CuseCubFan69

the national media hates the colts! Seriously, what's with the trolling? You're acting more and more like an Eagles fan every day. The national media has unloaded almost an unprecedented level of hate on the Bears this postseason. To pretend otherwise, or that Bears fans are paranoid for thinking this is just complete ignorance of the facts. The Bears aren't even the most criticized team to play for a title in 2007 - the Florida Gators take that honor, and they take it miles ahead of the Bears. Did everybody pick the Gators to lose the SEC title game? Did everybody say their QB was the worst to ever play in a national title game? I don't think the Gators were as criticized as the Bears. There were definitely as many people picking against them in the big game, but that was more of a case of people overhyping OSU. Whomever they played would have been considered a huge underdog. These taunts are Bears specific. Had the Saints moved on, they'd be getting a lot more respect. Had the Eagles beaten the Saints and then the Bears, they would be the ultra-hot team with a poised veteran QB ready to given Manning a real test. Ever since Grossman had a couple bad games, the national media decided that the Bears could not win in the postseason with him. They brushed aside the many outstanding games, and ignored the couple decent games and focused slowly on the disaster games. The Bears scored as many points as Indy in the regular season and gave up a whole lot less, yet all people are talking about is how boring and inept the run-only offense is and how weak the defense was down the stretch. Regardless, it's unprecedented as far as NFL talk is concerned, I wasn't really comparing them to college football, where the discussion often centers around a whole lot more than the game (ie, polls/BCS controversy, etc) I don't understand why you even care if they are respected. If the Bears win the Super Bowl who cares what the "experts" think? At least they get a chance to prove it on the field unlike college football.

Maybe his friend Hendry is trying to up the ante from the AL teams to make Floyd some more money.

Me too. I just can not imagine a manager saying this about a player and a player that may be playing for him this year.

Good point. He's as good as gone then.

I'm leaning towards switching to that line of thinking. But if a team doesn't win the final game, would I want to go back and buy a t-shirt? For this, though, I think I'll wait for the SB t-shirt (although the navy locker room shirt does look nice). FTR, and off the subject, the next time one of my teams wins a title (knock on wood), I'm going to buy everything I can. Hats, t-shirts, DVDs, sweatshirts, everything. I'll be doing the same thing as well. I don't like any paraphernalia outside the basic Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, etc, with the lone exception of the actual championship stuff. I cannot understand why anybody would buy an NFC North Champion hat or t-shirt, or NL wild card winner. It's completely silly to me to see somebody wearing something that basically says, "yeah, we qualified for the playoffs but didn't do so well in the playoffs but still we qualified for the playoffs and I'm really pumped about that". So I take it you're selling your "Cubs 2003 playoffs" stuff then?

I think it was more of a speculation that they'd be interested in Lovie than a report that they are interested. I think the Bears will extend Angelo and Smith this week. But if they end up trading Lovie for picks I wouldn't cry (or did the NFL stop that following the Gruden situation?). The talent on the field is more important than the head coach. And Angelo is responsible for the talent. I would think Angelo would have a VERY tough sell PR-wise if the Bears win the Super Bowl and he doesn't want to give Lovie his payday. I would love to see the Cowboys go after Cowher and have to give the Steelers a big compensation package. I was hoping Miami would try that as well. I don't think Jones will pursue Cowher. Had Parcells stayed another year until Cowher was no longer under contract, it might have been a possibility. Vance....please let me know what happens to coach P when you find out.

Vance won't because ......"Its guy love oh guy love....love between two guys."

They just said on mike and mike that the Cowboys are interested in Lovie Smith. He's from Texas and a Cowboy fan. Interesting.

Sort of. He got hurt in the first game of the season, IIRC and his swing struggled for a while when he came back. He did have a really impressive spring training with the big club. Perhaps that's what you are remembering. You're right.

TO goes off on Parcells. You gotta love this guy for at least being consistant.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm really worried about this as well. Freeny especially is good at knocking the ball loose when he gets to the quarterback as well. Can't let that happen. I saw Freeny sack Vick 4 times in a game here in the Dome, I loved it. If he's healthy he's going to cause problems but I think what Bellicheck did was a pretty good idea, he had a shorter lineman match up with him which worked out ok for the Pats.

