Football is great. Over break I watched so much football I think I missed a few meals. And let me tell you, I rarely miss a meal.

There was Michigan and USC in the Rose Bowl. There was LSU and Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. There was the Packers and the Seahawks. How salty does Matt Hasselbeck feel? There was the Packers and the Eagles. Favre’s destiny meets Donovan McNabb’s legs.

The best game I saw over break was the Carolina vs. St. Louis game. If anyone thinks they saw a better game over break, they’re wrong. You probably haven’t seen a better football game in the past year, with the exception when “Peanut” Tillman ripped the ball from Randy Moss in the end zone to send the Vikings back to Minnesota with an extra tally in the L column.

As good as all the football playoffs were over break, it was missing something. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was. But it was missing…oh wait, that’s right…the Chicago Bears!

As much as I love football, when my team is out of it I found myself not nearly as glued to the television as I would’ve been if the Monsters of the Midway were on. Don’t get me wrong, I still watched a lot of football over break but not with the same intensity I would have if “Da Bears” were playing.

I guess I’m in denial. I mean, I’ve been walking around the past two weekends wearing a Jim Miller jersey and a bears cap.

With the Chicago Bears final loss to the Chiefs this season, my mind switched gears. What gear did my mind switch to? I’ll give you a hint. It’s round and you hit it with a bat. That’s right, Baseball is on my mind.

The Cubs have made some huge moves. The two biggest moves that come to mind are the trade for first baseman Derek Lee and the acquisition of relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins.

The Cubs went out with a bang last year but lets not talk about 2003. I may start crying. Next year is THE year. That’s right Cubs fans, you heard it here first. The Chicago Cubs will win the World Series in 2004.

Just think about the middle of the lineup. I thought when we had Sosa, McGriff and Alou we were stacked but listen to these names. How about Sosa, Lee, Alou, Ramirez batting 3-6?

How loaded is the Cubs lineup? The man who was the hardest to strike out in the American League last year, Todd Walker, is on our bench! Imagine that!

With the loss of Jose Cruz Jr., Benito Santiago and Rich Aurilia, Barry Bonds would swim to Chicago and back if it meant the Giants could acquire the likes of Todd Walker.

The Cubbies lost Kenny Lofton.

I almost forgot why we picked Lofton up in the first place. Maybe I’m not the only forgetful one. Lets refresh our memories.

Corey Patterson went down ealy in July with a torn ACL. Therefore, the Cubs went out and got Kenny Lofton on July 22nd. Now that Patterson is back, I guess Lofton isn’t quite necessary although he would be a nice backup. Imagine a team so stacked they have Todd Walker and Kenny Lofton on the bench.

I don’t even have to mention the pitching staff. I would like to see the Cubs get one more starter. Ahem, Greg Maddux, ahem.

Well, you don’t even need a Maddux caliber pitcher. With the first four guys in that rotation I’d take Kevin Foster as a fifth.

In Dusty I Trusty. Cubs in 2004!