Sports Matters

After a ludicrous soap opera that may have filled more sports news cycles than last summer's Vick Watch, Brett is finally a Jet.

And the Bears are breathing a hefty sigh of relief.

Although there was speculation that Number Four could land in Soldier Field, Green Bay's decision to ship Brett Favre cross-conference may actually be the best result for Chicago.

Although his stellar 2007 campaign may have been a fluke, Favre has been the bane of the Bears' defense for more than 15 years. Favre sports a 22-10 record all-time against the Bears and is 12-3 in Soldier Field. So much for homefield advantage.

Perhaps even more importantly, Favre was denied his wish to go to the rival Minnesota Vikings who are a quarterback away from making a serious playoff push. Adrian Peterson and the Viking defense are scary enough for the Bears to face twice a year without worrying about Favre's token fourth quarter heroics.

Now that the NFC North is Favre free, the Bears' quarterback quandary suddenly doesn't look as woeful compared to the rest of the division. Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn have a combined zero NFL starts. Minnesota's Tarvaris Jackson is unproven. And how many good seasons does Jon Kitna have left in him for a Lions team that cannot protect him? Should Grossman or Orton prove to be at least somewhat decent, the Bears have a fighting chance this year to make a dent in the division.

As a Bills fan, I'm less than pleased to see Favre land in the AFC East. But the question still remains of which Favre will don the green and white in 2008. Will it be the 28 touchdown gunslinger of 2007 or the turnover machine that threw 29 interceptions in 2005?

Likely to be somewhere in between, but I'm still not sure the Jets are a playoff team with Favre onboard. There's no doubt he's an upgrade over the soon-to-be-released Chad Pennington and third year pro Kellen Clemens.Their receivers are iffy and although they made substantial investments in their offensive line this offseason, much will depend on how well it gels. The 38-year-old Favre will revert to his mistake prone ways if opposing defenses can get consistent pressure on him.

But the Bears don't care about any of this. For the first time in fifteen years they don't have to see Brett Favre at all unless both teams make the Super Bowl. And there's an even smaller chance of that happening than there was of Favre staying retired in the first place.

Hey Chicago. Long time, no see.

I've been MIA for awhile, trying to launch my DJ side career (judge for yourself at my inevitable shameless plug: www.myspace.com/djsicarii). But I'm back, and what a time it is to be back here. The Cubs have the best record in baseball, the Bulls have the number-one draft pick and Cedric Benson is now being as useless off the field as he was on it.

Chicago Wins the Lottery: I don't think anyone saw this one coming. With a longshot 1.7% chance of landing the top pick, the Bulls jumped up from a projected 9th selection spot to snag the NBA lottery losers' most coveted prize. Maybe this nightmare of a season will pay off yet.

Like last year's Oden-Durant dilemma, the Bulls now have the enviable task of choosing between two star freshman prospects: Kansas State's Michael Beasley and Memphis' Derrick Rose. Beasley, a talented power forward, would provide the low post scoring that Chicago has desperately needed as well as size and a consistent double-double presence. Rose has drawn comparisons to fellow point guards Deron Williams and Chris Paul and has leadership intangibles that suggest he could be the better player as he develops further.

Despite being far less flashy than Heat rep Dwayne Wade, Chicago's VP of business operations Steve Schanwald had the Midas touch. It's already clear which player the Miami Heat, who landed the second pick despite only winning 15 games last season, desire. The front office has already sent out signals that should the Bills select Rose, they would be open to trading the pick in lieu of snagging Beasley.

It's a debate that will rage in Chi-Town until June 26th, but I'm already feeling conflicted. My first instinct was to grab Beasley and put Chicago's low post phantoms to rest. But watching the playoffs, it's clear how key the position of point guard has become to raising the play of teammates on the court. If you think for a minute that the Hornets and the Jazz would have made it nearly as far as they did without Paul and Williams, you're kidding yourself. Steve Nash is the lynchpin of the Suns' high octane offense and the Spurs have relied on Tony Parker plenty of times. Talented point guards do not grow on trees, and now that the Bulls have the chance to select one that new Knicks coach (and eternal betrayer of the Bulls) Mike D'Antoni described as "Jason Kidd with a jump shot," it's hard to see them passing Rose up. (Must be hard for D'Antoni to believe he passed up the Bulls job; the Knicks landed the 6th pick). This would leave Hinrich the odd man out. Would Paxson pull a trade trigger?

Then again, the teams that have made it to the conference finals also have big men complementing their point guards. Parker has his Tim Duncan, Rajon Rondo/Sam Cassell have their Kevin Garnett. One concern about Beasley is that his relatively smaller size could keep him from reaching their levels of play, but can the Bulls afford to neglect addressing the position?

Whatever the choice, the undeserving Bulls have landed an equally unexpected bounty that will help put the miserable 2007-2008 season behind them. Now they just need a coach...

Benson Tries to Leave Blunders Behind: When Bears running back Cedric Benson arrived for the team's first organized team activities, he had to know he would field more questions about his drunken joyride on Lake Travis than the rest of his offseason workouts.

A slimmed down Benson at least said the right things at practice. He said he intended to meet with Bears GM Jerry Angelo and did not take his starting job for granted.

"I would hope I'd have to do something to keep [my job]," Benson said. "Nobody wants to be given anything."

There's little chance he will be. The boating incident, during which Benson was pepper-sprayed for allegedly resisting arrest, came only a week after the Bears drafted Tulane's Matt Forte in the second round. The move should come as a wake-up call for the underachieving former Texas star, who has failed to live up to expectations after the Bears drafted him 4th overall in 2005.

Should be an interesting training camp at running back for the Bears. Lord knows they need some drama alongside the yawnfest that the Grossman-Orton quarterback derby will no doubt prove to be. Just as it was last year. And the year before that.

Now that I’m back from South Africa and Zimbabwe, the NFL Draft (only two weeks away) looms large.
Here are my predictions for the biggest day of the NFL offseason:

1. Miami Dolphins- Jake Long (OT, Michigan)
Reports are already circulating that the Dolphins have entered preliminary contract negotiations with Long and Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston. Expect to see Bill Parcells anchor his offensive line with the franchise tackle that Long promises to be. For a while it looked like the other Long in the draft (Chris) would be the top pick, but apparently Parcells sees Jake Long as the beginning of a much needed offensive overhaul for the woeful Dolphins. Still, Parcells could be putting up smoke screens for contract reasons and the other Long could always be his actual target. Don’t put anything past Big Tuna, who would also consider trading down if the right suitor approached him, which I think is unlikely given the lack of a can’t miss talent this year.