I'd deal (in order of preference): Eyre, Dempster, Ohman or Cotts to make room for Wood. But I think Hendry would option Wuertz to Iowa. Of course either scenario assumes Miller is not also DL'd. Guzman impressing in ST and Wood, Miller & Prior all being healthy would defintely make things interesting. A good interesting and something I hope happens. I see you sent down Cedeno. Does Izturis play SS for 162 games or do you think Theriot can fill in? This position really worries me. I think Cedeno making the 25-man is not out of the question - and fine with me if he replaces Pagan. I'd just prefer to see him have some success at Iowa- more incentive for the Cubs to forego Izturis' '08 option, or at least create some trade value for Cedeno. My preference would be: Three full time players (Lee, Soriano, Ramirez) Six 3/4 time players (Izturis/Jones/Barrett/DeRosa/Murton/Theriot) Izturis/Theriot SS Jones/DeRosa RF Murton/Floyd LF (not something I'd choose, but inevitable if Floyd is signed IMO) DeRosa/Theriot 2B Barrett/Blanco C I think the DeRosa/Jones platoon is a real possibility, but frankly I'd be surprised to see Theriot getting a quarter of the starts at SS. You lose Pagan and who backs up CF? Jones?

Hahaha. Thats a constructive use of time. And bonus points for the student who nabs some Cubs-Sox tickets where I can utilize the profits to finance my trip. An education on capitalism, very good Vance.

I'd deal (in order of preference): Eyre, Dempster, Ohman or Cotts to make room for Wood. But I think Hendry would option Wuertz to Iowa. Of course either scenario assumes Miller is not also DL'd. Guzman impressing in ST and Wood, Miller & Prior all being healthy would defintely make things interesting. A good interesting and something I hope happens. I see you sent down Cedeno. Does Izturis play SS for 162 games or do you think Theriot can fill in? This position really worries me.

Melo and AI ought to be an interesting show from here. I might even watch an NBA game if they are on.

Are you old enough to remember 85'? This is the stuff that makes me feel old, and I am not even that old. 1985 seems like it wasn't that long ago....but it was. I've watched all the Colt Super Bowls! "Seems like....seems like 1985" A Bowling for Soup tune for you Bear fans.

I'm curious about the Cedeno/Theriot battle. If the Riot can prove he can play backup SS he'll win but if he can't I think Cedeno will.

Who do you drop if Wood comes off the DL early (before opening day) and you think Prior will be healthy?

So maybe Pie's nickname should be wow. Great stuff Vance, thanks. Wasn't Dope having a pretty good year before he got hurt?

Triple B, Short of the Cubs acquiring a right-handed platoon partner for Jones, I still think that when the Cubs are facing a lefty, Lou Piniella will consider using DeRosa in RF and starting Theriot at 2B. Hoops So who's playing SS against R and/or L hand pitching?

We know these guys really know what they're talking about.

Wow...that's pretty young.

Let's have a video conference type thing when the Cubs make a big trade or during a game.

Thanks. Furthermore, in private I asked McDonough about mending bridges with Sosa and he said he said that would be something that should happen. He said Sosa has made some indirect overtures toward that goal, but that he hadn't spoken to Sosa directly. He did acknowledge that the divorce from the Cubs with Sosa was a messy, but stated that "Sosa was one of the most powerful forces in baseball (not just the Cubs) over the past ten years" and stated it would be unfortunate if the Cubs didn't mend that bridge. When I stated that I'd love to see a flag with #21 on the fould poles along with those for Banks, Williams, Sandberg and Santo he said that someday in the future that should happen. In my talks with McDonough, I was really impressed with him. I understand he's a marketing guy, so maybe he just knows how to spin things, but I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being. BTW, the Trib says that Marquis is still welcome to take #21. Yikes....good luck with that Marquis. Wait, he does have a shot at Sosa's 66 HR's though between hitting them and giving them up.

True. I'm curious on how Ward feels about the Cubs signing Floyd? I would assume that he thought he would be the main lefty off the bench....of course he still may be if Floyds injury problems continue.