Bears Sign DE Jared Allen to Boost Sack Attack

March 27, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

The Chicago Bears signed defensive end Jared Allen to a four-year contract (as if he will be around for the end of that deal) Wednesday. That certainly seems good news for the Bears. Well, possibly more for the Bears offense than defense now that quarterback Jay Cutler — or whoever might be playing — needn’t worry about being pressure/sacked/whatever by Allen.

Playboy’s Khloe Terae had her Instagram account deleted, so she has a new one: @misskhloeterae. For those so inclined (and who wouldn’t be?).

* Northwestern University football suffered a loss — away from the field. The Chicago district of the National Labor Relations Board ruled NU players qualify as employees of the school and may unionize. The decision does not affect public schools, and the case is far from finished. Even so, the ruling could mean a vastly different landscape for college athletes and athletics. Of course, no one should expect an end to the NCAA using the term “student-athlete” in its desire to protect its image.

* Attorney Alex Barbour, who represented Northwestern, made one of the great understatements in legal and/or athletic history when he said: “Northwestern is not a football factory.” Although being able to schools that might fit that description is one of the goals of the Wildcats program. And the way to achieve that goal is to emulate such schools, no?

* Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who is recuperating from knee surgery, is participating in non-contact drills with the team. So let the speculation begin (OK, it already had) that Rose will return for the playoffs. “He’s out for the year, but he’s doing well,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. Any relapse just occurred among fans anticipating a Rose postseason presence other than in coat and tie.

* Here’s something of a scoop (well, 12 of them actually): Chicago White Sox fans hungry for a winning team might have to settle for something else to satisfy that appetite. The team will sell a 12-scoop banana split this season at U.S. Cellular Field. The concoction will be served in a full-sized batting helmet, weigh about three pounds and cost $17. And you thought the price of beer was high.

* If today is Thursday (which certainly seems likely in that yesterday was Wednesday — provided that today is March 27, 2014, or a subsequent Thursday), then it is time for another edition of “Sports & Torts” with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris at noon Central time on Talkzone.com. The guests will be Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson and comedian Jerry Van Dyke. For those unable to tune in and/or for those who would like an encore performance, the show will be available later in the day Thursday (and presumably forever) by podcast at the Talkzone.com web site.

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