2. St. Louis Rams- Chris Long (DE, Virginia)
With Leonard Little not getting any younger, the Rams could use a young talent infusion at the defensive end position. Long has a Hall of Fame NFL pedigree and an impressive motor that never takes a play off. The Giants proved how important creating a good pass rush is in the Super Bowl victory over the Patriots and the league is not likely to forget that lesson any time soon. The Rams are also reportedly high on LSU DT Glenn Dorsey and Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston so they are possible picks in the #2 slot as well.

3. Atlanta Falcons- Glenn Dorsey (DT, LSU)
There will be a lot of pressure on fledgling Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff to make the sexy pick in Boston College QB Matt Ryan to try and symbolically put the Michael Vick era behind the franchise. But I’m not sold on Matt Ryan as a top three prospect and I’m not sure the Falcons are either. 2008 boasts a relatively weak crop of quarterbacks and had Ryan come out last year I’m not sure he would have made the first round. Dorsey is a mammoth tackle who has the potential to dominate the line of scrimmage and he will fill one of the Falcons’ many glaring needs. Look for the Falcons to consider trading back up into the bottom of the first round to select Louisville QB Brian Brohm if they can, a la the Browns and Brady Quinn last year.

4. Oakland Raiders- Darren McFadden (RB, Arkansas)
It’s true that the Raiders don’t have a true need for a running back, with Dominic Rhodes and Lamont Jordan sharing the roster with 2007 breakout rusher Justin Fargas. But Al Davis gets off on flashy players and the surprising draft day tumble of Adrian Peterson to the #7 slot last year is still being regretted by many of the teams who passed on him. It won’t happen this year. Expect to see McFadden joining last year’s top pick QB Jamarcus Russell wearing the black and silver next season.

5. Kansas City Chiefs- Matt Ryan (QB, Boston College)
I still think this is a little high for Ryan to be picked, but the Chiefs are in a quarterback quandary at the moment and Ryan will provide a fresh start. Trent Green’s heir apparent Brodie Croyle struggled last season and does not appear to be the quarterback of the future he once was thought to be. The Chiefs desperately need to improve their offensive line, but unless Jake Long goes into a freefall they’ll be using this pick on a quarterback and most scouts agree that Ryan is the best available in this draft.

6. New York Jets- Vernon Gholston (DE, Ohio State)
The Jets would have loved to pick up McFadden, but settling for Gholston is hardly settling at all. The defensive end prospect was the buzz of the scouting combine after his impressive performance, which had comparisons being drawn between him and Shawne Merriman. I’m not convinced he’ll become quite the dominant force that Merriman is, but he certainly is a game changer and should help the Jets defense. The crowd at Radio City Music Hall should appreciate this one too.

7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco)- Keith Rivers (LB, USC)
Everyone thinks the Patriots are likely to trade down from this slot to acquire multiple picks. But should they stay put, Rivers would add young talent to a serviceable but aging group of linebackers in New England. Despite still producing on the field, Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau are in the twilight of their careers and the rich would be getting richer with Rivers. Bill Belichick has never drafted a linebacker on the draft’s first day so if he doesn’t pick Rivers or trade down, look for him to draft a cornerback like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to replace the departed Asante Samuel or a tackle (Sedrick Ellis on the defensive side, Ryan Clady on offense.)

8. Baltimore Ravens- Leodis McKelvin (CB, Troy State)
The Ravens suffered a miserable 2007 campaign after injuries derailed Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle and they are hoping never to relive the nightmare again. Because their cornerback situation is suspect, McKelvin makes sense as a rising star on many teams’ draft boards after an eye-opening Senior Bowl performance. The Ravens would snap up QB Matt Ryan in an instant should he take a Leinart-esque plunge, and OT Ryan Clady could be selected as John Ogden’s replacement. But new Ravens head coach John Harbough had a special teams background and McKelvin is an excellent return man, in addition to his skills on defense.

9. Cincinnati Bengals- Sedrick Ellis (DT, USC)
Ellis would fill a huge hole for the Bengals, whose woeful defense has grounded their high flying offense in recent years. Ellis may not fall this far, but if he should the Bengals will have reason to celebrate. Ellis will provide a colossal presence on the line and he is relatively quick for his 308 pound size. Marvin Lewis will likely be praying he lasts through the first 8 teams.

10. New Orleans Saints- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB, Tennessee State)
Rodgers-Cromartie’s draft stock has skyrocketed since the Senior Bowl and the meteoric rise of his cousin Antonio on the Chargers squad certainly doesn’t hurt. But he appears to be the real deal and the Saints will relish the opportunity to improve a defense that held them back from building on their 2006 success. If the Patriots don’t snag Keith Rivers, then he could also be an option here.

11. Buffalo Bills- Devin Thomas (WR, Michigan State)
My hometown Bills are in dire need of a tall target to line up alongside top WR Lee Evans for second-year QB Trent Edwards to find, especially in red zone situations where the Bills struggled last year. Thomas may be somewhat of a one year wonder, but he has quickly risen to the top of most team’s receiver draft boards and he has the size and speed to complement the Bills’ offense. Originally it looked as though Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly would be the choice for this slot, but he followed up a disappointing workout by blaming his school’s softer field choice for costing him draft money, selfish comments that will likely turn off the character conscious Bills. The Bills could also choose to go for a cornerback like Rodgers-Cromartie if he’s still available here, as they never really replaced Nate Clements and they face Randy Moss twice a year.

12. Denver Broncos- Ryan Clady (OT, Boise State)
The Broncos are feeling the pressure of two back to back seasons sans playoffs, something that doesn’t happen often in the Mile High City. Now that OT Matt Lepsis is retired and Ryan Harris has yet to prove he can handle the key position, the Broncos have left tackle on the mind. They will jump at the chance to select Clady if he is still available at the 12th slot. If he’s gone, which is quite possible, Denver could opt to select OT Jeff Otah or OG Branden Albert instead. A wide receiver like DeSean Jackson is not out of the question, with the departure of Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall’s idiotic arm injury this offseason.

13. Carolina Panthers- Branden Albert (OG, Virginia)
The Panthers also have a large gap to fill at offensive tackle since franchised Jordan Gross appears unlikely to land a long term deal with the team. Also Carolina would like to move Travelle Wharton inside to left guard, making tackle a priority to address. The Panthers are high on Clady and may make a move to jump up and grab him, but if they stay put they’ll choose between Albert and Jeff Otah. Although Albert played guard for most of his college tenure, his speed and size combination has many NFL scouts certain he can transition to tackle seamlessly in this league. Carolina head coach John Fox is on the hot seat this year and the Browns proved how much of a difference an impact tackle can make with Joe Thomas. Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall is also an option, as is a defensive end prospect like Derrick Harvey to create a pass rush since Julius Peppers seemed to be a shadow of his former self in 2007.

