One of the most irritating things you’ll see and hear from part of the fan base for the Chicago Cubs is the overblown criticism of Pedro Strop. One bad appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals and some fans all of a sudden forget that since the Cubs traded for him in 2013, Strop has been one of the best relievers in their franchise history.
No, that’s not an exaggeration. Pedro Strop is one of the best relievers in a Cubs uniform during their entire existence.
A reminder for anyone who needs it, Pedro Strop is the only reliever in Cubs history to post 5 straight sub 3.00 ERA seasons.
Strop has been filling in for Brandon Morrow as the closer and picked up two more saves this past weekend against the San Diego Padres. Strop is on his way to a sixth consecutive season with a sub 3.00 ERA, which again he would be the only reliever to accomplish in the history of the Cubs.
Not only is he underrated among his own fan base, but across baseball too. Whether the stupid noise coming from idiot fans, who are bothered by how Strop wears his hat that may take attention away from his performance, there’s no question that the righty produces year in and year out.
Maddon on Strop: "He's probably as consistent as any reliever in baseball."
On Pedro Strop Day, the Cubs veteran reliever said he feels like he helps the team even when he doesn't pitch because of the positive vibes and energy he brings to clubhouse.
"It's just me. They accept me the way I am and I love the way they accept me."
Angel Hernandez was a terrible umpire 17 years ago when he ejected Steve “Mongo” McMichael from the press box at Wrigley Field, where the former Chicago Bears player called him out for being awful. Nothing’s changed since that 2001 incident, Angel Hernandez still sucks ass and the fact that he’s still employed by MLB is embarrassing.
This isn’t a Cubs-only thing either. Ask any fan from all 30 teams and I bet they all have at least one Hernandez memory of him making flat out brutal calls. Sunday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres came to a frustrating end, as Anthony Rizzo took a called third strike by Hernandez.
It was nowhere near the strike zone.
How does Angel Hernandez still have a job? Pitch #7 is called a strike to end the ball game. pic.twitter.com/ACP4Y0xnjU
Anthony Rizzo went off on home plate umpire Angel Hernandez for that game-ending strike call. Said he has the utmost respect for Hernandez and a good working relationship, but said the call was "unacceptable."
"He told me to look at it (on replay). I did. He's wrong."
As soon as the call was made, Rizzo gave Hernandez a piece of his mind.
The Cubs were down 10-6, and obviously with two outs in the ninth, the chances they come back and tie or win the game after that horrible call were slim.
Yet, the point is these calls happen all the damn time and it can’t be acceptable.
Rizzo: "That can't happen in the big leagues. … Every at bat counts. It doesn't matter if you're up 20 or down 20."
What’s MLB going to do about it? Nothing, and that’s the real problem.
I don’t know about you, but constantly seeing obviously blown calls during every single at bat isn’t making the experience enjoyable. And I’m not exaggerating.
Every damn umpire calling balls and strikes, for one, doesn’t seem to have the same strike zone on consecutive pitches…
Two Kyle Hendricks 87mph Fastballs, Overlayed.
First two pitches of the 6th inning. One was a strike…the other was a ball. 🤔
Man, if only there was some technology available that has the exact same strike zone every time.
Be mad at Angel Hernandez and other awful umpires, but the real anger should be toward MLB for continuing to let them make these terrible calls every single game.
It’s that time again, Raider Nation. Fantasy football season is fast approaching and it’s time to nosedive your fantasy prospects by drafting like a homer and taking way too many players from your favorite team. If you simply have to be a fantasy “Stan,” Sin City Mockery has ranked the most fantasy-relevant Raiders players for the 2018 season so you can be the best sycophant you can be.
While it’s easy to immediately draft a running back, the Raiders defense is looking like it’s going to be piss poor, so it might be most advantageous to look at wide receiver and quarterback. With a fragile and thin defense, the Raiders are going to find themselves playing catchup or trying to keep pace with opposition scoring.
