Let’s get right to the Chicago sports story everyone’s talking about: Dan Wheldon won the Antifreeze Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, but Sam Hornish Jr. won his third IRL series championship.
2. Bearing it
Too soon to talk Hall of Fame induction for Rex Grossman? Yes, but it’s wonderful of you to ask.
3. On second thought
Maybe Green Bay’s Brett Favre really did retire last spring and just didn’t tell anybody.
4. Sore spot
A bad hammy kept Carolina’s all-world receiver Steve Smith out Sunday. This couldn’t have happened last January 15, right?
5. Quick NFL looks
Detroit’s better–not great, but better, Houston blew it by not taking Reggie Bush, and NBC’s Sunday night football song makes me cry and not in a “very-special-episode-of-‘Friends’ ” kind of way.
6. Orange & boo
Obliterated by that perennial college football power Rutgers, Illinois has a new team motto: “These colors don’t run. Or pass. Or tackle. Or play special teams. Or …”
7. Damn exciting
Remember last year when the stakes got high and the Sox could do no wrong? Strap yourselves in–it appears we’re taking another wild ride.
8. Short sight
Ohio State is No. 1, Notre Dame is No. 2. Let’s cut to the chase, and play the BCS championship game this Wednesday.
9. Welcome back
Wade Miller finally pitched for the Cubs this weekend, and just in time too.
FIVE THINGS …
Rejected Bears vs. Packers headlines:
– “Grossmania!”
– “Green Bay: Side effects may include nausea”
– “Super Bowl, here they come!”
– “One down, 15 more chances to crush Chicago’s hopes”
– “Bears win can’t help Sox’s playoff hunt”
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redeyesports@tribune.com
