Soul

Tribune management may borrow a ton of money to buy back all of its stock from the public. Then it won't have to worry about the stockholders' interests. To pay off all debt they would incur, they would have to sell pieces of the company to buyers who might pay a premium for strategic assets. The L.A. Times looks to be sold to some L.A. locals. The TV stations might go to a Viacom. If the Cubs could get a high price it would be something they would have to consider. Obviously, Tribune has to figure out what kind of company they want to run. Hopefully they decide to run the kind of company that sells the Cubs to an owner who cares about baseball.

exactly, it's a comfort. ...and a commentary. On the amazing lack of credibility among NFL "experts"

I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I'm considering driving up to Minnesota this weekend for the game, thats how much I'm getting into this season. I dunno, I'm probably overconfident or just getting overexcited because of the crappy Cubs season, but these first 2 games the Bears looked like a special team. Say what you want about the teams that they've played, last year we would have played teams like this to a 17-10 score, this year we are blowing them out. Anyways, there are still groups of 2 tickets available at the Metrodome for a reasonable price ($46, which is cheaper then any ticket at soldier field), and I'm not sure if I'll be able to see the team in Chicago this season, so I might do it. Let's just see how they handle the next 2 weeks. It's not just the fact that we played a couple weak sisters. It's also other things. Teams will have film on our pass game & protections now. And the Vikes blitz, unlike the Lions. Plus, I'm still a little concerned that our run game hasn't gotten going, and our defense while very good has still given up too many yards. Everything looks good, but I'm not selling out until I see the Bears beat a team like Seattle. If they do that, then I'll go bazonkers :)

Really? I thought Quinn looked rattled and overmatched. Agree on Samardjia----he's not top 10 calibre, IMO. I think he could still be an effective NFL player though.

The bolded section is what I disagree with. I think they're a pretty average team, and I don't think they have any real "strength". The defense isn't particularly imposing, and neither is the offense. They manage to do things ok and hang around. Both the Vikings and Bears have played teams that are now 0-2. Minny barely beat both of the teams they played. My personal opinion is that the Vikings are overrated, as it seems they are many years. I don't know if they are overrated, I mean, they are underdogs at home. And nobody is going gaga over their start. But I agree with your assessment. I think they are a decent team. 9-7 caliber, but might win 10 thanks to the schedule. But they aren't great in any aspect of the game, while the best teams always seem to be great at something. I think we're talking semantics. To me a 9-7 or 10-6 ballclub is a pretty good team. I do think Minnesota has shown a top-notch running game---so if you're looking for something Minny would hang their hat on, I'd say that's it. Plus, their blitz packages have looked quite impressive, though I agree their defense shouldn't be considered great. We will definitely find out, because I'm quite sure the Bears are a very good team, so as much as this might be a test for us, it's damn well sure a test for Minny too.

Roy also tried to backtrack on his prediction, saying something to the effect of "I was 100% right, if we execute in all facets, we will win." So he's all wet. I liked how Tank called him out after the game. Got to wonder if anyone in the Lions locker room had anything to say to him.

They actually moved the ball well at times, but then the Bears would come up with a big play or a turnover. And it was completely clear the Bears were beating the Lions in the individual matchups, which lead to just a slew of Lions penalties. The Lions had a couple decent runs, and seemed to connect on quite a few 10-15 yard pass plays. But with the score the way it was so early, they were bound to give up yardage eventually. Rivera also said that they played more conservatively once they had the big lead... ...which brings up the Tillman play. Not that I'm complaining, but generally speaking Till would get his head around on that play and stop the pass. He had good position. I wonder what kind of ribbing, if any, he's getting for that. It did basically blow our shot at a double shutout----and I do know the defense keeps track of that stuff among themselves.

They actually moved the ball well at times, but then the Bears would come up with a big play or a turnover. And it was completely clear the Bears were beating the Lions in the individual matchups, which lead to just a slew of Lions penalties.

The line did indeed hit 9 at one point. Many prognosticators picked against the Bears because of that, including guys like Dan Hampton and Hub Arkush (although Hub loves to pick against the Bears since they dumped him). I never thought this would be such a drubbing. The Bears have impressed me beyond any expectations. I'm not going to get too excited yet though, until I see how this team handles some of the better opponents on the schedule. That starts next week with a tough road battle on turf in Minny, and continues with the home game vs. Seattle.