Jordy Nelson
Signed in the offseason, Nelson is a veteran pass-catcher with a great deal of savvy and upside. The Green Bay Packers felt his value wasn’t worth the pay so they let him walk right into the Black Hole, where he will now catch everything thrown his way from Raiders QB Derek Carr. Already getting rave reviews for his quickness and deceptive speed, Nelson figures to be Carr’s safety valve while defenses attempt to lock down Amari Cooper and slow the speed of Martavis Bryant. Nelson tallied 53 catches, 482 yards and six touchdowns last year with Aaron Rodgers out for most of the season and Brett Hundley under center. Hundley was about as bad as you can get, and the Nelson’s number’s suffered. Now he has a healthy Carr and will more than likely command single coverage most of the time. Projection: 82 catches, 775 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns
Amari Cooper
It feels like every year Raiders fans hype up Cooper’s potential, only to somehow be disappointed with his play or his health. With a strong receiving corps in Oakland, Cooper is out of excuses. Playing in 14 games last season, Cooper netted just 48 catches for 680 yards after catching 83 balls for 1,153 yards in 2016 and 72 catches for 1,070 yards in 2015. Amazingly gifted, Cooper just can’t seem to put consistent stretches together. He’ll rock out 200-plus yards one week, then just 28 the next. It makes for a terribly frustrating fantasy season, but with Nelson, Bryant, and tight end Jared Cook lining up alongside him, Cooper could return to excellence. If he doesn’t, it’s time to start looking elsewhere for fantasy production. Projection: 69 catches, 860 yards, 9 touchdowns
Derek Carr
The Raiders’ signal caller enters his fifth season in the NFL. Carr is coming off a mediocre, at best, season in 2017. The Fresno State alum completed 323 passes of 515 attempts for 3,496 yards, 22 TDs and 13 interceptions. In his defense, he was coming off a terrible leg injury the previous season but his QB rating was its lowest since his rookie season. With Cooper, Nelson, Bryant, and Cook in the stable, Carr has plenty of horses to feed the ball to. He should throw up some strong numbers, especially if the defense struggles to stop opposing offenses. A ton of mop-up points could really turn the tide. He is an excellent QB2 in two-QB leagues. Still not sold he’s elite though. Projection: 4,100 passing yards, 29 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions, 39 rushing attempts, 80 yards, 1 touchdown
Marshawn Lynch
“Beast Mode” takes fourth in value when it comes to the Silver & Black. Lynch has been on the downside of his greatness for a year or two now, and his stats are starting to show it. Last season, Lynch ran for 891 yards on 207 carries for a 4.3 yards per carry average (YPC). It was better than 2016 — his final season in Seattle — where he ran for just 417 yards and averaged just 3.8 YPC. Running backs have a short shelf life in the NFL and the addition of “Muscle Hamster,” Doug Martin, his touches could go down. Martin is just two seasons removed from a 1,400-yard season. With the defense projecting to struggle, Lynch isn’t much of an option when trailing. He is a bruiser who makes his pay banging heads in the trenches and running over others. If you have to draft a Raiders RB, of course Lynch is the best choice but it looks as if he and Martin will have to share. Projection: 155 carries, 650 yards, 6 touchdowns, 25 catches, 150 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Martavis Bryant
Bryant enters the season with huge question marks. Traded by the Steelers for what amounted to a bag of footballs, Bryant’s off-the-field behavior has raised many concerns. The 26-year-old caught 26 balls for 549 yards last season, and was clearly beaten out by JuJu Smith-Schuster midway through the season. If the kid can hit his potential, he could be a very sneaky play during bye weeks, especially. Of course, if he becomes a distraction, he’ll be gone faster than Jon Gruden can film a Corona Light commercial. Projection: 47 catches, 725 yards, 4 touchdowns
Jared Cook
A mid-tier tight end, Cook has always had the potential to stand out and throw up some big numbers. In a league where there are only a few quality tight end options like “Gronk,” you’ve got to find someone who can grind a bit. Cook put up strong numbers last year (54 catches, 688 yards) but struggled to find the end zone (just twice in 2017). Tight ends should be TD machines but 43 yards per game is strong, IF he can find pay dirt. In what looks to be a pass-happy offense, Cook could still have a few big weeks. There are worse tight end options in the league. Projection: 45 receptions, 625 yards, 5 touchdowns
Doug Martin
Martin will be a strong handcuff to Lynch. He may also vulture a few scores here and there. While he is no longer a 1,400-plus yard rusher, “Muscle Hamster” can still throw up a few big games. If Lynch goes down, Martin will assume full control of this offensive backfield. A healthy Lynch means splitting carries, with Lynch getting probably 65 percent of the touches. If you draft Lynch, you have to snag Martin late as the handcuff. Projection: 38 carries, 395 yards, 3 touchdowns, 12 catches, 135 yards
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy was not a happy man following Saturday’s training camp practice. In his words, the team looked “sloppy” throughout the action. There were a lot of balls ending up on the ground, bad snaps, missed assignments and just a lot of mistakes. At one point he got so fed up with the #1 offense that he kicked them off the field before their allotted number of reps was over.
