Random Thoughts

It is just my imagination or does it seem that to some extent, the teams of Chicago seem to loose focus and are not completely present for the games that they play day in and day out.

I watched most of the Bulls game today against the Pistons in what was billed as Ben Wallace's return to Detroit. The Bulls were at one point up by 16 points midway through the third quarter and give it all away once again. Is this team still way to young to know the difference between winning and just skating by. What ever is going on with this team just makes me wonder what kind of future will this team ever have if they are not able to finish the kill when they have an opponent by the jugular. Granted there are those who will say Detroit is now the team to beat in the East with the injury to Dwyane Wade. There is simply no reason nor acceptable excuse for a loss against one of the top teams in the NBA.

I have kept and eye on the Blackhawks as well and wonder what more Denis Savard needs to do to get this team to the next level. To constantly be that close and only to come up short time and time again is perplexing. To go into Detroit and play well against the Redwings in their arena is good however, to wind up losing in the end and not being able to make something special happen is just completely heartbreaking. I am listening to the game today against the Blues and was surprised to find the Hawks leading 3-0 after one period. We get a crack once again at the Redwings on Tuesday and yet I am not sure what will be the probable outcome. The Blackhawks get shut out at home against San Jose on the 22nd and appear to be winning against the Blues today and ideally a win on Tuesday as well would be nice.

Then you have my beloved Cubs. A disastrous 2006 season and having the worst record in the National League. How many more managers will it take to make sure that this team is competitive year in and year out? Everyone is enjoying the honeymoon of the hiring of "Sweet Lou" Piniella as he keeps saying that this is his last go around as a manager of a major league team and that he does not believe in the Curse or any other problem that the Cubs have put the Cubs nation through since 1908. Time will tell whether or not 2007 will be something totally different then the last 99 years or will this be another year like 2006 and 100 years since the last Cubs World Championship.

Of course I am not able to leave my beloved Bears out of this rampage. The Bears play well enough defensively to wind up the regular season with a record of 13-3. Some how survive the Seahawks in the divisional game and then destroy the feel good story of the 2006 football season in New Orleans. Only then to get to Miami and wind up stumbling all over themselves in a loss to Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLI. I think that it was a mistake to allow Ron Rivera to leave as the defensive coordinator. I understand that Lovie Smith wants to mold this team into what Lovie feels will win a Super Bowl however, having blind faith in Rex Grossman and even more in the lack of positive play calling by Ron Turner is just not comprehensible.

So what would I like to see at this point and time with my teams. For the Bulls, another person who is able to provide leadership and something in the forward position in order to maybe do better in the playoffs versus one series and done. For the Blackhawks, I want a team who is hungry and wants to learn what Denis Savard has to teach in order to return to the playoffs and start another long playoff streak like the Blackhawks once has previously in my life. For the Cubs, a way to break the Curse of the Billy Goat and wind up being successful in the playoffs and bringing a championship to the North Side and really seeing what it would be like for a City starved for a champion to celebrate. For the Bears I would love to have an inventive Offensive Coordinator who will work with the entire offense to be successful. I want a quarterback who is a true franchise player that will not be as wishy washy up/down as Rex Grossman. For all those who still believe Rex is worth a damn, I again pose the question, "Name One Quarterback Out Of Steve Spurrier's program that was successful in the NFL?" You are not able to as Spurrier's system works wonders in college and does not completely prepare a quarterback for the reality of the NFL.