North: What's wrong with Bulls, PGA, NFL and more
Time for some random thoughts.
• After an impressive win streak, the Chicago Bulls are now on the downside. People in the know are saying their defense needs to improve before they face tougher competition.
• Jordan Spieth, currently ranked No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is a moneymaker on and off the course. He just signed a multiyear endorsement deal with Coca-Cola.
Remember when it was all about Tiger Woods and people thought the Apocalypse was going to hit the PGA if Tiger didn't participate?
Well, the baby is healthy.
• I was surprised when newly hired Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson said in his interview that he didn't want to deal with Johnny Manziel.
That would have been a deal-breaker for me. Shouldn't it have been part of his job to first try to help the troubled quarterback before he dismissed him completely?
• Has Danica Patrick won a race yet?
• The Denver Broncos game against the Pittsburgh Steelers will be the most intriguing game this weekend because Peyton Manning will be starting.
• I want to congratulate Sylvester Stallone for being nominated for best supporting actor for his role as Rocky Balboa in "Creed."
He was awarded the Golden Globe, and hopefully the Oscar is next on the horizon. The man is a living legend.
• Congratulations are also in order for "the man," Joel Quenneville. He received a well-deserved extension from the Blackhawks because he is a great coach and a very good guy.
• Right now I'm with the renowned college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale for touting the North Carolina Tar Heels. I'm not the biggest NC fan, but they do seem to have their mojo going on early in the NCAA season.
• The Chicago White Sox are currently flying under the radar, but I'm sensing something this year that I haven't felt for a while. The division is winnable and I think they will be right in the thick of it.
• I know you have been waiting for a Cubs mention, and everyone is expecting big things, but they will be playing with targets on their back all season.
• I drove down Clark Street near Wrigley Field the other day, and whatever they are doing looks impressive!
• I was watching a show called "The Five" on the Fox News channel, and they mentioned one of the hosts, Eric Bolling, went to Queen of All Saints school on Chicago's northwest side and Loyola Academy. He's a homie!
• The NFL in LA? Who really cares at the end of the day?
I never thought it would happen, but the growing interest in entertainment parks, casinos and malls makes it a more attractive package. Combine it with a sports franchise and it could work almost anywhere, but LA would still be a tough sell for a stand-alone- stadium.
Program notes:
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