With a full-contact practice slated for Sunday, Nagy knew something had to be done. He had to find a way to get the attention of his players. To remind them why they’re working so hard and putting up with the heat and the pain. If they wouldn’t buy the message from him, then maybe they’d listen to somebody who’s one of them.
Somebody who wore the Bears uniform for over a decade and became one of the greatest players in NFL history. Nagy brought the team together and had them listen to the entire Hall of Fame speech made by linebacker Brian Urlacher. He felt that it conveyed every good message about what’s required to become great.
Matt Nagy trumpeted Urlacher’s work ethic and competitiveness as keys to greatness
Urlacher spoke about many things but among the two that resonated most were his burning desire to compete and win against the best and keeping a firm reminder that football wasn’t his life, merely part of it. Combine that mentality with talent and a great work ethic? You get a gold jacket in the Hall of Fame. Nagy rammed this home to his guys after the video concluded.
Did it resonate at all?
It seems that way. All reports out of the Sunday practice including from Nagy himself were the team put on its best effort and performance of training camp. Both the offense and defense looked sharp during drills, trading shots back and forth without too many glaring mistakes. The man leading the charge? None other than quarterback Mitch Trubisky who delivered some impressive passes and set the tone throughout the morning.
Is it any coincidence that Trubisky was front row and center to watch the Urlacher video the day before? He wasn’t the only one who seemed affected by it. Other team leaders began to bring the juice as well. Akiem Hicks was dominant throughout the period almost to the point of being unblockable. Danny Trevathan was active in coverage and Eddie Jackson had an interception.
It’s amazing to see that Urlacher has been retired for half a decade now and he’s still able to inspire Bears players to elevate their game. A firm reminder of why the man is a first ballot Hall of Famer. Nagy was certainly appreciative. He was all smiles after practice and the first thing he did was offer an extra congratulations to the former linebacker for his accomplishment.
Will the real “Wild Bill” please stand up? Because YOU sir, just earned yourself a one-year, $5.25 million dollar contract. That’s right, Golden Knights fans. William Karlsson is coming back to Vegas for this upcoming season after avoiding his arbitration hearing and coming to terms this past Saturday afternoon.
Karlsson boasted career highs in virtually every category possible in his first year with Vegas. Putting up 43 goals, including the ‘Goal of the Year’ in the NHL, Karlsson was rewarded for his outstanding play by the team. He also put up the team’s only two hat tricks of the season, one against the Maple Leafs on New Year’s Eve and the other against the Calgary Flames, a natural hat trick.
“William had a great year for us and we are excited to now have him under contract for next season,” coming from Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee.
This is great news for fans of Karlsson entering his final year of his contract. Not only does this one-year deal reward Karlsson for his stellar work last season, it gives him the opportunity to show he’s not just one a one-hit wonder. This also gives Vegas an opportunity to not give Wild Bill a huge contract it could possibly regret, considering he does not have a history of putting up the numbers he did last season.
Before his career season, Wild Bill’s career high in goals? Nine. His career high in assists? 25. So the million dollar question is: Will Karlsson maintain the pace he started last season? It’s certainly possible. His shooting percentage was at 23.4 percent, which is insanely good. Basically, one out of every four times he shot the puck last season, it went hit back of the net.
