It seems rather odd, but tonight will be only the second time the Bears and Dallas Cowboys will meet for Monday Night Football. Both are storybook franchises and much is expected of them. The spotlight of this nationally televised game will be extremely bright and every positive and negative will be seen. Since it is the only game on the schedule, the next day loser will get picked apart like the turkey after Thanksgiving.
To that end, there are similarities: Both teams have highly scrutinized quarterbacks, with Jay Cutler for Chicago and Eastern Illinois product Tony Romo for Dallas. Each is considered a "franchise-type" player, however, neither have produced a win where it matters — at the Super Bowl.
The seven rotating Bears defensive linemen came at Rams quarterback Sam Bradford in waves. They recorded six sacks and came at every direction. The unit held the St. Louis offense to 160 total yards. This was supposed to be an over-the-hill defense, but they continue to play well in tandem. One of those veterans, nine-year defensive end Israel Idonije (he had 2 ½ sacks) doesn’t see age as a problem for this Bears defensive unit. “For us internally, age has never been an issue,” said Idonije. "We know the work ethic of our guys, the drive, the mentality of the guys — all that old stuff is from the outside.” Idonije and 11-year veteran Julius Peppers are getting plenty of rest in between plays and the youngsters Stephen Paea and Sean McClellin are learning and improving with the elder players.
Of course, you want the Bears offense to play better. To that end, the team did make a change with the offensive line — left guard Chris Spencer will sit and Chilo Rachal will be inserted. Both players battled for the job during the pre-season. There are no assurances that Rachal has cemented the job. “You are never comfortable, I am mentally going in to execute and dominate to keep the spot,” he said.
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Many people have owned and operated both the Cubs and White Sox but one family has had some of the biggest influences on both these teams — the Veecks. It was the Veecks who,75 years back, gave Wrigley Field the alterations that made the iconic ball park what it is today. In 1937, the ivy, scoreboard and bleachers were installed by father-and-son duo Bill Veeck Sr. and Bill Veeck Jr. The elder was the Cubs president and the younger was the team's general manager, and the renovations were part of a play to make the stadium fan friendly; it sure worked. Veeck Sr.
Joe was one of several respected, crusty, opinionated characters who surrounded me when my career in sports began. These men taught me lessons I will never forget and that I use more times than not. They were fearless, honest and had integrity. Sadly, most are gone, but if you watched