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Chicago Bears Ranked Most Likely to Go Worst-to-First in 2018

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears

Fans loves a dramatic turnaround in the NFL. They make for great stories. That’s why the Los Angeles Rams of 2017 are such a hot topic. A year ago they were 4-12 and boasted the worst offense in the league. This off-season they hired head coach Sean McVay and upgraded their receiving corps. Now they’re 10-4 and boast the #1 scoring offense in the league. That’s an amazing turnaround, and makes some wonder if the Chicago Bears can do the same.

At this point fans have their concerns. The team is flirting with the worst three-season stretch in franchise history since the NFL moved to a 16-game schedule. Right now that sits at 14 wins from 1997 to 1999. The Bears have 13 wins since 2015 with two games to go. If they fall to both the Browns and Vikings it will be a new low.

The only thing left is the fleeting hope that a new coaching staff might be able to unlock the potential of this young roster. ESPN decided to do a rankings of teams with the highest odds of going worst to first in 2018. Their choice is certain to make Chicago happy.

Chicago Bears built almost exactly like Rams from last year

“Chicago is as close as we can get to last year’s Rams. The Bears have an underrated defense led by an interior disruptor in Akiem Hicks, with Fangio’s unit ranking 14th in DVOA before Saturday’s 20-10 loss to the Lions. The Bears traded up to grab their quarterback of the future in the 2017 draft, but Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t been very good; the second overall pick is last in the league in Total QBR (26.6), with a scarcely believable 3.4 QBR when under pressure. The Bears have a franchise running back but lack weapons for Trubisky at receiver, a position they’ll surely address this offseason.”

People love to pick on Trubisky these days but the fact is he’s played better than Jared Goff did for the Rams in 2016. Goff threw five touchdowns, seven interceptions and barely completed 54% of his passes for a 63.6 quarterback rating. Trubisky has seven touchdowns, seven interceptions, and has completed over 59% of his passes for a 77.8 rating. One could also argue the Rams had better receivers in Kenny Britt, Brian Quick and Tavon Austin.

Trubisky has made due with Kendall Wright, Dontrelle Inman and Josh Bellamy. Goff also came in with more starting experience in college. So basically if he can do this turnaround thing, why can’t Trubisky? The key for the Bears will be finding the right head coach who understands what he needs. A good play caller on offense would be a nice way to start.

After that it’s all about finding a credible defensive coordinator to keep things on track with this defense. Not an easy task, but not an impossible one.

Toews Ranked Ahead Of NHL Royalty On All-Time Captains List

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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Jonathan Toews has been the subject of a lot of criticism over the past couple seasons for his performance. Even with that, he still has the respect of the hockey community.

The latest evidence comes through in NHL Network’s ‘Top Captains Of All-Time’ list. It isn’t surprising that he is on the list but some of the names he’s ahead of may surprise many hockey fans.

Toews being ahead of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby even has this Blackhawks fan scratching his head. We’ll take goals out of the equation because we all know that those guys score a lot more. These are generational players whose teams would have a hard time thriving without them.

Wayne Gretzky led one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history from 1983-1988. The Oilers won 4 Stanley Cups in 5 seasons with The Great One donning the C. Not to mention he led the league in scoring 4 times during that period. The only knock against the guy is that he played alongside Mark Messier during that time, you can see where he is on that list.

Gretzky did go on to lead a struggling and aging LA Kings team to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993. I believe the ultimate testament to 99’s ability to lead is his 1,963 assists. That is more assists than the NHL’s second all-time leading scorer has total points (Jagr 1,914).

Overlapping Gretzky’s career was quite possibly the second best NHL player in history, Mario Lemieux. Le Magnifique wore the C for 12 seasons as a member of the Penguins and won back to back Stanley Cup championships in 92 and 93. He played through back pain for a large part of his career and even came back from cancer to captain the Penguins a few more times. It’s hard to question the fortitude and leadership of Lemieux.

I know people will complain that I’m going to say Sidney Crosby is a better captain than Toews, but he might be. He’s not always a crybaby but a lot the time he’s talking to the officials, he’s massaging them. Just think MIchael Jordan, he was always in a ref’s ear and getting calls. Sid has incredible practice habits that many believe to be unrivaled. He is key to the Penguins as well as Team Canada’s success. There’s a reason he is always chosen for the Team Canada honor ahead of Toews.

If you would have asked me three years earlier I would certainly have had Toews ahead of Crosby. The reason I have flipped is because of the great job Sid is doing to keep his aging core going. It’s been the opposite from Toews and he seems to be flustered much more than he ever was. At times he’s seemed more like Captain Angry more than Captain Serious.

