Before switching I chatted with one of the Dish Network advisors via their online chat module to ask a few basic questions; was it really only HD channels, verify the price, ask about premiums such as HBO and so on.  After getting satisfactory answers on the online chat I called their 800 number to double check what I had been told online.  It all checked out, I also did some additional checking, such as making sure I wouldn’t be breaking any agreement and having some surprise fees or anything like that, checking the new rates, and the like.  I was told that I wouldn’t be breaking any contracts, my new monthly rate should I choose to change, and that the Dish HD package did qualify as a basic programming package so I could get this as a standalone package.  I also one last time wanted to check that I’d get all the HD channels I currently had plus the extra non-premium channels on the channel list, I was told I would get them.

I was sold, I told the guy to go ahead and change my programming package to the HD only package and the rep on the phone said ok, did it and then I was informed that there’d be a $5 service charge for changing my programming package on my next bill, as well as the prorated balance for the remaining month’s unused programming.  I was surprised about the $5 charge, but it’s not that big a deal (I would have changed the programming anyway), just would have been nice to be reminded of it again prior to telling him to go ahead and execute the change.

So after all the changes were done and I got home from work I went to watch my beloved Chicago Cubs, but where the hell is channel 429 (Comcast Sports Net Chicago)?  I live in the region that gets CSN Chicago, I know this because when I had the America’s Top 200 package I had the HD and SD CSN Chicago channels, but now I no longer did.  I called up Dish Network and was quickly connected with “Sam” in their offshore call center.  I assume it’s only for after hours because during more “normal” hours I’m usually connected with a more “American” sounding person.  Not that I care either way, but my experience with offshore call centers is that they are less willing to “work” with me and stick to their canned scripts answers.

Anyway, I quickly explain to the guy on the phone that my problem is I live in the CSN Chicago region and I no longer get the channel, I have the HD only package and expected to get the CSN HD channel.  I was put on hold for a moment while the rep looked up the answer to my question.  When he came back on the line he asked what I saw on my TV.  I informed him I had ESPN HD on, to which he asked what the problem was.  I again explained the situation, and I again got the canned “I’m so sorry for that sir…” blah blah blah.  Long story short, with this guy I learned that apparently the Dish HD only package does NOT contain the CSN Chicago channel, and that the “only” way I would be able to get it was by reinstating the America’s Top 200 package.  At this point the man on the phone asked if I would give him permission to re-add it to my account.  I said no, explained how I had just gotten rid of it and had no desire to get it back.  At some point during this explanation I was either hung up on or my call dropped, so I called back.

This time I selected a different option and my call was answered by someone that didn’t sound to be in an offshore call center.  I explained the situation again; the rep checked into it and told me Comcast Sports Net Chicago was not available with the Dish HD only package.  I asked why and was told that the provider does not allow it to be added to the package.  I was also told that the rep had some good news, and that I could probably add the “Multi-Sport Package” to my account for $5.99 per month.  I was told that it contained 20-30 regional sports networks and contained CSN Chicago.  I said OK to add it, but the rep then informed me that since I didn’t have one of the “America’s Top” packages it could not be added.

At this point I was beyond frustrated.  I asked why it was not available for the Dish HD package and who I could contact to try to remedy this situation…  Basically what I was told was that the provider (Comcast) did not allow it.  I’m not sure how much I believe that since the Multi-Sport Package contains Comcast, Fox, and other providers, but whatever.  I also was told that my complaint was sent to Dish Network HQ for me, I’m not sure how much I believe that because it seemed a little too quick to be entirely believable.

Anyone that is interested in getting only Dish HD channels and is a sports fan may be interested to learn this.  I encourage you to contact Dish Network and Comcast/Comcast Sports Net in an attempt to remedy this situation.  I have contacted both and am still awaiting a response from Comcast.

The main point of this post is to be a warning to others in a similar situation as me, if you are considering it, double and triple check if your specific regional channels are available in this package.

The executive summary:

•    As of today, the Dish HD only package does not contain Comcast Sports Net Chicago (one of the major carriers of the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, and Black Hawks).
•    As of today, Dish does not allow Dish HD only subscribers the option to add the “Multi-Sport Package” to their subscription.  (The Multi-Sport Package contains around 30 regional sports channels from across the nation)
•    Contact Dish Network and Comcast to request this be resolved.

Tonight on Baseball Tonight the Chicago Cubs were being picked as the National League representative in the 2008 World Series, lets hope the folks at ESPN got this one right…

Go Cubs!

I wrote something asking if the Bears should trade Hester a while ago. My thoughts are trade him while he’s hot and get something better in return that’ll help the core of the team. The way I look at it, the Bears need SO much, a kick/punt return specialist is something a finished team should be looking for.

