Jon

Noah Herron? Poor Jon. I think Noah should just refuse to take any handoffs from Favre/Rodgers. Let them take the punishment.

Missing their best player in Deng. When's he supposed to be back, anyway? But they were missing Okafor and had a lead of at least 8 points for all but a few minues in the second half, it seemed. They just had an answer for everything. Hopefully Deng will be ready for the Cavs. It's just a bruise, thankfully.

Hendry said one of the reasons for going after Jones was that he was a left-handed bat. That just makes me want to hate the move even more.

Because the Cubs signed Jaque Jones :( I don't see any other explanation. Bobcats with the win at the United Center...

Why are the Bulls down double-digits to the Bobcats at home in the 3rd quarer?

The best part of the signing is that when Hendry brings up Pie too early in late May, he won't even start more than a couple of games a week.

And risk the Cardinals grabbing him? Doesn't matter. Boy this is a painful offseason...

36-28 Charlotte after a quarter. Are the Bobcats going to haunt the Bulls again this season?

Hendry should've just auctioned off 162 1-game opportunities to start in right field as fantasy opportunities open to the general public, save the money, and use it to build a great team in 2007 (under a different GM).

They are probably worried about the Z and Prior contracts. I'd just frontload their extensions right now.

Come on, Vance. That seems pretty unlikely. You expect Murton to last with the Cubs that long?

I say we start the Hendry and Dusty contract extensions countdown now.

I just hope that CSNC and WGN are working on deals for the TV rights to Diamond Jaxx games. Only non-conflicting Cubs games will be aired.

May this be the last season Hendry ruins. Oh, wait. Three-year deal...

For all the Mizzou (or Gamecocks) fans out there:

Okafor is out tonight with an ankle injury, but Deng may not play, either.

I particularly enjoyed it when they decided to go against their original plan and had him pitch multiple innings and pitch on back-to-back days.

Not sure, but one of the benefits of going to a bowl game is that it gives the freshman a lot more time to practice and learn the offense or defense. And we have a lot of freshman. I know that they returned to practice yesterday, so it's probably not a very heavy schedule. And I'd imagine that it was pretty light around finals time.

Looks like he was the Blue Jays VP but left during the 2003 season. He was with them for about 15 years. Recently, though, he was a special assistant to the GM and a scout for the Devil Rays and was just given scouting director duties a few days ago.

Well that's just great. The corner that was expected to be able to play has indeed been suspended.

My fear is for those expecting 100 points to be put up is that both of these offenses have been shut down at times when you wouldn't expect them to be. I'm a little more concerned about that on Northwestern's end, especially because of red zone struggles. I still think a shoot out will likely occur and the offensive totals are going to be impressive, but you never know.

We can't compete with you. We only have one DUI/felony hit-and-run, though he's one of the best kickers in the country and now we're going to struggle to make a FG over 30 yards. What you lack in quantity, you make up for in quality. I beg to differ: 1 underage DUI, 1 forced entry at 3 AM while drunk due to mistaking an apartment for his own (that featured a punch through a window), and for giggles, 1 drunken spree of breaking off car antennae (although he's the defensive player that was kicked off the team for academics).

Anyways, Northwestern and UCLA are basically even. Here's the short version: QB NU: Basanez has had a great year and brings a running game that Olson doesn't have. With 32 more yards on the ground, he'll become the first ever Division I-A QB to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 1,000 UCLA: Olson's TD/INT ratio is big trouble for an NU secondary that relies on take-a-ways Edge: split RB NU: I don't expect Sutton to get that many carries, unfortunately, unless he gets off to a very fast start. Fumbles are going to cost them the game, so he has to hang on. Roberson is not Markey's equal. UCLA: Maurice Drew and Markey should give the Bruins a more consistent run game. Edge: split TE NU: We have a TE? UCLA: No brainer. The Wildcats are going to have a big problem containing Lewis Edge: UCLA WRs NU: We're already down one starting WR, but there are plenty of weapons, including freshman. The 'Cats are at their best when Basanez has 8 different guys to go to. You never really know what you're going to get, though. They can be quite inconsistent. UCLA: Don't know much about them, but come on, they're facing Northwestern's secondary. Edge: NU O-Line NU: Inexperienced but really played above expectations this year, allowing just 11 sacks and allowing Sutton to have a great rookie season. Strief is one of the best in the country. Don't expect the Bruins to get to Basanez too much, especially considering his above-average escaping skills. UCLA: Very solid. They're not going to get much pressure unless Northwestern calls for some poorly timed blitzes. They may be down to their third-string center, but they should have a good game and give Olson all the time in the world. Edge: NU, but only slightly D-Line NU: Northwestern has just 11 sacks all season and will have lost some much needed depth thanks one of the starters being kicked off the team. His replacement has played plenty this season, though. Either way, don't expect much. If they can do a good job tackling, they'll remain somewhat respectable. UCLA: I don't think enough to get much pressure on Basanez. If they allow the 'Cats to have early success in the running game, they could be in for a long day. Edge: NU if the 'Cats focus on the run LBers NU: Solid. Senior Tim McGarigle leads the group and most of the country in tackles. They don't have much speed, though, and don't help out enough in the passing game. Their focus needs to be on keeping Drew and Markey in front of them. UCLA: Also solid. Probably a little better if fully healthy. The question will be how well they can stop the run against a spread offense. Edge: split Secondary NU: Ouch. We're getting back Heinz, who hasn't played all season, though. He's going to add much needed depth at safety. Deante Battle's academic status is questionable, but it looks like he'll play. It's going to be hard to pick off Drew Olson, but they're going to need to do it. They've had a lot more success going after turnovers and big hits than they did before that. UCLA: Don't know much about them, but they're going to have their hands full. Basanez doesn't go deep that much, but if Northwestern's offensive gameplan is a good one, they're going to have their hands full in the middle of the game, most likely. Edge: UCLA, but only slightly Special Teams: NU: Yuck. They've made Randy Walker reconsider his position on not having a special teams coach many a time. Kickoffs should get a boost with the altitude and Howells has been okay, although they don't kick that many FGs. The punting game has been downright terrible, though. You might very well see two punters play. Neither has shown much, though. Hangtime, distance, and direction all leave a lot to be desired. And it doesn't help that they can't tackle. UCLA: If Northwestern has to punt much, Maurice Drew is going to make them pay. However, if the elevation isn't enough for the 'Cats to send kickoffs into the endzone, expect pooch kicks. FG kicking, though, is going to be a real drama. I'm guessing that you'll see UCLA go for it on 4th downs when less than 3 yards needs to be gained between the 35 and 20. Edge: UCLA, since the game shouldn't come down to FGs Extra notes NU: The 'Cats have been poor in the red zone at many points in the season. They have to convert on every opportunity they can if they expect to win. And Randy Walker's trick plays (there are going to be a couple) better not backfire. UCLA: They have the advantage of having bowl experience. The '03 Motor City bowl doesn't do much for the 'Cats. 4 weeks should be plenty of time for recovering from the loss to USC. Edge: UCLA Take your pick. Both offenses have been completely shut down this year. I think UCLA's is capable of doing a little more, but Northwestern's slight edge in defense makes up for that. Unless UCLA hangs onto the ball. This game might just come down to how the ball bounces. Then again, it could just as easily be lopsided. My prediction: Northwestern 48, UCLA 42

-3 alcohol-related arrests in the past month (within a week of each other, actually) -1 starting WR subsequently kicked off the team -1 defensive starter kicked off the team for academics -1 defensive starter's status is questionable for academics, although he'll likely play A great way lead up to the game.