General: Referees and Phillies and Bears, Oh My!

Chicago Bears GM Jerry Angelo has a blueprint to rebuild the former "Monsters of the Midway." Apparently, those plans don't include Bobby Engram, Thomas Smith, or Clyde Simmons.

The Bears cut the three veterans in an effort to give their young players an early shot at NFL experience. If Bears fans were hoping for a somewhat respectable season along the way to contending, it doesn't look good.

However, the decision was probably a smart one for the future of the organization.

The sad fact is that this franchise was going nowhere. A quarterback quagmire, no sure plan at running back and a questionable secondary were all signs the sports apocalypse was coming.

I just don't think the smartest thing was to cut a player like Engram.I can't believe a receiver like him didn't have any trade value- even for draft picks. When you cut a player, it's a complete loss. The Bears didn't get a thing in return for one of the better players on their roster. When the Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to the Vikings to begin their rebuilding process in the late 80s, they got nothing but draft picks -- and he was one of the better players in the LEAGUE at the time.

Angelo rebuilt the Buccaneers, so he probably knows what he's doing. However, it's going to be ugly for a little bit in the "windy city". The good thing is that the fans are probably getting used to it.

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Does anyone else not feel any sympathy for the NFL Referees? This goes along with the disdain I felt when Major League Baseball's umpires tried to walk out on Bud Selig.

I don't feel sorry for a group of people who are pretty pitiful at their jobs and then demand a raise. My only request to the ref's are to not make the same mistake the umpires did. You are not bigger than the game. You are quite replaceable. And with the presence of instant replay, your replacement is made even easier.

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Here's hoping the Phillies somehow wind up on top of the National League. The Braves are the Braves and no one has worked harder to improve themselves since last year.

Marlon Anderson, Bobby Abreu and Scott Rolen have developed into a core of young players to build around. Let's just hope the pitching holds up.