RedFlash

And the best part, seeing as the Rangers already got our 1st rder (please correct if I am wrong), so all that it would cost the Cubs at worst, a 2nd rd draft pick. I am kinda of torned on which pitcher the Cubs should target. Personally the price for Peavy in terms of prospects (remember the Cubs would be giving up ONLY two of their own prospect Vitters and Castillo)---according to Levine---isn't too much. In fact that "The Levine Idea" is a similar package to what Milwaukee gave Cleveland for CC. One blue chip prospects plus 3-4 players based on potential, and that deal was for a half season of CC. A similar package for a Top 10 pitcher under control for the next 4 ys, is prolly a good deal for the Cubs, considering in the next two yrs both Lilly and Harden contracts will be up. With that said, I won't be heartbroken if the Cubs "settle" on a Milton Bradleyesque contract with Ben Sheets that is a 2 yr deal worth 20-25 mill plus a option with health clause built into the deal.

Between Hinkse/Aurilla/Millah....give me Hinkse. I know the Cubs are too LH in their thinking, but Millah (I know, I know the potential prank wars between Millah and Dempster would be epic) but between the three Hinske would add some pop to the bench for the Cubs.

I agree. I've been on other teams boards and those teams fans have similar complaints then Cyno has with refs. So I agree, the NHL refs are without a doubt the worst refs is major sports, and I wish Betteman wouold get on the ball, and improve the quality of refs. NBA, College Basketball, College Football NFL refs and MLB Umps are bad as well. Yes, but NHL refs are by far the worst in Major Sports.

Yes, I admit Willis isn't as good of a recruiter of Thompson, but Willis is still a very good recruiter in his own right. When you are trying to sell Auburn to recruits, your job is difficult. Now imagine the kind of success he should have selling Alabama to recruits? Willis IS leaps and bounds better coach then CLT. McClain and Hightower made CLT look good with their play, but the reality of the situation is, CLT coaching ability is what is being questioned. I'm not trying to spin this in any way, this is from my perspective from following college football in Alabama. James Willis is better then Thompson, take it whatever you want, but that doesn't change the fact that LT is a great recruiter, average coach, and Willis is a good recruiter, good coach. Lane Kiffin hired CLT to get him back into Alabama for recruiting, in one swift move, Nick Saban has effectively block Tennessee from coming into Alabama.

