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Monday meanderings: A pass completion in the end zone on third-and-goal by the Baltimore Ravens on the final possession of regulation against the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field and there’s a dramatic difference in how Bears fans would be weathering life in the aftermath. The one thing you can say about the Bears is from week to week you never know how well they will play and whether they will win. And playing well and winning do not necessarily go together. Not that the Bears can play poorly and expect to win.
Model Stephy C in a Matt Forte jersey. You were expecting a photo of Forte?
* Speaking of weathering, would it have made more sense to delay the start of the game rather than to have about a two-hour stoppage because of the weather that sent fans to the crowded concourse at Soldier Field? People knew the storm was on its way.
* Speaking of the storm, there was some levity thanks to Twitter. Among a couple of the more memorable tweets were this from sports scribe Jim O’Donnell: “Tom Thayer is breaking down storm on WBBM-AM, explaining where tornadoes come from, why they’re called tornadoes and best defense against.” And: “Reports wind so bad at Solider Field that Chet Coppock’s hair just moved.” Hey, if nothing else, a long career in journalism has taught me to use only the best material from others.
* Josh McCown had started two games this season and played in four. He has tossed five touchdowns without an interception. He outperformed Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco of the Ravens. McCown is the second-string quarterback behind Jay Cutler, who has a high ankle sprain. For the record, McCown does not have the physical skills of Cutler. What conclusions can be drawn from any of this? Whatever you like. The reality is coach Marc Trestman’s offense functions reasonably well with McCown.
* The Bears’ defense is missing some key players, including linebacker Lance Briggs. How good would the defense be with him and tackle Henry Melton, who is out for the season? Tough to say, although “better” would seem to be a reasonable response.
* Not that Bears general manager Phil Emery is asking for advice, but he might want to think about signing a quarterback other than Cutler and devote the money saved by doing that to going out and bring in some top-tier defensive players. Something says Trestman’s offense can win in 2014 with a McCown or slightly better QB, if Emery improves the “D.”
* Speaking of advice, the fine folks at Northwestern University might want to hold off on commissioning that statue of Chris Collins to go outside Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston. The Wildcats’ 68-64 basketball loss to Illinois State might indicate Collins’ first season on the job could be a long one. One can only assume Doug Collins, Chris’ dad and former NBA and Illinois State star, would have preferred to see his son defeat his alma mater. If the younger Collins has trouble producing a winning team and earning an NCAA tournament berth in the next few seasons, might we suggest the school consider something else: a bust (your choice of definition and whether it involves hiring an artist or firing a coach).
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