Random Thoughts

Football season has been chaotic this year and consuming more of my time even than usual. Basketball is also getting underway, so this is the no-sleep time of year for me.

In fact, I'm covering the Chicago Challenge for CSTV.com. Follow the action on the Posting Up blog at CSTV.com.

Enough of the shameless plugs.

Meanwhile, I'm managing yet another fantasy football team right into the toilet. When it comes to fantasy baseball, I'm undefeated. Seven or eight seasons, seven or eight championships. The number is a little fuzzy because I haven't run a team for several years. It interferes too much with my real job.

But when I did play, I had the Midas touch. In fantasy football though, it's the Minus touch. Everybody I draft underperforms, gets hurt, gets arrested, etc. Drew Brees struggles this year? My fault. Travis Henry's drug problems? My fault. Robbie Gould's comedown year? My fault. For the record though, Rex Grossman's problems are his own. I'm not stupid enough to draft him for a fantasy team.

Is it Kyle Orton's turn yet?

Speaking of toilets, it's about time for the annual Thanksgiving plumbing disaster. Actually, a couple of things are bubbling up in that area, but until they actually blow, I'm not going to jinx things by writing about them.

Cubs President John McDonough resigned to take the same job with the Blackhawks, which is like going from the penthouse to the outhouse. McDonough is credited with marketing the Cubs so well that the stadium is full, win or, way too often, lose. Now, he needs to put lipstick on the pig that is the Blackhawks franchise, but there is hope. Now that Bill Wirtz has passed on and his son Rocky has taken over, changes are being made that indicate that the status quo is no longer acceptable. This is one of them, and a desire to put home games on TV is another. Putting a winning team on the ice is the most important thing, of course, but in the meantime, they need to try to rebuild their once-strong fan base.

That's it for now. Happy Thanksgiving to all! For me, I'll be thankful if I can get through the weekend without needing hip waders.