You can’t quantify leadership skills but you can quantify just about everything else Gretzky, Lemieux and Crosby have done. As I said before, these are generational guys who have done a lot of things for their teams that Toews hasn’t. Toews is a fantastic leader and has countless intangibles but it’s hard to put him ahead of these players.

Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings.

John Fox Has Ultra Rare Moment of Honesty on Trubisky

By
Erik Lambert
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john fox

John Fox is not a man known for being blunt. He doesn’t mind being chummy with the media, but it’s apparent the man will never betray any sort of information or feeling he thinks is inappropriate. He won’t speak about politics or any sort of injury information. All his answers couldn’t be more bland. However, from time to time even he lets down the walls to reveals his inner feelings.

Most of the time it has to do with his players. Fox, as always, is a players coach. He’ll never speak a bad word about them. There’s a reason no player has ever had a bad thing to say about him. It’s an endearing quality, if not also a dangerous one. Getting too attached to certain players can often be a detriment. See Connor Barth.

At the same time he can go to the extreme in the honest department. When he does it’s easy to see what made him a great coach once upon a time. His latest moment came during his first press conference following the loss to Detroit.

John Fox sees big things from Mitch Trubisky in the future

One thing about Fox is despite his defensive background, he’s seen his share of great quarterbacks. He coached Peyton Manning in Denver. He went against Drew Brees for four seasons when he was coach of the Panthers. So while he’s never developed a QB himself, he at least knows what good ones look like. That’s why it was so encouraging to hear this.

“I’ve seen enough to say Mitchell Trubisky is going to have a heck of a career. I get to see him everyday, how he works, how he studies, the demeanor he has with his teammates….he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Fox surprisingly wasn’t upset by Trubisky’s performance in Detroit despite the rookie throwing three interceptions. In fact he went so far as to say it was his “best game” in terms of how well he commanded things and directed his teammates. He also delivered some outstanding throws amidst the mistakes.

The odds are Fox won’t survive into 2018 to see how Trubisky moves on from his rookie year. Still to hear him say such things, even while seeing his likely last head coaching job fade away, is another welcome sign that the Bears may finally have the guy they need to go after that elusive Super Bowl trophy.

Cubs Pursuit Of Yu Darvish Just Got To The Next Level

By
Aldo Soto
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While the Chicago Cubs have addressed some of their pitching needs this offseason, the front office hasn’t made a big splash yet. Tyler Chatwood, Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek were all solid acquisitions, but the Cubs still have one more spot in the starting rotation to fill and it certainly appears as though their pursuit of the top free agent is heating up.

A few days ago, Bruce Levine reported that the Cubs were kicking the tires on free agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish.

On Monday, Levine reported that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer flew to Dallas and that their likely plan was to meet with Darvish.

Less than an hour later, Jon Heyman confirmed Levine’s report, saying the Cubs are meeting with Darvish.

Darvish, 31, along with Cubs free agent Jake Arrieta, are seen as the top pitchers in this year’s free agent class. However, if reports are true that Arrieta is seeking a deal worth $200 million, then you can assume the Cubs will say good luck and move on elsewhere in the market. There’s also the report that Alex Cobb’s asking price has so far lowered the Cubs interest in him. So, these factors seemingly have led the Cubs to upping their interest in Darvish.

Before you lose your mind and think the Cubs are going to give Darvish some outlandish deal, remember that the front office will do everything it can to remain in the mix for next year’s free agent class. So, ideally their contract offer to Darvish would make sure that the team doesn’t go over the luxury tax threshold for the 2018 season. Because you know, the Cubs are going to try and sign Bryce Harper.

You can have the debate on who the better pitcher is, Darvish or Arrieta, but right now the focus is Darvish, so in my perfect world the Cubs do sign him, but only to a four-year deal. Obviously, Darvish is going to try and get as much money and security as he can, but if the Cubs go up to $110 million or even $120 million over the four years, that amount of money could be enough to entice the right-hander to sign with the Cubs.

Plus, we’re almost at Christmas, maybe Darvish is getting a little desperate, as interest in him hasn’t really been high so far this offseason. But again, the ideal contract structure would guarantee that the Cubs stay under the luxury tax for 2018, making the final three years of Darvish’s deal enormous. The other main reason a four-year deal would be perfect is because the contract would expire at the time the Cubs core hits free agency. So, by that time Darvish’s and Jon Lester’s money would be off the books.

