minnesotacubsfan

They weirdly fit the mold of a team that could outperform expectations. New HC, a new offensive system that shows promise, a second year QB who's shown flashes of talent, a coaching staff with some promise, and a handful of offseason moves that could help move the needle. It's oddly reminiscent of Nagy's first year, for better or worse. I don't think the talent is there for more than 9 wins (barring a miracle), but the NFL is strange. Yeah, that's kinda where I am. If Fields stays healthy and is actually going to pan out as a franchise QB, the Bears are likely to outperform expectations. I have pointed out way back when in this thread that there have been a few occasions in the last 5 years where a team with similar talent deficiencies have been pretty good unexpectedly. 2019 Ravens and Bills, 2016 Titans. All with 2nd year QBs, a couple with new(er) defensive coaches. Granted Mariota still somehow didn't pan out and Jackson had a historic season on the ground and with passing efficiency, but those teams all won at least 9 games with ugly offensive personnel on paper. I hold out hope for the 2022 Bears to be similar, but I'm certainly not counting on it. You could add Cincinnati 2021 to that list as well. A bit more quality at the skill players, but an terrible Oline and D

its always Wednesday morning, noon et I believe So a week from today? yes, I think so

I believe they are released/announced the Wednesday before the weekend. It may be the Tuesday before, but I believe it's Wednesdays. Here's a link I check in with each week: https://506sports.com/nfl/index.php its always Wednesday morning, noon et I believe

Justin Fields COMP/ATT YRDS TD INT 14/16 156 3 0 I know it's just preseason, but I'll also readily admit if I was wrong. Poles and Co might just be on to something here fun

.....and then the cubs offense did what it always does and lets him down

Maybe I’ve read too many “a league source says” stories but the perception out there seems to be that Smith is a very good, not great player at a non-premium position. It would be beneficial for him to prove that he is great going into FA or a franchise tag. not saying that will happen with a guy who is said to have maturity issues and is operating without the guidance of an agent but it makes all the sense in the world for him to ball out. It does, and I'm sure when he's in there, he'll play well. But this is a guy that hasn't always made the best decisions. He had the mysterious absence for a game a few years ago. He's now held out on 2 different occasions. I just worry about what happens Week 10 when this team is 3-6 and he has an annoyance with an ankle or something. It's probably not going to be something that can be proven, if he's smart about it (not a guarantee). I just don't see a good ending. I don't see him playing great and then the Bears changing their offer to something he'd agree too. I don't see him caving on taking the Bears offer. Most likely scenario is he walks or is tagged after the season, which starts this process all over again. And if he walks, it'll likely be for nothing as the Bears will certainly spend money bringing in guys to wipe his comp pick away. I usually find that "betting on myself" to be best played by an NFL player via that player hiring a competent agent

thats awesome, cant wait for Poles to run him out of town

I feel like the most likely landing spot for Willson was NY Mets, but since they were butthurt over PCA the best possible trade the Cubs could have gotten was dribbled down to a bunch of used baseballs and a new 29 oz Louisville slugger, possibly FUNGO bat. Here's to the Mets losing in the NLCS due to a weak offense on the flip side of this, I hope it gives the FO and Willson more time to contemplate a resigning effort, and they come to a reasonable contract for both

I just hope Jed somehow manages to resign him...he's one of the best catchers in the league and worth keeping around even with Amaya looking better at AA. If they could have Amaya come up and share catching duties while using Contraras as DH on off days, it just seems like the best of all worlds

I'd love to see them resign Contreras but how often does that sort of thing happen after a players been dangled at the trade deadline?

hard to feel bad about that trade

hopefully he stays and the Cubs can say to him "we asked for the moon because you're worth it" and resign him in a tearful hollywood ending

...and then dominate the west for the foreseeable future Nobody is going to "dominate" the Dodgers. The Padres are going to be a really fun team if Tatis can stay on the field, though. eh,,,that SD lineup could take the west despite the Dodgers

who would we give the Nats? Not sure why we'd have to give the Nats anything. This is assuming that Hosmer says no to the trade. I thought you were suggesting the cubs throw in a player to the nats making the Soto deal a 3-way trade, thus receiving those prospects from SD

who would we give the Nats?

...and then dominate the west for the foreseeable future

Kaplan patting himself on the back with the "I told ya so's" He pretty much had bust written all over him IMO his degenerative back condition scared me, but idk about "bust". i thought he could have a few solid years before health took too much of a toll

..why does this narrative continue to prevail? 4.28 ERA last 3 years, all 3 seasons are 4+ yea, I'm off on that. But I still think starting pitching is a bigger need

eh, the Cubs seem to have no issues developing a pen, but have a dearth of young controllable (and good) starters. I dont mind the trade

It's 59° in late July, I think the cubs are just stunned by the cold temperature

I feel like that was a huge overpay for a mariners team that's at least into next year until they are truly threatening

I loved hearing about Morel and how he's in play for RoTY right up until he watched strike 3 low center of the plate

yep - if they add another receiver they'll accomplish basically everything we wanted them to during the offseason. ehh...did they?

Good for Brisker for getting what you can

moon landing was on the 21 of july, wasnt it?