I want my I want my sports TV

March 19, 2020

I now know how Don McLean felt the day the music died. The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the sports landscape. Not only have the professional leagues shut down, but we are deprived of other major sporting events. You won’t get a chance to see Rafael Nadal continue his dominance at the French Open. Golf has canceled the glorious Masters tournament.  Regarding golf, I am wondering if the players and caddies are virus free, why not play in twosomes with no fans in attendance?

I was extremely disappointed with the cancellation of the NCAA college basketball tournament. At this time of year, I am looking at my busted brackets. This tourney usually has its share of upsets, Cinderella stories, buzzer beaters, etc. You have slugfests involving the cream of the crop reaching the final four. This is always compelling TV. To make matters worse, my alma mater, the University of Illinois, was going make the field for the first time in five years.

The NHL and NBA have suspended their seasons. It is highly doubtful they will resume. Despite the fact that the Blackhawks and Bulls are disappointing, I still enjoy the Stanley Cup and NBA playoffs. I sense you won’t see these until 2021

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What I am missing most is the start of the baseball season. I always have thought the season starts too early. Until baseball figures how to schedule a majority of early games in warm climates or cities with retractable roofs, I would rather cut out some games and start about April 20^.  Early projections have the season starting in mid-May. This is also a longshot due to the growth of the virus. I also believe the teams will need some sort of spring training before the season starts. In a year where there will be excitement on both sides of town, I hope the season can start in June.

The only thing happening right now is NFL free-agency. The top free-agent, Tom Brady, chose Tampa Bay. Why? After playing in frigid temperatures with New England, he is assured of playing all his home games in warmer temperatures. As they play in the same division, two road games in Atlanta and New Orleans are in domes.

The Bears have been quite active. The first player they acquired is former Pro-Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham. This  may have excited me four years ago But if Trey Burton can return to the form he had prior to his injuries, the combo will improve the tight end position. They also obtained Robert Quinn formally of the Cowboys. As a bookend for Khalil Mack and with a healthy Akiem Hicks, the Bears pass rush will be greatly improved. Not only did they obtain a great pass rusher, they were able to release Leonard Floyd. He joins Kevin White as a first round draft bust. Both were top ten picks. In the draft the Bears need to fill out the secondary behind Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson.

The Bears have partially admitted that Mitch Trubisky would be general manager Ryan Pace’s third first round bust by trading for Nick Foles. Foles has a checkered career; however, he has guided the Eagles to the Super Bowl and was MVP in the upset of the Patriots. Trubisky isn’t the player the Bears envisioned when picked second overall. He hasn’t improved in three years. This may be partially due to his addle-brained play caller coach Matt Nagy. Although they said there would be an open competition, this is Trubisky’s position to lose. I’ve seen this before. Trubisky will get most of the snaps with the first round team. If Nagy doesn’t change, Bear starters won’t play in exhibition games and Foles will be stuck playing with the second string. Foles may be the starter by game three or four.