I bet you were saying the same thing during the Iron Bowl, too, huh? :lol: James Willis is HIGHLY thought of as both a recruiter and a coach. James Willis would have won some recruiting battles had he not been going against EXLT and CNS. http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/willis_james00.html Simple truth, not only did Alabama find a more then satisfactory replacement for CLT as a recruiter, then also landed a much better LBer coach in James Willis. All in all Alabama upgrade from Lance Thompson to James Willis. Here is what separates you (and nearly all Bammers I have ever met) from everyone else in the real world: the ability to be reasonable and admit that not everything is going Bama's way. For all the anti-SEC rhetoric and vitriol, nearly every Big 10 fan here admits when their team sucks, as do fans of Big 12 teams, Pac 10 teams, and yes, even dew and I with Tennessee. But, not so the delusional Bammer. Every move made is an upgrade for Bama. You want to give Willis credit for being a good recruiter, in spite of the fact that Auburn (according to Bammers like yourself) hasn't really recruited well in years. Not only that, but you give him credit for being a satisfactory replacement for Thompson, who was the Recruiter of the Year per Rivals last year. So, no, you did NOT upgrade. Then you want to give Willis credit for being a good LB coach, and an upgrade over Thompson. Let's see, Willis benefitted from coaching on a staff with a great defensive minded head coach. Thompson benefitted from coaching on a staff with a great defensive minded head coach. Hmmm... something seems oddly similar about those two scenarios. AT BEST, it looks like a lateral move on Bama's part. So, a step down in recruiting, and a lateral move on the coaching staff. How again is this an upgrade? Just because I don't dwell on the down period that makes me delusional"? That weaker's then Tennessee offense. I was disappointed when we lost to UF/Utah. I was upset when CKS and and I pissed when CLT left for Tennesse. I am not leaving in a world of delusion. So just because Big 10 fans or Tennessee fans can dwell on negative times of the programs, I must do the same with Alabama? That's crazy. I CHOOSE to focus on the positive for Alabama, not dwell on the negative. Yes, James Willis is highly thought of as a recruiter in Alabama. He is a step down slightly as a recruiter (CLT is an A grade, Willis is a grade B) but that difference is made up in their coaching abiliies (CLT is considered C grade, and CJW is considered an B) So yes, Alabama more the successfully replace CLT with CJW. You can keep your head in the sand if you want, but if you don't think CJW leaving for Alabama isn't a big deal, go check out Auburn messages board. You're just pissy that after taking a great recruiter from Alabama that your team could cherry pick Bama commitments, and seeing Bama pick a heckuva coach/recruiter in his own right, you realize Tennessee no longer can salvage this class. It's okay, Hosak, I don't blame you for being upset. And your overgeneralization of all Bama fans as being "delusional" is simply mind boggling stupid. Does this mean, that not including dew, that all Tennessee Vol fans are moronic cretins without a working brain cell between them", is a correct generalizing all Vols fans? No it doesn't. Just because you say Bama fans are "delusional", doesn't make it true. I come off very abrasive when it comes to Bama, I understand, but I am as proud of my school, as you are to your school. Just do me a favor, stop the overgeneralization of a fanbase you know nothing about.

I agree. I've been on other teams boards and those teams fans have similar complaints then Cyno has with refs. So I agree, the NHL refs are without a doubt the worst refs is major sports, and I wish Betteman wouold get on the ball, and improve the quality of refs.

I bet you were saying the same thing during the Iron Bowl, too, huh? :lol: James Willis is HIGHLY thought of as both a recruiter and a coach. James Willis would have won some recruiting battles had he not been going against EXLT and CNS. http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/willis_james00.html Simple truth, not only did Alabama find a more then satisfactory replacement for CLT as a recruiter, then also landed a much better LBer coach in James Willis. All in all Alabama upgrade from Lance Thompson to James Willis.

Alabama just signed one of Auburn's best position coach/one of their best recruiters in James Willis to be the Tide's LBer coach. Suffice to say, losing Thompson, gaining Willis is a significant upgrade for the Tide.

I like Ryan Flaherty as a sleeper.

quite the convincing argument there! i'm not dextermorgan, buddy, i'm not so easily riled. nice try starting trouble again though but i'm feeling generous, so: 85 more hits 157 more doubles 95 more HR 457 more RBI 40 more walks 60 more points of OPS 9 more points of OPS+ than Ryne Sandberg, in just ~100 more AB's Note: I do think Kent is a HOF, but........ Those numbers are kinda inflated because teams would pitch around Bonds to face Kent. While Dawson was really good for the Cubs, he was no Barry Bonds. So YOU could make a case that Bonds made Kent a HOF. With that said, when opportunity knocks......and Kent definately took advantage of the opportunity of player with Bonds. a lot of players were protected by other HoF'ers That is why I said that I believe Kent is a HOF. But I know stats are on Kent's side, but IMO Sandberg was a better all-around 2B then Kent.

quite the convincing argument there! i'm not dextermorgan, buddy, i'm not so easily riled. nice try starting trouble again though but i'm feeling generous, so: 85 more hits 157 more doubles 95 more HR 457 more RBI 40 more walks 60 more points of OPS 9 more points of OPS+ than Ryne Sandberg, in just ~100 more AB's Note: I do think Kent is a HOF, but........ Those numbers are kinda inflated because teams would pitch around Bonds to face Kent. While Dawson was really good for the Cubs, he was no Barry Bonds. So YOU could make a case that Bonds made Kent a HOF. With that said, when opportunity knocks......and Kent definately took advantage of the opportunity of player with Bonds.

