Odds not looking favorable for McCown's return

With NFL free agency starting on March 1, quarterback Josh McCown can't and hasn't signed a contract with the Chicago Bears or anyone else because he signed a one-year deal in 2013.

Under the NFL's minimum salary benefit, he is prohibiting from signing with the Bears until free agency begins.

Meanwhile, there are other teams interested in "Big Game Josh," including a familiar face -- Lovie Smith at Tampa Bay. Smith reportedly wants competition for his young quarterback, Mike Glennon. Others are inquiring about McCown, including the New York Jets.

With a QB rating of 109 and 13 touchdowns and only 1 interception last year, McCown should be considered one of the best quarterbacks in football.

It would be great if he could stay with the Bears, and there is a chance he might, but if someone dangles enough cash with a chance to start somewhere else he would have to consider it.

Jay Cutler might be better off if Josh left because if things were to start off rocky next season, the McCown fans, including myself, would start howling for him to take the field.

Right now if a team wants a decent quarterback who can win, McCown is available. I hope the Bears keep him, but right now I'd say it's a 50-50 proposition.

Bulls lose a tough one:

The Chicago Bulls came up short against the Miami Heat on Sunday after a five-game winning streak. Even as LeBron James sat out with a broken nose, the Heat took it to the Bulls and still remain the team to beat in the East.

I felt the Bulls were heading into a tough stadium against the best team in the East, but it wasn't the good games by Dwyane Wade (23 points) and Chris Bosch (28 points) that hurt the Bulls the most.

No, it was the eager reserves such as Chris Andersen, Michael Beasley and Ray Allen, plus a solid performance by Mario Chalmers, the Heat's point guard.

Chalmers played 40 minutes and contributed 12 points, 9 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.

Everyone on Miami's roster seized the opportunity to shine brightly with LeBron out of the lineup.

Undefeated Wichita State:

The Wichita State Shockers have a chance to go undefeated in 2014.

We will hear the Missouri Valley Conference is not that difficult, and with Creighton and Doug McDermott going to the Big East it would seem things were made easier.

College basketball experts are picking everyone from Florida to Duke to win the Final Four. But Wichita State can only play who is scheduled and the Shockers made it to the Final Four last year.

Look out for a repeat Shockers fans -- they are the best team I've seen so far.

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• Mike North'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.