Bears, White Sox both need changes at the top
The Chicago Bears lost again on the road Sunday, this time to the New York Giants 22-16. Ho-hum.
This Bears season (2-8) has a malaise not seen since the Dave Wannstedt era.
Now some in the media are blaming injuries for their dismal record, but I find that puzzling. Injuries are always part of the game, yet other teams in the league still find a way to win. Why can't the Bears?
Bears fans are very smart and they aren't fooled by excuses. I watched Coach John Fox in an interview before the game and I still think he can coach, but he has to deal with the coach-killer, Jay Cutler.
Cutler had a chance to pull the game out at the end but didn't. It wasn't surprising because he did what he usually does in a clutch situation — he threw a really bad pick! The receiver was double-teamed, resulting in a poorly timed interception. Nothing new there.
It will be interesting to see what happens during the offseason, but just like any other business it starts at the top. If you don't make a change there, the stench will continue.
On the South Side ...
The White Sox are under the radar right now and the needle just isn't moving for the franchise. Jerry Reinsdorf and his front office people — Brooks Boyer, Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn — with their new manager, Rick Renteria, will continue to go about their business quietly, which is the way the Sox like it. Peaceful.
While the deliriously happy North Side continues the circus across town with their World Series championship, the Sox are still trying to figure out how to best use the signage for their new sponsor, the mortgage lender, Guaranteed Rate.
Yes, the optics are important, and though some people are bothered with the name change, I never really thought it was a big deal.
No, what really troubles White Sox fans is what will be happening on the field next year, not the name of the park. Give them a winner and they won't care what the place is called!
The Sox have the same trouble the Bears have: tired front office voices with no clear direction. I know Reinsdorf well enough that one World Series in 34 years isn't acceptable, yet the same people who brought you 33 failed seasons will continue to try to get it right.
“Try” is the operative word here. “Successful” is the elusive one!
• Follow Mike North on Twitter @north2north. His 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.