So, what do you guys think, $110 million over four years for Darvish? For reference, before the start of free agency, MLB Trade Rumors projected Darvish signing with the Cubs on a six-year contract, worth $160 million. My proposed deal would be $27.5 million on average per season.

Or maybe even four years at $120 million?

Darvish missed the entire 2015 season after having Tommy John Surgery. He came back to make 17 starts in 2016 and made 31 in 2017 with the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He has a career 3.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, starting his career in 2012.

Will his next start be as a member of the Cubs?

Carlos Rodon Shares A Subway-Bathroom Confessional

By
Matt Enuco
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Bulls Look To Stay Hot & Keep Streak Alive Versus 76ers

By
Patrick Mooney
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One thing we didn’t expect to say before Christmas (or Easter, or next Christmas… or next Easter): The Chicago Bulls are playing great basketball.

Well, it’s December 18th, and the Bulls are playing great basketball.

Their abysmal play in October and November was to be expected, but since Nikola Mirotic returned to the lineup on December 8th, the Bulls have strung together five wins in a row.

Mirotic has been something of an enigma throughout his NBA career. He came into the league in the fall of 2014 with some pretty legitimate hype for a team that was hoping to contend. Coming to the NBA from overseas and making an immediate impact on a contender is no small task.

Yet still, relatively speaking? Mirotic was a good rookie. He earned over 20 minutes per game under Tom Thibodeau, a coach notorious for keeping rookies buried on the bench, and he led the NBA in fourth quarter scoring during March of that season when both Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler were sidelined with injuries.

However, the last two seasons have yielded mostly disappointing results.

Mirotic began the 2015-2016 season as the starting power forward under Fred Hoiberg, a move that pushed fan favorite Joakim Noah to the bench. That move barely lasted a month, and he’s been primarily coming off the bench ever since, producing at a mediocre rate offensively while being a defensive liability.

Mirotic entered this season on a new two-year contract with low expectations, certainly no one was worried about him disrupting the teams plans of tanking.

Well, it’s December 18th, Niko is back, and the Bulls are playing great basketball.

After Bobby Portis infamously sidelined Mirotic for the first 23 games of the season with a right hook in practice, the duo has combined to lead the team through the oddest of win streaks.

Mirotic is averaging 20 points on 54% shooting in just 26 minutes per game since his return. Portis is averaging 15.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg over the winning streak.

With the Sixers coming to town with a banged up bunch, it appears as if the Bulls win streak has a good chance to continue.

While this win streak has brought on complicated feelings, it won’t last forever and the Bulls record remains one of the league’s worst at 8-20. The tank is still on.

For tonight, let’s sit back and enjoy what Mirotic & Co. have in store for us.

Michael Kopech Looks To Change The Art Of Pitching Forever

By
Emmet McClain
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Every off season, White Sox top ranked pitching prospect Michael Kopech trains at APEC training facility in Tyler, TX. It is the same place that the flamethrower recorded a video of him hitting 110 on the radar gun last year. Now, he was aided by an underweight ball and a crow hop, but it is still an absurd feat nonetheless.

This season, Kopech figures to be up with the White Sox as soon as early May and as late as July. When he does, he will bring his burning desire to win along with his red hot arm. His trainers, teammates, and even opposing MLB players all seem to share one opinion: Michael Kopech is going to be a top player in baseball for a very long time.

The exclusive video by NBC Sports does a great job of showing just how badly Kopech wants to win. If he isn’t already one of your favorite White Sox prospects, or players in general, it won’t be long until he is. Because the flame that drives him to be the best is just as hot as his fastball.

Carlos Rodon Is Getting Active On Twitter

By
Matt Enuco
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There are moments in our lives that we hold reverence for. For a baseball player, one of those moments is their debut in The Show.  

The White Sox have several offseason social media campaigns but Carlos Rodon basked in his glory today with this little nugget.

Maybe it was the massive Kansas buck they call “Johnny Rockets”…

…or maybe he’s just gearing up for SoxFest.

Rodon is usually quiet on Twitter, but recently he has been fairly visible.  And after glorifying Rodon’s debut and praising his dominant numbers against Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge…

…the White Sox had a little fun with the good-natured youngster.

And just when we thought it might be over for the day, Rodon drops this bombshell on the world.

There may be something lost in translation here. “Honey hole” is not a sexual innuendo. My friends, that is a sweet hunting nook that, like fishermen, hunters do not make public.

I guess the South Siders need as much encouragement to endure the offseason as fans do.