Don't be too sure about that. Nick Saban is still at Alabama. Kirby Smart is a good recruiter. Alabama is about to fill Lance Thompson spot with Sal Sunseri, the DL coach who has help molded guys like Julius Peppers into Pro-Bowl calibers. And when he was with Nick at LSU he was considered a dang good recruiter. So while, Tennessee should get some good players from Alabama, I doubt they'll land anybody in the top 10 of the state. Alabama is already in on 7 of the states top prospects, and most if not all are considered HEAVY Alabama leans. This lists includes arguably the states' top prospects Craig Sanders (Craig is said to be committing to Bama in the summer) and BJ Chitty.(<---not making this name up).

At least Larry "Cry me a river" Hughes is close to being jettison to Noo Jawsey. My principles of the trade as of right now would be Hughes for Bobby Simmons, the Chicago area product. While I am hoping Paxson grows a pair of Ron Jeremy and get Chris Douglas Roberts included into the deal.

The rumor at of Tuscaloosa is that Teague was given the "royal treatment" by the head man himself, CNS, all weekend. If that is true, then Bama becomes more then a darkhous for Teague. CNS doesn't "host" often (Alonzo Lawrence is the only other young man, I know of at Alabama, he has personally hosted) but when he does, the prospect stop and take notice. Suffice to say, Teague is prolly not long for the Gators. He could stay with the Gators, but if you have a Nick Saban personally hosting you for a weekend, then..........you know he wants you. With that said, I could see Teague follow Kasa and Reid out of Florida. If that is the case then Teague becomes a battle between Tennessee and Alabama. As for Greg Reid.......I think he heads to Florida State. Everything I've read about him, clearly stats that FSU feels like "home" to him. And with a high school teammate already committed to FSU, I see Reid there.

This isn't a start to another heated confab, but something I have heard and has been confirm, but apparently Nick Saban talked to and convince AJ McCarron NOT to visit Tennessee. In fact I think AJ's words were "No problem." First time CNS has even asked much less convinced a prospect to not take an offfical, seeing as h encourages prospects to enjoy "the process" of recruiting. What does this have to do with anything, will there is rumors that Nick Saban is talking to Trent Richardson about not taking the trip to Tennessee. I still think Trent takes an offical to Tennessee, if for nothing else to stay in the ear of both Tana Patrick and Patrick Patterson (CNS encourages his prospects to recruit other players). (Note: TR is about as lock to UA as you can get, and he is very public about his commitment to Bama, seeing as he has worn Bama gear just about on a daily thing since his commitment, not to mention LSU is now recruiting TR very hard to a point that Les Miles may turn off LSU's current RB commit Mike Ford, and next yr's TR, in Seastrunk, I believe that's the name). So, I think Tennessee has to be a little bit concern about having an Alabama lock in an offical with two players who are still uncommitted, yet are considered Alabama lean, Patterson and Patrick. As for Bryce Brown and Rueben Randle, I seriously doubt either goes to Tennessee. I didn't say it can't happen, but I seriously doubt it, even with UTenn recruiting team. Not trash talking or anything, but as a Bama fan I am conceding Rueben Randle to LSU, and everybody and their grandmothers know where Bryce Brown is going. Bryce Brown is going to Miami. His brother, Arthur, is already there and the Brown's are a packaged deal. With that said, I do expct TR/Patrick/Patterson to visit Tennessee, but it would be considered a small miracle if Tennessee can pull off just one commitment from that group. If Tennessee does get a commitment from that group it would be either Patrick Patterson or Tana Patrick. IMO. Florida wins the National Title game, and they've lost two highly touted prospects. Nick Kasa decommited from UF to sign with Colorado, and Greg Reid, a 5 star DB. The one that hurts for UF is Greg Reid, who wa a UF commit for the longest time, then decommitted. People in Florida weren't concern as they believe he would be back about playing "the recruiting" game, but with Reid's recent proclamation of his final list of teams his considering (UGA, Alabama, Tennessee and FSU), he essentially told UF to "get lost." Urban Meyers and the people in Florida is none to happy as they thought they had this talented DB's commitment. Not to mention Marsalis Teague was a surprise official visit to UA this past weekend. Leading to speculation that like Greg Reid, he COULD drop Florida like a bad habit. Marsalis is the kind of prospect Tennessee should be targeting, since he is in CLK and crew' backyard (Paris, TN) Suffice to say, recruiting in the SEC for the next 2 weeks will be very fluid.

