Illinois

After the Bears won Super Bowl XX, free agent linebacker Wilber Marshall left to take more money with the Washington Redskins. The move was the first of many in the demise of the Super Bowl champs. It could be déjà vu for Bears fans as a key linebacker of the 2006 Bears is on the verge of leaving Chicago via free agency.

Blackhawks goalie Patrick Lalime played in his first NHL game in almost a year Wednesday night and did it in style. He shut out the Vancouver Canucks and the Blackhawks won the game 3-0.

Two days after Super Bowl XLI, Chicagoans have shown great support for their Bears, despite the team's losing effort. This emotion was misguided Tuesday as a crowded gathering to greet the Bears players and coaches gave a glowing reception to the wrong incoming flight and accidentally greeted the city's smarmier side.

The revolving door known as the Dallas Cowboys head coaching position is hitting close to Chicago. Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera flew to Dallas Tuesday to interview with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for the team's vacant head coaching spot.

Despite a glorious run to Super Bowl XLI and playing defense like a pack of crazed dogs for much of the season, Bears' middle linebacker and tackling freak Brian Urlacher admits he expects to see a much different look to the defensive starting lineup in 2007.

The Blackhawks marched into Calgary last night and stole one, topping the Flames in a shootout, 3-2.

Just a few days removed from their team's Super Bowl loss, Bears fans have begun to look for ways to cope with perhaps the toughest loss in franchise history. From the slightly disappointed to the downright depressed, fans have found multiple ways to get by until the 2007 season begins in September.