I don't want this to sound like I think the Bears will lose, because I do think this is a winnable game. But Minny is a pretty good team, and they are at home. We haven't beaten Minnesota in the Metrodome for a long time. The difference between Minnesota and our first two opponents is the line play. The Vikings are solid on both lines, as are the Bears. Brad Johnson gets criticized all the time----that's completely unfounded, he's a Super Bowl winning QB with a ton of experience and one of the sharpest minds in football. If the Bears can get pressure on him, we should be able to limit the output in the passing game. However, the Vikings are an excellent running team as well. This is no easy game, IMO. The Bears can win it, but it will take much more effort than the past two weeks.

There's definitely some of that going around. Charlie has tried to stop it, but to no avail. Quinn's on TV out of uniform more than I ever remember Leinart. Like you say, ND is not a championship contender, as was evidenced today by getting beat badly by a team that won't even win their conference (and might not even come in 2nd).

I would think that what we see as the #1 priority will never be what Angelo sees. Didn't he have a reputation of ignoring O line in Tampa? First priority is extending Briggs, Vasher, and Tommie Harris. The D is the identity of the team, the strength of the team. They have to keep these guys to stay at such a dominant level. Even a minor drop off in defense could kill this team because the offense while improved, isn't near strong enough. Priority #2 is the O-Line. Hopefully one of these young receivers can establish themself as a big time player so priority #3 won't have to be a WR. i get the feeling that angelo isnt going to re-sign briggs. he's arrogant enough to think that he can replace briggs like he replaced colvin. You and me both. I don't think he'll be back after this year. I don't want to overpay Briggs if it means we can't resign someone like Tommy Harris. Tommy Harris > Briggs The contract that Briggs is asking for is absurd. I would tend to agree. Also, is Angelo really arrogant for thinking he can replace Briggs? He found Lance sitting at home in Arizona on draft day, expecting to be picked on the second day. Most "experts" thought he had reached badly. What makes everyone think this can't be done again? As for Urlacher money.......the market has gone up since Urlacher signed, but I still don't think Lance is worth that much, and I definitely don't want to break up this DLine in order to sign Urlacher's sidekick. Briggs wants a huge payday, and I don't blame him. But just like Wilbur Marshall a long time ago------when you go to play for another team, just remember you won't have that hall of fame MLB taking all the OLine chip shots for you so you can make plays.

You know, I played baseball for quite a few years in my youth. Beyond just being a fan, when I played I never considered it a terribly taxing sport, and of the hundreds of other guys I played with there were almost no injuries. Yes, I know you cannot compare this to major league baseball. But something just doesn't seem right. We shouldn't be suffering more injuries than the Bears under *any* circumstances. Something is just not right with this picture.

i think he is the best option in the system until ep is ready. alot of people on this board were stoked to get freel or loretta to play 2b and i think theriot can be at least as good as they are. i like what i've seen from theriot alot and think he can be better than just a utility player if given a shot. Based on what? His career numbers thus far aren't terribly better than Cedeno's. And who is to say that Patterson is even the answer down the line? Just because they're young doesn't automatically make them good. Yes, I always take these late-season performances from guys out of the minors with an enormous grain of salt. There are too many players who are capable of looking good in September for teams out of the playoff race. But when the following season starts and the games count again, they disappear. I suspect if Theriot is put into a starting role next year, this is exactly what will happen.

Is this good news though? My point being if he didn't hold up at that level, what hope is there that he will be able to string together 2 or 3 years of full time workhorse pitching? Fantastic arm. It would be a shame if he went the Wood route.

Without Kerry and a ? on Prior? Deffinatly. They (JH) know that we are in dire need of Picthing. If Miller imrpoves he might look good as a possible #4 #5 quality guy. JH still needs to out out there and get that bonified Ace like starter. . Or how about long relief? Surely he's an upgrade over someone like Rusch.

Thats what I'm rooting for...embarassment and overhaul. Sadly, I don't think anyone involved in this team feels any sense of shame except for Zambrano who's pissed off he isn't invulnerable. That works for me, except it sort of assumes Hendry just doesn't understand how bad it is.........ergo, if we simply get bad enough, then that little switch in his head will flip and he will do something about it. Trouble is, I'm starting to think Hendry knows very well how bad it is. He just doesn't have the ability to fix it.

I think the point, mg, is that you may be aiming a little low. Why try to force what could be a decent utility guy in Theriot into a starting role, when you would be better served just upgrading the position with an actual starting-quality 2B?