Vegas’s top line is now set for the future, and at a cheap price compared to other team’s top lines that are productive. The L.A. Kings top line costs a collective $20.6 million, Anaheim’s top line costs $20.67 million, the Washington Capitals top line costs $22.4 million, and Vegas’s top line costs $15.25 million. Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is set to make $12.5 million by himself.
I see you working, George McPhee.
For those who are somewhat confused about how this arbitration process works, let’s keep it simple. Wild Bill’s arbitration hearing was yesterday, so each side wanted to come to an agreement before the actual hearing took place, which is what happened. The team then gets to decide if they want to do a one-year deal, or two-year deal. If they chose a two-year deal, it would have made Wild Bill an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.
This one-year deal allows Vegas to keep him as a RFA (Restricted Free Agent), which means after Jan. 1, 2019, they could begin working out a long-term extension. Basically, this whole process is going to occur again a year later, unless they work out a contract extension mid-season.
Will Wild Bill keep up that shooting percentage? Who knows. But most importantly, this is a good sign for things to come that they were able to come to a new deal. If team’s really like their players, they don’t want till the last month of their deal to try and get something done (I’m looking at you New York Islanders/Jonathan Tavares).
So where does Vegas go from here? If Wild Bill has another great season, then I have no doubt he will get a long-term, $8 million-plus contract. If he doesn’t do well, he will probably still get another contract offer, but maybe more in the 2-4 year range, and in the $4-5 million range. Let’s hope that more goals like this are in the future for Wild Bill, and honestly who cannot watch this goal on repeat? Wow.
Would they dare? A Chicago Bears trade Roquan Smith idea sounds ludicrous at first thought. This team viewed the Georgia linebacker as a fixture in their defense for years to come. He has a chance to become a star. Is it really getting to a point where they might choose to wash their hands of this ugly contract situation and move on?
It’s easy to say absolutely not. The thing is that’s not entirely true. NFL history has a number of examples where players drafted high by teams ended up never playing a down for them and were traded not long after to another team. This is not something that would be totally unprecedented. Rare? Absolutely, but not impossible.
Just look at the situation as it stands. Smith hasn’t even sniffed a football field for a month now. His agents continue to hold their ground on his rookie contract, trying to get guaranteed protections for him from the Bears. Protections that are given to few players in general. GM Ryan Pace has tried to meet them halfway but it’s clear he’s getting nowhere.
As the days go on with no movement from either side, fans have grown frustrated. Many are already fed up with the constant distraction. If he doesn’t want to be a Bear, then ship him out and find guys who do. So what exactly could happen if the team were to take such an unprecedented step?
Success or failure of a Bears trade Roquan Smith centers on knowing what they have
If the Bears are going to come out ahead in such a trade, there’s one thing they must come to terms with before anything. Do they truly understand what they’re giving up? Too often in situations like this, the trading team surrenders the asset for what looks like a fair package only to realize later they basically had their lunch money stolen.
A few examples of that rest among the most noteworthy trades in history.
John Elway to the Denver Broncos (1983)
In 1983, Stanford star quarterback John Elway knew he’d be taken #1 overall in the draft. The problem was the team holding that pick, the Baltimore Colts, were known at the time as one of the worst-run organizations in football. That instability did not sit well with him so he declared that he would not play for the Colts if they drafted him and instead would play professional baseball.
Colts return: OL Chris Hinton, QB Mark Hermann, 1st RD pick (1984)
Indianapolis GM Ernie Accorsi had initially demanded three first rounders and two second rounders for the rights to Elway. However, team owner Robert Irsay soon intervened and facilitated a deal with Denver. While the Colts did get seven-time Pro Bowler Chris Hinton in the deal, the rest of it was a wash. Meanwhile, Elway went on to greatness with the Broncos that included a Hall of Fame bust and two Super Bowl titles.
Cornelius Bennett to the Buffalo Bills (1987)
Alabama linebacker Cornelius Bennett came into the league during a period of strife between the players union and the NFL. A strike occurred that season, so things were in flux. Bennett added to the mess for the Indianapolis Colts by demanding more money upon being drafted in the first round. For 102 days the organization refused to budge and Bennett refused to report.
