jersey cubs fan

I don't see how this team's plight isn't worrisome. They had a young core that many people thought could be elite for years, and all but Toews have regressed. The team took a couple (expected) steps back after winning the cup, and after the GM made a massive overhaul, they have yet to taken a step forward. When they were racking up points earlier this season they weren't playing particularly well. They look to me, at least, to need an impact acquisition on defense to really have a good chance this year. Not making the playoffs would be unacceptable at this point, but their play has still been worrisome for a good year and a half. Lat year, it seemed like they had no sense of urgency through the first half of the season, then they had to go max effort just to make the playoffs. This year they can afford to coast a little and save their best effort for when it counts. This team seems to rise and fall to the level of the competition. With the exception of that last game against the preds, they've played the good teams close pretty much all year. It's a long season, can't expect game 7 effort every night. 15 games from now, that changes. Right now they're fine. I'm not talking about game 7 effort, I'm talking about not looking mediocre for months at a time, which is what they've looked like to me. They've been lucky to win several games in OT and even rack up points in OTL. They've barely squeeked by and I think in a lot of ways they are lucky to be in the thick of things. I think pretty much everybody they acquired this past offseason has been close to worthless, except maybe Mayers. They look so much slower than they did when they were rolling in 2010. It's not about a couple game streak, I don't think they've looked good at all this year.

I really don't want to see this team throwing big resources at the tight end position.

I don't see how this team's plight isn't worrisome. They had a young core that many people thought could be elite for years, and all but Toews have regressed. The team took a couple (expected) steps back after winning the cup, and after the GM made a massive overhaul, they have yet to taken a step forward. When they were racking up points earlier this season they weren't playing particularly well. They look to me, at least, to need an impact acquisition on defense to really have a good chance this year. Not making the playoffs would be unacceptable at this point, but their play has still been worrisome for a good year and a half.

To Timmy's post? No the opposite one. This is hilarious. I think its a Toffee fan pulling some sort of protest. http://deadspin.com/5881025/a-madman-handcuffed-himself-to-the-goal-during-the-everton+manchester-city-match I like how some players are in there trying to talk sense into the guy or something not sure what they thought they were going to do.

I'm generally in favor of getting the kids acclimated to the big leagues, but since they are already punting this season I think you might as well fill out your bullpen with some veteran help instead of wasting cheap years for bullpen roles. It's not like the Cubs are loaded with arms that need to pitch in the bigs today. Plus, the veterans can be turned around in trade in July if all goes well. As long as you stay away from big money or multiple years, there's nothing wrong with guys like this.

Rutgers is keeping their interim head coach. He was their tight ends, offensive line and assistant head coach. Kyle Flood.

Huh What do you mean by huh? Are you asking why would the Cubs have interest in another middle reliever? My guess, and hope, is that the Cubs view that type of player as easy to acquire trade bait for July. I'd hate to see them go out and sign middle relievers to 3-year deals, but there's nothing wrong with spending a million here or there for a guy you might be able to turn into a B prospects in July.

I don't really get why so much of the conversation with regards to Emery is about his ability and willingness to fire Lovie Smith. It's as if people just don't pay attention to how the NFL works. There is no blueprint for how winning teams operate, other than employing reall good QBs. There is nothing wrong with the way the Bears are structured. There is nothing wrong with keeping Lovie around this year and hiring a new GM who is going to work with Lovie for a year. This is not that awkward. The question is whether Emery is just a glorified scout who can only speak in cliches and won't be able to carry out the management level game plan he needs to implement. The Bears can win with Lovie. The Bears have won with Lovie. The Bears can win with the core group they have. My main concern is that Emery will implement a draft only approach to rebuilding this team, something that probably won't sit well with Cutler and runs the risk of forcing this team into a renewed search for that franchise QB that's already here. If Emery brings in some offensive talent via free agency and is a solid drafter, then all he has to do is make sure Cutler is happy enough to stay on board and this team will win. It's not about forcing Lovie out, even though I'd be perfectly happy with that idea if they bring in some offensive minded coach who can get the most out of Jay.

Another in a long line of Tampa based management consultants?

We won the WS of Mark DeRosa trades though And all you guys were too busy complaining to enjoy that title.

You can't evaluate an executive by ticking off good and bad moves he made. He was in charge for a decade and a major part of the organization for a decade before that, and they lost far too many games during that era. That's all that needs to be said.

Wait, he's probably the best hitter in his class at school but you are worried about his ability to make the junior high team?

those aren't spring training pics

One might think that, but most everybody I've met in ny/nj area remember it fondly. Nobody thinks of it like the ravens win. It was first memorable sb for anybody under 40

Theo's don't exist in the nfl. There was no top notch candidate they didn't have a chance with.

I don't even know what this means. We knew the lovie status coming in. He's the gm, the real gm.

say pretty again

The only two things I really take away from this is that the Bears will be even more obsessed with character guys in the draft and are even less likely to show up on Hard Knocks.

They loved Theo's though. Theo said stuff and articulated pretty clearly what the plan would be to make this team better. He left any listener with a sense of hope for the team. Emery said nothing and left people with nothing but the need to hope he won't be a complete bust.

I figured they would be all over this guy. He's an easy target. He just kept saying bland nonsense about processes and leadership and holding accountable and blahblahblah. He didn't say a damn thing about the team, and I think that will continue as he most closely associated himself with Pioli, who comes from the Belichik school of don't say anything but BS. If it works, great, but get ready for a hell of a lot of non-answer answers.

that's not weird, that's worrisome. despite all evidence to the contrary, he's still paying lip service towards balance. the most successful teams, including the 2 in the super bowl, have consistently used the run to catch teams off guard, to the tune of around 60/40. we need to pass to keep up, and we have the guy to do it. I meant how he phrased it. This guy is all about the blowhard coach speak nonsense that is typical in football. He's a total Jim Hendry in that regard but with more discipline. Thankfully that sort of thing can work in the NFL. This guy doesn't give me any faith though.

Emery is putting his faith in Lovie's decision making with regard to coaching staff, at least for now.

weird response to the "what's your offensive philosophy" question. His philosophy is to score points. He also said he sees the league trend as toward balance. That's nonsense, of course, as the trend for winning teams is all about the passing game. The teams that gain yards, score points and win, do it through the air.

I don't see how they can get one of their GM candidates that got eliminated in the 1st round of interviews to make a lateral move from the Giants to Bears. wouldn't director of player personnel be a promotion from director of college scouting? Emery is going to hire a director of college scouting and a director of pro scouting.

Phil speaking highly of the team's core of playmaking players, as well as the scouts already on staff. Says they will add to that staff.