The Chicago Bears- yes MY Chicago Bears- were big spenders yesterday. It's good to see them finally understanding that roster change was needed, however how much better did they really get?

Aside from DE Julius Peppers, the Bears chose to focus on minor adjustments rather than wholesale changes. RB Chester Taylor and TE Brandon Manumaleuna snarfed away payroll dollars that would have been much better spent on S Antrell Rolle. Perhaps they think that a pass rush will eliminate the absolute absence of over the top pass defense.

They may be right, but there were better places to spend that money than on a third down RB and 290 pound TE.

Spring Training is upon us and the New York Mets are once again dealing with a Jose Reyes setback. This time, it's for an embalance in his thyroid.Finally a "roid" in a baseball clubhouse that won't prompt a Congressional investigation.

April 1st is when I start worrying about the Lakers, but they are doing their best to step up the angina. Losing to Charlotte is inexcusable for a team trying to repeat.-----KG

        

... << MORE >>

I know we've been MIA but I assure you it's first of the year reflective kind of stuff to determine how we can better assure you the mediocre performances you've come to expect from us.

If you haven't heard, there's a pretty big football game going on today. I also know you've been waiting with baited breath to hear what genius prediction I've come up with, since I picked the Jets to upset the Colts.I've spent the last two weeks absorbing the multitude of information being spewed by every personality with a microphone in front of them. I'm sure you've heard every possible analysis as well, so I won't turn this post into a piece of chud- already enjoyed, but doesn't quite taste the same.

The Saints bring their high flying offense and intermittent defense. The Colts bring a surgical approach to offense and a competent defense.If you remember- I can't forget- Peyton Manning faced a pretty dominant defense the last time he was here and fared pretty well. The big difference this time is he won't have Rex Grossman channeling his inner Jay Cutler on the other side of the field.

The Colts are thin in the secondary which would lead one to think that the Saints are going to air it out more than the organizer of a chili eating contest. However, Manning is the x-factor here and I don't believe there's an amount of pressure the Saints can bring to rattle him

.So my pick is Colts, 38-31. Yes, take the over. The only way the Saints win this one is if they get a two touchdown lead. Not impossible, just improbable.

Plus, Saints RB Reggie Bush is involved with a Kardashian and I can't support that.-----KG

        

First one of the new year, I feel a little extra pressure to start the year off right.

If the New York Giants came out flat last week, this week was an all out surrender. As I write this, the blood is still drying on the Giants Week 17 loss to the Vikings and once again the team gets a giant "F".

Pride matters ... << MORE >>

... << MORE >>

... << MORE >>

Last night's Syracuse- North Carolina game at the Garden was somewhat of an enlightening experience.

All anyone I talk to wants to bring up is that the Orange lost to LeMoyne in an exhibition earlier this month. After last night, that argument not only lost relevance- it also lost any hope of me keeping my volume at less than 12 to anyone who tries to bring it up.

What Syracuse just did was dispatch two top 15 programs on back to back nights, including last night's thumping of fourth ranked UNC.

What Syracuse just did was show the nation that the 2-3 zone is a deadly defense when played with bounce and energy.

What Syracuse just did was prove that they will not miss a beat without all-world point guard Jonny Flynn.

Who could have believed we'd be sitting here talking about this Orange team being grossly underestimated? Not me. I'm a believer now. The prodigal son has returned and is now ready to tear the dome down.

THE NEW YORK METS were rumored by Ben Maller to be involved in trade talks with the Blue Jays regarding Roy Halladay. Now, that rumor has descended into the depths of he'll and emerged as a new rumor that the Mets are trying to acquire Kevin Millwood from the Texas Rangers. Only in Omar Minaya's warped little world does that make sense.

Next thing you know, they'll be trying to talk Mark Wohlers out of retirement to shore up the bullpen.

ALLEN IVERSON won't be headed to the Knicks apparently.So he just got spurned by the Grizzlies and the Knicks in the same week?

Wow, how the mighty have fallen.Those insults alone would have me retiring and trying to find an announcing job somewhere with a network than can make his voice tolerable.

        

Commenting on my recent article on www.bleacherreport.com:

Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:04:16 -0500
From:
To: 87sportsfans@live.com; 87sportsfans@live.com
Subject: Bears



Keith,

The Bears had FOUR sacks against Green Bay.

Len M.







Thanks for catching...I was really talking about the DL, and yes
Ogunleye had 2 of them, but they were in the first quarter and then
nothing came from the DL the rest of the game.

I should have explained clearer.



Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/

        

Seriously, what was Belichick thinking going for it on 4th and 2? Now before you go arguing about the spot, I'll tell you you're wrong. Faulk bobbled and where he hit the ground was where the ball
should have been spotted.



For once, the refs got that one right.



I thought I had inadvertently jumped into an online Madden game where the guy on ... << MORE >>

87 Live will return next week at it's regularly scheduled time. Sorry for the inconvenience.-----KG