"That's just about the best thing you could have told me," Hester said with a huge smile, when informed of his new Speed rating. "It's an honor — I don't know what to say, really."

Yep: A professional football player taking the most joy from his imaginary rating in an imaginary video game. We absolutely love sports sometimes.

Perfect Score [Chicks Dig The Long Ball]

We spent a year and a half of our lives in St. Louis and went to two NFL games. The first was in 1998, when Tony Banks was the quarterback. You can imagine what happened then. The second time was in 1999, when Kurt Warner threw five touchdown passes on our 24th birthday to smash the then-vexing San Francisco 49ers. What was notable about each game — individually — was how quiet it was. Even during the insane 1999 season, we never got the feeling that the then-TWA Dome was a venue fit for much more than monster truck races. It could get loud, but in an antiseptic, sepia-toned way.

And when matters are bad, when the only fans cheering are Bears fans, the Edward Jones Dome is a tomb. So it wasn't the most exciting Monday Night game last night, but we're all getting used to that by now. (Though next week should be fun: Cincinnati at Indianapolis.) Last night was a night to revel in kick returners and congratulate Rex Grossman for not causing injury to himself or others. And to watch Kornheiser, sadly, flop around a bit more before this experiment mercifully ends.

Not the most enthralling way to spend a Monday evening, but better than the alternative. Come January, we're actually going to have to talk to people on Monday nights, and that doesn't sound pleasant at all.

Bears Get Their Wings [The Fanhouse]
Ode To Devin Hester [Foul Balls]
The Kornheiser Chronicles: Week 14 [The Fanhouse]