KaiserCesar

The Cubs record in 1 run games, 1-8 off the top of my head, shows me that there has been some level of unluckiness. If you get blown out a lot, you are going to have a better record than your RS/RA looks like, and if you lose a lot of close games, you are going to look better than your record. While you can't "make up" the games you were "supposed" to win, the RS/RA is just an indicator that better W/L performance is in the future if the team continues their current level of play.

Who are all more valuable than the slap-hitting Figgins. What can Figgins do that Theriot can't, anyway? Nevermind that, since when do those four players represent an archetype? They aren't even very similar at all, other than being white. Now, if he's saying that Murton projects to be a caucasian, then I'd have to agree wholeheartedly. And since when is Mientkiewicz an OF? When Damon, Abreu and Cabrera all get hurt in the same game.

I think that is a good use of the pen that is very deep. Even if you get to some of the 5th-6th-7th guys in the bullpen, you aren't in a lot of trouble....if Eyre stops sucking.

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070507&content_id=1951552&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy Good investment :lol:

Milwaukee Brewers 4.096 RA/G 5.064 RS/G Chicago Cubs 3.724 RA/G 4.896 RS/G Who has played better thus far? It's pretty even, but I'd say the Brewers have just been luckier (or less unlucky). It'll even out a little more over the next 162 games. Let it be a very good race...

Link. If Jacksonville drafts Henne they are beyond screwed. That man has little to no future as an NFL quarterback - no better than John Navarre was. Why do you say that? A career 60%+ passer with 4 years starting experience looks pretty darn good to me. It seems like with all the talent on his team (Hart and Manningham to be specific but there are more) that he should be doing more with it. Part of this may fall under Michigan not passing the ball very much. Although I've watched a fair few Wolverines games over the years, and Henne makes at least one hideously, indescribably bad throw per game. I think the rise of Manningham was accredited too little to Chad Henne himself during this past year. This past year he improved to 61.9% completion and 7.65 YPA, but these are only gradual improvements from 60.2, 58.4 and 6.88, 6.81 to suggest that its not a fluke year. We'll see how he does this year, but similar performance or slightly improved will see him rated as a top 2 QB, and there's no reason to believe he won't perform at that level. As for the 1 terrible throw per game, there's room to improve, yes, I'll agree.

Link. If Jacksonville drafts Henne they are beyond screwed. That man has little to no future as an NFL quarterback - no better than John Navarre was. Why do you say that? A career 60%+ passer with 4 years starting experience looks pretty darn good to me.

Eric Patterson should probably spend the whole year in AA/AAA. I'll just say its been the tendency of the Cubs to give EPatt a taste of the next level at the end of each year before a promotion the year after. This all depends on production, though.

Yeah, ha, ha, Novoa is worthless and completely sucks, I get it. He appeared in 66 games last year and put up an ERA of 4.26 The year before he appeared in 49 games with an ERA of 4.43. I know, I know, ERA is not the greatest stat in the world but for a long / middle reliever I think he at least qualifies as "serviceable". "Serviceable" pitchers find a spot on the roster. They don't get sent to the minors. You're right, Mike Weurtz was "good" and got sent down. Seriously though, bad argument. Its only good if talent evaluation and talent level are equal and if the only thing determining demotion/promotion is current skill rather than contract/options whatever. It also assumes every team has the same talent level at that position.

Could it be that he was pretty much only the pitcher on his teams, so he really pitched 20 games or so which isn't all that bad?

I absolutely love Durant. He could be a great pick in the 3rd round. I'd be very happy with that draft. WR isn't the biggest need, but if Jarrett is around at 31, there's a good chance he's the best player on the board at that point. And WR will become a need position after 2007. Moose is on his way out. Berrian could be a FA. Bradley hasn't been healthy or good enough. That draft would be near perfect for me. Get a top 5 WR. Get the best pure guard in the draft and my #1 sleeper at OLB. Wow I thought Jarrett was projected a lot higher...I didn't think he'd be there at 31. Is his value dropping? I heard he runs a 4.6-4.7 40. Irregardless(espcecially with Hester moving to WR) there is 0 need for WR. There's no need with Bradley and Hester who are still learning/have to learn the position, an aging Moose who has been tailing off in years past and then Bernard Berrian? I'm not all for spending a 1st rounder on a WR, but you have to bring in some bodies who fit into the team at that position.

And the Steelers

I definitely think Russell is better than Smith, but there are aspects of Smith's game the media could get enamored with.

Don't worry, Angelo will have won come playoff time next season (and I agree with the rest of your post). Theres also the chance that Angelo can improve the team and it still fails to do better in the postseason. This has happened often in the past, and considering our schedule, its very likely. Its also very conceivable that the team improves and doesn't win 13 games. Anything can happen in the playoffs, too. Results are typically a great indicator, but I get the feeling if the Bears don't repeat at least last year's success Angelo may get harshly criticized no matter what.

I saw some speculation from a Washington Post writer on a redskins forum that mentioned a possible deal where Denver sends Bly their #1, #2/3 for the #6 pick overall. Washington would then send Springs to the Lions for something like a 2nd rounder and use their picks (they have none of their own at the moment besides the #6 until the 5th round I believe) to trade up high enough to get Okoye. The reported hitch in the deal may be that Denver wants Ladell Betts.....for some reason. How is sean springs worth a 2nd rounder??? I don't think he is but the Lions may be pressured to add some kind of talent to that secondary. This is speculation, though, with the basis being Washington wanting more picks than just the #6 and late round stuff.

