cubweiser03

I agree with you as far as Pie's ceiling compared to Wells' current production, but even with the intentions to sign him long-term, could the Cubs build this roster to consist. make the playoffs during the tenure of the core? As a Cubs fan, I would not be upset if a trade like that transpired assuming he's inked beyond the year (I don't see a reasonable scenario where they could make that leap in the span of a year). Without the advantage of a productive farm system, could they make the nec. improvements to win in the next 3 or so years? Those question should help decide whether or not, they look for the next 10 years or the next 3. This is definatly a tough one. A bird in hand is a better than 2 in the bush (no that is not a Dusty quote :) ). Pie is not a given and his minor league number reflect Veron Wells #s at the best. BUT it is not a given, he could flame out. Sure Pie is 6 years younger but eventually if he lives up the expectations he will cost veron wells money even in his arbitration elgible years. Its hard not to fast-forward the situation being a big market team like the Cubs. IF Pie is going to put up Pujols/Soriano #s in the next 3 years, non arby elgible and close to major league mininums id say no, but im inclined to believe that he aint.

Curious. What do you guys think of Mckie?? I see many posts on Bears.com saying he blows blocking assisngments alot. On the otherhand they at least recognize his ablity to catch the ball out of the flat. While watching the games i havent said to myself 'damnit Mckie make that block' on repeated occasions. Of the positions in football i believe FB is the least important, but I really think that Mckie's ablility to get out in the flat and catch a pass is an assest. Its not like you say to the FB... you go run this route. They need to recognize blocking schemes and decide its time to jump the flat, thats a talent. Maybe what im saying is I favor a pass catching playmaking back to an above average blocking back (an im not sayin he is average). Okay hes not a 'playmaker' but he helps a play from being busted. So am i nuts???

I agree with you that the Orange Bowl will go after a big time program from the SEC. I disagree that the ACC Champ will not be a big draw, unless it is BC. If it is Clemson, they travel as well as any school in America. If it is Georgia Tech, they will sell a ton of tickets. Tech had 35,000 people at that game. The fan base has grown significantly since then. Not disagreeing with what your are saying here, any ACC Champ will fill the seats, i dont question that. The Orange Bowl needs a big time program to watch the game on TV so they better get a good program from the SEC to get people tuned in to the tube. I personally dont follow the ACC but Auburn and Tennessee has the marketablitiy that the ACC Champ doesnt have. At least around here in the Midwest, we dont watch as much SEC football as the B10 but it is on our radar more than the ACC is. The Midwest and the South drive ratings.

How i see the BCS bowls shaping out according to the selection rules: Rose Bowl= UM/OSU Vs Cal/USC Since USC will not be in the title game the Pac 10 champ between Cal and USC are automatic here. Unless UM/OSU lose before they meet the Big Ten will have #1 team in the nation. The Rose Bowl will then have 1st selection of a replacement team before the other bowls select. Im 100% certain they will take OSU/UM to have the ol Big Ten/Pac Ten Rose Bowl. Big Ten/Pac Ten fans rejoice. We got the Rose Bowl back this year. Sugar Bowl=Florida/WVU or ND. Im assuming Louisville goes to the NCG. If Notre Dame loses to SC they will get passed over by WVU. WVU had a great game in the Sugar last year. If Florida goes to NCG its Louisville vs SEC (Auburn or Tenn). Orange Bowl=ACC Champ(pick one)/Auburn or Tenn. Even if Arkansas loses in the title game they will get passed over by these two programs. The ACC champ is not going to be a big draw so the Orange Bowl needs a big time program like UT or Auburn. Sorry Arkansas. Fiesta Bowl-B12 Champ Texas V Boise State Wow i cant wait.

If people are so sure that if Louisville goes undefeated they should be in the BCS game and im not going to argue that, why is that if Rutgers goes undefeated its not so automatic? Whattsup with that? Is it because they are Rutgers and a perenial sucky program? Thats so silly. The only difference in Louisville's schedule and Rutgers is UL beat Miami. So now beating Miami is the be all end all of determining the birth to the title game for a Big East undefeated champion.

Gammons this morning on the radio talked about the Jays potentially dealing Wells at this years winter meetings. The Jays are anticipating that Vernon will be asking for $15M per season after next year and they wouldnt be able to afford him, so they might try and deal him this winter. He didnt mention suitors.

Im totally watching this game. Should be a entertaining one.

