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Missing out on him hurts, it would've been a significant move as he is one of the better pitchers in the league and would've given the Cubs three top pitchers. It was an outstanding move by the Tigers and the Cubs probably did their best while not overspending on him and the odds were stacked against them of signing him given Detroit's budget, played there last year, and Detroit isn't rebuilding. They still need more starters... But getting Jackson isn't the same as getting Sanchez, there a 2 year difference, better control, etc. Sanchez is a better pitcher than Jackson as Greinke is/was the best pitcher in this class, but Sanchez was the better pickup given their contracts and lesser differences in productions. With that said, even if Jackson could be the best bargain of the off-season, the Cubs aren't in a great position to look at production per $ spent compared to overall production compared to other teams given their likely payroll flexibility and lack of overall talent. I have been disappointed with their results, I still think they will build a quality team and have the tools and methods to do so. There's no need to say everything will be ok when something doesn't work out and there's no need to bring up every failure when something new doesn't work out. Just as there's no need to praise this FO when something good happens and bring up every negative prior to that positive. Nothing wrong with evaluating things at face value.

Here's some local coaching news... North Park Univ. (3225 W. Foster, Chicago) has hired Mike Conway as their HC, he previously was the defensive coordinator at California (PA).

I'm holding off on the outstanding recruiter label until he lands one of the five star Chicago kids. But yeah, I'm thrilled to have him. It's impossible to judge him as a recruiter based on Ohio or Illinois yet, but his track record at OSU is impressive as a recruiter.

Thamel is now reporting that Golden is not leaving.

Program----------2012 Coach-------------2013 Coach Arkansas---------John L. Smith------------Bret Bielema Arkansas State---Gus Malzahn-------------Bryan Harsin Auburn----------Gene Chizik---------------Gus Malzahn Boston College----Frank Spaziani-----------Steve Addazio Cal--------------Jeff Tedford---------------Sonny Dykes Cincinnati-------Butch Jones---------------Tommy Tuberville Colorado--------Jon Embree---------------Mike MacIntyre FIU-------------Mario Cristobal Georgia State------Bill Curry---------------Trent Miles Idaho------------Robb Akey----------------Paul Petrino Kent State ------Darrell Hazell Kentucky---------Joker Phillips--------------Mark Stoops LA Tech----------Sonny Dykes NC State---------Tom O'Brien---------------Dave Doeren Northern Illinois----Dave Doeren-------------Rod Carey Purdue-------------Danny Hope------------Darrell Hazell Southern Miss------Ellis Johnson------------Todd Monken Temple-------------Steve Addazio Tennessee--------Derek Dooley-------------Butch Jones Texas Tech--------Tommy Tuberville---------Kliff Kingsbury San Jose State-----Mike MacIntyre South Florida-------Skip Holtz---------------Willie Taggart UTEP--------------- Mike Price--------------Sean Kugler Western Kentucky----Willie Taggart----------Bobby Petrino Western Michigan-----Bill Cubit Wisconsin------------Bret Bielema

I've been so impressed with Groce as a coach, he uses the talents of the squad and lets them capitalize on those talents, they're not trying to be an interior team with perimeter shooters. He's an outstanding recruiter who might be an equally impressive x's and o's guy.

Reports have his pad levels too high at POA but they also say he is not shy at sticking his nose in there. Do you think there's a chance Otten falls to the 4th rd? As of now, yes. But he has potential to be a combine stud, and boost his stock. I'm hoping he's there in the 4th, if not, I think Kelce out of Cincy is a sleeper in teh 5th.

Reports have his pad levels too high at POA but they also say he is not shy at sticking his nose in there. Do you think there's a chance Otten falls to the 4th rd?

Dew, UK just hired Hinshaw, any thoughts?

I hated that loss too. We had a ridiculous amount of talent on the offensive line when Harry Heistand was here - I honestly believe the entire 5 starting o-linemen will play in the NFL - but it underperformed dramatically in run blocking. When Pittman came in a year ago, the running game went from 90 yds/gm in 2011 to 160 yds/gm. We also went from 2.8 yds/rush in 2011 to 4.7 yds/rush in 2012. Part of that was adding Jay Graham to the staff, but a lot of that was Pittman as well. Butch runs a zone blocking scheme and there's some question how well Pittman can coach that scheme, but unless that was the case I struggle to see the o-line coach as anything but a downgrade. I was hoping he'd end up in Lexington, but UK went after Troy's O-Line coach.