14. Chicago Bears- Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois)
The Bears face a number of pressing needs on the offensive side of the ball, where playmakers are sparse and blocking is questionable. The latter issue has convinced many scouts that they will select an offensive tackle like Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh, believing that their anemic offense will not improve until the line blocking for it does. They could very well go that route. But with a lack of speedy playmakers and the increasing indications that Cedric Benson is a colossal first round bust, it will be very difficult for the Bears to pass on a hometown sensation like Mendenhall. Mendenhall is a tough runner who bolstered his excellent junior year with respectable performances at the scouting combine. If they are scared off from drafting a running back this high after the Benson debacle, Otah is the likely pick here. There is a slight chance the Bears may select a receiver to replace the departed Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad, but I think it’s more likely they address that position later in the draft.

15. Detroit Lions- Jeff Otah (OT, Pittsburgh)
The Lions’ selection is very conditional on what the Bears do with the 14th selection. If they go the offensive tackle route with someone like Otah or Albert, then I feel the Lions will not be able to resist snapping up Mendenhall, who would provide an instant starting upgrade to their lackluster backfield. But since this mock draft assumes Chicago gives into that temptation first, look for the Lions to strongly consider improving their offensive line. A big, physical tackle like Otah will help protect QB Jon Kitna so he can better reach his bevy of receivers and encourage greater production from the position, as well as open up holes for Tatum Bell. If they are sold on a a running back, then Oregon product Jonathan Stewart would not be a bad call. Defensive end is another possibility here, most likely Derrick Harvey should the Lions choose to go down that road.

16. Arizona Cardinals- Jonathan Stewart (RB, Oregon)
The Cardinals believe they are moving in the right direction on offense, but Edgerrin James has hardly lived up to the hype in Phoenix. While there is also a pressing need for a cornerback, they should be able to lock a decent one up in the second round. Meanwhile, Stewart is an eye-opening talent who sports a coveted combination of size and speed. His ability to catch out of the backfield will help QB Matt Leinart (or Kurt Warner) in the passing game and he will provide a much needed spark to the Arizona running game. I don’t buy that his recent toe surgery will hinder his game. CB Mike Jenkins is a possibility here if he’s still on the board, but Stewart seems to be the better choice at the 16th spot.

17. Minnesota Vikings- Derrick Harvey (DE, Florida)
Even before it was revealed that Kenechi Udeze would likely miss the 2008 season to battle leukemia, the Vikings had their eye on adding a pass rusher who could help a weak unit where no player had more than five sacks on the season. Harvey is a top flight DE prospect and should provide an immediate boost to the Vikings defense. Minnesota may also consider taking a look at a quarterback here such as Louisville’s Brian Brohm, but head coach Brad Childress appears to be sold on Tarvaris Jackson as the opening day starter. Count on the Vikings going defense early in this draft, especially if they manage to swing a trade for Texans backup QB Sage Rosenfels on draft day.

18. Houston Texans- Aqib Talib (CB, Kansas)
The Texans’ secondary could really use some help. The season ending injury sustained by Dunta Robinson exposed the lack of depth at the all-important cornerback position. When you’re in the AFC South and trying to catch up with the Colts, allowing Peyton Manning to have his way with your defense will not get the job done. Talib is a great prospect with the potential to be an excellent starting corner on the NFL level. They could also go for South Florida’s Mike Jenkins here. If Stewart or Mendenhall drop to #18, the Texans will certainly be tempted to grab one of them since Ahman Green is far from a long term solution to their rushing game.

19. Philadelphia Eagles- Malcolm Kelly (WR, Oklahoma)
Now that it’s confirmed that Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb will be back heading up the Eagles after they directed Philly to three season ending wins, Philadelphia is going to do everything it can to put McNabb in a position to succeed. The quarterback has been vocal about the team’s need for more offensive weapons and Kelly would provide a big, tall receiver that should be what the doctor ordered for the Eagles in the red zone. Depending on whether a trade involving Lito Sheppard goes down, the Eagles could decide to address the cornerback position here. But they already bolstered their secondary with the Asante Samuel signing, so I think a wide receiver like Kelly or Limas Sweed (if the Eagles are wary of adding another WR with potential character issues after the T.O. debacle) makes the most sense here.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Mike Jenkins (CB, South Florida)
The Bucs need some cornerback help after the loss of Brian Kelly and head coach Jon Gruden is familiar with Jenkins, who played his home games in Tampa Bay’s stadium during the college season. The Bucs chose to go defense in the first round last year with Gaines Adams and they may continue that trend this year, even though Gruden is considered an offense-minded coach. But don’t count the Bucs out on selecting a quarterback or a wide receiver with this pick. They are reportedly high on the strong-armed Joe Flacco out of Delaware and Brian Brohm could also be tempting to the quarterback collector that Gruden is. DeSean Jackson would also fit nicely in Tampa Bay’s system due to the yards he provides after the catch.

21. Washington Redskins- Calais Campbell (DE, Miami (FL))
Campbell seems the likely choice in Washington because his strengths would be a great fit for the Redskins system and he was coached in college by Joe Palermo, the current Redskins defensive line coach. Some teams see him as a bit of a risk and while his combine numbers were not stellar, his size is still his strongest selling point (6′7, 290 lbs). The second most likely option would be a big wide receiver like Texas’ Limas Sweed, who would probably appeal to owner Dan Snyder a bit more than a defensive end pick. The Redskins need a big target for QB Jason Campbell alongside Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El, so Sweed could provide that if the ‘Skins are favoring offense in the first round.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland)- Felix Jones (RB, Arkansas)
The Cowboys have two first round picks in this year’s draft, courtesy of last year’s Brady Quinn trade with the Browns. Assuming the Pacman Jones trade goes through and owner Jerry Jones doesn’t decide to deal both picks in an eleventh hour bid for Darren McFadden, I expect him to select a running back and a wide receiver with the two picks. The first will be McFadden’s teammate Felix Jones, who was somewhat overshadowed by McFadden’s star power but is a great runner in his own right who will complement started Marion Barber now that Julius Jones is a Seahawk. Should the Jones deal falter though, expect the Cowboy’s to swiftly address the cornerback position.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers- Gosder Cherilus (OT, Boston College)
With the departure of longtime offensive guard anchor Alan Faneca to the Jets in the offseason, the Steelers have a clear need to address at the offensive line position. While Pittsburgh would have loved hometown Jeff Otah or Branden Albert to drop to them, Cherilus has the tools and talent to become a starting NFL right tackle and he is the final remaining consensus first round lineman prospect on the boards at this point. He would allow the Steelers to move Willie Colon to guard, as a replacement for Faneca. But QB Ben Roethlisberger has lobbied for a large wide receiver this offseason so Texas’ Limas Sweed is also a possibility at the 23rd spot.

