RynoRules

Im guessing that this will be a non-event. He'll talk about how disappointed he is in the team's results this season, that he's spending more on player development to try and reverse the franchise's fortunes, he and his family are committed to winning, etc.

When you think about this it is truly the sign of a poorly run team. We wait literally a generation (two?) to acquire a QB with the talent, durability and know-how to lead the franchise for the longterm, and what do we surround him with: The worst O-Line we've had since the 70's and 2nd rate skill players.

I want Angelo's head on a pike (figuratively) after seeing the OLine last night. He's going to get Cutler killed.

Had it in my head that he went to USC for some reason...in any case, he's been great so far. EDIT: Bah - he's tailed off recently at Peoria: .290 /.333 /.409

Tawain Easterling? Or I am just in-love with his name and the fact that he went to USC (So Carolina)?

Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Jack Cust, Brendan Donnelly, Gary Sheffield, Paul Byrd, Ivan Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Brian Roberts, Gary Matthews Jr, Jerry Hairston Jr, Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus, Matt Williams, Jose Guillen, Magglio Ordonez, Mike Piazza, Ryan Franklin, Sergio Mitre, Manny Ramirez, Edinson Volquez along with a bunch of nobodies that nobody ever cared enough to have an opinion on pre or post-steroids No argument here, but I was referring to players who were all-time greats and who might otherwise be embraced as such by their respective franchises, have their numbers retired, etc. if not for the PED's issue. From your list I think that could include Pudge (Tex), Pettite (NYY), Piazza (NYM) and Manny (BoSox). Giambi and Sheff have great numbers but their prime years don't really "belong" to one franchise (especially Sheff). Ortiz is definitely a BoSox, and he's effectively been "forgiven" by being productive and popular in the "post steroid" era, so I'd be surprised if his number weren't retired by the Red Sox. ARod is interesting. He's had amazing years for all three franchises he's played for, but I think he's identified as a Yankee and has been embraced there. By the time his career is over he will have played at least ten (10) seasons for them, won at least one WS, and put up some enormous numbers. I think he has a good shot at having his number retired as well.

I don't hate Sammy for what he did in game 162 in 2004. I do and did dislike what he did and don't blame his teammates for being pissed at him. I think that was the most frustrating season I have had as a Cubs fan. I was at all three games at Shea in September. They won Friday night and the wheels came off on Saturday and Sunday (I vividly recall the Saturday game ending with Ben Grieve taking three straight strikes without so much as lifting the bat off his shoulder, for example). Add to that the whole thing with Merker yelling at Stone on the team plane, Dusty making excuses for everyone and everything, and Sammy's exit in game 162 and you have one of the least likeable Cubs team of my lifetime. Then there is, of course, the steroid thing. Sammy tested positive in 2003, which means he lied about his use of the stuff. I don't know if that's a huge deal or not inasmuch as most of basbeball was probably using at one time or another, but I haven't seen too many organizations embracing guys who were caught up in or implicated in those issues - Bonds, McGwire (ok, he's the hitting coach, but he's being shielded by LaRussa and the rest of the franchise and was in hiding for about eight years), Palmiero, Clemens, etc. All of these guys are all-time greats (with Bonds being perhaps the greatest player ever), so its not as though Sammy is alone in being ostracized. Frankly, I also think it doesn't help that he has apparently bleached his skin, Michael Jackson style. It adds to the whole creepy, freakshow vibe of this thing. I think the passage of time will help things along. Perhaps in the next 5 years we'll see his number retired, which is probably appropriate.

Thank you, NC. Its blasphemy to butcher the Red Baron's name.

...they have lost 173 straight games. Heard the stat on Ferrall's show last night. Not sure what if anything it means (and I don't know who is no. 2, 3, etc.), but its the longest such streak in the majors.

If Jackson winds up playing CF, has a career OBP around .360, and a career OPS slightly over .800 I will be thrilled.

I don't hear very much about him so I wonder if I am missing something. He's showing very good power and patience at High A. Why aren't "we" higher on this guy?

This organization has serious issues. I can't believe they defend that turf with a straight face.

Angelo is really starting to tarnish his record. Peppers, Cutler, Forte and Hester are feathers in his cap to be sure, but when it comes to building depth on defense and basically anything beyond the aforementioned Cutler and Forte on offense, he's proving to be below par, if not incompetent.

It's even more important to have a GM who understands that a good offense is as important as a good.....special team.

Bet the Vikes nab him.

I like the Okoye signing. He could really excel in this system and is still very young. Unlike Ghoulston, he's shown flashes.

Its funny because I think a lot of people wanted him gone, but at this point, I'm not sure there are better options. Had there not been a lockout it would have made sense to find a new center, but without OTA's I don't see how we could shuffle so many pieces on the OL and hope to survive without Kruetz.

I hope so. He looked done last season. Not that he wasn't trying, but the tread is off the tires.

Now we are at least addressing some issues. Barber can be effective in short-yardage and goaline situations, which were major issues last season. He should get 7-12 touches a game to take pressure off Forte. I'd also like to see Bell get a few touches a game.

Just want to say that Raw's post is spot-on. But hey, don't worry. We just re-signed Corey Graham. We may not be able to score more than 10 points per game on offense, but no one will return a kick for a TD against us this year. This team is relying on it's defense and special teams to score points. To me that is the football equivalent of "driving in runs with his glove".

Faster and a superior blocker.

It's not about that. If you are going to take a chance on someone make it someone who has proven he can play....like Haynswortn, Ochocinco, etc.

Finally read this article. So he's been damaged goods all along and that's who the Bears were targeting the most? Since he comes cheap and the Bears have plenty of guys on hand already, seems like it would be a safe move on their part to grab him. By my calculations, the Bears still have a ton of money to spend. That's the part that bothers me. They have a lot of money to use and seem disinclined to be aggressive or creative in using it to address glaring needs. They are asking way too much of Cutler and Forte based on how this roster is currently structured.

It's a roster spot that could have been used for an impact player on offense. Haha...ok. I think with a 90 man training camp roster, we can manage to squeeze in a ST guy. They don't dress 90 on game day. But they do get to dress 46 now. With a likely shift in our use of TE and the possibility of only keeping/dressing 2 QB, there is plenty of room for one more WR on the team. It probably means Bennett gets shafted a bit, so the question becomes Bennett vs Williams, essentially. And that would be a shame. Bennett isn't fast but he runs good routes, is a good blocker and has good hands.

It's a roster spot that could have been used for an impact player on offense. Haha...ok. I think with a 90 man training camp roster, we can manage to squeeze in a ST guy. They don't dress 90 on game day.