Things we know: the Bulls are cool with parting ways with Kirk Hinrich (and John Salmons), if they can get some expiring contracts in return. The Lakers — who are looking for some perimeter defense — have inquired. The Celtics inquired back in December. And with Ray Allen possibly getting dealt off the C’s now, there’s a chance Boston could be back in the picture.

But might the Bulls be better served trying to deal with Houston for Tracy McGrady? It’s an idea Chris Sheridan throws out in his chat today: “I think if they can do a McGrady deal in which they clear John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas along with Hinrich to clear room for a second max free agent, that’s the more preferable route.”

And you know what? This would be the more preferable route. The Bulls would clear Hinrich and Salmons off the books, leaving them with even more money to work with to go after two max guys. And they’d be getting McGrady in return, instead of some spare parts — Adam Morrison! — from the Lakers.

This is a more risky proposition, though: The Bulls traded for Devin Brown for some insurance if Hinrich or Salmons were dealt, yet, if T-Mac comes up lame (which is always a concern), the Bulls are suddenly staring at Devin Brown and Jannero Pargo at the 2-guard.

Also: You really have no clue what you’re going to get from T-Mac; he didn’t play enough in his limited run in Houston to see what he can do now that he’s back in playing shape.

Further, and this is certainly worst case, if the Bulls end up not netting a top-line shooting guard in free agency (Joe Johnson/Dwayne Wade), they could be razor thin at that position. Brown’s and Pargo’s contracts will be up. Salmons and Hinrich will be gone. And it’s unlikely, at least at this point, they’d want to try and re-sign T-Mac.

But other than that, this could be a nice coup for the Bulls as T-Mac would likely be the best talent they could get in return for Hinrich, and it would set them up the best for the free-agent market this summer.

The numbers are in, and they’re a doozy: last night’s Super Bowl was the most-watched television program ever.

From the Associated Press:

The Nielsen Co. estimated Monday that 106.5 million people watched the New Orleans Saints upset the Indianapolis Colts. That beats the “M-A-S-H” finale, which had 105.97 million viewers in an era when there were fewer television sets … The game also obliterated the previous record viewership for a Super Bowl — last year’s game between Arizona and Pittsburgh in which 98.7 million people watched.

“M-A-S-H” was on before my time, so I should probably just shut up about this, but I always find it puzzling this held the record. I know it was popular. But popular enough to have the most-watched program of all-time up until yesterday in an era with less TVs? Really?

Anyway, yes: A lot of people watched the Super Bowl last evening.

I know the Saints and the city of New Orleans was the biggest emotional driver here, and may have led to more people tuning in. And if you look at the line graph of Super Bowl viewership throughout history, though viewership has increased in each of the past five years, this was the biggest one-year jump in that time span. So, I think it’s fair to say this year’s mark “obliterated” last year’s.

So knowing that, it’s hard to say whether Brett Favre and the Vikings instead of the Saints would have pumped viewership up even higher. Had the Saints-Colts merely jumped up a million or two, or stayed steady with the last few years or dropped, Favre would have likely helped jump the numbers ahead.

But with the Saints-Colts game putting the hurt on last year’s game, and the Giant-Pats game the year before, it’s not as easy of a leap.

But who am I kidding: Brett Favre brought the rating all season long. I’m sure the trend would have continued even more in the Super Bowl, and a Vikings-Colts game would have gone higher than 106.5 million.

They’re all here.

Betty White, the Doritos Warrior dude, the eTrade babies, Jay, Oprah and Dave.

Sit, back, relax and bust out the popcorn:

Yes, Spencer, you’re right: The above rap video actually is dorkily endearing. Unlike every other terribly conceived sports-themed rap song, this one doesn’t take itself too seriously. Or try too hard to be funny. It is what it is what it is. And it’s not too bad.

In other bowl news, Snookie got booed at the Wing Bowl today. But it’s OK. She got paid $10,000 in appearance fees. Oh, and the Situation is maybe going to be in a commerical with Payton Manning … but also maybe not?

Did the NFL hook up the  “Jersey Shore” cast get with their own private box at the Super Bowl yet? Are they doing the coin toss? Maybe Ronnie can take a snap at fullback for the Saints at some point in the game?

All likely scenarios in my book.

Oh, and don’t forget the Puppy Bowl on Sunday. Look at how cute this particpant is:

CUTE OVERLOAD.

As for the game: I am picking the Colts to win, but will be rooting for the Saints. Head vs. heart kind of thing.

Enjoy the game, and see if you can start work two hours late on Monday just like the school kids.

So how’s this for your Bears offseason coaching search?

They hire Option Z in Mike Martz for their offensive coordinator. And after not landing Choice A in Perry Fewell for the defensive coordinator position, the Bears instead promoted Rod Marinelli today from his defensive line coaching role today, according to the Trib.

If nothing else, Marinelli is rather familiar with the Bears’ 4-3 defense. So that’s a plus.

They also named a few other bros as coaches for some lesser roles, putting the coaching search to an end. Hooray.

Remember when Carlos Zambrano said he was lazy and didn’t like to do ab workouts? If not, you can read this, and it will get you up to speed.

The dude can really bring the heat and has been unstoppable in some outings, but he does always seems to be a little, um, out of shape.

Well, what if I told you Carlos Zambrano showed up early to Spring Training to work out, and is already down in Arizona? What if I blockquoted Lou Piniella gushing about how he looks now?

Is that something that would interest you?

From the Tribune:

“Carlos was a little heavy last year, there’s no question,” manager Lou Piniella told fans at the Cubs Convention. “He’s another player (besides Geovany Soto) we had a nice conversation with toward the end of the year … He looks absolutely wonderful, and I think you’ll see a heck of a better performance from him just because of that.”

This is probably the most cliched heading-into-the-season storyline there is — player x is in great shape; you will see him do better things this season — but the way Zambrano’s attitude was last season as compared to right now seems to have changed for the better in regards to fitness.

After just nine wins last season, the new attitude is something that could suit him and the Cubs well come this season.

Until he breaks their next Gatorade dispenser, of course.

The quotes, from today’s Waddle and Silvy Show on AM 1000:

“I would love to get back in that situation with the return game,” Hester told “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on WMVP-AM 1000. “But at the same time, I’m a team player so wherever y’all want me to go, I’m ready to do it.”

Hester hasn’t scored a touchdown on a kick or punt return since 2007 after running back 12 for TDs in 2006 and ‘07, including a kickoff return in Super Bowl XLI. He said becoming a full-time receiver has taken its toll.

“I know what I’m best at,” Hester said. “The return game is my bread and butter, so if I had to cut back on receiving and go back to returns, that’s something I would love to do.”

Look, I understand why the Bears moved Hester to receiver: they saw a guy with immense talent in the open field, and tried putting it into their offense. Hester’s not the greatest receiver, but he improved a good amount this year over last. If the Bears had a legit No. 1, Hester is a solid No. 2-, No. 3-type receiver.

But can we honestly say he’s impacting the team more positively as a wide receiver instead of a full-time return man? Tough to say.

On the one hand, the guy was an unbelievable force before he moved to more of a full-time receiver. Teams literally had to work their game plan around how to kick to him. Or they didn’t kick to him at all and booted it out of bounds, and the Bears got better field position because of it. He gave them a better chance to punch the ball in the end zone, because the Bears got great field position on most of their possessions.

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