Word on the Street: Burleson guarantees Lions win

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010
CSNChicago.com

Nate Burleson guarantees Lions' win

Sure, the Lions will be starting their third string quarterback against a Bears defense that has been dominant as of late, but that hasn't phased Nate Burleson. Burleson has guaranteed a Lions win over the surging 8-3 Bears.

"Yeah, I said we're going to win," Burleson said. "I am not saying the Chicago Bears aren't good, they are a very good football team. They can take this as bulletin board material if they want, but we play to win the game." (The Detroit News)

Jordan, UCF upset No. 18 Florida

Marcus Jordan, son of NBA-legend Michael Jordan, led the University of Central Florida to an impressive 57-54 upset of the No. 18 Flordia Gators on Wednesday. Jordan scored 18 points on 6 of 11 from the field and played tight defense, shutting down Florida's big scorers. (Orlando Sentinel)

Sox prospect Phegley recovering after surgery

White Sox catching prospect Josh Phegley is reportedly making a strong recovery after having his spleen removed on Nov. 5 in Chicago. Phegley suffers from Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a condition that results in low blood platelets. The Sox's medical staff consulted with several experts who concluded that the surgery was Phegley's best chance to overcome the condition.

Since the surgery, Phegley has returned to working out and says his platelet counts are "real good." (ChicagoBreakingSports)

Lions' Stanton less than fond of Martz

Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton, who will start this Sunday against the Bears, spent the early years of his career with Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator during Martz's time in Detroit. And while Martz may be known by many around the league as an offensive genius, Stanton was apparently less than impressed.

Stanton says Martz attempted to change his throwing motion, an endeavor that left both men frustrated.

"Obviously, with some of the stuff that he was doing with my mechanics and what-not just wasn't natural for me," said Stanton. Asked if he retained any fundamental changes from his time with Martz, Stanton said "Not a single one." (Mlive.com)

Forbes: Blackhawks seventh most valuable NHL team

After winning the Stanley Cup championship last year, the Blackhawks were forced to cut salaries to keep themselves within the boundaries of the NHL salary cap. However, the rest of their financial operation seems to be doing quite well. Forbes magazine listed the Blackhawks as the seventh most valuable team in the NHL, worth 300 million dollars - a 16 percent increase over last year's value.

The Hawks are still far behind the NHL's most valuable team, the Toronto Maple leafs, who are valued at 505 million. (ChicagoBreakingSports)
Favre to retire after this season... No, really

Apparently it's that time of year again. No, not the holiday season; it's time for Brett Favre's yearly retirement. This time, he says, it's for real. He told the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Wednesday that he feels like he's accomplished everything he could possibly accomplish in his career and this time he's done for good.

Asked if he had any second thoughts, Favre said, "I'm done, I'm done." (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

'85 Bears a "failed dynasty?"

After the Bears' nearly-perfect 1985 Super Bowl season it seemed as though the Bears were a blossoming dynasty. They had it all; a shut-down defense, a great coach, and one of the greatest running back's of all time. Unfortunately, that never happened. Just three years later they found themselves dominated 28-3 by the San Francisco 49ers in a frigid NFC title game at Soldier Field.

This disappointing fall from greatness earned the Bears the No. 5 spot on Sports Illustrated's Top 10 Failed Dynasties list. (ChicagoBreakingSports)

Rose named Bulls player of the month

Derrick Rose and the Bulls are fresh off their first successful west-coast circus trip since the final season His Airness was in Chicago, and Rose is being rewarded for his leadership on the trip. On Wednesday he was named the team's player of the month for November.

The NBA will announce the league's player of the month on Friday and Rose has a great shot at that award as well. He averaged 26.6 points, 8.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds during the month of November. (ChicagoBreakingSports)