CP_414

Ugh. That is depressing news. If true, we need to get another starter.

We are 29 hours from kickoff! Who else is ready to start drinking?

:shock: Are you serious? I don't have copies of direct quotes, but Dusty is full of "over the line" material, starting with.... Walks clog the bases...... Dark skinned players can handle playing in the sun much better day in and day out.... This thread could get real long if someone wanted to put Dustyisms in here from the past 3 years. He says stuff that's over the line practically every day. We all know the laundry list of idiotic comments by our manager, and there is no denying that. In my mind, this is different though. It's one thing to have a screwed up philosophy on walks, it's another to discuss where you would play someone who is currently a Devil Ray. These comments could be considered tampering, while is typical comments are just considered stupid.

Maybe I'm bitter, but I just don't believe it. They have to backtrack on the Prior thing since Tejada isn't going anywhere. Baker says Walker is the 2B and #2 hitter, but I still doubt Walker is on the team. Prior gave a very good PC answer like he should. I wouldn't trade Cedeno for Lugo either. I think Lugo can be had cheaper than that. If Baker says Walker is the #2 hitter, why does he say he is unsure who will hit 2nd, 5th, and 8th? Does that mean he knows who will hit 6th and 7th? Why do I even try to read into Dusty's words, they are meaningless.

Sign me up for the bolded part. I don't think Neifi can be traded without consent yet, but I approve of nearly any trade that sends him out of town. What trade involving Neifi WOULDNT you support? :?: neifi for macias? Or maybe neifi for christian guzman? There aren't many that I wouldn't support, but those are two.

Sign me up for the bolded part. I don't think Neifi can be traded without consent yet, but I approve of nearly any trade that sends him out of town.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060113cubs,1,318638.story?coll=cs-home-headlines This is from Paul Sullivan's latest. Should Baker be talking about where he would play Julio Lugo, who plays for another team? Does this mean there is something to these rumors, or does it just mean that Baker has no tact? Also in that article Prior is quoted saying he is planning on talking with Jom Hendry about the trade rumors. Shouldn't Hendry be the one seeking out Prior to talk to him? This organization really is a mess from the top down. its obviously a non-issue with prior. what do you expect baker to say when someone asks him about lugo? I expect him to say "Julio Lugo is not on this team. I don't think it would be right for me to speculate on where I would play a player who is with another organization. I would be glad to answer any questions about our midddle infield which consists of Ronny Cedeno, Todd Walker, Jerry Hairston, and Neifi Perez." this is dusty baker not bill frist. That much is obvious.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060113cubs,1,318638.story?coll=cs-home-headlines This is from Paul Sullivan's latest. Should Baker be talking about where he would play Julio Lugo, who plays for another team? Does this mean there is something to these rumors, or does it just mean that Baker has no tact? Also in that article Prior is quoted saying he is planning on talking with Jom Hendry about the trade rumors. Shouldn't Hendry be the one seeking out Prior to talk to him? This organization really is a mess from the top down. its obviously a non-issue with prior. what do you expect baker to say when someone asks him about lugo? I expect him to say "Julio Lugo is not on this team. I don't think it would be right for me to speculate on where I would play a player who is with another organization. I would be glad to answer any questions about our midddle infield which consists of Ronny Cedeno, Todd Walker, Jerry Hairston, and Neifi Perez."

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060113cubs,1,318638.story?coll=cs-home-headlines This is from Paul Sullivan's latest. Should Baker be talking about where he would play Julio Lugo, who plays for another team? Does this mean there is something to these rumors, or does it just mean that Baker has no tact? Also in that article Prior is quoted saying he is planning on talking with Jom Hendry about the trade rumors. Shouldn't Hendry be the one seeking out Prior to talk to him? This organization really is a mess from the top down.

Bears. I'll give double the points. 48 hours from now, I plan on being a very happy man.

