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Let me call the [expletive] plays!

Well this really [expletive] sucks

Georgia is actually a really bad team. Hulls is a nice college player but yeah.....that's it.

Fwiw, Corey Wootton is starting over Israel Idonije at DE tonight.

He's the only other Bears QB in San Francisco, so yes.

If eligible, I bet Jurkin gets in tomorrow. He's healthy, been practicing and can give a few minutes up front if needed.

DJ barely played last week, Hayden has apparently won the nickel job.

DJ barely played last week, Hayden has apparently won the nickel job.

NIners OL have been horrid pass blocking this year. Actually think pressure won't be too hard to come by.

If it helps any, I was able to stay involved while working full time, getting my masters and the last 6 months with an infant at home on top of it a couple seasons ago.

This post didn't get enough props

Who are u talking about here?

I'm convinced the offense plays well and all the stupid people in Chicago will try to create a QB controversy.

I'm most interested in trying to fill the rotation with younger pitchers who could possibly turn it around and fill a need long term rather than the likes of Marcum/Blanton/etc. for a year or two. As you stated, the A's young pitchers, Bauer, Hellickson, Delgado, Jurrjens, Porcello, etc. are better options than middle aged filler. We already know that we're going to suck next year anyhow. I don't want middle aged filler (still would be OK with signing 1 guy just to be there for the inevitable Garza trade). But young filler isn't much better. I know the 2013 rotation isn't going to be good enough. But I want hope that the 2014 rotation might be. If Porcello is in the 2013 rotation, I know that his spot in the 2014 rotation isn't likely to be any better than average. If a guy like Bauer or Delgado are brought in, the 2013 rotation still won't be good enough, but 2014 gives you some hope with Samardzija, Bauer/Delgado, Vizcaino being possibly set in 3/5 of the rotation. Maybe its too much to ask given the Cubs limited amount of tradeable assets, but it's the only realistic direction I can see working out for the positive.

I'd take Porcello in a heartbeat if the Cubs didn't already have Travis Wood, Scott Baker, and several other guys who are likely to be very slightly above league average at their very best. I don't really know what I'm expecting, because the Cubs don't have a ton available to give up that wouldn't hurt their rebuilding effort. But when I hear the DBacks possibly giving up on Bauer, when I see the A's with 19 ML ready arms, when hear rumors of Tampa talking about their young arms, I'd like to think the Cubs can do a lot better than Rick Porcello. Hell, I'd rather take a chance that Jurrjens can figure out how to get back to being good, even though he's older, because he actually was somewhat good at one time. If the Cubs get Porcello, that's probably going to be it for the rotation. Garza, Samardzija, Porcello, Wood, Baker, Vizcaino, and guys like Rusin, Raley, etc. in the upper minors are probably your 2013 Cubs starting rotation in some combination.

Does it really matter? If he can be had for cheap, I'd take it regardless of how he is defensively.

If IU and UCLA do play, I actually expect IU to lose. IU is undersized right now and UCLA is pretty darn huge (including in the backcourt -- while IU can go bigger at guard, they start small). IU currently has one true interior player (a really good one, no doubt) and two players that are hybrid type college forwards (Watford, Hollowell), though Watford has certainly improved his rebounding/interior play. UCLA may not be the best team IU faces this season (especially not at this point of the season), but they may be the toughest matchup. They got 4 bigs to throw at Zeller, and not just bodies. All 4 are capable of double digit point/rebound games. They got size/length/athleticism on the wing that can compete or surpass IUs. IU doesn't like to play very big (not capable of that right now anyway), so the key is if UCLA makes IU go big to matchup. And not necessarily with Zeller, Watford, and Hollowell on the floor at the same time. But IU doesn't really play Sheehey and Oladipo together a ton. So far this year, they've played a lot with 2 of Hulls, Yogi, Abell (who's been amazing FWIW) on the floor together. That could really hurt IU defensively and put too much on Zeller defensively on the interior. Shooting the ball could be a factor. I'd like to think IU can outshoot them from 3. But UCLA has had a decent start from there and IU has typically had trouble shooting the ball on the road. Honestly, I think it's going to come down to how the game is called. As an IU fan, I can honestly say Zeller gets almost any call he wants. If that happens, UCLA won't have much of a chance.

Why is nobody wearing white in the USC/UCLA game?

The UCLA/IU game (assuming it happens Tuesday) should be pretty good. Georgia doesn't look to be very good at 1-2 with losses to 2 mid-major conference teams, at least 1 of them at home. UCLA should be the first legit team IU sees and they also have some size inside and the ability to match (or surpass) IUs athleticism on the perimeter. Oladipo vs. Muhammad should be a fun matchup to watch, though I'd imagine Watford gets the assignment a lot too.

Only 5 second rule he knows is on inbounding the basketball. That's a great coach! All basketball, all the time! And maybe the occasional pants tugging.

Eh, Bears are still going to win this game. (see my game preview) Alshon is going to play. Sounds like Evan Rodriguez is going to be more a part of the passing game. I think a full week of practice helps Campbell. He's better than Kaepernick (if he plays) and he's every bit as good as Alex Smith. I like the Bears chances of not turning the ball over 4 times. And the Niners aren't going to score a whole bunch of points against our D.

A 23 year old AL pitcher who had good peripherals last season...doesn't sound bad to me He's also a groundball pitcher and the Cubs' infield defense is a strength. His peripherals have been the same his whole career. 4.8-5.5 K/9, doesn't walk people, gives up a metric asston of hits. He was only at 1.2 GB/FB ratio last year, which is above his career average. He's a league average pitcher at best unless a huge light comes on for him. He's Travis Wood redux.

Ok, they really aren't trying are they?

Hoosiers looking like the #1 team tonight. Wasn't particularly blown away by the first 2 games, but they are playing very well tonight. Shooting 60% from the field, hitting almost 1/2 their 3s, getting to the line at will, 30-11 rebound advantage, 31 points allowed thru first 28 minutes, but most impressive are the 19 assists on 23 baskets. Obviously not playing a good team (favored by 31 1/2) but they are beating this team up like they should and clicking on almost all cylinders (FT shooting ugly).

I wouldn't be surprised if they release both Bennett and Kellen Davis to free up cap space. I think both are underachieving. Is there a TE outside of Eifert at profiles as a first round pick? I don't think Eifert is much of a blocker.... No. No other 1st round TEs. I like Zach Ertz (Stanford) and Joseph Fauria (UCLA), but with the Bears not having a 3rd rounder, and those guys being 3rd round talents IMO, the Bears would have to take one late 2nd. Chris Gragg of Arkansas is intriguing. If Levine Toiolo of Stanford and Jordan Reed of Florida leave school early (both should stay in) they are also intriguing. Eifert is a much improved blocker. Not comfortable picking a TE that early though. Just seems like a wasted pick when the above guys are 6'6" and 6'7" and could be had later. Plus, the Bears just picked a TE. He has played solidly at FB, but the Bears could always go out and get another FB or let Rodriguez do a little of both. Also the FA class for TE is pretty strong. I'd even take Jermichael Finley if/when the Packers cut him loose. Don't think the Bears will release Bennett. They will need to clear some space, but I'd imagine guys like Tillman and Peppers will restructure. And Bennett doesn't make much. Neither does Davis, but he's worthless.