With Bears in control, complaints finally vanish
When I start thinking, things can get scary. And right now I am thinking it’s one of the few times in history that Chicago Bears fans have nothing to complain about.
How do we survive?
I used to moan about Brian Urlacher — well he’s playing great.
How about the quarterback position? Cutler is ticking like a fine-tuned clock!
How about the coach? No problem there. For the love of Doug Buffone and OB — there has be something!
The 2006 Super Bowl team had problems. Even the 1985 Bears had injury issues at the quarterback position. There are virtually no complaints with this 2012 Bears team.
I guess we could carry on about the offensive line, and that would be legitimate — but I choose not to gripe. Afterall, if Matt Forte runs for more than 100 yards and Jay Cutler’s uniform doesn’t get that dirty being sacked — there is no point to criticizing the offensive line.
So enjoy the Bear talk at work or when you are having a cup of coffee, but you just might stare at each other because there is basically nothing to complain it.
Who is the man on the Bulls?Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls guard, will take this team as far as he can. He has always been a fierce competitor, and comes to play every night. But if they play him over 25 minutes a game, he will wear down. Hinrich has always been in shape, but in recent years his injuries have taken a toll on his body. Look for coach Tom Thibodeau to try to bring down his minutes. The Bulls#146; high-energy defense and their tenacious style will help them win some games. But who is their go-to guy? Who will step up and come through in the championship minutes, those critical last 3 minutes of the fourth quarter? I#146;ve never placed extra responsibility on Carlos Boozer. Some Bulls fans thought they were getting Wilt Chamberlain, or Shaquille O#146;Neal when he was acquired. Boozer has been a good player for the Bulls, but now we need him to show up late in the fourth quarter to take the heat off Luol Deng and others. The goal is the playoffs, but they need to find their go-to guy until D-Rose is back on the floor.Notre Dame for the title?I was hoping Alabama would win Saturday over LSU. The more SEC teams knock each other off, the better chances someone from another conference will get the opportunity to play for a national championship. Alabama doesn#146;t impress me with their relatively soft schedule. They won a tough game, but LSU and Mississippi State, a team with consecutive losses to Alabama and Texas AM, would have problems in other conferences. To me it#146;s going to be Notre Dame versus Oregon. Just a feeling!Program note: Catch me as I fill in for The Loose Cannons (Pat O#146;Brien and Steve Hartman) from 2-6 p.m. Thursday on Fox Sports Radio, which you can catch at XM 169, iHeart radio, or Foxsportsradio.com.Ÿ Mike North#146;s column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.