Big men tend to have foot problems. I think DJ will be OK. I actually think this works in the team's favor. Look for Strickland to become as aggressive as he was at the beginning of the season. As for tonight, I love the matchups on the outside. Wilmont and Vaden vs. Ager and Brown should be classics. The 2 best defenders in the conference not named Dee Brown, against maybe the top 2 offensive wing players in the BigTen. Don't know what we are gonna do with Davis, other than Killer getting him in foul trouble. But I like the way IU matches up against MSU. Of course, the homecourt and desperation advantage are gonna make it tough for IU to escape with a win. I would like it very much for MSU to just come out guns a blazin'. Ager needs to make some shots, Davis needs to be a presence offensively(which means calling sets that put him closer than 20 feet to the basket), and Trannon/Gray need to continue to help out. Please win Spartans, preferably by a lot. Yeah, the Trannon/Gray combo is what I'm worried about. I think Davis will have a big game unless we can get him in foul trouble. IU just has to stop one of Brown/Ager. Of course, Davis will put Vaden at the 4 all night and Ager or Brown (whoever Wilmont isn't guarding) will go for 30. I just got home in time to see that this game got a bit out of hand for IU. What's been the biggest weakness tonight? No Defense at all. MSU isn't missing at all. We can't buy a call, but thats how it is on the road in the Big Ten. Nice game from Marco and Vaden, not much else tonight.

true? please no. It's somewhat true. Nothing about re-breaking his foot. Completely different injury, but yeah he's gonna be out for a while, I doubt we see him back this year. http://iuhoosiers.collegesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/010906aaa.html I suppose this means that Ben Allen MUST step up and become a bit more physical. Otherwise, IU could get hurt on the boards and on defense by teams that have depth in the paint. Sean Kline cannot be the answer IMO. Are all of my favorite teams cursed? Kline could provide some tough D in the paint, but he can't elevate. He'll take a little pressure off of Killer against guys like Davis, Augustine, Dials, Sims, etc. I don't see Allen being able to get more physical. I think Allen is going to be the guy who has to step up. It would be great if Kline could pull a Jarred Odle, but I don't see that happening. Big game tomorrow night at MSU. It was going to be tough with DJ, really tough without him. I'm hopefull that he can come back and give us 10-15 minutes a game in time for the BTT. I still like our chances in the Big Ten with Killer, Vaden, Ratliff, Strickland, Allen, Kline, Monroe, and Calloway in the heavily used rotation. Is James Hardy playing basketball this year? I don't expect much from him, but he could give IU 5-7 good minutes off the bench. Can someone injure Cem Dinch so we can get him a medical redshirt? Also Darrell Aruther skipped an official visit to Kansas and speculation is that IU is his top choice, with hometown Baylor still in the mix. White, Aruther, and Allen could be a fearsome trio of big men next season.

How absurd is the media coverage of this "trash talk" nonsense? First of all, everything the Bears said is true. When did everyone get so freaking sensitive? It doesn't make a difference anyhow. Anyone think the Panthers are going to play harder because Ogunleye says they get too much love from the national media? If it takes something stupid like that to make Carolina play their hardest, I'll take my chances against that team. 4 1/2 days to go. I'm ready for this game now.

Is everyone back for this game? Brown, Hillenmeyer, Ian Scott, Metcalf, Benson, Kruetz? Of all the teams would could have played I wanted the Giants first, then Tampa, and last Carolina. When they are on, they are tough. However, they have been up and down all season. I love how the "experts" are saying the Panthers are playing better fotball coming into Chicago this time. They had a 6-game winning streak and 3 straight 30+ point games last time. It will be tough, for sure, but they were playing damn good football in November, too. The D needs to score or set up the offense with a short field for 10 points or so. I think Grossman, Jones and the offense can earn a legit 10-14 points. DeShaun Foster is running the ball very well, but he isn't the brusing type of back that has hurt the Bears this year. I think for Carolina to win Delhomme will have to win it. He is capable of that though. That said, I think we have the "D" and enough "O" to survive and advance. Carolina 17 Da Bears 24