24. Tennessee Titans- Limas Sweed (WR, Texas)
The Titans are in desperate need of a #1 wide receiver, with Roydell Williams leading the team in receiving yards last season. Nothing against Williams, who is a solid player, but he’s more suited for #2 receiver duties. After letting WRs Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade walk after QB Vince Young’s 2006 Pro Bowl breakout season, Young took a major step back last year with a lack of reliable targets. Reuniting Young with his former Texas teammate Sweed, a big, fast receiver who can be a game-changer, appears to be a no-brainer. Sweed will help the Titans in the red zone and ease the constant pressure on Williams and Justin Gage that kept the Titans from achieving their full potential in 2007.

25. Seattle Seahawks- Dustin Kellar (TE, Purdue)
After losing out on the Alge Crumpler sweepstakes to the Titans, the Seahawks have a relatively large need to fill in giving QB Matt Hasslebeck a pass-catching tight end that can make a difference on offense. The ‘Hawks still see their Super Bowl window as open and a player like Kellar, who can contribute in the passing game right away, makes sense from that perspective. If Jonathan Stewart were to somehow fall this far, I could envision Seattle selecting him to share time with newly signed Julius Jones in order to replace Shaun Alexander, who will probably be cut before the season starts.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars- Kentwan Balmer (DT, North Carolina)
The Jaguars made a strong postseason showing last year, beating the Steelers on the road and matching the Patriots score for score until the second half. But while they have revamped their receiving game with the additions of Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson this offseason, their defense has taken some hits. The most notable of these was the trade of monster defensive tackle Marcus Stroud to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for draft picks. While the trade could end up benefiting both teams involved, the Jags have a hole to fill on the defensive line. Balmer is a strong, penetrating tackle that should make his presence known alongside Jonathan Henderson on the defensive side of the ball. Jacksonville may also elect to go for a defensive end like USC’s Lawrence Jackson because their insufficient pass rush was one of the main reasons they were not able to keep up with the Patriots in the playoffs.

27. San Diego Chargers- Kenny Phillips (FS, Miami (FL))
Because the Chargers’ roster features such an abundance of talent, they can afford to try and target the best player left on their draft board without being tied down to any pressing needs. They could use a starting caliber free safety to play alongside 2007 second round pick Eric Weddle and Phillips is a great prospect for the position who did not originally appear would be available this late in the first round. This is the Chargers’ only draft pick in the first four rounds so they need to make it count. Another option would be USC OT Sam Baker to replace Shane Olivea, the former starting right tackle cut by the Chargers this offseason.

28. Dallas Cowboys- DeSean Jackson (WR, California)
The Cowboys would love to insert Jackson into their already potent offense as a slot receiver and return man to provide QB Tony Romo with a third option besides Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. Jackson is a speedy burner that could excel without the pressure of having to be a team’s #1 or #2 wide receiver from opening day forward. However, if the Cowboys cannot swing the Pacman Jones deal, I think they have to select a cornerback with this pick (if not the 22nd) such as VT’s Brandon Flowers.

29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis)- Mario Manningham (WR, Michigan)
Despite adding WRs Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson through free agency, the 49ers realize that 2008 is going to be a make or break year for former first overall pick QB Alex Smith, who is fighting off the bust label in San Francisco. In order to give him the best chance at succeeding this year, he needs all of the offensive weapons he can get. The 49ers clearly didn’t think they would be picking 7th overall when they traded their top pick to New England last year and it must be painful to pick this low in 2008 after the nightmare season they endured. Manningham is an excellent possession receiver whose draft stock has slipped a bit because of his 40 time, but he is the kind of player that plays faster than he is. If he goes to the Niners, I think he’ll make a bigger impact next season than Bruce or Johnson will. Indiana’s James Hardy is also an option here.

30. Green Bay Packers- Brandon Flowers (CB, Virginia Tech)
Green Bay has a formidable duo of cornerbacks in Al Harris and Charles Woodson, but they are not getting any younger and the Packers lack any serious depth behind them. Flowers is a fantastic coverage man, who some scouts think may be the best in the draft, and it’s surprising that he will have lasted this long. The Packers can get an immediate impact out of him by inserting him into the secondary as a nickel back while grooming him to eventually succeed whichever of their starters gives out first. Other drafts also speculate that Green Bay may want to trade down from this pick, likely fielding offers from teams interested in QB Brian Brohm (Falcons?).

31. New England Patriots- Pick Forfeited
The Patriots had to forefeit the 31st overall pick in the draft as punishment for violating the league’s rules in the Week 1 SpyGate episode. Losing a first round pick will always hurt, but the true impact of this punishment is lost on the slippery Patriots, who made a shrewd trade with the 49ers on draft day last year. The Patriots figured that the Niners were assuming that they would be better in 2007 than they were. The Pats were right, San Fran sucked, and now the team that went 18-1* ends up with a Top 10 draft pick. And people wonder why they are hated so much…

32. New York Giants- Dan Connor (LB, Penn State)
The Super Bowl champions have an obvious hole to fill at the outside linebacker position, where former starter Kawika Mitchell departed in free agency for the Buffalo Bills and Mathias Kiwanuka appears better suited to move to defensive end as Michael Strahan’s eventual heir apparent. Dan Connor is the latest in a long line of solid Penn State linebacker prospects and should plug the hole very effectively. Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo is also an option here, should the Giants feel that he has more upside than the ready-to-play Connor.

The doldrums have passed and hopefully the frigid weather will follow. In a myriad NBA cities (not named Chicago), bold moves at the trade deadline have fans thinking championship thoughts. NFL free agency kicked off with a bang and MLB spring training is underway. Not to mention March Madness right around the corner. I can already feel my boredom melting.

• Bye Bye Big Ben: In an unforgiving season that has given Bulls fans very little to cheer about, a mammoth trade at least caused a collective raising of eyebrows and fostered a bit of hope for a better future.

  In case you've found it too painful to follow the Bulls this year, Chicago shipped Ben Wallace and Joe Smith to Cleveland and Adrian Griffin to Seattle in exchange for Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons. The Cavs also received Wally Sczcerbiak and Delonte West from the Sonics and a second round pick from the Bulls, sending Ira Newbie and Donyell Marshall to Seattle. Expect this to be the first of numerous efforts by Bulls GM John Paxson to overhaul a roster that severely underachieved this year and currently stands at 13 games below .500 with 22 left to go. Make no mistake, Paxson is ascribing to the youth movement in Chicago.

