One More Year

I know we're knee-deep in a great baseball season for Chicago, but there are things happening in the football world. The Bears picked up a new running back (fresh off ACL surgery) for league minimum. It's a potentially good deal, but there's a high risk of failure, too. I feel like Garrett Wolfe is going to get the bounce before he ever got to prove himself.

There are rumors of an interest in Chris Sims which just seems like adding a third QB that's exactly the same as the other two. What's the point? I think any money spent at QB this year is a waste of resources. (There are too many other needs.)

My plan for this year is to hang on for the ride. I think it'll be bumpy and ugly at least, maybe sad. The one spot I will watch, however, is special teams. If the Bears are a bust but the special teams squad is still performing at a high level (with significant personnel changes), that's testament to the coaching ability of one Dave Toub. Maybe I'm crazy here, but if the Bears tank, I'd start the petition to put Toub at the helm.

Maybe I'm idealizing this, but special teams has to be concerned with offensive and defensive play - plus kicking. Toub's guys always seem prepared, disciplined, and angry - just what we need on our offense AND defense.

Don't get me wrong - I like Lovie, but I am very sick of our limp offense. I blame Turner for this 100%. Ron Turner, that is - I blame Angelo for not landing Michael Turner as soon as the season was over. Shit, I could see that Benson was well on his way to bust-ville before the shenanigans this spring. I think I called bullshit on him after the Superbowl appearance. And if you know a year in advance that T. Jones is a short-timer, don't you start looking if your draft pick (Benson) has already wracked up two injuries?

I'll reserve judgment on the defense because of all the injuries last year. However, if they have less injuries and are not a top ten defense this year, it's time to show Bubba, and at that point Lovie, the door. Instead of re-tread, Toub is my choice for a replacement.

Of course, the defense has some phenomenal players and our offense (depending on the line and running game) could be good - anything seems possible with Devin Hester.

Dear, New York

I always thought you guys were kinda dumb-ass pieces of crap. Thanks for clearing the whole matter up with the Papelbon story. You heckled his pregnant wife, booed him even though he was on your side, and booed him off the mound even though the run that was scored was unearned. Now, I know you're dumb-ass pieces of crap.

Home Run Derby Sucks.

The Home Run Derby is the stupidest thing in all of sports. Feel free to disagree with me here. In fact, if you do disagree with me, I'd love to hear why. The only possible competition for the "Stupidest Thing in All of Sports" is the Slam Dunk Contest.

It's the context that makes home runs cool - pitcher vs. hitter, the tension of the game, the shift in momentum. MLB has stripped that all away and given us glorified tee ball. Then, they make it last for 3 hours with endless replays of meaningless moments of guys hitting a ball with a stick.

Imagine if they had guys skate down the ice and shoot at an empty net at the NHL All Star game. Of course, they might... I've never seen an NHL All Star Game. I don't think anyone ever has.

Or imagine if before the Pro Bowl, they had guys just standing there and then players built up a head of steam and smashed into the other guy. Actually, that would be kind of cool. Nevermind.

The point is, the MLB Home Run Derby is like editing all your porn down to just the money shots. I'm lookin' at you edP.

Cricket sucks.

Brewers Land Pitcher With 39th Best ERA in the League!

Okay... I know Sabathia's good, but he wasn't even the best pitcher on his team. Plus, he's moving from a division that scored 413 runs per team to a division that scores 506 runs per team. I'm not sure how I feel about the Harden trade, yet. The Cubs don't have the best record with fragile pitchers, although Wood looks great this year (knock on...).

Lee Elia was right...

Cubs fans are the worst. The other day, I was driving with Buddy George (whom, I should say, I love like a brother however vehemently I disagree with his baseball analysis) and it was the day Dempster gave up 8 runs. I said, "everyone's gonna have a bad inning now and again," and I could tell Geo was about to launch into a "Dumpster" tirade. He had that John Belushi raised eyebrow expression and said, "Well..."

I had to remind him that Dempster had the best record on our team - that he was undefeated at home. George also thinks Wood is washed up. Unfortunately, George is not alone. There's this "what have you done for me lately" attitude that most Cub fans have. They are not particularly aware of how well (or otherwise) a player is doing - I think the players are more like characters on a TV show to them.

I just watched Wood shut 'em down again tonight with sick, sick stuff to get his 21st save of the season. He's not leading the league, but as a team at the front of the standings, you hope you end games leading by enough that a save opportunity never comes up. The best teams in baseball rarely have the saves leader on their squad. As for Dempster, he pitched well enough to get his first road win, but the 'pen blew it for him.

So, fellow Cubs fans, talk your silly talk amongst yourselves, but please don't let fans of other teams hear to doing it. Save us all the embarrassment.