There are some great people working over at the Chicago Sun-Times, most notably friend of the blog and Bears beat man Adam Jahns. But it is impossible to ignore the fact that many of the newsrooms around this country are populated by daft, insignificant morons.

Kate Grossman is one of those. Hell, she might even be two of them. The Sun-Times editor was on some dopey chat show, sliding off her chair at the very thought of a George Lucas museum on the lakefront. The museum would, of course, be the nail in the tailgating coffin for Chicago Bears fans at Soldier Field.

I’ve pulled the quotes from a blog over at ChicagoNow and thank emailer Laura for the notification:

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Because, really, what the hell could possibly be happening around the Chicago Bears to warrant this column be dedicated to anything else.

So why do I like the USMNT today?

I always like the USMNT.

Points…

• Set pieces, set pieces, set pieces. Belgium has not allowed a goal in the run of play yet in this tournament and they sport – when healthy – the sturdiest back four in the tournament. Thomas Vermaelen is out and Vincent Kompany (arguably the best center half in the world) will be limited if he plays at all. US needs a big performance off the dead ball and that usually means a big delivery performance from Graham Zusi.
• US can’t lose the possession battle to the extent they lost it against Germany and that means Michael Bradley has to play better. Bradley is meant to be the catalyst for everything this attack but his timing, pace and ideas have all been a step behind throughout the group stage. That has to end.
• Eden Hazard has not asserted himself yet in this tournament. If he chooses today to do so, US fans will be looking down the barrel of a several goal defeat. That’s how much better Hazard is than any of the players tasked to defend him.

Today is a huge opportunity for the USMNT. If they win they’ll be playing a quarterfinal on Saturday of Fourth of July weekend. Families gathered around television. Grandparents watching a sport they’d never watch. That kind of event could be the foundation of a whole new generation of soccer fans in this country. “I started watching soccer with my family on 4th of July weekend” kinda thing. More eyes would be on that game Saturday than on any soccer event in the history of this country. That is the opportunity. Will they seize it?

USA 2, Belgium 1 in extra time.

Advance. At all costs.

Three thoughts on the signing:

1. It is another sign that this current Bears regime will not settle for inadequacies on the roster. The previous administration seemed to enjoy going to great lengths to not only defend weak positions but make claims that a weakened position was somehow part of the overall strategy.
2. Chicago could not enter the summer with Ryan Mundy as the only viable strong safety on the roster. Why? Because Ryan Mundy isn’t that good.
3. Keep expectations low on Wilson. If the former top safety is on the roster come September, it would be a surprise.

Mannelly is a legendary Bear and “the namesake” of our Audibles from the Long Snapper column. Here he is explaining that decision.

Brad Biggs did an excellent job breaking the story on his Twitter feed. Here is a selection of Tweets from the Trib’s leading Bears writer:

Used to joke with Pat Mannelly the last 3 seasons or so on Fridays in the locker room, ask if he was looking forward to setting a record

He was the all-time leader in #Bears history for games played. He’d chuckle a little but he just wanted to do his job that Sunday.

K Robbie Gould: Pat Mannelly “is probably the greatest long snapper to ever play the game.”

I don’t know if Mannelly is the greatest long snapper to ever play. I don’t even know how to begin that analysis. But I know he has given sixteen years of his body to the Chicago Bears organization and that is worthy of celebration.

I am heading to Baltimore this weekend for a Crab and Beer Festival so I figured I’d have some “fun” with my Friday column.

Washington Monuments

Phallic and delightful, the Washington Monuments helmets could immediately become the most interesting in the NFL.

D.C. Comics

City listed? Check. But I’m not putting Superman on my helmet. My helmet looks like this:

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He is my favorite modern Chicago Bear and one of my favorite Bears to ever suit up. This speech, like so many of Tillman’s actions, personifies what can be good about the National Football League and the NFL player.

Thanks to Adam for the time and terrific insight. We’ll be making him a regular player around here.

No.