Spellman’s Scorecard: Bears GM knows of what he speaks

Dear Phil Emery:Four words:Best. News. Conference. Ever.You should do it more often.But #133; :Enjoy the kudos now because they won#146;t last.The resume:For his new head coach, Emery says he wants someone who is a go-getter, brings a passion to the job, knows the game inside and out and is good with the media.In other words, he#146;s looking for #133; Phil Emery.This too shall pass:Not that Lovie was a bad coach #151; he wasn#146;t #151; but it was time.Lovie in Buffalo?#147;We like Ryan. Ryan is our quarterback.#148;Do you remember?The last time Notre Dame played an actual football game was the day after Black Friday.I didn#146;t catch much of it, though, because I was still out among the masses shopping it up at Memco, Fotomat and Service Merchandise.Good times.The next time ND plays:Will be Monday when they take on Alabama in the BCS title game.And I can#146;t pinpoint the exact reason, but I#146;m thinking they win it.Random question:I don#146;t know why these things bother me, but why are there no longer guest hosts on late-night talk shows?Storming Home:After retiring in 2005, the man who was in the middle of the most chaotic finish in Arlington Million history #151; jockey Gary Stevens #151; is hopping back in the saddle again beginning this weekend.Oh, btw #133; Stevens turns 50 in March.Good for him.Hoping against hope:No matter how hard they try, Illinois racetracks just aren#146;t going to get slots, are they?Amazing.Fore sure:Back in the day when there used to be actual snow on the ground and bitter cold temperatures were the norm in January, the idea of playing golf in those type of conditions was absolutely ludicrous to me.Now, it doesn#146;t seem so nutty, does it?Well, if you#146;ve got some good warm-weather clothes and have the need to swing, the folks at Cog Hill and St. Andrews will be hosting the 50th edition of the Eskimo Open on Sunday.Someone please explain:The allure of #147;Dish Nation.#148;You make the call:Better opening-round playoff action: NHL or NFL?Just because I#146;ve forgotten what the NHL product looks like, I#146;ll vote for the NFL, in a squeaker.Upset fest this weekend?Yes, in the AFC games #133; I think.Just for fun:Name the three most interesting quotes from Lovie Smith over the last nine seasons.Yeah:I can#146;t either.Not to be a smart aleck about it, but that#146;s a skill.Hawaii 10-0:Warm breezes, big waves, palm trees #133; ahh, the PGA Tour live from Maui this weekend.Can#146;t wait.Gotta love the passion:#147;I told you when I got the job that I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I#146;m upset. They#146;re a great team. They beat us, no doubt about it. That doesn#146;t change the fact that I don#146;t like to lose.#148;#151; NIU coach Rod Carey after his underdog Huskies fell to Florida State in the Orange Bowl. mspellman@dailyherald.com