I like Quinn and think he's the most sure thing of the QBs, but that blanket statement is a little too much in my opinion. I fully expect Quinn to have the better career. But he can't touch Russell talent wise. I see this as a situation similar to last year's with Leinart and Vince. Leinart was more of a sure thing, Vince had far more upside (but was less likely to be good). Except Young's upside came from unbelievable athleticism that Russel doesn't have at all. Russell is definitely very athletic, he just doesn't use it in the same way Vince does. Russell can be a very good thrower when he's on, Vince is frankly bad most of the time throwing the ball. Thus, Russell doesn't have the need to show his athleticism as often as Vince does. The #1 problem with Russell is his inconsistency and oftentimes poor decision-making. Vince, on the other hand, while a bad passer (though I've seen signs of him getting better slowly) makes the plays late in a game when he needs to. The run against the Texans in OT, the run against the Bills late in the fourth, multiple third down completions to keep drives alive. Russell is the better pure QB right now, but he's less consistent and falls apart when he struggles early. Agreed, Young has a ways to go in the professional passing game, while he developed a passing game in his senior year of college rather quickly, but that 6.7 YPC rushing will go a long way towards easing growing pains for the titans Oh yeah, he may be better at running the ball now than Steve McNair was in his first couple of years. Steve was a better passer though. Also, something that gives me more hope for Vince is that he struggled a year or two in college and then improved his junior year and broke out his senior year (technically beginning in the junior Rose Bowl visit). So it may take three to four years, but I am very confident he'll become at least another McNair. It wasn't until the Kansas game his junior year that it really began to click for him. Up until that point most NFL scouts were looking at him as a WR. Its really hard to imagine that now. Not really related, but more on the 1 game creating an image for players. I've been thinking that if JR has lost the sugar bowl and OSU had won the nat'l championship, Smith and Russell's current draft projections would be swapped.

I am hoping it is just pure speculation by Sullivan. I don't see how Guz is overlooked if Prior is unable to go! Although, during the webcast today Kasper mentioned the same thing.... I wouldn't put much stock in what Sullivan has to say about the fifth spot. He is speculating. For the record, Lou has noticed Guzman's performance and will continue to evaluate him. Bruce Miles I also read a quote from Lou that said the Cubs are going to continue to stretch him out and see how he responds when he pitches 4,5, and 6 innings. Unfortunately, I can't find it now. :evil: Thanks, where did you find it? It was just in a thread, I believe, and I had quoted it in an earlier post so I found my post, but not the original quote. Ah, ha, thanks to google, here it is (under "extra bases") http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070306&content_id=1831674&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp

He wasnt as rated as high as he is now because of his recent combine. This draft was done before the combine and i dont think accurately projects what his value is now, running a 4.53 helped out a lot. Lotsa good LB no doubt in this draft. Timmons would be a fantastic pick if he slips. I don't see Timmons making it that far, but that would be a no-brainer at 31, not to mention 37. If he starts slipping, the 2 pretty high picks makes it easier to trade up. Angelo has never been one to move up for a targetted player, though. Also not be nitpicky Briggs actually plays the weak side which is where the play is supposed to flow to often in this scheme (like Derrick Brooks). Whoever comes in in all likelihood didn't play this type of defense in college and will be "learning a new position", so it really just comes down to if a player has the physical skills to play the position.

Big winner: Baltimore I'm not sure about that-I think that might be too high of a price for McGahee, but only time will tell that. Equivalent to a mid 2nd rounder or so worth of picks. Mcgahee aint great, but Baltimore definitely did upgrade a position in the short and long term.

I saw some speculation from a Washington Post writer on a redskins forum that mentioned a possible deal where Denver sends Bly their #1, #2/3 for the #6 pick overall. Washington would then send Springs to the Lions for something like a 2nd rounder and use their picks (they have none of their own at the moment besides the #6 until the 5th round I believe) to trade up high enough to get Okoye. The reported hitch in the deal may be that Denver wants Ladell Betts.....for some reason.

Big winner: Baltimore

Good time for the best cover safety in the draft. I still like Landry better overall, but this time solidifies Nelson as a mid to late (and possibly early depending on need) first rounder and the second safety taken. Depends on the need for the defensive scheme. This reinforces Nelson's image and anyone looking for a safety who is very strong in coverage would be advised to go with Nelson. True. But I don't think Landry's coverage skills are that much worse than Nelson. From what I have read they are each good at different types of coverage. Nelson can man-up like a corner if needed while Landry is good in zone coverage and can make a big play. Once again, it all comes down to scheme.

I am hoping it is just pure speculation by Sullivan. I don't see how Guz is overlooked if Prior is unable to go! Although, during the webcast today Kasper mentioned the same thing.... I wouldn't put much stock in what Sullivan has to say about the fifth spot. He is speculating. For the record, Lou has noticed Guzman's performance and will continue to evaluate him. Bruce Miles I also read a quote from Lou that said the Cubs are going to continue to stretch him out and see how he responds when he pitches 4,5, and 6 innings. Unfortunately, I can't find it now. :evil:

Also, could anyone give insight as to what really causes broken bats? Is it more velocity causing awkward swings or movement or a little bit of both? The reason this could be important is because I think a common knock of Samardzija's fastball is the lack of movement.

Good time for the best cover safety in the draft. I still like Landry better overall, but this time solidifies Nelson as a mid to late (and possibly early depending on need) first rounder and the second safety taken. Depends on the need for the defensive scheme. This reinforces Nelson's image and anyone looking for a safety who is very strong in coverage would be advised to go with Nelson.