Winds of Change Blow Through South Bend
As spring practice draws near, the Domer nation has an excuse to talk incessantly about the state of the Notre Dame football program. Despite the fact that ND hasn’t been in serious contention for a National Championship since 1993, hope springs eternal in South Bend. Traditionally, the six week period between National Signing Day and the first of 15 spring practices, is when the Irish faithful lick their wounds from the previous fall. That time has come and gone, and Rockne’s wayward sons are daring to dream again...
The Horror in Green Bay
by Sean Heffernan
Prior to the Bears kicking off to the Packers last night there was a sense of optimism in Chicago about their football team that hadn’t been alive since the days of the ’85 Bears. By remarkable circumstances the Bears’ GM, Jerry Angelo, had scooped up disgruntled Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos. After years of wallowing at the shaky arms of terrible to mediocre quarterbacks for decades, Bears faithful now had a star thrower to lead their team to greatness.
Expectations for the 2009 season grew with each day drawing nearer where to September 13th where at Lambeau Field the “Cutler Era” would begin against their dreaded rival to the north. As Robbie Gould kicked off into the Green Bay night, Chicago Bears fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief as the most anticipated season in the history of the 90-year-old organization had finally begun.
That sigh was about all the relief Bears fans got last night.
The Other Game Thursday Night
Georgia Tech and Clemson are for real
By Jim March
Last night, nearly every football fan in America watched as Pittsburgh and Tennessee kick off the NFL season. Here’s what you missed: an 82-yard TD run, an 85-yard punt return TD, two interceptions, and a 34 yard touchdown pass thrown by a kicker. That was the first quarter in Atlanta, as Georgia Tech fans welcomed Clemson to town with a white-out, and sent them home with a 30-27 loss to start conference play.
No Juice in Williams as Missouri Dominates Illinois
by Jim March
Missouri embarrassed Illinois in St. Louis Saturday afternoon. An uninformed spectator would likely talk about how much Rejus Benn’s injury hurt the Illini. A fairly astute observer would talk about how the depleted stable of running backs may have hurt Illinois’ ability to run between the tackles. However, in truth Isaiah "Juice" Williams, Illinois’ Senior quarterback, was the problem this weekend. ...
Why Don’t They Call it the Big 11?
The 2009 College Football season kicks off this week. Does anyone else share my spastic enthusiasm for this sport? Have you been counting down the days until kickoff? Do you plan on watching 12 hours of football every Saturday for four months? Does your girlfriend catch you sneaking out of bed in the middle of the night to check your favorite team’s website? Do you the names of all the high school kids your college is recruiting? And when your team loses to, oh I don’t know… Syracuse, Syracuse, 24-23 last November when you were favored by 19 at home, do you curl up in the fetal position and cry yourself to sleep?
Five Thoughts on the Beautiful Game
Will You Join the American Soccer Revolution?
by Sean Heffernan
This week's look at the happening and going ons taking place in "The Beautiful Game" touches on the kick off the English Premier League, MLS taking on a Latino flair, and just some cool stuff. Withthe EPL back and the Champions League beginning we have plenty of soccer to enjoy as August is drawing closer to its end. So let's get started. ...
Bombers in Bourbonnais: Camp Cutler Day 3
by Chris Cwik
The Cubs are in first place, the White Sox just added Jake Peavy, and baseball is all the rage in Chicago. However, no player made a bigger impact in Chicago this year than Jay Cutler. So, I decided, what better way to spend a Sunday than to head down to Bourbonnais and take in Chicago Bears Training Camp? Armed with nothing but a camera, I had to see what all the fuss was about at Camp Cutler. ...