Colts return: RB Eric Dickerson
Once again Irsay refused to bow to the player. He gave the green light to his coaching staff to pursue a blockbuster trade involving the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. Indianapolis sent three high draft choices (two 1s and a 2) to the Rams and Bennett to the Bills. In exchange, they received All-Pro running back Eric Dickerson. In the short term, the move paid off. The Colts made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
Dickerson ran for over 1,000 yards in just nine games after he arrived that year and would reach two Pro Bowls in 1988 and 1989. Bennett though would have the better long-term impact, reaching five Pro Bowls and helping Buffalo to four-straight Super Bowl appearances.
Safe to say neither of those teams ended up getting what they wanted out of those trades. One team that did was the San Diego Chargers. In 2004 they were hoping to take Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning #1 overall. Manning, like Elway years before, did not trust their organization to commit to building a winner and declared he wouldn’t sign there if drafted.
So the Chargers had to make something happen.
Eli Manning to the New York Giants (2004)
Ironically enough it was Accorsi, the former Colts GM who was forced to give up Elway who pounced on the change to get Manning. The Chargers though weren’t going to be as cheap as the Irsay was. Their demands were high and they seemed ready and willing to let things play out if they didn’t get an offer they liked. So Accorsi was forced to be aggressive.
A key part of the trade was the Giants taking a leap of faith by drafting quarterback Philip Rivers out of N.C. State. San Diego coaches liked him and felt he could be their guy of the future. In addition, the Giants had to give up another first rounder and two mid round picks. That’s a hefty price tag. In the end though, it worked out for both teams.
Manning helped the Giants win two Super Bowls in 2007 and 2011. Rivers became the all-time leading passer in Chargers history while the extra first rounder produced three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, Shawn Merriman.
Now Roquan Smith is not at the same value level as a potential franchise quarterback. This is merely an explanation of how careful the Bears must be if the worst-case scenario did arrive and they were compelled to deal him. Will it happen? The odds are stacked against it. That said there’s something that put this situation up against the clock.
August 7th will be the deadline for the Bears to consider a Smith trade
It turns out the NFL has contingency plans for such things. August 7th is set as the deadline date for teams to trade the rights of any player they drafted. If they fail to do so, then they hold the rights to that player until the day of the draft the following season. In other words, Smith would be eligible to re-enter the draft. Thus the Bears would get nothing for that #8 overall pick they just spent.
Long though the odds may be, the next 48 hours could prove fascinating if no ground is gained in these contract talks.
The Chicago Bears could write a book-length list of players they’ve employed over the years who were woefully underrated. It’s no surprise several on their current roster fit that description as well. So here’s an interesting question. Of all the players they employ, who would people think is the most underrated on the team?
One could safely bet the common answer is Jordan Howard. The level of disrespect he’s received of late from the national media is baffling. Despite being a top-six rusher the past two years and going to a Pro Bowl in 2016, he’s never mentioned among the best running backs in the league. There’s just something inherently wrong with that.
However, Andy Benoit of Sports Illustrated has another name in mind. Not only does he think this man is the most underrated on the Bears roster, but he went so far as to say the most underrated in the entire NFL.
“The most underrated player in football is defensive end Akiem Hicks. He has the initial burst to augment his thundering strength, and his technique became more refined in 2017. Keeping two safeties back deep puts more pressure on your linebackers in run defense. Hicks’s destructiveness assuages that.”
Akiem Hicks built a great career on being doubted
There is no question to date the best free agent signing GM Ryan Pace has made was nabbing Hicks in 2016. The defensive end has been a monster since arriving in Chicago. Not only is he their best defender, but also continues to emerge as a team leader. He sets the tone and the rest of the defense has followed. Last season they finished top 10 for the first time in six years.
Hicks led the way with 8.5 sacks and may have actually been even better against the run. How he didn’t make the Pro Bowl last year is a sore spot for many teammates and fans alike. No doubt that (along with his weak Madden rating) will serve as motivation for 2018. Hicks has high expectations both for himself and the Bears defense as a whole.
