Columnists

Kate Taylor has jumped out to a successful start in her first year with the University of Chicago women's swimming team.

Kudos to Tampa Bay’s rookie quarterback Josh Freeman, who made his NFL debut on Sunday. He has become the forgotten QB of the ’09 draft, but looked really good in the second half as he lead his Buccaneers to an upset victory over the Packers.

Josh Howells has become an integral part of the offense for Olivet Nazarene’s football team this season.

So I’m sitting on the couch watching the Monday night NFC South slugfest between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, and I’m obviously caught up in the moment. 

Adrian Peterson of the Vikings is the most dangerous running back in the NFL. Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars is probably the most complete, while Chris Johnson of the Titans is still the fastest.

Sarah Cullen celebrated a special day on Nov. 16, 2005, with friends and family as the former Sycamore standout signed her Letter of Intent to play for the DePaul volleyball team.

It’s been almost a week and that drubbing in Cincinnati still is haunting me. Honestly, I’m shocked and more than a little concerned.

When Jim Zorn does get fired, Redskins' owner Daniel Snyder will be calling Jon Gruden. I hope that he and Gruden will not find common ground, because Gruden is fantastic on ESPN's Monday Night Football. He adds an insight and a level of excitement to the game that has been LONG missing.

Brittany Belrichard is enjoying another stellar season with the Millikin women's soccer team.

DeKALB – The sunset over the Pacific Ocean was beautiful.

The sky is falling, the sky is falling, the sky is falling!

Hold it ... I think the Patriots just scored again.

Andrew Volkening, a former Genoa-Kingston student, has been on a slow start to the season after leading the Air Force hockey team to an Elite Eight appearance last season.

CHICAGO – For Dean Karnazes victory is crossing the finish line.

Maybe I’m starting this premise on the wrong note by referring to myself as “TW.” Speaking in the third person, even if it's only using initials, does feel creepy.

You pick which is worse; Browns' quarterback Derek Anderson going 2-for-17 for 23 yards with one interception and zero touchdowns, or how about the Raiders racking up a total of 124 yards of offense? Mind you, somehow the Browns beat the Bills – with a little help from Bills return man Roscoe Parrish – 6-3, while the Raiders got crushed by the Giants, 44-7.

Josh Howells has seen his playing time increase two-fold for the Olivet Nazarene football team this year.

CHICAGO – History will be made at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday.

It didn’t take long for Hayley Guyton to detect a different vibe at regionals.

Convince Jay Cutler to be more conservative. Check.

I’m going to take this time to complain ... a lot. This happens every year, and probably in every league. You know it’s going to happen and yet when it does, you’re angry. Even if it happens to you.

Jessica Struthers finished in 38th place to help lead the North Central College women's golf team to a fourth-place finish at the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Championship on Saturday.

SHABBONA – The fish are all grown up.

Just another ho-hum Sunday afternoon in the great Northwest last weekend. 

It's too bad the International Olympic Committee isn't taking bribes anymore. Imagine what a lock Chicago would be then.

First off, I opted to play Derrick Ward instead of Cedric Benson. Oops!

Sarah Cullen’s return to DeKalb County last week ended with a four-game loss to the Northern Illinois volleyball team.

Sean Ostruszka has a collection of scars on his hands.

Face reality. Any time you beat the Big Ten Conference it’s highly significant. Whether it’s football, basketball, gymnastics or tiddlywinks. Good year or down year, the Big Ten still represents the best in the intercollegiate athletics realm.

Thankfully, Jay Cutler has better listening skills than my four children. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he did just as I asked, ditching the gunslinger approach for the more reliable game-manager mode.