BigbadB

I'm a little more comfortable than others with Dempster going into 2007. Looking at his game log, his usage patterns were really out there. It's also pretty obvious that when he issues walks, the end result is not good. A closer is going to be more consistent with regular work. The Cubs of 2006 gave him sporadic work consistently.

See ya at the Q! Yeah, those will be hot tickets for a lot of reasons. Could be the last year the Chargers are in San Diego. San Diego will probably still be good next year, as will the Bears. Lots of transplants from Chicago living in San Diego. Better get crackin' now on lining up tickets. I have a few friends that are season ticket holders.

I think I'd prefer Brown to Sanders. But, I still would rather see them go after someone who can play CF. Preston Wilson would probably be alright. Jones in CF against RHers and Pagan and Wilson share duties against LHers.

Pro Bowler Kreutz doesn't like the shotgun.

Sounds like he's totally ready for the NFL. Well, yeah. I suppose so. I just don't prefer the "I'm bigger than the game itself" attitude. Is Jarrett cocky? Sure. But there aren't many star wide receivers that aren't. This type of behavior isn't unprecedented and doesn't mean he's not ready for the NFL. If he hasn't learned to be respectful now, is he really going to learn that by staying in school for another year? Of course not. Fact is, the guy is a stud receiver. He's had huge games in all three bowl games he's played in. He knows how to go up and get the ball and he's going to be a very good WR in the NFL. But don't get me wrong - I totally understand the point you're making. He should have been flagged on the TD catch where the Michigan safety hit him late and got a late hit penalty. He also should have got one when, after making a catch, he gave the ball to that same Michigan safety. Just take solace in the fact that if he does this in the NFL, somebody is going to take his head off. Those are the two plays that got under my skin. I didn't like that the officials only flagged the DB for a late hit. It should have been both or neither. And I definitely would have thrown the flag when he handed the ball to the DB after the catch. I've just never understood the whole "gotta show up the opponent" attitude. And if the WR feels like he's entitled to do it, why don't all the offensive linemen who protected the quarterback long enough to make the throw doing it. Why isn't the QB doing it since he's the one who made the throw. Why aren't the other receivers doing it since they spread themselves out all over the field to make the WR who caught it more open to make the catch. Why isn't the coach doing it for calling the play, etc....... It's a stupid ritual that gives the impression the player is bigger than the game itself. I sure don't like it and I don't know many people who do. But, I sure hope his mother is proud that she raised such a fine, respectful, upstanding individual. :roll:

Agreed. But, what I don't understand is how a guy can be so cocky when all it does is piss off the guy who has all the power in the world to take your head off when the QB hangs you out to dry. That might happen regardless of whether or not you're cocky, but I certainly wouldn't want to be fueling the fire.

I believe I've read that KC would love to be out from under Sanders contract, but couldn't find any takers.

Sounds like he's totally ready for the NFL. Well, yeah. I suppose so. I just don't prefer the "I'm bigger than the game itself" attitude.

Well, it's been a long time since I've been able to attend a Bears game (Marcus Robinson was lining up at WR), but I believe I'll have to get tickets for that game.

A dominant run game with Benson will keep the Bears offense on the field, and the opponents offense off the field. Except I don't see Lovie giving Jones the back seat to Benson in the playoffs. Benson might get more carries after a nice game at GB, but I'll bet Jones gets the bulk of the action.

Do you have "the" more detailed schedule? Are the Bears coming to San Diego?

Wow, very tough schedule.

There generally isn't any serious pursuit for guys who are not made available in trade during the trade deadline.

All I can say about that game was WOW! What I didn't understand was if they were going to go for 2 when they did, why didn't they go for it before overtime began? Great game regardless. Getting back to the USC game, I forgot the USC receiver's name (Jarret?), but he's clearly not ready for NFL. He obviously failed a few classes in respect, integrity and class. As he has none. He's the next TO. Way to show your ass out there today, jerk.

Who? Kemp or Either? I hope you say no so I don't throw up. I don't really believe naming names will accomplish much. It would depend on who would have needed a CF/lead off hitter enough to give up a decent prospect to get Pierre. Julio Lugo was traded for Joel Guzman and Sergio Pedroza. Mark Hendrickson and Toby Hall were traded for Dioner Navarro and Jae Wong Seo. David Wells was traded for George Kotteras. I can sit here and make speculations, but Hendry and/or Dusty felt it was much more important to attempt to salvage a horrible season by not trading some guys who had value on the market at the trade deadline. It was another poor decision piled on top of poor decisions.

Pierre could have netted something better than a "C" prospect at the trade deadline. Teams value him. Why, I'm not sure. But, look at the contract he signed this year.

Well, yeah. Pie too. I was really only looking at pitching when I wrote that this morning.

Nah. Just having a little fun. Happy New Year. Hope your team sucks next year. :D

The day is not over yet. :wink:

Not to be too nitpicky, but I believe it's Owings.

The minors did bear some fruit. They did have success with pitching during that time. If they got 10 pitchers to the majors and zero position players, it's somewhat of a flawed system, but it's still a successful one. The problem is that they did have some bad years, and those bad years are starting to surface as the system is at its weakest. If they had the minor league talent right now to do another Derrek Lee or Aramis deal, while still maintaining the depth of the farm system like they did at the time of those trades, they would certainly be better off than where they are right now. More than anything, they have GOT to get back to scouting the globe for talent. Many of today's stars are foreign born players. Two of the 3 best players on the Cubs roster are foreign born. Some of the best prospects are foreign born. But, it gets real thin after Guzman, Marmol and Mateo.

My apologies. I think the confusion comes from the impression that we all have that Hendry is trying to move him or that Jones demanded a trade. I think most of us would rather hang onto him at this point rather than put someone even worse out there, if worse is the even the proper word to use. I hated the Jones signing last year and I was very vocal about it. Now, I'd rather keep him than go with a loser like Newhan. And I don't even need to think about it. If Jones wants out or if Hendry really wants to move him, too bad if it nets little in return. Stick him out there against RH pitching where he's serviceable and have him come off the bench in games the opponents are tossing a LH pitcher.

Forget it. I'm not going to say you have a good point again, even though you all make good points. :D I don't see the Sox breaking their vow this soon in the ballgame. Maggs has only been gone 2 years. A team attempting to trade for Andruw might be required to add a really hefty extension in order to get him to waive his no trade clause, anyway. He's probably not going anywhere. You have the no trade clause. Atlanta will want more than they can probably get for a 1 year rental. Andruw can afford to be picky about what teams he would waive his no trade clause for. Teams that can't get an extension or the extension would be too steep may not be willing to part with the necessary players to get a deal done. And I'm probably missing something else in there somewhere. I'm surprised Tejada isn't a bigger topic of discussion if he is available. A shortstop that produces like he does is exactly what the Cubs need. But, what do we have to offer? Not enough.

True. And so is Jacque Jones, though most won't admit it. Actually, if you've spent any time at NSBB (and I know you have), "most" people are not saying that anymore. If your definition of "most" is a couple of people, then clearly your definition of "most" is not the same as "most" of the people here. If you want to say "I told you so" for those of us who said that it was a bad signing last year, I suppose you do still have that. With that said, he still should be sitting the bench against LH pitchers.