Can he possibly improve upon what he did last year? There’s no reason to think he can’t. Each year he’s been in Chicago has seen a bump in production. At 28-years old he’s in his physical prime and now he’s entering Year 3 in the Vic Fangio defense. This is typically when mastery of a scheme happens. If he can deliver another strong year and the Bears finally end up winning, then Hicks will get his long overdue recognition.
The Chicago Bears still have a month to go before they see their first actual game action of the 2018 season. Based on their latest practice, which head coach Matt Nagy deemed “sloppy,” it’s clear there’s still plenty of work to do for them to prepare. All the while their opponent would appear to be holding all the cards in their favor.
The Green Bay Packers will be at home for Sunday Night Football in the opener against the Bears. The last two times the teams played there in primetime, the Packers were victorious in runaway fashion. With the return of Aaron Rodgers from his collarbone injury last season, most assume it will be more of the same this year.
Except this is presuming the two teams are the same as they were the past two years. It’s not the case. The Bears might be one of the most improved teams on paper in 2018 while their defense proved in the Hall of Fame game it’s not only strong but also deep. Green Bay on the other hand just receiver some unwelcome news.
Chicago Bears may not have to see Packers left tackle in September
Probably the second-most indispensable player on the Packers offense after Rodgers himself is left tackle David Bakhtiari. The two-time All-Pro is considered one of the best pass protecting tackles in football and a big reason behind Rodgers’ continued success. Pro Football Focus recently highlighted how good he is through a creative stat regarding pressures allowed on third downs.
David Bakhtiari has allowed the lowest pressure rate on third down over the past two seasons. pic.twitter.com/Ky2W1AX58T
It’s not a coincidence that Rodgers has a combined 103.5 quarterback rating on third down over the past two years. Not having to worry about your blind side is a rare commodity for QBs in the NFL. Well based on the latest buzz coming out of Packers training camp? That may become a thing for the two-time MVP this coming season.
Bakhtiari has his left shoe and sock off and is going to be taken to the locker room on a cart. Not a very good sign.
The severity of the injury is not yet known but the fact that Bakhtiari had to remove his shoes and socks and be taken away on a cart is not the best look. If anything is broken or torn down there, he’s looking at likely months of recovery. That means he’s sure to miss the season opener at Lambeau Field against Chicago on September 9th.
Something to note? The last time Bakhtiari missed games was in 2015. He missed the final two contests of the season. Green Bay was blown out in both games and scored just 21 points total. Rodgers was sacked 14 times in those two games. So yeah, this could be a pretty big deal.
I didn’t really start getting into football until around 2001 when I was in high school. Most of my early years were shrouded in football misery that was the 1990s when Dave Wannstedt and mediocrity reigned supreme. So I couldn’t understand what the euphoria around this team was all about. Then, just two weeks after my 16th birthday, the Bears stunned the San Francisco 49ers 37-31, sparking their first trip to the playoffs in seven years. The man leading the way was their new defensive phenom named Brian Urlacher.
Over the course of the next decade the man transformed from an intriguing athlete from New Mexico into one of the two or three best defensive players in professional football. There was no escaping him. He chased down ball carriers with his speed. He sacked quarterbacks and he dropped back into coverage to intercept passes. All-time greats like Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre hated going against him.
Eight Pro Bowls, a Defensive Player of the Year award and countless highlights later, Urlacher decided to walk away from the game before his 35th birthday. He never donned the jersey of another team, feeling in some way it would dilute the legacy he left behind. That was the kind of man he was. Humble and giving but also fierce and competitive.
Now that man takes his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Brian Urlacher had plenty to say when he got his Canton moment
One can say that Urlacher is not known for being a public speaker. When he began it was clear he was nervous. He gave his new bust an affectionate rub on its bald head before stepping to the podium. There he took a deep breath, stating he needed to settle. From there he took everybody in attendance and those watching at home a journey into the player and person he was.
Urlacher described what life was like growing up, how his parents got divorced when he was seven years old and how his mother worked tirelessly to provide for him. She was his #1 fan and he misses her every day. Through her, he learned the value of hard work. At 12-years old he began mowing lawns around his neighborhood. From there he worked at an oil rig and a lumber yard during his time in high school and college.
