The last time the media was invited inside the Halas Hall auditorium, Jerry Angelo's and Lovie Smith's lips were grim creases as they tried to explain why they shouldn't be fired. Two months to the day later, they were introducing the biggest free-agent haul in team history, and their smiles were so wide they could've eaten Italian beefs sideways.
There are always reasons to be skeptical when talking about free agency, where teams often get Albert Haynesworth instead of Reggie White. But this wasn't a day to be skeptical, not after the Bears signed defensive end Julius Peppers, running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna on the first day of free agency Friday.
It took 37 seconds for the Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks to add another chapter to their growing rivalry.
Andrew Ladd and the Canucks' Ryan Kesler went after each other as expected. And then Shane O'Brien grabbed Ladd. Moments later and before the next faceoff, Canucks agitator Alex Burrows mouthed off to a couple of Hawks, bumped into Dustin Byfuglien and then tried to fight the 6-4, 257-pound winger.
In all, 12 penalty minutes were assessed in the first 37 seconds of a game highlighted by roughing penalties, big hits and two fights. And yes, a hockey game did break out too as the Hawks put a wallop on their rivals Friday night in a 6-3 victory before 22,235 at the United Center.
- Carlos Quentin reminded everybody back in Chicago just how dangerous he can be when he's pain-free.
Quentin homered on his first two at-bats and drove in five runs Saturday, leading a White Sox split squad to a 15-3 victory over the Cubs in the first of five spring exhibitions between the intracity rivals.
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