The Olin Kreutz Chronicles
So, I'm on the phone last night with a columnist from the Honolulu Star Bulletin, talking to her about the O.K. (Olin Kreutz) Loco Moco chili we have on the site, when I just start going on and on about why we really wanted to do an Olin Kreutz-themed chili.
And sure, Hawaii-born Kreutz is a hard-nosed, tough as nails Pro-Bowl center, and that would probably be enough. But I wanted to run a little bit more by you, and then talk about the upcoming Rams game for a minute.
You've got to appreciate a great Center. We're a bit spoiled here in Chicago, as we had Jay Hilgenberg for a long time, too. Getting the ball in play while at the same time having the other team's biggest beast right over top of you ready to crush something requires a skills-bravery combo unique to the position. Everyone else on the line is set for the hit they're about to take. The center is busy multi-tasking. Not easy. Kinda loco. And Olin has been doing it for us for 10 years.
Drafted in the third round of the 1998 draft out of the University of Washington, Olin is also the longest-tenured Bear. He has either been a Pro-Bowler or All-Pro (yeah, there's a difference) every year since 2001. And he's not afraid to provide an attitude adjustment if one is necessary.
O-lineman don't always get their props. Kreutz deserves his. And while an homage-chili from www.chicagofootballchili.com is probably not the same as his Morris Tropy (best Pac-10 lineman, of which Hall of Famers Bruce Matthews and Gary Zimmerman are also past recipients), it certainly is a whole lot tastier.
Now, the Rams. They're not very good. Which for us, right now, is probably a good thing. Gotta put the last two weeks behind us and start building some momentum as we head down the stretch. That said, we still have to win the game.
I'm reminded that, pre-season, Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN predicted our Bears to go 5-11. This game can make that prediction obsolete. A few more puts us in the playoffs.
And that, my friends, is Living Well.
CHILI DAN
