This Weekend's Events

This weekend, there isn't to much in store as far as Chicago Sports is concerned. We all know about the opener for our (0-1) beloved Chicago Bulls as they face off against a pesky Philadelphia 76ers squad who is looking to improve on last years dismal season. The Bulls should be ready and focused for this game. With all the trade talk gone by the wayside as far as we know, these Bulls look to use their young talent, chemistry, and energy to suffocate the 76ers early and often tonight. It is the first weekend the Bulls have a back to back situation which should be interesting early on, to see who logs the minutes tonight and who Skiles saves for tomorrow. The Bulls have a rejuvenated Bucks squad tomorrow in Milwaukee which will be a good test for both teams. The players should more relaxed and ready to play with intensity tonight as appose to Wednesday. There is no more discussion regarding whose getting traded for Kobe. It's time for the Bulls to represent Chicago and the Eastern Conference starting with tonight's match. Congrats to the Chicago Fire for the tie last night which lifted them into the playoffs.

The up and coming Chicago Blackhawks have two key games this weekend. First they finish their road trip in St. Louis tonight against a dangerous Blues team whose coming off a huge win against the new 2007 hockey town "Minnesota Wild." The big three have stepped up huge for the Hawks and has Chicago talking about hockey again. Toews, Williams, and Kane have played well alongside the veterans (LaPointe, Lang) on this team to establish a playoff caliber organization. With Havlat coming back in a few weeks the Hawks look to be in good shape for this year and years to come. The Hawks come home Sunday in a back to back situation to face last year's Cinderella story the Nashville Predators. This should be a tightly contested matchup with both teams looking to get an edge in the division race on one another.

The Chicago Bears are off and are getting rested and focused for next week's matchup in Oakland. To all you Chicago fans lets here your support for your Chicago Pro teams. Let us here your opinions. Whatever you want to talk about the related to Chicago Pro Sports teams.

On a side note, I would like to take this time to congratulate the Wheaton Warrenville South Tigers on another victory last week against St. Laurence (41-0). Tonight the Tigers take on last year's 7A champ St. Rita at WWS tonight 7:30 pm in a second round 7A showdown. This has all the makings of an Ali-Frasier boxing match back in the day It should be a battle and one for the ages. The Tigers put there 23 game winning streak on the line tonight against a Chicago team that can match the Tigers talent and play making abilities. It should be a unbelievable showdown.

FIRE!,FIRE!,FIRE!,FIRE!,FIRE!! CHICAGO FIRE!!!

No Folks, I am not talking about the Great Chicago Fire!!!

• I am talking about the Chicago Fire soccer team. I know that they get lost in the shuffle of pro teams in Chicago, but lets take a glance at what this team has done in terms of Championships:

• MLS Cup Champions: 1998


• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Champions: 1998, 2000, 2003


• MLS Eastern Conference Champions: 2003


• MLS Supporters Shield Winners: 2003


• MLS Central Division Champions: 2000, 2001

This is pretty impressive, considering some of our Chicago teams have not won anything to speak of for numerous years, and in a particular case almost a Century!!!

I know a lot of you out there are saying, who cares about soccer? Who is even on this team, but to those people I say: WAKE UP!!!!! Soccer is the most played sport around the world, and why can't we as Americans, not just Chicagoans, Open our eyes? I don't want to rant and rave about how people in this country know jack Sh*t about the biggest sport in the world.

I do want to say congratulations to this years Chicago Fire soccer team for pulling off an improbable upset of the No. 1 seed D.C. United last night. This was a hard fought Home and Away match up. The Fire showed great determination and tenacity through the two games to come out on top. This team is as hot as the Colorado Rockies going into the playoffs and lets just hope they don't have the same result as those Rockies!!!

Congratulations to the Chicago Fire and all its supporters. Let's bring another Championship back to this Great city, even if only a quarter of the city knows about it.

Rob Infelise

John Paxson Makes Announcement

In a way, I am glad John Paxson didn't break up his foundation and stood his ground. Despite higher ups in the organization wanting Kobe Bryant above anything else. I have a lot of respect for a general manger who is willing to stick by his players and realize what it is to keep a team together.

I believe you need to have cohesiveness within a team, and this current Bulls team has just that. They have been together for a couple of years now and they are playing well as a group. Of course they have lapses where they go cold, but what team doesn't. Plus, this team is very young as a whole.

I know, I know, we have been waiting for young kids to develop since MJ left the city. We did make some bad picks in past drafts, but since Paxson has taken the reigns, the face of the team has changed as well. We are a hard nosed ball club that plays extremely tough defense, and gives 100% every time they hit the court. We are not a team built around a superstar, and I don't believe these players would have been able to play alongside such a player. Especially if we had to give up everyone to achieve such a trade.

As a fan, and as a reporter, I believe this was the right move for this Chicago Bulls team. Let's just sit back and enjoy what we have with this team. These guys may just surprise you.

Plus, who needs another rapist in there town???