That work ethic, along with some great lessons learned watching former Cowboys great Darren Woodson, helped craft him into the defensive star he’d become. Yet Urlacher has never been a man who made it about himself. There were none he credited more for helping him learn how to thrive and enjoy football than his former teammates.
Urlacher tells amazing stories of what life was like in the locker room
He talked about how Bob Babich, his former position coach and the man who inducted him was like another father to him. There was no coach he enjoyed playing for more. Urlacher relished so many things about the game. His favorite moments were right before the snap when he’d get to do checks and counter-checks with the opposing quarterback, making sure the defenses was lined up properly.
His favorite day of every week as a player? That was Thursday. Not because of anything football related. Merely because the cafeteria served Oreo donut balls.
“Or as Lance Briggs would call them, ‘Black balls’.”
The first teammate that Urlacher referenced as having a huge impact on his career was safety Mike Brown. The two were drafted together in 2000 and Brown is the only player he credited with being smarter than him. He still misses playing together, how Brown would dissect an offensive strategy in his trademark squeaky voice.
Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, Alex Brown, Olin Kreutz, and former defensive tackle Dusty Dvorcek were also credited as players Urlacher relished getting a chance to suit up with. Briggs whom he expects to see in the Hall of Fame not too long down the road. Tillman who entertained him for years by driving offensive players crazy by forcing them to fumble despite hours and hours of practicing how not to.
Family, football and the thrill of the competition were what drove Urlacher
Urlacher made it clear that the game of football wasn’t what defined him, but it did help to make him a better man. He was emotional to the point of almost breaking down when talking about his wife and two daughters and how he’s in awe of who they are. At the same time, he reflected on how he understands his position as a role model for others. Something he wants to make sure he embraces and upholds.
That’s why it continued to humble him that he got a chance to play middle linebacker for the Bears. Urlacher stated that anybody who ever wanted to play defense in the NFL knew it was their dream to be in that position.
So how did Urlacher get to that point?
How did he find his way in the same sentence as Bill George, Dick Butkus, and Mike Singletary? By respecting his teammates and opponents, but also by simply being more competitive than everybody else. He didn’t just want to win games on Sunday. He wanted to win every snap in games or practice. That was the only way in his mind that he’d be able to discover his absolute best as a football player.
“I respected opponents as well as my teammates and coaches. I may be one of the most competitive people you’ll ever know. I want to win every snap, every game even though it’s not possible. But I didn’t just compete to beat the other person. I competed to be my best. It wasn’t merely about the conquest, it was about the challenge. Every moment, every practice, every game. I just love competing.”
With that Urlacher bid farewell with one last thank you, taking his rightful place among the other Bears legends. To this day there are fans who miss him, feeling he never got to go out the way he wanted to (and should’ve). It’s a credit to the man that he didn’t let that become an issue and instead was grateful for the career he had. He was and still is the epitome of what it means to be a true Bear.
In case you were living under a rock and not connected to the internet, some big-time news broke for the Blackhawks regarding Artemi Panarin. Scott Powers of The Athletic reported that Panarin would very seriously consider coming back to play with the Blackhawks.
Per @ByScottPowers, Panarin would strongly consider coming back to play for the @NHLBlackhawks. “The Blackhawks would be ‘very seriously considered’ by Panarin if he were to become an unrestricted free agent after next season, according to a source.” #Blackhawkspic.twitter.com/Xxah6nMEKj
The keywords here are “if he were to become an unrestricted free agent after next season.” Basically, all Artemi Panarin said was, if the Columbus Blue Jackets don’t give me a boatload of money, I would give the Blackhawks a fair shot to re-sign me via free agency and give me all of their bread. I am sure StanBo would like a re-do on this failed trade as well.
Patience Is a Virtue When It Comes to Bringing Artemi Panarin Back
I am totally on board with bringing the “Bread Man”, Artemi Panarin, back to Chicago. Although, it will cost the Blackhawks some serious dough. If the Blackhawks were trying to trade for him now, which I am strongly against, Panarin is owed $6 million this year. He is also currently on Year 2 of his 2-year, $12 million deal. Not only would the Blackhawks lose countless valuable assets, they would have to dish out $6 million this year. On top of that, they would still have to hand out even more money to re-sign him to a long-term deal.
