by Elliott Harris, The Chicago Sun-Times , Chicago Sun Times

Random thoughts while wondering whether the 49ers would be willing to trade Mike Singletary to the Bears for Lovie Smith:

- For those who believe a meaner demeanor on the sidelines from Smith is the answer to the Bears' woes, the coach is in a no-win situation (not to be confused with a 4-4 record). If Smith tries to be something that he is not, then there will be criticism (especially if the team continues to lose). If somehow he becomes vintage Ditka-like on the sidelines and the Bears win, people will wonder why he didn't change sooner. Winning cures all -- regardless of visible displays of emotion. What the Bears need are visible displays of postseason worthiness -- by them, not by their opponents.

- With the Bears 4-4 midway through the season, it's difficult to discern whether the cups of those who drink the Bears Kool-aid should be considered half-empty or half-full. Or merely taken away.

- Fox Football analyst Troy Aikman, on the ''Mully & Hanley'' show Monday on WSCR-AM (670): ''With that trade [for quarterback Jay Cutler], it showed now a lot of the deficiencies on that team. ... I think Devin Hester has done a heck of a job as far as being a defensive back coming in, being asked to play wide receiver. I think it's naive or it's disrespectful to the Larry Fitzgeralds and the Reggie Waynes and those type of receivers when you think you can take a guy who was a defensive back and make him your No. 1 wide receiver. This team offensively, they're not very good and they need better people playing, and when they get that, they've got a chance to be a good Football team.''

- Multimedia threat George Ofman, whose most recent work primarily has been writing for beachwood-reporter.com, returns to the radio airwaves tonight. Thanks to the patience of WGN's Dave Eanet and Dan Zampillo while Ofman was a patient with vocal-cord troubles (since taken care of), Ofman will be on for both hours of ''Sports Central'' -- first with Jim Memolo and then with Mark Carman. Ofman also will provide sports updates Wednesday-Friday. Good to hear.

A MENTOR FOR NOAH?

GILMORE OFFERS TO HELP OUT BULLS

Even with his improved play, Joakim Noah does not figure to be the centerpiece of the Bulls' offense.

No one will confuse him with, say, Artis Gilmore, the Bulls' big man of yesteryear who was in town recently for the team's tipoff luncheon.

The first thing Quick Hits wanted to know: Where's his hair? The big Afro from the 1970s is something substantially shorter.

He laughed (thankfully).

''I actually went to Nature for a haircut,'' said Gilmore, who is a special assistant to the president at Jacksonville (Fla.) University, where he led the Dolphins to the 1970 NCAA title game against UCLA. ''And I specifically asked Nature just to give me a little trim. But Nature decided to take more, most all of it off. I got litigation against Nature.''

While there may be less Gilmore hair to see, perhaps someday there will be more Gilmore around the Bulls.

''I would like very much to,'' he said. ''I really enjoyed my relationship with the Bulls, and hopefully I will be invited back more. It's kind of difficult, especially with me living in Florida.''

Sure you'd want to come back in the middle of winter?

''Oh, sure. I would love to come back,'' Gilmore said. ''I wish there was something we could develop that I could come back.''

OK, how about 10-12 minutes a game?

''I doubt very seriously that now,'' he said.

OK, maybe 10-12 seconds?

Think of it as another Quick Hits hair-brained idea.

USO BENEFIT

HAWKS WILL BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE

The Blackhawks are taking a militaristic approach to the game Wednesday.

As far as their pregame attire is concerned.

The team will wear camouflage warmups for the contest against the Avalanche at the United Center. The jerseys will be autographed and auctioned off at chicagoblackhawks.com from Wednesday to Nov. 18. Proceeds will benefit the USO of Illinois. The Hawks also are hosting 50 miliary members as their guests as part of the ''Salute to Military'' program in conjunction with Boeing.

''We are truly grateful to be partners with the Blackhawks and Boeing,'' USO of Illinois president and COO Anthony Enrietto Jr. said. ''This relationship is the embodiment of the profound respect and gratitude that our country and these organizations feel for the men and women who wear the cloth of our nation.''

''It's an honor for our organization and players to take part in such a special cause," Blackhawks senior vice president of business operations Jay Blunk said. ''This is something that has never been done in our franchise's 83 years. We all stand in appreciation for the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces each and every day.''

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