- Nobody does clownish coaching and executive searches like the Bears. The team that brought us such debacles as Dave McGinnis being head coach for 3 hours back in 1999, and bringing in a headhunting firm to find GM Jerry Angelo didn't disappoint in their Clouseau-esque search for an offensive coordinator this offseason. That search finally ended with the hiring of former Rams Head Coach, and Rams, Lions, and 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Martz is known for espousing an offensive philosophy similar to that of an 11 year old playing Madden. Send everyone deep on every play, drop the QB back 20 yards, and wing it downfield.
That philosophy has been moderately successful over the last 10 years or so, and it will be interesting to see how the great Jay Cutler fares in it. He's definitely got the arm for it. Does he have the wherewithal to learn Martz's infamous Against the Day sized playbook? We'll see. Give the Bears credit for this, they may be bad on the field and ridiculous in the front office, but they aren't boring.
- Meanwhile, there is still a Super Bowl being played this Sunday. It's looking though, like Colts pass rusher Dwight Freeney won't be playing in it. He has a torn ligament in his ankle and hopes to play, but the Colts are planning as if he won't. Freeney was a huge factor with 13 1/2 sacks this year, and if he can't go, that's significant. The Saints rely on a downfield passing game, and not having to worry about Freeney coming off the edge should help them generate the time needed for Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meacham, and Jeremy Shockey to get open.
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- Yesterday was the closing of the January transfer window, and the biggest name to change sides was Spurs' Robbie Keane. Keane has been loaned out to Celtic. He has a long and successful history with Tottenham, topping 10 goals in a season six times. He came back to Spurs last winter after a short sojourn at Liverpool, and helped turn around what was to that point a dreadful season for Tottenham. He's been scuffling to find playing time with an improved Spurs team this season. Manager Harry Redknapp maintains that Keane still has a future with Spurs after this loan, but we'll see. Celtic is wayy behind Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, and trying to hold on to second place and a Champions League qualifying spot.
- Chelsea dropped the ball big time with a 1-1 draw at relegation zone dwellers Hull City. Didier Drogba had the equalising goal for the Blues, but the piss poor result leaves them only 2 points ahead of Man U when they thought they'd have a full 4 points on them after this match. There game in hand is gone now too.
- A couple of Premier League clubs got bounced from the 4th round of the FA Cup today. Not good ones though. Wolverhampton dropped a 3-1 decision at Crystal Palace, and Notts County won 2-0 at Wigan.
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