Already without center Joakim Noah for two more weeks, the Bulls are going to have to play shorthanded some more this week. First Luol Deng is going to miss the next two games (possibly more) with a strained calf muscle. The same article mentions that Taj Gibson might have to miss tomorrows game against the Magic with plantar fasciitis.

Needless to say this is just more bad news for the Bulls. The Magic game is more or less a loss already. Even at full strength the Bulls aren't going to beat the Magic often, now with James Johnson starting it's probably a lost cause.

I can't help but wonder if the Bulls aren't going into a bit of long term protection mode right now. If guys like Gibson, Deng, and Noah are feeling any sort of pain (especially with Noah and Gibson's injury being foot related) I think the Bulls will exercise caution and hold them out. The playoffs would be really nice, but the protection of guys health is more important since the off-season is the real season this year.

LAKE FOREST, IL - The Chicago Bears signed FB Eddie Williams to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A 2009 seventh-round (221st overall) draft pick of the Redskins, Williams spent most of the season on Washington's
practice squad before being elevated to the active roster on November 2. He was inactive for three contests before being
placed on injured reserve in late November.

The 6-1, 249-pounder caught 100 passes for 1,205 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons at Idaho, adding 19
rushes for 195 yards and three scores.

Photo by Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves

The Atlanta Thrashers have recalled defenseman Chris Chelios from the Chicago Wolves.

The 48-year-old defenseman has appeared in 46 games with the Wolves this season and ranks second on the team and ranks third in the American Hockey League with a +34 plus/minus rating. He has posted a plus or even rating in 41 of his 46 outings with the team.

The 25-year National Hockey League veteran ranks second among Wolves defensemen with 17 assists and fourth among team rearguards with 22 points.

CHELIOS leads all American-born players with 1,644 career NHL outings, and has racked up 948 points (185G, 763A) and 2,891 penalty minutes with the Montreal Canadiens (1983-90), Chicago Blackhawks (1990-99) and Detroit Red Wings (1999-2009).

Read more: Thrashers Recall Chelios

 

In case you missed it, Milton Bradley shot his mouth off again. This time, it was on ESPN, and he was once again throwing the city of Chicago under the bus. For those that are late to the party, here's the video:

Read more: Memo to Milton Bradley: Shut Up!

 

Today's headlines are a big yawnfest. Just to highlight that, I'm going to lead off with Mike Fontenot.

Fontenot started at second Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers in what is expected to be his regular role. But he was also at shortstop for a time Monday against the Oakland Athletics and played well -- so well that Piniella considered him ''one of the highlights of the game.''

''He made a couple of real nice plays and felt real comfortable out there,'' Piniella said. ''We'll continue to play him there from time to time. It gives us different options.''

What's the line on Andres Blanco not going north with the team this year? Speaking of the bench, we haven't heard much about Micah Hoffpauir, and it looks like we might not be hearing much about him in the future, either.

Piniella added the bench might include ''one or two'' rookie outfielders from a group including Brad Snyder, Tyler Colvin, Jim Adduci and Sam Fuld, who has spent time with the Cubs.

''I would think that the way we're set up here that one of these young kids will make the team,'' Piniella said.

Read more: Cubs Wednesday Headlines

 

Reid Simpson (right) fights while a member of the Albany River Rats.  (Photo: J.S. Carras — The Record)

 

The Chicago Wolves have signed left wing REID SIMPSON to a Standard Player Contract (SPC). In addition, the club has reassigned left wing PATRICK GALIVAN to the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators.

SIMPSON, a veteran of 301 National Hockey League games, has recorded two assists and 30 penalty minutes in 12 games with the Wolves since being signed to a Professional Tryout Contract on Feb. 2.

The 40-year-old forward collected 18 goals, 18 assists, 36 points and 838 penalty minutes over parts of 12 NHL seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Flin Flon, Manitoba, native also amassed 63 goals, 137 points and 1,178 penalty minutes in 328 career AHL contests with the Hershey Bears, Albany River Rats, Milwaukee Admirals and Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins, prior to joining Chicago.

Read more: Reid Simpson Signs with Wolves, Galivan Reassigned