So, which is it?

The Cubs signed a minor league outfield who parents clearly had a sense of humor. His name is Angel Pagan.

Bears-Panthers

I may end up eating these words tomorrow, but I don't think Rex Grossman is The Savior. In fact, I don't think he's anything beyond mediocre and never will be, whether he gets hurt again or not. I am in the minority with that opinion. OK, I'm the only one with that opinion. Everyone else around here is drooling with optimism, but the reality is, he was only marginally better than Kyle Orton in the six quarters he played this year, and that's not a step down from previous years. He doesn't make great decisions and he's not particularly accurate. Come to think of it, that's what they say about Orton too, but Orton's a rookie. However, Grossman's the best the Bears have right now, so he has to play, but because he's not nearly as good as Jake Delhomme (now there's an indictment for you), the Bears are going down today. It won't be a blowout because the defenses are too good. Something like 13-6. Carolina didn't show up when the two teams played before. They will this time.

BTW, this isn't an opinion born out of a bias for Orton because of I'm a Purdue guy. I didn't like it when the Bears drafted Grossman. I didn't like his game in college.

No respect

QB Kyle Orton had one of the best seasons ever for a rookie QB in the NFL, helping to guide the Bears to a 10-5 record and the #2 seed in the NFC. So you will not be surprised to learn that RB Cadillac Williams of the Tampa Bay Bucs was named the AP offensive rookie of the year. Orton was tied for fifth with zero votes.

Do not adjust your monitor. You read that correctly. Zero votes. Nada. Zippo.

Williams got 47 of the 50 votes and the other three went to Miami RB Ronnie Brown, NE OL Logan Mankins and Pittsburgh TE Heath Miller.

Bearing down

* I think the Bears made a mistake by not playing QB Rex Grossman yesterday. He's played a game and a half, during which time he's been highly mediocre. I could understand sitting him if he'd played all season, but he needs reps at game speed, even if it means risking injury.

* The Bears gave in to the pressure of fans and sponsors and will allow NW Indiana residents to buy playoff tickets when they go on sale tomorrow.