Face it the O-line is old and bad. The Running back and wide receiver positions are weak. Benson has no drive, Peterson is a number two, and Wolfe is a very limited situational guy. As far as the receiving core goes, Moose is fading fast, if not gone already, Berrian needs a real #1 in order to be effective, and the rest can be replaced as far as I’m concerned (seriously, who hasn’t been disappointed by Bradley or Davis?). The only bright spot on the offense is TE. Greg Olsen is legit, Clark is serviceable, but without a QB to get the ball there and an O-line to block for the QB it’s all for nothing. The way I look at it, when TE and special teams are your bright spots, you’ve got problems.

I think what the bears really need to look for are:

Offensive line

So, if the Bears trade off Hester for a top five pick, they could probably pick up and OT like Jake Long, and then maybe later with their other first round pick select someone like Cherilus (Boston College) or Baker (USC) to help strengthen the line. You can probably live with Kreutz at center another year or two, and look into more guards on the market as they become available.

#1 Wide Receiver

Finding a #1 WR is tough, I’m not sure what they can do about that through the draft, or who will be available in the off season. Maybe pick up Andre’ Davis from Houston? He’s no number one, but I think he’s a more capable WR than Hester/Davis/Bradley, so not a bad number three/four, assuming you keep Berrian at least.

Safeties

The Bears need safeties, Archuleta has been a bust, Mike Brown gets injured. There are the top two safeties and the rest have been rather disappointing too. I think right now you hope and pray Mike Brown will be healthy next year so you only really need to find one decent guy at that position. I wish the Bears would have kept Chris Harris this past off season.

Linebacker Depth

Maybe adding a LB for depth isn’t such a bad idea. Urlacher’s back problems worry me; arthritic problems aren’t the type that go away, as far as I know. Oh, and Lance Briggs and his apparent search for a big payday also have me worried that the Bears will either not be able to afford him, or simply not sign him.

Running Back

Michael Turner will be a free agent, Chester Taylor may be up for trade in Minnesota (but unlikely to be trade within the division, if traded at all). Outside of that there isn’t a lot of interesting talent there, to me anyway. Maybe Justin Fargas, but I don’t really know how I feel about taking a shot with another RB when you have Benson already; if you’re going to give a guy a shot, give it to your own draft pick you already control.

Quarterback

As far as the QB position is concerned, I’m willing to live with a Rex/Orton one/two if it allows the Bears to improve in other areas. I think Derek Anderson will be a restricted free agent, but if he left Cleveland I’d be interested in seeing him in Chicago. Other than that there’s not much I like for QB, and don’t waste a pick on one in the draft! I’ve given up on McNabb. He won’t play for the Bears with the lack of an offense, plus all the injury history that comes with him isn’t worth the risk.

Ok, so now let me know what you think. Post some comments and tell me why I’m wrong, or why you agree.

An argument for the trade is Hester really only plays punt/kick return and other than that hasn’t contributed much else to the team.  That being said, he still has been one of the top scorers on the team; however do you really want to build your team around a kick returner?

An argument to keep Hester would be he’s still very young and has a world of potential.

What do you think?

Let’s start off by stating a couple things I thought before the game. First, the Bears would win. I was wrong. Rex would have a good game. I was wrong again.

Going into the game I thought the Bears would have to score at least 30 points to win, I was right about that. So really the defense giving up the 29 points wasn’t too big a surprise. What was a surprise was how badly the offense stunk it up, Rex’s two fumbled snaps and numerous bad decisions when passing. I say numerous because it wasn’t just the two picks I thought were bad, he floated a couple passes that were incomplete/caught by a Bears receiver so they were mostly unnoticed.

Do I think the Bears need a new QB? I’m not sure. Should the team look into other options for QB competition in camp? Yes. I read something about possibly getting Jeff Garcia or trading for David Carr. All I can say about Garcia is a lot of teams will be looking at him, and I don’t really want him to be the Bears QB. He’s too old, and I think his Philly success was more of a fluke than something to realistically expect out of him for an entire season. I really don’t know enough about Carr to have an opinion on trading for him, and right now I’m more looking forward to the Cubs season than the next Bears season.

That’s it, this blog post is over! Now comes the hard part, trying to not post on the Bears until around the draft at the end of April.

To me, you’re just trying to sell papers,” Grossman said. ”It doesn’t matter.”

“It’s frustrating when some of you guys don’t put too much thought into it and you’re just trying to go off the fans’ reaction or you don’t know much about what we’re doing on offense. Just realizing how ignorant some of you guys are — and I don’t mean that necessarily in a bad way. I mean, like just understanding that you may not be correct and accepting that fact and not paying attention to it much.”

