The return of the Monday morning roundup

After a glorious stretch of partying it was back to reality for me yesterday, and, wouldn't you know it, I picked up another gig. Because, clearly, there is nothing I love more than giving myself even more obligations.

Some of you may remember my old Sun-Times co-worker Zach Martin - aka Dubs - from this Deadspin tale, but he's probably best known around here for, well, being a complete asshole. Fortunately that's more of a compliment than an insult for a blogger, and that is precisely what Zach has become, in full force. And, no joke, he's actually hoping to make a living off of it. So head over to Slow Breaker, read my debut weekend wrapup column, and leave a comment. He was updating every half hour last week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so, if nothing else, you owe him some page views for working so hard.

Disclaimer: he likes the Cubs and Notre Dame, and went to New Trier. So, you know, reader beware.

Just kidding, though: the site is going to be great - it was described to me as a combination of Deadspin and BlogsbyFans (can't go wrong there) - so if you're stuck at work looking for something to do (Condor), make sure to refresh it often. And I think I did a decent job in my first post, so go read it. It goes up at 8 a.m. so I don't have a link now, but it won't be hard to find.

Oh hey, my bio is up there, too.

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Bulls

I caught the majority of the Spurs game on Saturday, and one thing is readily apparent: this team actually isn't so awful if it has all its parts. Sure, Hinrich and Gooden both have their flaws, but the Bulls are undoubtedly a better team with both those dudes in the rotation. I actually think Rose-Gordon-Hinrich is one of the better three guard lineups in the NBA, with the only problem (obviously) being that they're all the same height. Still, if VDN continues to go small, I'd rather see him go with these three guards than Noce on PF. At least the guards can actually all play, which is kinda nice.

If the Bulls stay healthy from here on out, there is almost no doubt in my mind they make the playoffs. That would be more than enough for me in Year One of the Rose Era, though I really do agree with Matt that it's probably more important to develop Tyrus and Noah. Maybe I'm alone here on this one (at least I've got Stephen Malkamus on my side), but I still believe both can be solid contributors. You know, not busts. If they are, and God knows enough people have written both off already, this franchise is in big trouble going forward.

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The undisputed best thing about the Cardinals going to the Super Bowl: the graphic FOX showed at the end of the game with the longest championship droughts in pro sports. Arizona was number two at something like 66 years. Number one? The Cubbies!

Simmons once wrote that the best thing about the Red Sox comeback over the Yanks in the 04 ALCS was that every time a team went down 0-3 in a best of seven series, some tv station would show the "teams that have comeback from an 0-3 deficet" graphic. I think the Cubs 100 year draught is enough for me to root for however else is behind them, if only so one of the networks can dig up that graphic again. I can not fathom how painful that must be for Cubs fans.

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Parting shots

- TTCS just celebrated it's one year anniversary. We've been bullshitting that thing for a solid 12 months now, which is about as impressive as anything I've ever done in the sports blogging world. Couldn't be prouder of the guys, even if we're starting to drop like flies now.

(If any TUP readers are interested in writing for Top Ten (and it's possibly a paying gig), send us an email and a brief writing sample at toptenchicagosports@gmail.com. We're short a man now, and we'd probably like to add two people to the stable.)

- Everyone is billing the Colon signing as completely risk free, but I'm not so sure that's the case. The Sox were fucked without another starter, if Bartolo fails, even though they're not paying him any money, they're back to square one again. I don't want a rotation with Clayton Richard as the four starter. That'd just be ugly. So I'm still pulling for a Ben Sheets miracle, or maybe a Garland return. Pedro would be sick too, but that's probably too much to ask for. But still: I think the Sox need another starter. Even if it's Freddy Garcia, you need some insurance in case Bartolo can't throw 242 innings again.

- If the Chargers can cut LDT, the Bears can cut Urlacher, right? I'm not saying I want it to happen, but if the Bears are keeping him around primarily out of loyalty, and a dude like Tomlinson is cut loose....

I don't know. I want Urlacher in Bears uniform next year (I think), but wouldn't be shocked if he's gone.

- The Hold Steady has pretty much been my favorite band for the last few years (if nothing else, they're in my Big Four with Okkervil River, Margot, and Spoon as bands I would see whenever they come to Chicago) and I finally saw them Thursday. It was totally awesome, they exceeded my expectations and then some. As an added bonus, Tom Morello opened and was sweet, too. One of the better shows I've ever been to, no diggity, no doubt.