Bears Pick Up Pace in Naming General Manager

January 9, 2015 @ admin → No Comments

Yes, the Chicago Bears have a new general manager. No, he does not have experience in that job. Ryan Pace was the New Orleans Saints director of player personnel. Meaning he hasn’t made any bad trades and/or signings. So he has that going for him. Also meaning all his mistakes as a GM lie ahead. In case Bears fans needed a negative thought to feel comfortable. All Pace’s successes as a GM also lie ahead. Assuming there are successes.

Video below of Playboy’s Kylie Cupcake Morgan. Credit: Jennifer Vaughn

* Speaking of Pace, at age 37 he is the youngest GM in the NFL. In case anyone was wondering whether the team was embarking on some sort of youth movement. Also meaning Pace could be on pace to be the youngest GM to be fired (not based so much on his ability but rather the ability of the Bears to pick people who will be around for more than a few seasons).

* Speaking of the Bears, they also reportedly interviewed Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles for their coaching vacancy. Considered one of this year’s hottest coaching candidates, Bowles also is said to be interviewing elsewhere. If he goes elsewhere, rest assured the Bears will assure their fans he was not their No. 1 choice.

* Speaking of choices, Chicago Cubs fans who used to enjoy their team’s telecasts on WGN America will have to choose another option in 2015. The Cubs announced they have an agreement with WGN (Chicago area only) to telecast 45 games. Meaning folks outside the viewing area are out of luck. Well, not totally. But if you want to see those 45 games, you will be out of money because MLB.com will be about the only way to view them. And that costs money.

* Speaking of Cubs telecasts, on the bright (?) side, the team’s WGN arrangement expires after the 2019 season along with its Comcast SportsNet deal. Meaning the Cubs are primed to have their own cable channel. Like the New York Yankees do with the YES Network. Not sure how the Cubs would fill all the non-baseball time unless it is able to lure the Bulls and/or Blackhawks away from CSN. One thing’s sure: World Series highlights won’t do the trick. One of the minor differences between the Yanks and Cubs. We will have to wait to see whether the Cubs have 2020 vision when it comes to creating another revenue stream.

* Speaking of the Cubs and a revenue stream (or something of the sort), they have sold naming rights to their spring-training home to Chicago-based Sloan Valve Company. Meaning Cubs Park in Mesa, Ariz., becomes Sloan Park. Sloan Valve provides “smart, clean and sustainable restroom solutions.” So says the company’s web site. Think of this deal as a practice game for the Cubs selling naming rights to Wrigley Field. The business side of the Cubs operation must be flushed with pride over this deal.

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