Bulls lost to the Hawks. Some ole Howry different day. Have chance to win late, and they fail again.

If that is true, I doubt both Marshall and Olson will be included, it would be one or the other. Not to mention Vitters would be included.

You'd argue the Knicks are worse than the Wizards? Yes. The Knicks are worse then the Wizs. I mean the Wizs are severely underachieving, cause a healthy Arenas, plus Butler/Jamison and they are a playoff contender. They are underachieving to put it mildly. The Knicks are just bad. But what does that say about the Bulls?

The Bulls just lost to arguably the worst team in the East, the Knicks. Oh well.

If Andy Reid leaves then yes but McNabb is Reid's guy. I don't see them divorcing anytime soon. I thought McNabb and Reid hated each other? Either way, I don't want McNabb. I've never heard that Reid and McNabb hated each other. Not saying it isn't true, just never heard it. With that said, if the Bears are interested in McNabb---at this point, we don't know if they are, or Philly is interested in letting him go---they better draft a young QB in the 2nd/3rd to be his replacement in 3 yrs.

But hey, next Saturday, the Cubs ARE going to watching Kris Benson workout. So...we have that...at least.

I wouldn't be suprised if Notre Dame bought out tubby, and made a move. I would They probably want Urban Meyer. Weis will likely last this year and then the Irish will make another run at Meyer. Why would Meyer want to go their? He is at a better program now, and Florida can probably match what anybody else is offering. Yet, Urban Meyer has called Notre Dame his "dream job" TWICE. Even if Urban Meyer does decide to leave UF after Tebow's SR yr, Florida won't be hurting for a replacement. As long as they don't find another Ron Zook, UF could live without Meyer, to be honest. So yeah, I do believe Urban Meyer will be at Notre Dame within two yrs.

Completely disagree. Kane started it with an elbow then bailed and took a shot or two as he tried to get out of there. Disagree, the NHL teams have given Kane cheap shots when they can since he join the league. I do think Kane needs to grow up, but I don't blame him one bit if he feels frustrated that every team in every game takes their cheap shots at him. He needs to grow thicker skin, I know, but he also has to show he can't be bullied. So I don't have a problem with him throwing elbows. just play through it. if he reacts like that it just gives teams more incentive to keep doing it, because it takes him off of his game. all the teams are looking for is that reaction, and he's not showing that he can deal with physicality very well. the players don't care if he can be "bullied" or not, they're just trying to irritate him. As I said "he needs to grow thicker skin", all I was saying is that I don't blame him for being frustrated at the juvenile cheap shots he seem to get on a daily basis.

Completely disagree. Kane started it with an elbow then bailed and took a shot or two as he tried to get out of there. Disagree, the NHL teams have given Kane cheap shots when they can since he join the league. I do think Kane needs to grow up, but I don't blame him one bit if he feels frustrated that every team in every game takes their cheap shots at him. He needs to grow thicker skin, I know, but he also has to show he can't be bullied. So I don't have a problem with him throwing elbows.

It sure does sucks to lose to a team from NY, regardless of sport. And to be swept by those scums, is even worse. But if you don't come to play to win like the Hawks, you expect to lose.