I absolutely love Chaney. Reports are he's a relentless recruiter and I know 1 or 2 really good offensive linemen (Zac Fulton being one) who threatened to decommit if Dooley didn't retain Chaney when Lane left. He's primarily an offensive line and QB guy, able to work with both quite well. Most people around here believe he was the primary guy who turned Jonathan Crompton from a complete trainwreck in 2008 to a good SEC QB in 2009. The players love him as well, as he got a Gatorade bath as the interim HC when we beat Kentucky this year. He likes to run the spread with a lot of pistol mixed in and does have a tendency to get a little pass happy, but that could simply be because we had Bray/Hunter/CP/Rivera/Rogers on offense. I was typically really happy with his playcalling, though. He's also been a coach in the NFL, so he's got the extra credibility from that in recruiting. I think he'd be a great hire for Missouri. He's the coach I'm most unhappy with Butch Jones for letting go - I think it's really going to hurt our offense going forward. Any thoughts on losing Pittman as the O-Line coach?

I've played out this scenario a few times. I'd take Thomas or Fluker in the 1st because of the desperate need for OL, but there's a decent chance one will be there when the Bears pick in the 2nd. And even better chance guys like Warford (who I like a lot) and Aboushi would be there. Ogletree though, looks like a SLB to me, at least early in his career. I guess Briggs could call the D, or you could bring back Roach at MLB for a year or two though. And despite the obvious Mich ST. comparison, Sims seems an awful lot like Kellen Davis. Both huge monsters known more for blocking coming out of college. Sims may have a better resume in the passing game, but I agree, it scares me too. There's a couple small school TEs that are interesting in the mid rounds, but I don't know that the Bears can wait that long to get a legit starter. I disagree with you on Ogletree as far as the Sam and Mike, and I dont have to explain to you the need of the Mike to drop back into coverage. It plays into Ogletree perfectly as far as him being the most athletic LB in the draft being a former safety like Urlacher coming out of UNM. There are several good UFA TEs as well. I think they need Long via FA get Worford in the 2nd lock up two new starters Webb, Carimi, etc for RT. Lewis is their best current OL by far with Garza serviceable at C. Id start Ogletree at MLB next to Urlacher and Briggs, to ease him into the position better.

They are saying that Tee Martin will not join the Vols staff, which is surprising.

At this point, I think they need look at Ogletree at ILB in the 1st and look OL with either Thomas, Fluker, Aboushi, or Warford in the 2nd. Maybe grab Dion Sims in the 4th as I try and not get sucked into the I won't draft a TE from Mich St. b/c of Davis temptation.

I'd have preferred Butch Davis, but yeah, I'd trade head coaches with Western Kentucky in a heartbeat. While I like Stoops, I'd rather have Petrino over Stoops at UK.

Here's a copy of Jones' Memorandum of Understanding. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tenn/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/butch_jones_mou_12072012.pdf Ironically, I like the idea of Jim Fassel (who is interested in Col) more than Butch Jones.

Hard to win many bidding wars against T Boone Pickens? And Papa John's - Louisville is apparently putting together a really hefty extension to keep Strong. I doubted Gundy was a realistic option from the beginning (largely because of T-Boone)and speculation both here and in Oklahoma is that he used Tennessee and Arkansas interest to show OSU administration how valued he is around the country. I'm at the point where if Strong turns us down, I'm all for giving the job to either Petrino or Butch Davis and just hoping they don't do something stupid. I don't see UT going after either of those two with their histories, I hope I'm right as they're the best possible choices right now.

Wisconsin fans will have to cross their fingers because Boston [expletive] College has its sights set on Golden. If I was UW, I would offer the position to Bevell.

It seemed likely anyways. It's a shame he was having a down year before the injury Ryan Clady will surely be re-signed/tagged so we have to hope for Brandon Albert to hit free agency, I think. It's a flashback to the Williams draft. This OL did a good job yesterday as far as pass blocking but Forte had nothing to run thru. There biggest needs are OL/TE as mentioned. But maybe I'm too critical of Bears' playcallers but am I the only one who thinks dating back to Turner' 1st go-around that they have all been crap? I'm starting to question my own judgement.

This is going to be a rough one, from the games I watched there's no PG and Cal's offense relies on that. There's no flow to this group nor a true scorer. This is the price they pay for being a one and done team.

I think Strong will end up in at UT, he's been laying the groundwork for his departure and as already mentioned everything went well. It'll be interesting with Butch Jones and see what Purdue offered and what Cincy will try and match with Colorado's offer of 5yr at 13.5 mil. TCU's Patterson likely isn't going anywhere. Sonny Dykes has not rec'd an offer yet from as Hazell from Kent St. is interviewing there today.

Kyle had bad info on Stoops I guess I wouldve preferred Petrino but they had no shot at him. Stoops looks solid and hopefully can raid FSUs current staff. Hes been a successful recruiter and has a national web. Also rumors of redoing all of their facilities. Much more excited about this hire than Brooks or Phillips.

How strong are the rumors of Petrino to Auburn? Its amazing that Fischer or Stoops would leave but with a place as great as UT, I could see it. Gruden in a college enviroment would be amazing till he pulls a Doug Collins and burns out.

They exposed the fact he could only hit FBs pretty quickly.

I fear Gruden ending up in Knoxville. Im hoping he ends up at USC or the pros. I want UK to be where Ole Miss is in 1 to 2 years.