 

Cam Newton Trash Talking The Packers Before a TD Pass Is So Delightful

By
Erik Lambert
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cam newton

The Carolina Panthers are a team built much in the image of the 2006 Chicago Bears. The only big (okay HUGE) difference is they have quarterback Cam Newton. One can safely say he’s an upgrade over Rex Grossman. Well that team gave Chicago an idea of what they could’ve had if they’d ever found their MVP-caliber quarterback.

Nothing is more enjoyable on the planet for Bears fans these days than watching the Green Bay Packers lose. Watching them lose and likely miss the playoffs? That’s practically Nirvana. Well such was the case Sunday. Despite a returning Aaron Rodgers, the Packers knew they were going into a hostile stadium against a good, balanced team.

Early on it became clear that Green Bay’s momentum from the two previous weeks didn’t mean much. Midway through the first quarter Carolina drove it down the field to inside the Packers 10-yard line. It was there that Newton and longtime Bears nemesis Clay Matthews had a terrific exchange before the snap.

Cam Newton laughs in face of Packers, then throws TD

The best part about that play is Matthews was right. He knew exactly who the ball was going to in running back Christian McCaffrey. What he didn’t know, until it was too late of course, was the type of route being run. Film study had told him the Panthers loved to run McCaffrey on a wheel route to the outside.

The Panthers, likely known the Packers had seen that, implanted an adjustment where McCaffrey would instead fake the wheel and run an inside slant. The play worked perfectly. McCaffrey was barely touched going into the end zone. It set the tone for the rest of the game, Carolina holding on for a 31-24 victory.

Now the Packers are in dire straits. If Atlanta beats Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football, they will officially be eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Rumor: Chicago Bears Head Coach List Is Coming Into Focus

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears head coach list

The Chicago Bears head coach list for 2018 seems to be coming into focus now. John Fox blew his last, fleeting chance to save his job when his team fell flat against the Lions in Detroit. The loss assures the Bears will finish no better than 6-10, which would match the best record Fox has had in Chicago during his 2015 season. That’s certainly not what one might call growth.

Thus all focus now is on January 1st. That is the day the season ends for the Bears, the infamous “Black Monday” for many head coaches each year. Fox should feel fortunate he’ll manage to survive that far. Given some of the losses this season, it’s a surprise he wasn’t canned before then. Ownership has never done that in franchise history though.

Still, GM Ryan Pace knows his top priority will be finding an able replacement. Somebody who can get the most from young quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Who though? There will be a long list of options available. It’s a matter of the type the Bears want and also who’s available. Don’t forget one key. Several of the top options will be in the playoffs. Are the Bears willing to wait to get their guy?

Since it’s Pace in charge, patience likely won’t be a problem. Still it appears the Bears have narrowed their short list.

Chicago Bears head coach list features lots of youth

A source reached out to me stating that the team has an idea of who they want to pursue. When I asked who they might be, five names came up.

“They are currently ruling names out and narrowing their list. Right now Matt Lafleur, Frank Reich, John DeFilippo, Matt Nagy and Pete Carmichael have become their targets. Those are the five with an understanding other coaches may become available.”

A few things are clear from that list. One is Pace certainly is completely focused on Trubisky. All five are top offensive minds. Another is most of them are young. Lafleur, DeFilippo and Nagy have yet to turn 40-years old. Carmichael is 46. Only Reich stands out as an elder at 56. Last but not least, all are currently poised to enter the playoffs at the head of a highly successful offenses.

Total Offense rankings:

  • New Orleans Saints – 1st (Carmichael)
  • Philadelphia Eagles – 3rd (Reich & DeFilippo)
  • Kansas City Chiefs – 5th (Nagy)
  • Los Angeles Rams – 9th (Lafleur)

Carmichael has been the loyal subordinate to Sean Payton in New Orleans for 11 years. Pace of course has connections to the Saints, so that’s something to watch. Reich is a former NFL backup quarterback who is enjoying a successful run with his second team as an offensive coordinator. DeFilippo is his quarterbacks coach, responsible for the outstanding play of both Carson Wentz and Nick Foles.

Nagy has really saved the season in Kansas City, reviving their stagnant offense over the past three weeks since he took over play calling duties. Lafleur, though he doesn’t call plays, is primarily responsible for the drastic turnaround by Jared Goff from his ugly rookie season to a possible Pro Bowl. It’s a strong group to be sure.

Now it’s likely this list is subject to change. There are still two weeks left to go in the season. As the end of the quote stated, it’s unknown which other coaches might become available. There are rumblings that Bill O’Brien in Houston and Jay Gruden in Washington may end up free agents. At that point Pace may have to consider them. Both are proven QB specialists who have led their teams to the playoffs.

It will be fascinating to see which direction this all goes.

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