs

Jets 1 over Viks

Ravens 10 over Browns

N.E. 14 over Houston

Miami 3 over Bills

Saints 11 over Redskins

Tenn 1 over Jax

Giants 6 over Philly

Det 1 over G.B.

Arizona 1 over Denver

S.D. 7 over K.C.

St. Louis 1 over Oak

Cincy 1 over Indy

You'll notice several upsets this week as has been the trend.

Week 14 NFL Power Rankings

This week was a tough one to explain in the NFL. Three top teams suffered convincing losses to weaker opponents: Indy, Seattle and New England. DCS thinks these were more momentary lapses than trends. The Ravens move up 6 spots and the Bengals 5. Rex recovers, but the Bears defense falters and the Saints and Chargers continue to look more impressive each week. This week also has the no NFC teams in the top 6. The AFC championship will really be the Super Bowl this year.

1.) San Diego - Another impressive performance from the leagues best team(1)
2.) Baltimore - Ravens right the ship and move up 6 spots (8)
3.) Indy - Beat down by Jacksonville, but still one of the best (3)
4.) New England- Brady's Bunch looked Lost, but still a good team (4)
5.) Cincy- Could be this years Steelers (11)
6.) Jacksonville- Del Rio should petition the league to wear the suit all the time (9)
7.) N.O. - Dree Bees looks like an MVP (7)
8.) DaBears -Injuries to defense has some worried (8)
9.) Dallas - Tough loss at home, Romo coming back to Earth (2)
10.) Seattle - Embarrassing loss to Arizona, but still division winner(5)
11.) NYG- Weak NFC where 1-4 in last five games make you a playoff contender(14)
12.) N.Y.J.- Bad loss to Bills, but easy schedule helps keep hope alive(10)
13.) Philly- Garcia is showing he can be a solid backup (13)
14.) Atlanta- All it takes is one win in the NFC (17)
15.) Tennessee - Maybe DCS was wrong about Young (15)
15.) Denver - Culter will have growing pains, but what happened to defense? (15)
16.) K.C.- Wasted opportunity (16)
17.) Minn- Still on bubble at 6-7 (19)
18.) Carolina- Season fading fast for last years Bears nemesis (18)

"Time enough at last" or LAST TIME !!! ENOUGH !!!

So what in the hell are we supposed to do ?? We've been waiting so long for Rex Grossman to be healthy, and this season we have finally gotten our wish. No question, Rex has had the 'Luckman Look' enough times this season to give us Bears fans hope that we really got a . But at other times, it's 'Hey, I can't believe we got that Saskatchewan Roughriders guy !!!' (Hey hey Henry Burris).

I've written before in this blog that Rex's problem is one of inexperience. Da Bears have a nice running game. The recieving corps is great. I've been pretty happy with the lines protection, though there have been some breakdowns. The defense looks rock solid (and can even be considered an offensive threat..., though mind, i'm not saying they are, you know, an '85 type offensive threat deal......or am I, on that particular account?). The special teams (despite some shit headed moments, like "Get the hell away from bouncing punts !! Raise your voice !! Remember the context of the game !! PAY ATTENTION !!!" ).

But it is so obvious that Rex ( starting in what, his 16th NFL game?) has gotta have more game time experience before we really have our Florida Quaterback. But the question is this : How much more experience can we afford to give him this year? Da Bears are 10-2, have homefield advantage in the 1st round and look to get it, if they advance, in the 2d round. Methinks Rex the Rookie can do just about anything in the seasons last few regular season games without hurting the team ( I say 14-2). People are excited about this team. Not '85 excited, but excited enough to want to believe. The defense is special. Devin Hester is a danger to score every return. The kicking game seems capable of 65yd punts and hitting 100% every placement. It's there, I do believe, to at least get Da Bears into their 12th NFL championship game (Chicago's 14th, including the Cardnials)

But last years disaster in the 1st round seems a chillingly clear possibility. Very very easily we could witness last years results, never mind '86 or '87 or '01's ousters. If Da Bears are serious about garnering their 10th NFL title, somethings gotta happen. I'm good with Rex the Rookie playing the rest of the year as Da Starter. He is capable of Luckman like leadership, say to the tune of 41-0 at halftime. But Brian Griese has gotta play more in the run up games to the playoffs. If Rex the Rookies continues his erratic play, I say go for it. The Bears have a TEAM. They CAN do it. But to win a Superbowl, basically you gotta be 'running on all cylinders.' Griese was signed for a reason, although the main point of his signing was to make sure that a QB was in place if/when Rex the Hospital case made his return. But Griese was signed to guide a good team far into the season in case Rex goes down. Too many times Rex the Rookie has looked like his Saskatchewan Roughriders/Bear predecessor. Remember : Kyle Orton led (???) Da Bears last year to a 10-2 record before Rex came back, all the while looking totally inept. I understand that our Florida Quaterback has a bright future, and we don't want to hurt his confidence.

BUT:

Do we really have to hope that the defense and special teams can outscore opponents in the playoffs ? With Rex, to quote Jay Z, we can "Expect Everything". But do we dare hope for Everything?

Kia Oro !

I was reminded of the '70's NFL icon Billie 'White Shoes' Johnson recently while reading a New York Times article by George Vecsey last Thursday. It concerned the New Zealand national rugby team being banned from performing a ritual pre game danse in Wales recently. Perhaps you have seen the danse on tv somewhere, because it has been show through the years. If you haven't, imagine : 73, 000 fans in the stadium, and on the field is 20 or so 250-300 lb blokes doing a Pacific Islander war danse - yells, grunts, and violent body movements designed originally to intimidate enemies before going to war (Do see the superlative film "Whale Rider" for a taste of the ritual. And yes, I know 'Whale Rider' is a 'chick flick' = see it anyway. Vecsey suggests that many of the 73, 000 in Wales were there in some part to take in the pre-game ritual as well as the match. And it is spectacular, even to this essentially non- rugby following sports fan.

Which brings me back to 'White Shoes'. Again, if you are of the age to remember him, he was a wide receiver who specialized in returning kicks- and he was good (think Devin Hester). @ the end of any successful touch down return, he'd celebrate by doing his rubber legs danse. It was so arresting, so bizzare, and so different from anything around @ the time, it was just great to watch. Now, I can't remember if he ever scored against Da Bears (i'm sure he didn't, @ least on a return), and I'm sure I hated him @ the time if he did, but anytime he scored it was a time of joy for my frenz and I : "Did you see it? What a return !! Did you see the celebration ?". Playing street football in Marquette Park, any kick return we did wouldn't be complete without a 'White Shoes' danse.

Now-a-days, of course, we have all sorts of rules against this. One of my favourite sporting memories of growing up, that once a season explosion from 'White Shoes', would , I'm sure, be verboten in todays game. Other celebrations, such as T. Owens 'Sharpie' incident and the 'Fun Bunch' from the 80's Redskins, are all not allowed. And what about Mark Gastineau's 'sack danse' ? I know I'm probably in the minority, but I just think these celebrations are fantastic. Soccer, for example, has a great tradition of celebrations that has largely not been legislated against, and to watching the celebrations can be as fun as watching the goal.

I think that we really should embrace these celebrations as a part of what makes sports fun. I'm not advocating any sort of direct taunting: these displays can be deeply nauseating. And the celebrations must not take up a large amount of time. But let the fun roll. It is a game. As long as the two strictures above are adhered to, let it go. Joy in humans is something we should celebrate, not legislate.