  Ben Wallace and Drew Gooden fight for a loose ball ten days after swapping teams.

  I think the move could end up benefiting both teams involved. Hughes can be a shooting force if he can stay consistent and Gooden will hopefully provide a post presence. But the best aspect of the trade is the departure of Wallace's bloated contract. It's amazing how quickly fans soured on Wallace, who was touted as the missing piece to Chicago's championship picture back in 2006. Wallace should find a new stride in Cleveland where he'll be once again playing for a Finals contender alongside Lebron James. I'm sad to see him go, but he never lived up to expectations in Chicago. The new look Cavs got the best of the Bulls 95-86 when they met this afternoon in Cleveland due primarily to James' 37-point heroics. Tied at 83 in the 4th quarter, James went on a 6 point streak including a dominating dunk that took the wind out of the Bulls' sails. Hughes led Chicago with 23 points, but they came on an inadequate 8/20 shooting performance from the field. Despite a change in uniform, Hughes couldn't catch a break from the Cleveland fans who booed him as fiercely as they did during his self-described "unhappy" two-and-a-half year stay. If he doesn't get his field goal percentage up, I'm going to start relating to them.

• Berrian bolts, Briggs is back: The Bears are bereft of receivers.

  After releasing Muhsin Muhammad, who was scooped back up by Carolina, the Bears failed to re-sign their top receiver Bernard Berrian who wasted no time accepting a six year $42 million deal with the division rival Vikings.Although the Bears re-signed linebacker Lance Briggs, who was apparently joking when he said he'd never wear a Bears uniform again, the front office should be very concerned about the gaping holes in their offense. Right now their #1 receiver is Mark Bradley. That's right. And unless they plan on playing Devin Hester every snap on offense as well, they will need to address the position. The move to re-sign quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton was not popular in Chicago and letting loose their top two receiving threats hardly seems the way to encourage better production from the underachieving position.

  With the exception of Randy Moss, the remainder of the free agent WR crop isn't exactly overflowing with talent. Donte Stallworth signed with the Browns, Ernest Wilford went to the Dolphins and Jerry Porter is now a Jaguar. Cardinals wide receiver Bryant Johnson could be a nice option, but Sirius Radio reported earlier today that the Buffalo Bills have an agreement in place. That leaves D.J. Hackett and Javon Walker, whose numerous injuries make him a question mark. Not exactly a buyer's market. Luckily for the Bears it should be a good draft for receivers, but it's never reassuring to have a position of relative strength become a glaring weakness in the space of a week.

• Soriano Scare: Star Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano will miss up to five days after fracturing his right middle finger while working on fly bat drills in practice. That's right, only five days. Cubs Nation, you're allowed to exhale now.

Top free agent cornerback Asante Samuel flew from the Patriots to the Eagles on the first day of free agency.

• Around the World:

1. A lot of huge men made even bigger moves this weekend. The Browns dealt for Packers defensive tackle Corey Williams and Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (who was originally reported to be heading to Cincinnati) and instantly upgraded their defense at the expense of their first day draft picks. The Bills shipped a third and fifth round pick to the Jaguars for defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who should give the 30th ranked run defense a gigantic boost. And the Jets made ex-Steelers guard Alan Faneca the highest paid offensive lineman with a whopping 5-year $40 million deal. Faneca is one of the best in the game but he'll turn 32 next season. That's a lot of money to have tied up in one aging veteran.
2. The Patriots front has been deathly quiet so far in free agency, watching cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Randall Gay depart to Philadelphia and New Orleans respectively. Donte Stallworth is a Brown now and there's still no progress on the Randy Moss front. Something tells me they are not going 16-0 next season.
3. Speaking of Moss, the predominant sentiment is that he will re-sign with New England. But if he doesn't, Brett Favre could get the elite receiver he lobbied hard for a year ago. There's no way he'd retire in that case. Probably not for another five years. The Cowboys have also been mentioned as interested in pairing Moss with current top receiver Terrell Owens. Somehow I doubt there is enough space for both egos on one football field.
4. The Giants have also been raided by free agent departures, losing safety Gabril Wilson (Raiders) and linebackers Kawika Mitchell (Bills) and Reggie Torbor (Dolphins). Don't panic New York fans. The Giants have adequate depth to fill those holes and the draft should act as a talent infusion if those positions need to be further addressed.
5. The Falcons have signed top free agent running back Michael Turner to a 6-year deal worth $35 million, prompting former starter Warrick Dunn to request his release. Pretty unbelievable that Michael Vick, Dunn and tight end Alge Crumpler are all ex-Falcons now less than one year after they were considered the nucleus of the Atlanta franchise.
6. The Dolphins made a quick flurry of free agent moves, as expected under Parcells' watch. But I can't say I was very impressed with the bulk of them. Josh McCown should be a good stopgap at quarterback until the front office figures out what it has in 2007 second round pick John Beck, who had one of the roughest rookie campaigns I can recall. Ernest Wilford could be productive alongside Ted Ginn Jr. but it sounds like they overpaid for linebacker Calvin Pace with over $20 million of guaranteed money. While Torbor was a solid pickup, guard Justin Smiley is coming off shoulder surgery that limited him to 8 games in 2007 and they are paying ex-Titans backup defensive tackle Randy Starks starter's money with a 5-year $25 million deal. He'd better be ready to start if Miami is to improve upon its horrific 1-15 campaign.

• Out of Bounds:

1. This Tuesday seems far more Super than the last. Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont go to the polls and could decide the Democratic nomination, especially if Barack Obama can pull off victories in either of the former two big states. Obama leads Clinton slightly in the latest Texas polls while Clinton clings to a narrowing 4 point lead in Ohio. That small a margin of victory won't be enough to erase Obama's delegate lead, nor to quiet the loudening calls for her to drop out of the race.
2. Hillary Clinton's "red phone" advertisement showing children asleep in their beds brings back shades of Lyndon Johnson's infamous "Daisy Girl" ad that played upon the public's fear of nuclear war. Obama's camp countered it quickly with an ad of their own that lifted footage straight out of Clinton's, arguing she had already had her "red phone" moment with the Iraq War vote and had made the wrong choice. It's a sign of desperation by the Clinton campaign that they have resorted to trying to scare up votes by appealing to parents through perceived threats to their children.
3. Putin's puppet Dmitri Medvedev will be Russia's next president. Dear President Medvedev, I'm still waiting for my cabinet position. Love, Matt Medved.