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/240367,CST-SPT-bear02.article

I’m glad that Rex said this. It gets tiring constantly having people dump on you the way every writer or person with a blog or fan that caught five minutes of Sports Center the other night. Add to that a week of every sports writer plus just the casual sports reporters at the Super Bowl media fiasco this week repeating the same question hoping to be the one that makes you “slip up” and admit to being terrible. Finally enough is enough and Rex got his chance to speak his mind, to an extent, and took it.

It seems like everyone brings up the five crappy games Rex had, but no one remembers the good games he had during the season. People will bring up that Griese or Orton should be playing instead. Lets not forget Griese hasn’t been impressive at all this year, and Orton’s terrible, QB rating last year of 59 and has thrown more career picks than TDs. Grossman is your best shot as he gives you some semblance of a real quarterback on average, but has the potential to be a deep threat at any time.

Anyway, I’m tired of the Rex stuff, this will be the last post on Rex hate/love ever (hopefully) or at least next season if you want to be realistic.

Speaking of TV, anyone else see the CareerBuilder.com ads for the commercial they are going to run during the Super Bowl this year?  I thought it was somewhat odd to have an ad for an ad, but I guess Super Bowl commercials are their own show too.  (I know I know, it was still a spot for CareerBuilder.com as well…)  It will be hard to top the monkeys so it better be good.  Anyone know if there’s a “Puppy Bowl” again this year on Animal Planet, or did they finally give up on that idea?

Looks like the Bulls are just about done with the game and are going to beat Dallas, which is pretty surprising, the Bulls haven’t been too good lately, and Dallas has.  Could be interesting to see what happens, if anything, with some of these trade rumors flying around regarding the Bulls.

Something else that bugs me is almost immediately there were articles on Sports Illustrated or ESPN about how Rex Grossman is the worst quarterback to be in the Super Bowl in… …however many years it is.  My question is who cares?  The Bears don’t need to rely on a superstar QB (especially when your defense can force four turnovers in a game) so having one that is just decent will suffice for now.  Some people ripped Grossman for the 140-whatever yards he threw for, but didn’t mention his back had nearly 200 yards running.  Oh well, I still like Rex and hope he does well in the Super Bowl.

State of the Union address is on in a few, this should make it a little more interesting: http://www.drinkinggame.us/ looks like it could be fun, but doesn’t come even compare to the Spelling Bee drinking game or the 24 drinking game.

I’ll agree the Saints have a good offense, but the Bears still have a pretty damn good defense, even if it hasn’t been as sharp lately as it had been earlier in the year. However I recall some stats showing the Saints play better on the turf than real grass, and the real grass in Chicago was beginning to look a little rough last week. Any of the snow that’s being predicted (anywhere from two to five inches) should have an adverse impact on the running game as well after the field gets a little sloppier.

Let’s not forget too the Bears offense, while it isn’t perfect it’s not bad either; and with the secondary of the Saints I’d expect to see a few of the Rex-tastic bombs he’s become known for. Overall the Bears still should rely on the run more than the pass to try to manage the clock better and keep Rex calm.

If Devin Hester can hold on to the ball during returns, I think the Bears will be in much better shape. Sure the Saints have Bush returning, but the Bears special teams should be able to contain him.

In any event the game will probably be high scoring, I’m guessing in the 60-70 point range (total). Final score 38-27, Bears.

Now that my prediction is out of the way a little rant is in order so here it goes.

I hope the Saints lose, not only because I’m a Bears fan, but because I’m sick of hearing the “feel good Saints” story. This past week has been painful enough hearing that garbage day after day, the game will add to it too, the last thing I need is to hear about it until (and possibly beyond) the Super Bowl. ESPN is already running the stories about all the Saints fans that came to Chicago for the game, some even paying $1,000+ for some sort of game package that doesn’t include tickets.

First of all, someone that pays $1,000 or more for some kind of “game package” that doesn’t include tickets is a moron. Go to a bar or go to a friend’s house, that can be had for the low low price of FREE (plus drinks/food, but still way less than the $1,000 package).

Second, I would tend to think these Saints fans that made it to Chicago for the game aren’t the people that were really hurricane victims, at least in the way they will be portrayed.

All I know is I’ll have a fun day of listening to Joe Buck rip into Rex, praise the Saints, and talk about “Bears Weather”. Maybe I’ll get lucky and Joe will (again) ask which is longer, the ½ inch cleat or the 5/8 inch cleat…

I thought the Bulls would be good, but they looked GREAT tonight. Big Ben looked good, Hinrich looked really good, and so did the rest of the Bulls. The youth and speed of the Bulls made the Heat look old and slow; the only one on the Heat that had didn’t look bad was D. Wade, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

There is still a long way to go, and all this win means is the worst the Bulls can finish is 1-81, but if tonight is any indication this should be a fun season.