The Chicago Wind: Could Derrick Rose Return Friday, Nick Roach, Brian Urlacher

The Chicago Bulls play the Gold State Warriors on Friday and this could be the game that Bulls’ point guard Derrick Rose makes his season debut. That is the leading piece in today’s edition of The Chicago Wind that also features pieces on linebacker Nick Roach and taking a look at where things stand between the Bears and linebacker Brian Urlacher.

• A Golden Return?

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, there have been rumblings that the Chicago Bulls have circled March 15 on their calendars as the day they would like Derrick Rose to make his season debut. March 15 is here and there is a chance that Rose may play tonight against the Golden State Warriors. Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau left the door open on Thursday that Rose could make his return tonight against the Warriors.

"“We’ll see (Friday),” Thibodeau said after practice when asked if there was a chance Rose could play. “With him it’s just day to day. He had a good day today, he went hard, did a lot of stuff. But we’ll see.”“…Today, he was good, but it doesn’t mean that he’s playing (Friday). It doesn’t mean he won’t play (Friday). We just have to keep being patient, let him work through it. Each day he feels a little better and that’s all we’re worried about. He’s controlled everything he can control, he puts everything he has into each and every day and then when he’s ready he’ll let us know.” ESPN Chicago"

Thibodeau also called it unlikely that Rose will play on Friday, but the head coach has yet officially rule the point guard out. The fact of the matter is that Thibodeau does not know whether or not Rose will play until the point guard tells him on the day of the game that he is ready to go. That is the definition of being day to day. Rose indicated to reporters earlier this week that he believes he is physically ready to return, the only thing that remains is being mentally ready to return. That could be today; could be next week; or it could be in October. Nonetheless, with Rose yet to be officially ruled out for Friday’s game, there is chance that “The Return” could come to fruition tonight.

• Nick Roach Signs With The Oakland Raiders 

The Chicago Bears are suddenly thin at the linebacker position. The Bears have one linebacker on their roster in the form of Lance Briggs. Linebackers Brian Urlacher and Nick Roach are unrestricted free agents and at least one of them will not be returning to Bears for the 2013 season. That linebacker is Nick Roach. Roach on Friday agreed to terms on a multi-year contract that is believed to be worth $3 million to $4 million per season with the Oakland Raiders. Roach gave the Bears an opportunity to match the offer, but the team apparently rejected his proposal. Roach has proved to be a versatile linebacker during his time with the Bears. Roach mainly served as the team’s strong-side starting line backer, but also proved to be a viable middle linebacker in times when Urlacher was injured. Roach was signed to be the Raiders’ starting middle linebacker.

With Martellus Bennett and Jermon Bushrod signed this week, the Bears most pressing need heading into the draft appears to be at the linebacker position.

• Does Nick Roach Leaving Impact Brian Urlacher’s Status With The Bears? 

With Nick Roach signing with the Oakland Raiders, speculation has suggested that the Bears will be more inclined to give into Urlacher’s demand. Urlacher’s market is believed to be small with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys believed be the only teams expressing interest in the veteran linebacker. The Bears are believed to be willing to offer Urlacher $3 million, but the future hall of famer is seeking $5 million. As was the case with Roach, the Bears are not going to budge from their stance. Meaning if Urlacher is going to return to the Bears, it will be on the team’s terms.