UMFan83

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1025-cubs-crane-kenney-chicago--20111025,0,6854434.story The media's strange obsession with Crane Kenney continues: More about pissing off a non-profit he was on the board of, Lou's opinion of him, etc at the link

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Not sure if there was going to be a contest or something, but now that we have management in place, I am excited about hot stove season. Anyone want to take a stab at predicting where the top FAs are going? Not a ton of thought put into this list as I'm sure there will be some awful player-team matches somewhere along the line. Albert Pujols - Cardinals Prince Fielder - Nationals CC Sabathia - Yankees CJ Wilson - Cubs Jose Reyes - Phillies Jimmy Rollins - Giants Aramis Ramirez - Cubs Carlos Beltran - Angels David Ortiz - Red Sox Jonathan Papelbon - Red Sox Francisco Rodriguez - Cardinals Heath Bell - Padres Brad Lidge - Reds Joe Nathan - Blue Jays Jonathan Broxton - Yankees Ryan Madson - Phillies Mark Buehrle - White Sox Michael Cuddyer - Brewers Carlos Pena - Cubs Yu Darvish - Rangers Edwin Jackson - Red Sox Johnny Damon - Rays

#-o Is there a significance to the number 12 that I'm missing other than they probably used old Dusty Baker jerseys.

Hah, actually I just looked it up and for the Bears it's exactly the opposite: Crosby 14-19 (74%), 7-9 from 30-39, 1-4 from 40-49 Hanson 44-58 (76%), 10-17 from 40-49, 2-6 from 50+ Longwell 48-59 (81%), 17-23 from 30-39

I think the NFL should grant Green Bay an extra home game next year to correct this injustice.

Are you sitting close? It's so much quicker up close than in the 300 level, but the 300 level is still enormously enjoyable. When you are outside the UC on the way in, look for a guy close to the entrance selling the Committed Indian for like $3. Its like a little 8.5x11 booklet printed for every game (or is it every other week, I can't remember) and it gives a unique take on the team, statistics, the opponent, etc. It's what all the cool hockey fans do.

Love it

si Wait, wouldn't she be Hoyer's assistant, since Theo is pretty much in a new position if Crane stays as President of the business side. I think there is going to be an open position for Personal Assistant to Mr. Epstein (unless he brings his own). Boys update those resumes!!! That's a great point. I hadn't even considered that. Although, I don't think it would be a stretch to say its a possibility that she will work under Theo and they hire someone else to work under Jed.

That's a great idea. I'll see what I can do. you could just print out this tread, and have her give it to him. Following by multiple restraining orders taped to my front door from herself and Theo the next day.

probably his staff... assistants and coffee getters and stuff. Crane is busy going around the neighborhood stealing kids bikes and pushing old people over. It's a Monday afternoon tradition.

si

That's a great idea. I'll see what I can do.

LMAO, THATS my neighbor in the front with the red hair. Hilarious.

i think that's pretty fair to say right now, but i will defend him in that he doesn't have the benefit of play-action passing other QBs have; i'm pretty sure defenses just laugh when he fakes handoffs Is Javad Best and whoever their backup is (i forget) part of the Lions friendly supporting cast? It's hard to be great when you are little threat to run. I havent seen their games except the Bears one, but I'd be willing to bet teams are dropping 6+ back more often than not.

I had the perception that Stafford was struggling a bit, but after looking at the numbers, if this is his lower end of play, he's really good. Last 4 games: 83-151 (54.9%), 935 yards (233.8 ypg), 6.2 ypa, 7 TD, 2 INT, 83.6 QB rating Obvious completion percentage is below average and ypa needs to go up, but still not horrible at all. Over a full season thats 3700 yards, 28 TD and 8 INT, not that those are the best numbers to judge a QB.

that's just gas

nope.

Is it safe to say the Madden Curse is alive and well? Peyton Hillis: 60 carries 211 yards, 3.5 YPC, 2 TD. Missed 2 games out of the first 6, including missing one due to strep throat. Not only that, but it's taking out everything even remotely near it's path. Consider that Madden runner-up Michael Vick has already thrown 2 more INTs in 6 games than in 12 games last year. He's already broken his non throwing hand among other nagging injuries, and his team has started 2-4. But the biggest shocker is that the Madden curse is even affecting people who share the same first name, considering the season that Peyton Manning has had. If EA does the same contest next year, I think its time to consider gathering a large army of Bears fans to vote for Aaron Rodgers. It's not the same as rooting or hoping for injury because you have to consider the fact that someone is going to be on the Madden cover next year meaning that some NFL player will be subjected to injuries and poor play, so mineaswell be a Packer.

The Bears are the 17th best team in the NFL, losing to the 1, 6, and 9 teams and beating the 7 and 8 teams. Thanks Peter! (PS he probably has Oakland and Houston above us too so 19th) Also, I love his comment about TB "Almost came back against the 19th best team in my view. Oh well, Josh Freeman's 8 TDs and 11 INTs on the year make it clear you are definitely a top 8 team in the NFL"

There are a lot of teams that have gotten off to great starts this year. I think 4-1-2 was somewhat decent, but look at these: Washington 7-0-0 Dallas 6-2-0 Colorado 6-2-0 Toronto 5-1-1 Los Angeles 5-1-1 Detroit 5-1-0 Buffalo 5-2-0

"I've made a huge mistake." Theo didn't get a chance to converse with any of the Cubs employees due to a loud boombox playing salsa music coming from Crane Kenney's office.

We have really played Philly well. I am trying to remember the 2nd loss to Philly and I can't. These are the ones I remember: 2004 L in Chicago (Philly favored by 10): This is the game I don't remember, but I'm sure the Bears didnt play them in 05 and 06 and Lovie started coaching in 04. Either way, the Bears were terrible and injury decimated that season and the Eagles won the NFC that year so a loss was probably expected. 2007 W in Philly (Philly favored by 4.5): Griese's headset "breaks" and leads the Bears on a last second TD drive while calling his own plays. 2008: W in Chicago (Philly favored by 3): Sunday night game. Eagles came in 3-0 and considered one of the most dangerous teams in football. The Bears won on a last minute goal line stand. 2009: L in Chicago (Philly favored by 3): Another Sunday night game. Bears were in the middle of their freefall and the Eagles were playing well, so it was a bit of a surprise that this one was close. I think the Bears might have been leading or close well into the 2nd half before falling short at the end. 2010: W in Chicago (Philly favored by 3.5): Everyone was gushing over Vick and the Eagles, and everyone was doubting the Bears despite a 3 game winning streak and 7-3 record. The Bears exploded to a big lead, intercepted Vick for the first time all year and held on late for a key win. Pretty impressive overall especially because Philly was favored going into all 5 of those games.

If we can win this game, we hold the tiebreaker on 3 of the 6 teams that are most likely to compete for 2 wild card spots (that is if Philly can afford to lose this game and still get back in the race)

early lunch tomorrow!