Three's Company

Thoughts on my three teams as we approach Turkey Day.

Bears: Despite what the newspapers or bloggers or radio talk show idiots or anybody says, it's still waaaaay too early to grade the Jay Cutler-Kyle Orton trade that took place in April. First off, this trade was about long-term success, not the first 10 games of 2009. Just like you don't evaluate a movie based on its opening scene, you can't judge a trade by such a small sample, especially a trade that was made for the long haul. Second, people need to realize what Cutler and Orton are each working with. Not only do the Broncos have better skill position players than the Bears, but their offensive line is far superior. And while a quarterback is supposed to be like a point guard and make everybody around him better, it is impossible when the QB can't even stand up for longer than a second. Just ask Aaron Rodgers. Yes the trade looks bad now, and it seems that Cutler will never throw a TD pass in the red zone. But be patient; things always turn out well for Bears quarterbacks. (Slamming head into wall)

Bulls: If the Bulls get Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh, it made sense. But I'll say it again for the 100th or so time: Letting Ben Gordon leave hurts the team more than people realize. Not only was he a clutch shooter who wanted the ball at the end of games, but he was a player who teams had to watch and defend the entire 48 minutes. This season Derrick Rose has had less room to drive the lane, Brad Miller can't create plays from the high post and John Salmons can't shoot his fallaway from 18-feet (oh wait, yes he can). Gordon provided an element that the team sorely lacks this year, a reason the Bulls are 28th out 30 in both 3-pointers made a game and 3-point percentage.

Cubs: It's that time of year again. It's getting cold (boo), eggnog is back in stores (yay) and the Cubs are figuring out who they need to sign (groan). With new owner Tom Rickets still feeling things out, it's unlikely the team will make a big-time free agent signing in the mold of Soriano or Fukudome. Instead, I expect a lot of small moves and maybe a trade or two. Dealing Milton Bradley is step one, but here's what I want to see: A real center fielder, a second baseman, a few relief pitchers who can go in the seventh and eighth innings and some speed. One rumor has them looking at Detroit Tigers (and Chicago native) center fielder Curtis Granderson, which would be amazing. But these are the Cubs were talking about, so I fully expect there to be several holes in the lineup and pitching staff when spring training begins in February.

NFL Winners for Week 11: Carolina (already lost), Dallas, Detroit, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, New Orleans, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Arizona, San Diego, Cincinnati, New England, Philadelphia, Tennessee