Bye Bye Big Ben The Bulls trade Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and a second round draft pick to the Cavaliers in an 11 player deal that brings Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons to Chicago. My take on it in the next "Sports Matters" post.

So in the greatest of all meaningless games, the East knocked out the West 134-128 in New Orleans, which had put on its best face for the largest sporting event it had hosted since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. 1. The news that eclipsed the game's outcome was the completion of the Jason Kidd trade to Dallas the next day for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, Trenton Hassell, Keith Van Horn and two future first round draft picks in 2008 and 2010. Seems like the West is caught up in a series of major knee jerk trade reactions. It remains to be seen if any of them will be enough to unseat the seasoned Spurs in the playoffs.

Star Cavaliers forward Lebron James won his second All Star MVP title in three years.

2. As I expected, the game itself was pretty unremarkable until the 4th quarter. Epitomizing the greatest complaints levied against the league, the All-Stars hardly played defense at all. However, the West made things interesting by taking the lead late in the 4th quarter due to the efforts of Dirk Nowitzki and hometown hero Chris Paul. However, Ray Allen brought in 9 points on three 3-point shots to retake the lead shortly after it was lost.

3. The nice thing about the All-Star Game is the glimpses it gives at how standout players would excel with an All-Star cast surrounding them against the toughest defenses that the NBA has to offer. Watching Lebron James scissor through defenders on his own to deliver a clutch basket in the waning minutes of a tied game helps demonstrate the sort of game changer he is.

4. Speaking of Lebron, the King took home the All Star MVP title for the second time in three years. Sure his dunk-to-take-the-lead was spectacular, but Ray Allen may have been a more prudent choice for the honors as his 28 points edged James' 27 and his 3-point sharpshooting carried the East in the crucial 4th quarter.

4. I didn't see one camera shot of Snoop Dogg, who I had thought would never miss an All Star Game. Surely his legal problems aren't hampering him this much?

It's that time of the year. The NFL season is over, the NBA playoff drive has yet to really heat up and MLB spring training still feels like a distant snowbound fantasy. But the world keeps turning and there have been some rather significant developments.

• Lakers and Suns make big moves, Bulls tread water: Two blockbuster trades went down last week involving big men with low post credentials. Neither of them involved the 20-30 Chicago Bulls. After no less than three years of Pau Gasol trade rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers finally pulled the trigger before the Bulls, sending Kwame Brown, Jarvaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, Marc Gasol (Pau's little brother) and first round draft picks in 2008 and 2010 to the Grizzlies in exchange for the 7-foot Spaniard. While that looks like an awfully long list, the Lakers pulled off a coup in returning to championship contender status without having to part with key components such as center Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom. It once looked likely that either Kobe Bryant or Gasol could be suiting up in Chicago red this season. But now they are teammates on a resurgent force in the West, leaving the floundering Bulls wondering what might have been. The Lakers' package was hardly out of Bulls GM John Paxson's competitive league and, with the plethora of young (if injured) talent on the roster, it stands to reason that Paxson could have made a play for Gasol. His inaction may come back to haunt him if the Bulls continue their slide.
  

  Pau Gasol has made an instant impact on the Lakers, who have gone 4-1 since acquiring him.

  The Phoenix Suns raised eyebrows all across the league in dealing disgruntled All-Star forward Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O'Neal, he of four Finals rings and reserve police badge fame. Despite their claim to the best record in the West, it's evident that rookie-GM Steve Kerr is feeling the pressure to avoid closing out the Steve Nash era without a championship to show for it. You can bet Nash, who lauded the move, shares the sentiment after two losses in the Conference Finals (at the hands of the Spurs and the Mavericks) and one in the Semi-Finals (Spurs) in the past three years. But O'Neal is a gargantuan gamble for the 34-14 Suns. A 36-year-old hobbled 325-pounder hardly seems a fit for the Suns' up-tempo offense. However, Marion had demanded a trade before the season and would likely have opted out of his contract next year, so the Suns were wise to obtain something in return for him. The question that looms almost larger than Shaq himself is which O'Neal will show up on the court after his ailing hip heals. Will it be the O'Neal who helped bolster fellow Heat super-star Dwayne Wade with solid playoff performance enroute to the franchise's first championship in 2006? Or will it be the O'Neal that missed more than 30 games due to injury in 2007 and averaged career lows of 17.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG and a .422 free throw percentage? I think that when O'Neal eventually takes to the Phoenix court he'll be significantly better than his meager numbers so far this year. A winning atmosphere on a top contender should be enough to motivate Shaq even if his claims that he needs to win one-for-the-thumb to complete his "legacy" ring somewhat hollow. But similarly to the San Diego Chargers' decision to replace Marty Schottenheimer with Norv Turner, a move this risky can only be vindicated by that very ring. Its absence, regardless of whether Shaq is to blame, will cast a pall on Kerr's fledgling administration and a Suns' franchise that has yet to win a championship despite featuring such stars as Charles Barkley and Nash.

In two years Ben Wallace has gone from free agent jackpot to possible trade bait in Chicago.

• Youngsters Carry Bulls: Bulls fans have heard it far too often. Young talent. Potential. But none of those buzzwords have paid enough dividends on the court to prevent the Bulls from limping to a 20-30 record. However, with starters Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich in absentia this week, younger players have been able to make their mark. Chris Duhon poured in a career-high 34 points in a 114-108 victory over the high-octane Golden State Warriors. Duhon was bolstered by Tyrus Thomas' dominant 13-point 4th quarter performance that included two key blocks and defensive rebounds that helped the Bulls finally put away a close game on the road.
  Meanwhile, fellow second year guard Thabo Sefolosha has scored a career high 22 points in two out of the last three games. This could impact injured Ben Gordon's future with the team. The emergence of Joakim Noah as the Bulls' center of the future also has the team placing Ben Wallace on the trade block with two days left before the trade deadline expires. Potential suitors include the Knicks and the Jazz. Will Paxson make a move? Perhaps, but it's not likely to be a huge splash, despite rumors surfacing that involve Golden State's Al Harrington. Paxson has refrained from pushing the "panic button" in the past and the Gasol and O'Neal trades will likely not sway him

• Around the World:

1. The Parcells purge has begun in Miami. QB Trent Green, WR Marty Booker and OT L.J. Shelton headlined the nine initial cuts and there will certainly be more to follow before free agency officially kicks off on Feb. 29th.
2. Dan Snyder pulled a fast one on Jim Fassel and the rest of the league by hiring former NFL-quarterback Jim Zorn as the new Redskins head coach... despite Zorn having held no position higher than quarterbacks coach in the league. In fact Zorn was brought in by Snyder originally to be his offensive coordinator. Bucking his own trend of experience (Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs are his last 3 hires), Snyder went in the extreme opposite direction. Even Zorn described it as "miraculous". Well once the jubilant haze passes, Zorn better have a plan to win because Snyder may throw money around like confetti, but he expects results.
3. The Roger Clemens steroid saga is heating up. Now former teammate Andy Pettite has submitted an affidavit to Congress claiming that Clemens told him he had used HGH nearly 10 years ago. Clemens retorted that Pettite must have been mistaken and the comment had been in reference to the HGH his wife had allegedly taken. Uh. Yeah...right. Clemens is set to testify on Wednesday and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's curious to hear what he has to say.
4. Scary moment on the ice for Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik, who was upgraded to "good condition" at the Buffalo General Hospital two days after teammate Olli Jokinen's skate blade nearly severed Zednik's carotid artery. The medical staff performed life-saving surgery on Zednik, who had lost almost one-third of the blood in his body. Luckily, he's expected to make a full recovery though he probably won't see action for a few months.

• Out of Bounds:

1. How about Barack Obama? After fighting Clinton to a draw on Super Tuesday he rattles off an 8 state winning streak that has him a narrow front runner in a race most pundits thought would be conceded to Clinton as early as last week back in December. And while Clinton has scored in big states like California and New York, Obama's shown he can curry support in traditional "red states" and currently leads Republican presumptive nominee John McCain in the head-to-head polls by 3.7 points. Clinton trails McCain in the same polls by 1 point. Don't think Howard Dean and the DNC bigwigs haven't noticed.
2. The writer's strike is finally over. Before you start celebrating, keep in mind that most shows won't resume new episodes until April, if they show up this season at all.
3. East Timor's president Jose Ramos-Horta is in stable condition after a being shot three times by rebel soldier Alfredo Reinado outside his Dili residence. Our thoughts are with him.

The most important endorsement last week had nothing to do with Barack Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife or Ted Kennedy. Try Joe Namath. The legendary Jets quarterback predicted that Eli Manning and the New York Giants would upset the (previously) undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. He's now 2 for 2 on Super Bowl upset guarantees. I guess that means I'm only one behind him. In all seriousness, the fallout from the Giants' 17-14 victory will be discussed for years, but there are some points that must be addressed in the wake of quite possibly the greatest upset in NFL history.

1. This is a franchise-changing loss for the Patriots. Belichick and Brady had little to say after the confetti fell, but it is certainly on their minds now. This loss will stick in their throats for years. Just as the annual discussion spurred by a team going undefeated through Week 9 carries talk of the 1972 Dolphins, so will it forever include the cautionary tale of the 2007 Patriots. Their legacy is forever altered. Instead of the greatest team to take the field, they will be remembered as the chokers that won every game they played except the one that mattered. 19-0? Now replaced as the 18-1 Goliath that collapsed under the weight of their own arrogance and expectations and choked away the biggest game of their lives. The Patriots woke up Monday with a Super Bowl hangover and an uncertain future. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is set to meet with Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter to discuss Goodell's destruction of evidence in the SpyGate matter. Ex-Pats video assistant Matt Walsh has suggested he has incriminating video evidence of further Belichick cheating that could reopen the matter. If it's damning enough, Belichick could be facing a league suspension. Additionally, Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Asante Samuel, Tedi Bruschi, Eugene Wilson and Randall Gay highlight a sizable group of unrestricted free agents. The defense is getting no younger, and there's still no word on Junior Seau's retirement watch. If the Patriots hope to keep Moss on board, they will likely be unable to afford to resign most of these key pieces. While letting big-name players walk has always worked for them in the past, it remains to be seen how this catastrophic end to their dream season will affect the team psychologically.

Fourth string wide receiver David Tyree became a Super Bowl legend with this improbable 32 yard third-down reception to set up the game winning TD.

2. Eli Manning has come of age. In four post-season contests, he threw 6 TDs and only one interception that was not his fault (off the hands of rookie receiver Steve Smith). His game-winning drive has already been indoctrinated into Super Bowl lore, as has "The Play": his evasion of no less than 3 sacks, bullet pass and David Tyree's unbelievable hand-to-helmet catch on third down with 59 seconds left. Biggest play of their lives.

3. I have to wonder how former Giants RB Tiki Barber and injured TE Jeremy Shockey feel. Once the pin-up stars of the New York Giants, Barber was sitting in a press box and Shockey was drinking in a luxury suite while Manning led his team to victory.

4. As expected, defensive ends were key in pressuring Brady. Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora harassed Brady, who was sacked a season high 5 times, all night.

5. My grandfather turned 81 years old on Super Bowl Sunday. He told me to thank the Giants for the best birthday present of his life.

6. Finally, it is important to give long-awaited credence to the clandestine contingent that always believed the Patriots would fail in their quest for perfection, the much maligned group of NFL fans who suffered through every comeback drive and timely Brady-Moss hookup. We are the doomed cheerleaders of AJ Feeley and Kyle Boller. We saw the Patriots' weaknesses exposed that were lost in the buzz of 16-0 anointment blather following their Week 17 38-35 win over the team that would later slay them in the Super Bowl. The same stalwarts that endured the mockery of Patriots fans and the national media alike now stand triumphant in their support of the underdog Giants. We always knew.

Tides of darkness are growing. The hype has built to a fevered pitch. Smoke clouds the sky above a stadium in the Arizona desert where thousands will gather Sunday night. The entire season has been a mere prelude, a series of steps in an inexorable march toward the final culmination that is Super Bowl XLII.

For the unbeaten New England Patriots, that march has been mechanical and smooth, completely bereft of speed bumps as they swept through the regular and postseason unbowed. After losing the AFC Championship to the rival Indianapolis Colts, the Patriots went on an off-season spending spree. They completely revamped their receiving corps by adding Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth and bolstered their defensive interior with LB Adalius Thomas. Questions of how the new acquisitions would mesh with the team first Patriots soon fell by the wayside. During their unprecedented run, the team smashed numerous NFL records including the single season TD pass (50 by Tom Brady) and reception (23 by Moss) records. But there is no doubt that the Patriots have been as much the bane of the league as they have been the toast.

