I’m still in shock over the moves the Chicago Bears made on the first day of free agency. Known for being tightwads, the organization actually loosened the purse strings to splurge on DE Julius Peppers, RB Chester Taylor, and TE Brandon Manumaleuna. The total tab for the three players runs in excess of $100 million, with the bulk of that salary going to Peppers.
I haven’t watched much of Peppers, but have heard various things about him not giving 100 percent on each snap. I hope that doesn’t happen here in Chicago. Also, I have to wonder how much he has left in the tank. He’s 30 years old, and has a lot of wear and tear on his body/knees already. Will he be able to last through his entire six-year contract? Will he put forth maximum effort, or will he be satisfied with his $40+ million of guaranteed money and worry more about buying Ferrari parts to pimp his ride than getting after the quarterback. Who can say.
The guy I’m most looking forward to watching is Chester Taylor. I thought he was awesome as Adrian Peterson’s backup in Minnesota, and I think he’ll do well in Chicago. He will give the Bears some much-needed depth at running back (or even as a starter if he beats out Forte). Either way, Forte-Taylor or Taylor-Forte is a much more potent combo than Forte-the other AP-Garrett Wolfe.
Between the new OC, DC, and these free agents, this is shaping up to be a whole different team. I can’t wait until training camp starts!
Well, the result wasn’t quite what I was hoping for, but the game was very entertaining. Canada ended up winning the gold medal 3-2 in OT when Sidney Crosby flicked a wrist shot through Ryan Miller’s five-hole. The US was a bit sloppy on that shift, and had a chance to clear the puck out. Oh, well. Silver is still pretty good, I guess.
I ordinarily don’t like the Olympics. It’s boring (curling? biathlon?) and it messes up the regular television schedule. But I am planning on watching the USA vs Canada men’s hockey game tonight at 7pm — mostly just because the matchup features four Blackhawks: Patrick Kane on Team USA, and Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook on Team Canada.
Why is this Sports Illustrated cover shot of Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn generating so much controversy??? Apparently some women’s group or other finds it objectionable because they deem the pose to be sexual in nature. Huh????? Are they serious? I don’t know about you, but I see nothing remotely sexual or controversial about this cover. She’s a skier and she’s bent over in a tuck position. That’s tuck with a “t”, not an “f”, ok? My god, what is wrong with people these days????