Instead of giving up valuable assets to acquire a player on an expiring contract, I would much rather just wait until free agency next season. Since Panarin is playing on an expiring contract, you know Columbus has limited options right now.
Option 1: Give in to Panarin’s demands and pay the man handsomely. Based on some of these outrageous contracts that were handed out during 2018 NHL Free Agency, Panarin will receive a deal worth somewhere in the $8-10 million AAV range, and deservedly so. Panarin is coming off a great year in which he put up a career-high 82 points (27G, 55A) with a 23 +/- rating in 81 games with Columbus.
Scor Scor Scor Shot Ice Ice
Season Age Tm Lg GP G A PTS +/- S% TOI ATOI TK GV
2015-16 24 CHI NHL 80 30 47 77 8 16.0 1482 18:31 29 35
2016-17 25 CHI NHL 82 31 43 74 18 14.7 1597 19:28 57 55
2017-18 26 CBJ NHL 81 27 55 82 23 11.8 1631 20:08 70 51
2 yrs CHI NHL 162 61 90 151 26 15.3 3078 19:00 86 90
1 yr CBJ NHL 81 27 55 82 23 11.8 1631 20:08 70 51
Career NHL 243 88 145 233 49 14.1 4709 19:23 156 141
However, Columbus will be in quite the pickle next season. Besides Panarin, they also have to pay 2 other top stars, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and defenseman Zach Werenski.
Artemi Panarin (UFA), Sergei Bobrovsky (UFA) and Zach Werenski (RFA) are all up for new contracts next summer. Good luck with that, Jarmo.
Option 2: Find a trade partner, if you feel like Panarin is not willing to re-sign and stay in Columbus. This will be hard, considering a team would be paying a king’s ransom for a rental player. The fact that Panarin has even mentioned free agency next year is a huge red flag in my eyes. It seems like he has already made up his mind on his future, so If I was Columbus, I’d try to at least get something in return for Panarin instead of losing him for nothing.
Option 3: Lose Artemi Panarin for nothing. This is exactly what the Blackhawks are banking on right now. Well, they should be at least.
Every Blackhawks’ fan should be hoping and praying for Option 3 to come true.
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
According to Cap Friendly, the Blackhawks are projected to have $20,708,205 mil in cap space available next season. This is big-time money and more than enough to acquire a gamechanger like Artemi Panarin. This is why trading for Panarin now would not only be idiotic, but it would also mortgage the future for no reason. Right now, the Blackhawks cannot afford to take too many more L’s due to mismanagement.
If Artemi Panarin were to come back to the Blackhawks, it would have to be on a long-term deal that works for both parties. It makes no sense to be going through this preventable headache every few years where StanBo unloads the best players because there is no cap space available. Contract negotiations are one of StanBo’s shortcomings, but I have faith that he can turn it around. This would be the perfect time to do it. Go out and get the guy who wants to play for your team and has had previous success here.
Now, let’s speculate on dollar signs and years. I would have to say Artemi Panarin has earned himself a contract on the level of what the Tampa Bay Lightning gave to Nikita Kucherov, which is an 8-year deal worth $76 mil. This would come out to an AAV of $9.5 mil per year. There is also the possibility that Artemi Panarin would take a discount to come back and play for the Blackhawks. That discount might drop his asking price to maybe somewhere around $8.5-9 mil per season, so it the Blackhawks would not be saving a ton.
Although, a discount may not be out of the question. It’s no secret that Artemi Panarin loved playing in Chicago alongside Patrick Kane. See below, where the love is mutual amongst former linemates, Panarin-Anisimov-Kane. Buckle up, boys and girls, we are about to go on a Feels Trip.
Panarin chats with Anisimov and fist bumps Kane.
Jonathan Toews joins in on the fun.
Kane says, “I miss you.” to Panarin.
Zoomed-in version of Kane saying, “I miss you.” to Panarin.