Scandal broke after their Week 2 game against the New York Jets when it was revealed that the Patriots had been taping the Jets’ defensive signals. The backlash was swift and the commissioner docked Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000 and their first round draft pick. But the Patriots channeled the embarrassment and doubt cast on their triple championship legacy by playing with a chip on their shoulders and running up the score on their hapless opponents en route to the first 18-0 record in NFL history. And not only do they still have a top 10 draft pick by virtue of a trade with San Francisco, but on the eve of the Super Bowl, new allegations have arisen of the Patriots having illegally videotaped the St. Louis Rams’ final walk-through prior to Super Bowl XXXVI. Infuriating and oh-so-typical of the Evil Empire.

The New York Giants enter the NFL’s greatest stage on an entirely different note. Winners of their last 10 road games, including tough playoff match ups at Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay, the upstart Giants have been hardened and tested as they continue to respond to adversity by defying expectations. Perhaps no young quarterback has shouldered as much criticism in the past four years as Eli Manning, whose every misstep was a holocaust under the intense microscope of the unforgiving New York media. The Giants were supposed to miss retired running back Tiki Barber this season. They were supposed to be wrestling to keep aging defensive stars like Michael Strahan in training camp and buying into embattled coach Tom Coughlin’s system. They were supposed to be too old on one side of the ball, too young on the other, and lacking in sufficient talent all around to accomplish more than yet another early playoff exit. They were not supposed to be in the Super Bowl.

But Eli Manning’s coming of age (he has thrown 4 TDs and has not turned the ball over yet in the postseason) coincided with the the best defensive football the G-Men have played in years. Building on confidence drawn from their thrilling 38-35 loss to the Patriots in the final game of the season, the Giants have turned the NFC playoff field on its head. To upset the Patriots, the underdog Giants must continue to be turnover-free and play with the same sense of defensive urgency that propelled them into this Super matchup. Defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are going to be key in getting pressure on the usually unflappable Brady. If Manning continues his high level of play and the dual rushing threat of Brandon Jacobs and unheralded rookie Ahmad Bradshaw can get going, the Giants have a fighter’s chance.

And so the stage shall be set Sunday night. Emperor Belichick will prowl the sidelines, sneering and scheming under his hooded cowl. Darth Brady will take to the field with inhuman accuracy (more machine now than man) while the great bulbous orb of Robert Kraft’s cranium will hang in the Arizona sky, surveying the battlefield with cold calculation.

But young Manning and the rest of the Rebel Alliance will have a chance to take down the Death Star, and I believe they can and will succeed in pulling off one of the greatest upsets in NFL history.

New York 38, New England 35

Use the force, Eli.

Robert Kraft’s head will explode in a brilliant blaze of light, sparking celebrations across the NFL Galaxy. Eli Manning will be hailed as the savior of American football. Brady will lie broken and short circuiting upon the field while Belichick is sucked into a sudden chasm in the earth, howling and grasping for his tattered playbook.

Many years from now in a galaxy far far away, NFL fans will reminisce upon the night’s events with incredulity and awe.

“Do you remember when Eli Manning became a man? When he rose up to end New England’s tyranny and restored clean play and justice to the league?” They shall ask each other.

“And do you remember when the Patriots went 18-1?” They shall continue with the half-formed specters of grins already seizing at their cheeks.

“That was fucking hilarious.”

In this inaugural edition of the Windy City Roundup, I'll be fracturing the usual spotlight to accommodate a number of different Chicago-area sports stories that I feel are worthy of comment as well as listing a few select national plot lines.

• Bumbling Bulls: Just because they've lost Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Joe Smith to various injuries does not give the Bulls license to lose 83-67 to the worst team in the NBA. I can say this with certainty because they beat the very same Minnesota Timberwolves just the night before 96-85 at the United Center while similarly shorthanded. Hinrich, who had shouldered the team as of late, must have shrugged tonight with his 5-17 shooting performance.The Bulls committed a whopping 22 turnovers en route to their lowest point total of the season. The pathetic effort prompted interim head coach Jim Boylan to compare the Bulls to Ritalin-starved ADD tykes: "They stopped playing with energy. They stopped playing with focus. They went into their own little worlds, acting kind of childish at times instead of doing what we know we need to do." What are the Vegas odds on the "interim" being removed from Boylan's title anytime soon? Buyer beware. Anyone know Larry Brown's number?

Alonzo Spellman was lucky that referees weren't issued pepper bullets during the 9 years he spent in the league.

• Spellman Shootout: Former Bears first-round draft pick Alonzo Spellman is back in trouble with the law. The embattled ex-defensive lineman was arrested by police in Tulsa, Oklahoma after a 20-minute car chase following a convenience store disturbance. Police had to use stop sticks and pepper bullets to apprehend Spellman, who refused to leave the vehicle even after it was stopped.He was booked on complaints of eluding, assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer, resisting arrest and driving without a license. No word yet on whether he was on his medication at the time. Spellman was diagnosed with bipolar disorder during his Bears tenure, battled drugs and alcohol and later spent 18 months in federal prison for interfering with a flight crew and forcing an emergency landing.

And you all thought Tank Johnson was bad?

• Around the World:

1. Someone forgot to tell the Pro Bowl that Jamal Lewis plays for the Browns now. His Ravens replacement Willis McGahee was named as a Pro Bowl alternate because of L.T.'s knee injury despite trailing Lewis by 97 yards and 2 TDs.
2. It's looking almost definite that my hometown Buffalo Bills will be the first international NFL team. Assuming the league approves the plan, the Bills will play 8 games in Toronto over the next 5 years: one regular season game per year plus three pre-season contests. Smart move for a small market franchise that should keep it in Buffalo for the foreseeable future. But is a long-term move to Toronto in the cards?
3. Huge upset in Kansas. Formerly undefeated No. 2 Kansas goes down to spunky No. 22 Kansas State, making star forward Michael Beasely a household name in the Sunflower State.
4. Johan Santana to the Mets for a handful of prospects? What a steal. Too bad the Cubs didn't act on that.
5. Talk about fan initiative: More than 100,000 Liverpool FC fans are trying to purchase the team from its current American tycoon owners in a "member-share" scheme aimed at raising £500 million.

• Out of Bounds:

1. Immediately after finishing third in Florida to Republican rivals John McCain and Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani vowed to fight on. A few hours later, he had withdrawn from the race and endorsed McCain. Something happened during those two hours to change his mind. Can anyone smell a McCain/Giuliani ticket? If my current claim to fame was being the ex-mayor of New York, I'd take a VP nod in a heartbeat.
2. Sad to see John Edwards go as I've always liked the guy, but the time was right. PS- An Obama/Edwards ticket sure has a nice ring to it.

Wait... he didn't even mention the Super Bowl?! Have no fear, tune back in before Sunday for my full Super Bowl prediction.