No Moves for the Bulls

Updating a recent report we had yesterday, it looks as if the Bulls are going to stay put with what they had. Paxson stated "both sides felt a trade would not be equal value for both teams." Are the Bulls a championship caliber team without Kobe? They are still not ruling out a trade later this month or throughout the year but everything seems to be quiet now. So now the Bulls turn there focus to their home opener tomorrow night against Philadelphia. This is a new look Phily team with some young talent but i don't see the Bulls having problems taking care of business. Let's here some thoughts from Chicago fans on the Bulls situation without Kobe. Do we need him? Voice your opinions people

Sox Talking with Players

I just found out from my sources that the Chicago White Sox are interested in Torii Hunter from the Minnesota Twins. They will be meeting together next week. This would be a huge addition but he's looking for something like 15 million a year. Can the Sox afford this? Should they make this key signing? Also discussed was possibly bringing Aaron Rowand back from Phily. He's looking for something like 12-13 million a year which i feel is overpriced for an individual that has had one good season. He played well with the Sox in the World Series season of 05 and put up career numbers in Phily last season but 12-13 million is way to high. Also the Sox are talking with the Yankees about getting Joe Crede out of town. I could see them getting some young prospects for Crede. He has proven to be a great 3rd baseman but can't stay away from the DL This would allow the Sox to put Fields at 3rd and go out and look for a LF. The Sox need to make some moves also to bulster the bullpen. They blew more than 10 games last year which can't happen again, in a division that seems to get better and better every year. I will update later with more information about Sox rumors. The biggest question of the off sesason is where is A-Rod going to land? Let's here you thoughts Chicago fans!!

The Start of the Winter Season

Well as we all found out yesterday the Bulls are still young and unable to close games out. The lack of a big man position is another issue on this team. Ben Wallace delivering 5 points and 6 rebounds in 38 mins. against the Nets is awaful. Tyrus Thomas and Joe Smith had more rebounds than Ben in less time on the floor. Isn't this the whole reason why we brought Ben Wallace? I would put Wallace in the Kobe trade right now. Although, Kobe claims he wants to play with him and be part of the Bulls if he comes. Talks are heating up with the Bulls and the Lakers. Bill Walton called out Kobe yesterday stating he's errogant, fake, and an ego maniac. Do we want this in Chicago? Let's here it people.

Next subject is the Chicago Bears. Now they need to go 6-2 in the 2nd half of the season for them to even have some sort of chance at the playoffs or wild card position. The Bears need to make some movement in the coaching staff in the off season. Lovie Smith shows no intensity, passion or desire when coaching. We have the same coaching staff last year except we lost our key defense coordinator in Ron Rivera. Why would we get rid of him to the San Diego Chargers? We now know that Urlacher has an injury that has been bothering him the whole. The evil back injuries can be killer especially for a linebackers. Even with the addition of Vasher and some DL back from injury the Bears have dug themselves a hole to deep to get out of. We all know they're going to go to Oakland and beat them up after the bye but upcoming games with GB, at Sea, Den, and at minnesota don't look to promising. In the offseason they need to address the QB, RB, and WR position. Berrian isn't a number 1 and barely a number 2. Muhammed is gone after this year. They have no talent or playmakers at key positions which is why they will never win a Super Bowl. You Bears fans can be satisfied with making it to the Super Bowl but i would be furious at my management for the lack of movement to upgrade at key positions. Let's here you Bears fans. Answer this question: Why do all Chicago teams never pull the trigger to upgrade there teams?

Chicago Bears Keep Tumbling...

OK Chicago, we live in a what have you done for me lately kinda town and this 2007 Chicago Bears teams has shown little signs of life. They have played one good half all year and that was in Green Bay. Tommie Harris was quoted as saying,"We are going to make the playoffs, I guarantee we make the playoffs." Come on Tommie, Playoffs?? You have a better chance of Mikey Brown going through an entire season without getting hurt, Oh wait...That will NEVER happen and the proof is in the pudding people.
We rolled the dice and got rid of a leader in Thomas Jones in the offseason, this team has never over come the loss of one of its true leaders. He got in these guys faces before games last year, he challenged them to give 110% each time out. This team just doesn't have the same fire and passion anymore. This 2007 team lost its fire the minute they walked out of the tunnel in San Diego. They flat out do not have the same fire they had a year ago.
The Players, Coaches, and Management seem to become complacent, since reaching the Super Bowl. It is as if these people have not heard of the trend of Losing Super Bowl teams not making the playoffs the following year. Instead of improving in the offseason they decide to trade players, and rely on unproven players to get the job done. When will the Chicago Bears as an organization ever learn? Why do we have to wait over 20 years to get back to a Super Bowl?
Let stop being a team that jumps out of the pack every 20 years, and start a tradition of Winning, wow what a concept. How about we build a strong team and keep it together and develop young kids to take over after a veteren has moved on. We need to take a class from the New England Patriots on how to run on organization, they have been winning for years and they have done it by developing players and making smart decisions to benefit the the team as a whole, not just satisify a general manager. Sorry to say it folks, but most exciting headline this team will get is," With the 6th Pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, The Chicago Bears Choose......"


Rob Infelise