My thoughts on Orlando Pace

THE BEARS GOT CUTLER!

That was the news everywhere on the first of April, but people missed the other huge signing that day. Left tackle Orlando Pace signed with the Bears to finish his career here. This man is a legend, a multiple pro bowl tackle who stands a great chance of making it to the Hall of Fame.

I like the move.

It gives us a huge veteran amount of leadership that was lacking on the left side of the line last year. However, it does move our 1st round pick last year, Chris Williams, to the right side of the line and I hope he can adjust. Moving to the right will ease the pressure on the kid's shoulders and let him grow into the left tackle position over time.

The one thing that worries me, is that the staff signed Pace because they don't have faith in Williams to hold up after his injury last year.

We'll just have to see.

BEARS GET CUTLER

Oh my God...Jay Cutler is a Chicago Bear!

This is absolutely crazy. The Bears have a Pro Bowl QB.

I am giddy, completely giddy right now.

Let's win now!

Football Free Agency has begun!

Football Free Agency has begun!

...and the Bears won't do a thing.

There's no one REALLY worth it out there for this team. Most of the main targets I would have pressed for have been franchise tagged. Peppers, Cassell, and a boat load of others will not come to the Bears, a team that doesn't often grab big free agents.
T.J. Housh is out there, but he's the only good WR out there and thus his price will skyrocket. Haynesworth signed a monster deal with Washington. Ray Lewis we don't need or want.

I think the only realistic move would be to sign Byron Leftwich to have him compete for the starting job with Orton. Yes, I know, totally not a sexy move, but its realistic and helpful. Say what you will, but Lefty wants to start and he has prime oppuritunity in Chicago.

I say sign him and and pray for some luck in the draft.

R.I.P. Brett Favre

Mr. Favre,

We, the fans of Chicago, send you our greatest condolences in regards to your retirement. We know you're tired and hurting from the many glorious hits you've taken from Bears players over the years. We know you are just really old now and you can't hold up much longer. But frankly, this news is bittersweet to us. No other man has made us hate the Packers more than you. No other man has graced the top of Chicago's hit list for so long. And no other man has given us a reason to love Bears-Packers more than you. We have always been enemies and we will never be friends, but Mr. Favre you still gave us a great gift. A man to hate. A man to attack. And a man to respect for everything he did on the field. For us, you changed Sundays into the greatest theatre a Bears fan could ever ask for. So, as hard as this is to say, thanks for the memories and all the meaningful games you gave to your fans and your enemies.

Enjoy the retirement Mr. Favre, you've earned it.

Richard Dent belongs in the Hall!

Tomorrow, the Hall of Fame Board of Selectors will meet and decide upon which of the 17 finalists will make the cut into the NFL class of 2009. Of those 17, one is the all-time great Chicago Bear Defensive End Richard Dent.

Dent has been a finalist in five of the past six years to make it into the Hall of Fame. It is beyond time that this man receives the respect that he earned on that playing field for so many years.

Dent was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 8th round (203rd overall) in 1983. He wasn't expected to accomplish much like most other 8th round selections, but he persevered. Dent primarily played the Right Defensive End position and focused on sacking the Quarterback.

He played 12 of his 15 seasons for Chicago including starting all 16 games with the 1985-86 Super Bowl Champion Bears. Most football fans regard that defense as the best ever in the NFL, and if not the best ever, it ranks at minimum in their top three. Dent anchored that defensive line and was the leader up front for that amazing defense.

Dent holds the Bears franchise-record in sacks with 124.5 sacks and had 137.5 sacks in his career. He totaled double-digit sacks in eight different seasons with the Bears including 17 in 1985, which was the highest total in the league. The only years Dent didn't reach double-digits with the Bears was 9 sacks in 1989 and 8.5 in 1992.

At the time of his retirement Dent was third all-time in sacks over his entire career.

Dent was selected to four Pro-Bowls and earned Super Bowl XX MVP honors when he recorded 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles on the world's greatest stage.

This weekend Dent needs to receive an 80 percent approval rating from the 44-member board to be elected into the Hall of Fame. In my opinion, he deserves it and should make the final cut from 17 to 7. If Dent were to make it in, he would join Walter Payton, Dan Hampton, and Mike Singletary as the fourth member of the legendary 1985 Bears team to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

He is a humble and great person that has been waiting for his turn too long. Good luck Mr. Dent. I am pulling for you.

Welcome to Windy City Sports

Welcome to The Windy City Sports blog!

My name is Zach Reves, and through this blog I will post news and my opinions on the current issues that are happening in Chicago-based sports. I am a sportswriter by trade and an avid fan of anything residing in the Second City (with one notable exception, but I'll get to that later).

I have followed the Chicago Bears, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls for a majority of my 22 years of life. However, I have little love for the North Side Cubs for many different reasons so don't expect a lot of blogging about their exploits. Prepare to see a lot of information regarding these teams including scores, trades and anything else relevant in the business.

If it happens in Chicago I will know about it and share it here in this blog. So come along with me and revel in the greatness of Chicago based sports!

Bear Down Chicago!