Kruetz. Thats awesome. I was wondering if they would extend him before Nov. 6. Of the current players to extend before that date Olin made the most sense. They can apply some of the bonus to this years cap and it saves a couple mil of cap space for next year. Sorry TJ, no extension for you. I bet he's pissed at this.

Dude chose NY the first time for $, no reason to expect anything less the second time around. He just made NY pay him more to stay there by saying he wanted to go back to atlanta. When he said he wanted to go back to Atlanta i was like why.

If the Wood to the bullpen has legs and they can do it for less than Howry $ i say go for it and trade Howry for Heilman. Shifting Wood for Howry salary and position wise and then basically you are getting Heilman for free. Just to be nice guys i think the Cubs should throw in Novoa. :wink:

Can someone fast forward my life 14 days? Thanks, Id appreciate it.

Demote himself and hire Jockety as President and GM?

Soriano is 30 while Beltran was 27 when he signed that 7 year contract. A 7 year deal for soon to be 31 year old is a steap price for him to be asking. Aramis might be able to get a 7 year deal though. Id be surprised if the Cubs got Aramis for less than 5. I would pay more per year with less years for Soriano. Kinda like a Furcal deal (but longer than 3 years.) 5/85 should do it.

This isnt meant to defend what the Cubs did 2 years ago, but there was risk in signing Aramis to say a five year $65M contract then. It may end up costing them more per year this time around but there is more assurance that he will live up the contract this time around than say a cheaper one per year signed 2 years ago.

Keep waiting. Ohio State aint gonna play them for the NC :wink: But yeah, i know what you are saying. WV has no shot at NC, their defense is awful and will get rolled against a good team offensive. Their offense would not blow up against a good defense either. OSU or UM defense will stomp on that one dimensional run oriented spread offense. Did you see the Sugar Bowl last year? Georgia was 11th in total defense and 4th in scoring defense but WVU torched them for 500 yards and 38 points. Don't get me wrong, I would pick OSU/Michigan over WVU but I wouldn't count them out. Same goes for Louisville who actually has a better all around offense than WVU does. Yeah that was pretty impressive......for the first half. After the half didnt WVU score like 7 points and almost blow the game. Obviously Georgia was no slouch last year and am not trying to discredit their first half either, but they are awfully one dimensional. I cant speak to how well Georgia's run defense was last year but from what i remember their dline wasnt all that impressive in that game. Michigan is exceptionally strong on the front 4 and OSU has really improved that aspect of their game as the seasons progressed. I agree with a healthy Brohm i give the Louisville offense the edge because they have a better balanced offense.

He has to do this for leverage. I think its just a formality. No way is it a sign that its over.

Keep waiting. Ohio State aint gonna play them for the NC :wink: But yeah, i know what you are saying. WV has no shot at NC, their defense is awful and will get rolled against a good team offensive. Their offense would not blow up against a good defense either. OSU or UM defense will stomp on that one dimensional run oriented spread offense.

Soriano has an extraordinary FB-GB ratio favoring FB. I think him in Wrigley could also improve his power even further or at least remain constitant to his previous years.

You forgot the captain of this cavalcade, Nick Bouniconti. Czonka and Nick Buoniconti are the true purveyors of this over-hyped, self absorbed, champaign toasting, broken knees joke squad. IF the Bears or anyone to that matter go 19-0 i will be glad the earth will never have to hear from their overplayed stories again.

Captain Morgan for me. I met him at a bar in Chicago once. He was giving away free stuff. He's cool

On the blue field too right.

I agree. I he would of dropped and then picked it up, i bet SF would of wanted a review and gotten it overturned to be a incomplete pass. IF....the Bears beat NYG in 2 weeks that will almost certainly wrap up home field advantage. I know it seems early to talk about it, but its damn realistic.

I would be extremely happy if the Cubs are serious about these 2 guys and end up getting them both.

I take it you haven't looked at Wisconsins schedule? Yes i know, it isnt all that impressive. I think they are fairly ranked at 17th. PSU on the other hand is a different story. The played both UM and OSU very competitively. Heck they played OSU tougher than Texas did and the Texas game was at Austin. If PSU wins this game at Camp Randell they should shoot up the charts to at least top 20, not top 25.

PSU V Wisc. Penn State is better than being a non 25 team. Wisconsin's lone loss is to Michigan. PSU's 3 are to Ohio State/Michigan/Notre Dame. Nothing for either of these teams to be ashamed of. Wisconsing has better balance on offense but the defense edge goes to PSU.