Blogs

Since the offensive line has been unable to create much running room for Matt Forte this season, the Bears should take a page from the Eagles' playbook and use the scheme to get him the ball in space by continuing to throw it to him.

Over the past two games, Forte has 14 receptions for 194 yards, a 13.9-yard average, which is exceptional for a running back. He had gains of 37 and 31 yards against the 49ers on screen passes, when he was able to create in space, a chance he hasn’t gotten in the run game for most of this season.

Illinois’ Republican congressional delegation attempted to tone down their rhetoric today over housing detainees from Guantanamo Bay at a state prison by issuing a series of questions to Gov. Pat Quinn.
“As we move forward with a dignified and precise discussion regarding the cost, security and legal issues...,” the delegation’s letter begins.
The letter is in stark contrast to one the delegation sent to President Barack Obama over the weekend that raised the specter of such a move inviting a local terrorist attack.

Center Olin Kreutz (back) returned to practice today, but tight end Desmond Clark (neck), safety Kevin Payne (back) and running back Garrett Wolfe (back) remain out.

Even though Frank Omiyale finished last week's game at left guard in place of starter Josh Beekman, it looks like Beekman will get his fourth straight start Sunday night. Omiyale started the first six games.

"I don't think there's going to be any changes," Omiyale said, "so I would say Josh still is getting the job done."

Omiyale is considered the better pass protector, which is why he was on the field last week for the final series, when the Bears threw on all 11 plays. Beekman gets the edge as a run blocker.

John Shurna so wanted to be able to send the postgame text message.

Northwestern’s sophomore forward and Butler sophomore forward Gordon Hayward roomed together this summer when they (and Butler sophomore guard Shelvin Mack) played for USA Basketball’s gold medal-winning U-19 world championship team.

Before and during No. 11 Butler’s 67-54 win over Northwestern, Shurna and Hayward exchanged verbal jabs and inside jokes. Hayward, apparently, picked up somewhat of a fan club during their stay in New Zealand, so Shurna told him he’d import that fan club to Evanston tonight. When Butler came out to warm up at halftime and didn’t see any available basketballs, Hayward ripped into Shurna for the weak hospitality. And so on and so forth.

Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner is going to endorse Pat Quinn for governor on Thursday.

That would be the Tom Weisner Gov. Pat Quinn appointed as a Tollway director three months ago. For the record, Weisner isn't accepting the $31,000 director's pay.

Center Olin Kreutz (soreness), tight end Desmond Clark (neck) and safety Kevin Payne (back) did not practice with their teammates Wednesday afternoon inside the Walter Payton Center.

Kreutz, who has started 111 consecutive games and missed just one game in the past eight years, is expected to be back at practice on Thursday and in the starting lineup Sunday night. Clark and Payne are expected to be questionable for the prime-time game at Soldier Field against the Eagles.

Two wins down, 36 to go for Illinois’ perfect season.

No. 23 Illinois didn’t prove a ton of things during its 80-61 win over Northern Illinois on Tuesday night -- other than the fact the Illini struggled to contain the dribble-drive and couldn’t keep the smaller Huskies off the offensive glass -- but that’s what these early-season games are for.

With three new guys in Illinois’ nine-man rotation (and junior F Bill Cole really should be considered a fourth because he played just 157 minutes in his first two years), performances and perceptions are going to shift from day-to-day. Or, in fact, from half-to-half.

TSN.ca’s Bob McKenzie is reporting Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will get five-year contract extensions averaging more than $6 million a season.
The Blackhawks have yet to announce new contracts for Toews, Kane and Duncan Keith and they might not make them official until after the road trip.
According to Canada’s TSN, Keith’s deal could be for as many as 13 years, which would lower the defenseman’s cap hit, likely to less than $6 million.
The NHL is expected to take a hard look at Keith’s extension before giving an OK because of it’s length.

Sacramento Kings forward Andres Nocioni is in uniform, but is not expected to play in tonight’s game against the Bulls because of a hip pointer. Donte Greene started in Nocioni’s place.

This is the first of six stops for the Bulls on their annual circus road trip.

Several sources claimed a three-way deal rumored Tuesday that would send Nocioni to Boston and Philadelphia center Sam Dalembert to Sacramento, among other players, was not accurate. The Kings have discussed acquiring Dalembert for seldom-used forward Kenny Thomas, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Bob Schillerstrom appears to be one of the few, if not the only one, in the crowded Republican primary for governor to not come out blazing against a plan to bring suspected terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to a western Illinois prison.
"We are saying we shouldn't have a knee-jerk reaction to this," said spokesman Brad Hahn. "There needs to be some reasonable discussion."
Schillerstrom put out a release just before the close of business today saying he wants more information on the security precautions that will be taken before making up his mind on the deal, which could be a cornerstone to President Barack Obama's plan to close the controversial Gitmo.
The current DuPage County Board chairman says he also believes security should be the top issue in the debate, not jobs.