Spellman’s Scorecard: Some things you notice watching Olympics

Random Olympics thoughts:ŸI want my #147;Parks and Recreation#148; back.ŸClass, thy names are Gabby Douglas and Oscar Pistorius.ŸI#146;m pretty sure the silver medal for most airtime on NBC goes to Michael Phelps#146; mom.ŸWhat in the name of Al Trautwig is up with all the icy glares from the women gymnasts?ŸThe Cadillac ATS appears to be a reasonably quiet ride.ŸCan NBC possibly foreshadow the winners any more than it does on its edited evening broadcasts?It#146;s as easy to figure out who#146;s gonna win as it used to be trying to deduce the bad guy on an episode of #147;Streets of San Francisco#148; featuring special guest star Chad Everett.Making a statement:John Daly, from out of nowhere, fires an opening-round 68 and is just 2 shots off the lead in the PGA Championship.Making an even louder statement:Daly#146;s pants.Here#146;s how it is, so Bear down:Brian Urlacher is hurt or unavailable for now.Got it.Nick Roach will slide over to fill in for No. 54.OK, that shouldn#146;t be too bad.And Geno Hayes will take over Roach#146;s old spot.Wait, what?Should that be a cause for concern?Speaking of concern:Paul Konerko.Concussion.Minor or not, it#146;s a concern.In case you missed it:The Bulls signed first-round pick Marquis Teague.Could the announcement have been any more low-key?Seven-step delay:Mike Martz has been hired as an analyst for NFL games on FOX, and I#146;m probably in the minority in thinking he#146;ll do pretty well in that role.But since he#146;s coming in at the bottom of the FOX depth chart, we better not see him calling a Bears game.If we do, it#146;s been a lost season.Just wondering:When did baseball become the official pie-to-the-face sport?Am I wrong or is it the only sport where you see it?Kicking it #133; Arlington style?Never thought I#146;d see the day, but on Million Day the folks at Arlington Park are converting the usually fancy-schmancy International Room into a dance club.That#146;s right, and, according to Arlington, #147;DJ Summer Altice #151; a high-energy DJ who heats up nights at the Playboy Mansion #151; will highlight the club atmosphere.#148;Is someone messing with me on this?Nah, and good for AP in their attempt to attract a younger crowd.Forever a Bear:Alex Brown.One of my faves.Wish granted:This weekend#146;s weather has to be an absolute godsend to Curtis Tyrrell and the folks over at Medinah Country Club, but big kudos to everyone over there anyway because despite a torturous summer and even before Thursday#146;s drenching, the course still looked amazing.BTW:Less than 50 days until the Ryder Cup, but who#146;s counting?Million fever:Sets in on Sunday morning with Breakfast at Arlington #151; the Million edition.Ugh, this can#146;t be good:#147;There is a meaningful gulf there.#148;#151; Donald Fehr, head of the NHL players association, describing negotiations with the NHL on a new collective-bargaining agreement.mspellman@dailyherald.com