I think it's bit shortsighted to say Theriot has earned the 2B job next year. He's 2 years older than Ronny and has about the same OPS throughout his minor league career. I'm all for replacing Ronny with a better player, but Theriot has not earned the starting 2B job for next year. he fields well, runs well, hits well, bunts well, and has had some big clutch hits. i dont think cedeno's minor leauge #'s mean much the way he has played the past few months. aside from his very weak hitting, his supposedly very good defense has gone south and he's been brutal in the field. unless the cubs decide to go out and spend big $ on a free agent or make a trade for a 2b (which would make no sense imo with ep in iowa), i think theriot would be the best option (with perhaps fontent to compliment him) in 2007. But again, how does this mean anything whatsoever? This is garbage time. To me, making Theriot the standup favorite to start @ 2B has "rebuilding year" written all over it. And that's fine, I guess, but I certainly doubt the Cubs will admit it if they go that route.

....then we start '07 with the worst outfield in the NL, just as we did this season. I'm not convinced Theriot is a long-term answer @ 2B. Didn't we go down this road with Cedeno last year? You certainly can't take what a young player does in garbage time and extrapolate that into some kind of permanent forecast.

Jim, I think its time to look at door #2. I agree that, if Prior was healthy, he could be better than Zambrano. I think some people have forgotten his comeback in 2005, before he was hit by that line drive. He hasn't been the same since, but if he starts next season healthy, he could be. Still, I don't think anyone is going to guarantee Prior will be productive next year. The problem is, at this point, that argument is academic. Whether or not you believe Prior is coming back, we still could use a good front of the rotation starter. If you write off Prior, we'd need someone to be the number two. We might need a number three also, but since there really aren't enough available impact pitchers to restock our rotation from the market, it doesn't make a difference. I say, they should see what Prior can do next year, and try to improve the rotation regardless. Hendry had better come up with 2 or 3 starters if he's going to fulfill his promise to "fix this thing" in the offseason.

They must have more speed and clog the bases less. They can really catch the ball. I saw John Kruk saying they "know" how to play the "game" today. Good pitching, fielding, and running the bases plus timely hitting. And if John Kruk says it you know it has to be true :lol: You're damn right it has to be. Why don't we just get it over with and hire him as gm and Darren Daulton as manager? Might be good to hire Dutchie because he'll have incentive to win the Cubs a World Series before the world ends in 2012 That would be great. We could put Mayan calendars all around Wrigley field. "Countdown to Doomsday." Hey, if you're going to lose 100 games, may as well go completely over the edge 8)

Come on man is that really needed? He has a serious health problem. All he has done is try to get a spot on a big league team, he hasn't hurt anyone. Get Well Glendon. Save it. If your gonna spew venom do it towards everyone making comments like this. Soccer10k said pretty much the same thing I did. Furthermore, Im pretty sure those who have been around here a while know im not the type of person to try to slam someone when they're down. It was nothing more than a light-hearted comment. Dont get your undies in a bunch. Frankly, I don't see a problem with either of our comments. I said I hoped he got better (which was sincere even though I said for the 2008 season) and expressed my desire to never throw another pitch for the Cubs again. I was not being sarcastic and did not imply that I didn't want him to get healthy again. For yours, I'm sure you meant no ill will towards Glendon and were just trying to make a joke. I laughed. We didn't say we hope this forces him to retire. We didn't wish serious physical harm upon Glendon. I don't really see the big deal with this. Other people besides myself and Roast said things along the same lines. Someone will pick him up. He's a lefty with experience. Sometimes I think GMs just ignore the stats when it comes to those guys. "Lefty? Experienced? Sign him!!" "But sir, his WHIP is 2.5 and his ERA last year was 10.50...." "Sign him!"

:oops: brain fart. But how about those Falcons?? :D Several underdogs took it to the favorites last week. It was good to see. For a moment there, I even thought good old Dick Jauron was going to upset the Pats. But alas, no..... Let's see how Detroit plays away from the turf----away from their home crowd. I've seen the Lions play well at home many times, but on the road they have generally been a junk team. They'll have to stick it to the beloved on our turf before I concede they have improved. *KNOCK ON WOOD* here's hoping they don't.

I'm not a doctor, but I think a blood clot in the lung can flat out kill you. Glad they caught it, and hope Glendon is O.K.