Is the C Putting To Much Pressure on Toews?

It's still early and there's a lot of hockey left to play, but Jonathon Toews is off to a slow start. I don't think there's reason to panic yet, but if the trend continues a lot of fans will start to wonder about the added pressure of being named captain. There's been a lot of pretty dynamic players who have worn the "C" for the Hawks over the years, but most of them were seasoned veterans when they were awarded the honor.

I think back to when I was a kid and Pierre Pilote was the first captain I remember. A three time Norris trophy winner who was small in size but huge in stature. Pat "Whitey" Stapelton was another small guy who was a Blackhawk captain for years. A quiet guy who led by example and a rock solid defenseman. A more recent favorite of mine was Dirk Graham. God old number 33 was always there for his teammates and was just a solid player. A grinder that could deliver the big hit as well as the big goal.

I think Jonathon Toews has a very promising future. He's playing on a team that has so much young talent, it's ridicules. These guys have a chance to develop into something special. A chance to bring hockey back to the forefront of Chicago sports. Back to the days when it was standing room only every night at the "Old Barn" on Madison. I only hope that young Jonathon Toews doesn't let that C distract him. He just needs to go out and play hockey like he knows how and he'll be fine. I'm looking forward to playoff hockey in Chicago again.

Mega Enhancements to the Blog - Give it a Test Drive

I did a lot of work on the blog over the weekend. Added some great news feeds for all the local professional teams. Just click on your favorite team on top left corner to get the latest scoop on whats up with them. There's added website links to both the pro and college teams. An ESPN news feed and a real time NHL score update. When you have a chance you really need to check out the video tributes to the Chicago Sports venues. They are pretty cool. So let me know what you think of the enhancements.....

Is Orton the Real Deal?

There's been a whole lot of "buzz" this past week about locking up Kyle Orton to a long term deal and I just plain don't get it. The Bears are 7 games into the season 1 game over .500 and to be honest, I don't seem to see the same incredible talent in him that the masses seem to see. I'm not saying he's played poorly, but he hasn't exactly been tested by a real good defense yet either. If he were to light it up against somebody the caliber of Tennessee or Pittsburgh, then I might begin to rethink things, but for now, he's nothing more then an ordinary quarterback. On second thought.....maybe not quite ordinary yet. Let's let him get a full season under his belt before he's anointed as the savior.

I was listening to Doug Buffone and Hub Arkush the other day and Hub brought up a great example in relation to not being to quick to "lock up" Orton. Packer running back Ryan Grant was unstoppable the second half of last year. So impressive that the Packers signed him to a long term deal. Now in his second year and 7 games into the season he's averaging just over 3 yards a carry. Not looking all that good right now. Things can change, but I don't see the rush to sign a guy who isn't proven and Orton is definitely not proven anything yet. Let's see where his numbers are at the end of the season before the Bears sign the 'neck scarf' to any kind of long term commitment. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see him as being the solution.

Sorry...These Bears Aren't Very Good

OK....so their tied for the lead in the NFC Central almost half way through the season, but does anybody think the Bears can compete with elite NFL teams. I sure don't. Despite the fact they racked up 48 points against a Minnesota team that didn't impress me at all, the Bears were even less impressive. I know the secondary is banged up, but give me a break. They picked off Gus Ferrotte 4 times and the special teams scored 2 touchdowns and they STILL gave up 41 points. I'm sorry, I just don't see this team going anywhere. They may be good enough to win the NFC Central, just because it's so bad, but the Bears are a bad football team right now.

On the positive side, the defense didn't' completely choke away a 4th quarter lead this week. Oh...they tried, letting the Vikings convert a 4th and 16 in the waning minutes to eventually let them close the gap to 7 points. I don't understand how a defense consistently can let the opposition convert big plays like that. Let me get back to the positive points. Kyle Orton actually has played half way decent the last few weeks, and I say that with teeth clenched. I'm not a Kyle Orton fan by any stretch of the imagination. I can't like a QB who can't complete a pass he has to throw more then 25 yards in the air. However, in his defense, he has played well enough to win the last few weeks. The score probably would have been a bit more lopsided if Marty Booker could have hung on to the two TD passes he dropped.

I'll leave it at that for now. Next week is an off week and I think the Bears have what should be a SURE victory in store after the break against the lowly Lions. Let's enjoy the victory for what it's worth and hope the team can somehow find a way to separate themselves from a very mediocre NFC Central division.

A Reminder - The Fun of Being Young!!!!

I vaguely remember the days when getting a new pair of hockey gloves was the highlight of the week. There was nothing quite like the excitement of breaking in a new baseball glove, getting a new bat or pair of skates. Boy I miss those days!!! I'm lucky enough to be reminded of how fantastic that time of life was because of the enjoyment I see in my nieces and nephews when they get something new that invigorates them. Got this picture of my "surrogate nephew" Jeremy who was walking on air because of his new hockey gloves. Break them in well and enjoy Jeremy, because those days go by faster then you think!!! GO ILLINI......

Savard Gets Spin-o-rama From Blackhawks

What in the world happened with Denis Savard and the Blackhawks. A guy who is a legend in Blackhawk history finally gets a team of bright young talented guys and gets fired without really having a chance to nurture them. I'd love to have been a 'fly on the wall' to hear what really led to this. I just don't see the logic of firing a guy 4 games into the season. There has to be some underlying motive here, and I wonder if the ground work had been laid when the Hawks hired Joel Quenneville earlier this year. I heard some of the press conference and it was the typical "satisfy the media" answers to the obvious questions. Anybody out there have any ideas on what might have got "Savvy" the ax?

To Squib or Not to Squib, That is the Question

OK...Anybody that watched that pitiful Bears performance on Sunday knows what I'm talking about. I won't even get into the fact that we have a QB who can't throw an accurate pass over 20 yards and a head coach who looks bewildered throughout the game. I think Lovey has an iPod piped into those headphones. The defense shows signs of promise from time to time only to fall short when they need to step it up a notch.

But here's the big question. With only 11 ticks left on the game clock, playing indoors, why wouldn't you kick off as deep as possible? It's going to take more then 11 seconds to run it back all the way, so all you really need to do is cover that kickoff. I don't understand giving the opposition the ball in good field position with that damn squib. Then to top it off, how does your defense, allow the Falcons to gain the 25 yards they need to attempt a game winning field goal all within 6 seconds. It's piss poor execution and piss poor coaching. Lovie is the most overrated coach in the NFL.

So whats your thoughts???

Welcome Fellow Chicago Sports Fanatics

Well, here is my place to celebrate, vent, rejoice, complain and anything else that falls into the category of being a sports fanatic in the city of Chicago. We probably fall into the complaining and venting category more so then the celebration and rejoicing. We've had our few moments, but for the most part, this is a STARVED city busting at the seams, waiting for SOMEBODY to win something of importance. The White Sox did their part in 2005, but that doesn't satisfy the whole city. The 100 year deprivation on the north side continues and if this years NLDS was any indication, my beloved Cubs are nowhere near title town.

With that in mind, let's start looking at winter sports. We have a promising hockey team that is of to an 0 - 3 start. A basketball team that fell way short of expectations last year, and a 3 -3 football team that can't hold on to a lead in the 4th quarter. We're in for some fun times gang!!!