The Rays still have 5 outfielders for 3 spots (+DH). Maybe they are gettng desperate for pitching. What about Walker (DH/2B/1B for Tampa)+ Welly + Guzman + Novoa + Sing for Lugo + Huff. It gives us the defensive presence we seem to be looking for in the middle infield, while also providing a legit #2 hitter in Lugo. Huff is a player who is either an emerging star coming off an off-year, or a decent to good player. Huff can also play 1st and 3rd, so you would figure Murton could still start 75+ games. Murton could start 30 for Jones, 15 for Huff, 15 when Huff covers for Aramis, 10 when Huff covers for Lee, 5 when Jones covers for Pierre. Do we have the payroll available to make that work? Pierre Lugo Lee Aramis Huff Barrett Jones Cedeno Murton, Hairston, Blanco, Perez, Mabry Z, Prior, Wood, Maddux, Williams...Rusch, and Hill (AAA) can be the 6th and 7th starters in case of injury. Dempster, Howry, Williamson, Eyre, Ohman, Wuertz I have a hard time believing the Rays rejected Marte for Lugo.

Wisconsin beat up Michigan State today. The Spartans are 0-2 in the Big Ten entering a midweek matchup with the Hoosiers. If IU can steal a road win MSU might be out of the conference title race before it really got started.

Watching this game reinforces my belief that the best case scenerio for the Bears is a Tampa win. That said, the last time I cheered for a team to win because it was better for my team in the playoffs was 2003 Marlins over Giants. So I'll just let it play out.

Hoosiers pull off 81-79 win over the Buckeyes. IU trailed by 17 in the first half. The loss is the 1st on the season for OSU. IU improves to 2-0 in conference entering Tuesday night's game at MSU. The Illini suffered their 1st loss of the season at Iowa today.

Maybe Hendry is resigned to the fact that a Tejada deal won't happen with the Cubs. If the reports are true the O's aren't happy with Manny+ Clement + Cash. They want Abreu + a pitcher. Maybe Hendry realizes the price isn't right, and he wants to shed Patterson's salary, so he can add someone else. Trade for Zito? Shawn Green or Luis Gonzalez from the D'Backs? Trade for Soriano? I'm hoping the money saved will be put to good use (unlike the Sosa money).

Not one of their top 5 prospects. How deep is the O's farm system?

I doubt it. Bobby has a lot of faith in his defense.

It's all relative I suppose. I have never seen a study that indicates teams FG % goes down towards the end of the year. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case though. Entering the game tonight IU led the nation in FG%. I'm not sure if that is still the case.

Hunter Cantwell did a great job for Louisville...he's about as tough as they come. What a way to step up in a pressure situation. And Marcus Vick is a punk with absolutely no class. How can everyone in the world see him stomp his cleat into Dumervil's calf but none of the officials did? What a loser...... He just got out of prison so maybe he thought Dumervil was going to take his smokes? I can't believe Syracuse knocked your QB out for the year. :x Just got out of prison...? News to me. Next years premature top 5, on ESPN OSU Texas ND USC Florida If Vince Young returns, Texas has to be #1. I can't see ND ranked that high with that defense. And LSU is in my top 3. With all 3 LB's gone, and Santonio Holmes gone, I wouldn't put OSU #1. If Vince Young comes back it should be: 1. Texas 2. ND 3. OSU 4. LSU 5. USC The Irish D needs to improve, but with everyone back on offense they can win games with offense like USC and Texas have all season.

IU didn't shoot well, especially for them. As you mentioned they also need to rebound better. Vaden took over the gae though. I acutally think he is our best player. Killer and D.J can (and will) do damage down low, but Vaden has a sweet shot, looks to pass first, and is the best defender on the team. Saturday vs. the Buckeyes should be fun.

There is no doubting you are an "illiniguy." You should watch Reddick more, he isn't the same player he was as a freshman. He is very good at creating his own shot. I don't think he would have much of a problem "getting a shot off" on Dee. I guess time will tell, but the Illini have to get some quality wins before I believe they are a legit top 10 team.