Busy last couple of days in the sports world for Chicago. Where do we start?• News late in the night was that Brian Urlacher and the Bears have agreed on a restructured contract, one that includes a one-year extension. Next to Cedric Benson's lack of intelligence, this has been the story of the off-season and has divided Bear fans over what they think of Brian and how he has handled this situation (maybe compared to his teammate, Tommie Harris). Whatever, it is over and we can move on. Urlacher is happy and so should fans. I was pretty critical of Urlacher early on but we have made up. Teams mend fences all the time over contract, personnel, and management decisions (think Kobe and Michael Strahan most recently). His teammates love him and have pulled for him, much like he has in the past for others (remember him sporting a No. 55 jersey last year during OTA's?) Hopefully he comes to camp as fresh as ever and produces as he did near the end of last season. He was left off the Pro Bowl roster because of the body of work last season but his play down the stretch merited a spot. This also shows how many Bears management has changed their image when it comes to being cheap, sorta. I don't know if this is the lovely old Virginia McCaskey's work or Ted Phillips or our favorite goon Jerry Angelo. Sure, they don't go out and make the big free-agent splashes like some teams do, but they reward in-house first and foremost. Within the last several years, us Bears fans have not really seen a big name player on this team walk away with us fuming. Next in line for a contract? The Windy City Flyer, AKA Devin Hester. Let's hope I'm not eating my words soon...
• No word out of Bulls camp since the rumors started late last week of a Luol Deng for Tayshaun Prince swap. Bulls fan, remember: we won't be hearing anything from their camp until Deng and Gordon's contract situations resolve. Our friend Chuck Swirsky, the new radio play-by-play man for the Bulls, responded to my inquiry about the possible trade quite simply:
"Money is always an issue..always..."
At the same time, it still is so shocking how far apart the sides are on negotiations. Things will heat up soon. If you haven't checked out Chuck's new feature on Bulls.com, "Chuck Checks In," you are missing out on a very fun read. Read more...
• How about the Blackhawks making some more noise during the summer? The deal was finalized to bring hockey in the form of the Blackhawks versus the Detroit Red Wings outdoors at Wrigley Field January 1st. Bowl games? Bear football in the winter? Forget it all! This is gonna get this town QUITE rowdy. Count me in on the bandwagon. I for one will do my best to follow hockey this year, now available on TV and radio. Anybody wanna split season tickets and get a shot at these outdoor tickets? EMAIL ME NOW (just kidding, sorta).
• A shout-out to basketball fans out there: have you been noticing these HUGE offers from European teams to NBA players? The Brandon Jennings story has made the front page of every sports publication it seems but it's getting crazier. Josh Childress is seriously considering an offer from a Greek team, reported at three-years for $20 million. WOW. Bostjan Nachbar, a forward for the New Jersey Nets the past year accepted an offer from Dynamo Moscow for three-years, a little more than $14 million. And four other NBA players have already jetted, including Carlos Delfino, Jorge Garbajosa, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, and Juan Carlos Navarro. Is this a trend we should be keeping tabs on? The Euro is doing great compared to the American dollar and many of these players are getting offers from teams that will cover their taxes. Pros, get your tail over to Tel Aviv and start practicing my friend, I think you have a shot.
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