It finally happened! Jon Lester just hit his first career home run.
Oh baby!
Are you kidding me? Jon Lester adds to the home run party by hitting the first dinger of his career. Wow. pic.twitter.com/tzZSxl9911
— Cubs Talk (@CSNCubs) August 2, 2017
It’s only fitting that Carlos Zambrano is at Wrigley Field, doing play-by-play in Spanish on CSN+.
This is incredible, considering Lester started his career 0-for-66 at the plate.
A Chicago Bears virtual reality setup sounds wrong. Especially for a franchise built around tradition. No team understands football history better and how to still execute it to this day. That’s nice for casual fans, but it’s proven a detriment to their overall success. The truth is this franchise is at its best when it is at the forefront of pioneering new things. There was the T-formation and film study in the 1940s. The “46” defense of the 1980s. That takeaway-prone methodology of the 2000s. All were innovations that helped the Bears win.
Now it seems they’re ready to embrace the new again. Not only have they overhauled the quarterback position in a big way, something that never happens, they’re also looking to technology as a way to get an edge. At this point the enemy of Chicago offensively is their quarterbacks’ inability to understand the offensive scheme. Worse still the NFL has rules in place that prevent extended practices. That means reps are in limited supply.
So how can they skirt around that rule to get the QBs extra mental reps? Virtual reality may hold the answer to that. The team is in collaboration with a tech company to supply the Bears practice facilities with VR equipment. The layout of which is an education in ingenuity.
Rich Campbell got an explanation about what exactly the team is trying to accomplish. It started with a breakdown of what the VR tech can do and how it will help Mitch Trubisky, Mike Glennon and the other quarterbacks.
“Here’s how it works:
The 360-degree cameras are placed around the field during practice. For the quarterbacks’ sake, they’re in the backfield.
After practice, memory cards are plugged into a computer, and the footage is uploaded in about 45 minutes. STRIVR software then divides the video into individual plays and classifies it per team specifications.
Then it’s ready for the Bears’ quarterback meetings with offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and position coach Dave Ragone. One quarterback puts on the VR headset over his head and eyes and holds a small controller, actually an Apple TV remote, Glennon said. He runs through plays that either he or one of the other quarterbacks actually ran in practice.
What the player sees inside the helmet is displayed simultaneously on a laptop or big screen for the others in the room. From there, collaborative evaluations begin.
Said Sanchez: “If I’m looking left and I’m supposed to look right, Dowell can pause it and say, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. That’s not what we want. Remember, on this concept versus this specific look, see the corner, see the leverage — boom — we want to look right.'”
They say one of the biggest assets a team could have is an offensive coordinator on the field. That way he can see how things are developed and then just call plays from the line. It’s why quarterbacks who’ve mastered a system and make their own calls is so effective today. It sounds like this method is that vital bridge to getting the eyes of the coach on the field where he can instruct the most difficult part of a quarterback: his head.
One of the most underrated aspects of a good quarterback is his vision. The ability to go from his first read to a second, third and fourth until he finds an open receiver. Most young QBs are content to do one of two things. Either throw the pass to their first read if he’s open or tuck the ball and run. Colin Kaepernick is among those who made this style all the rage five years ago.
Problem is defenses can adjust to that because it’s too simple a formula. The Bears want Trubisky to operate like a surgeon. That means patiently scanning until he finds the proper place to cut. Doing that requires trusting his eyes. This technology would help with it. STRIVR representatives are impressed with how accepting Chicago has been of the idea.
“The Bears are very, very much on the leading edge, even though we’re in Year 3 as a company,” Belch said. “This is still something that scares people. It’s still something that’s going to take time to permeate every part of the NFL. Chicago is one of the teams diving in. It’s a perfect storm with the quarterback situation, but it’s going to be so much bigger there.”
VR training isn’t going to be the decisive factor in whether Mitch Trubisky becomes a great quarterback. The point is he has another valuable tool at his disposal. One that can get him accustomed to the speed and complexity of the NFL game at a high rate. At the same time it helps Mike Glennon absorb the offense faster. There just isn’t much of a downside to this approach.
The Chicago Cubs have made a few roster moves ahead of their series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. As expected, reliever Justin Grimm and rookie catcher Victor Caratini are being optioned to Triple-A after the trade with the Detroit Tigers that brought Justin Wilson and Alex Avila to the North Side.
The acquisition of Wilson gives Joe Maddon a third left-handed reliever out of the bullpen, with Brian Duensing and Mike Montgomery already in there and well, fans finally get their wish as Grimm has been shipped off to Iowa.
#Cubs option RHP Justin Grimm and C Victor Caratini to @IowaCubs to make room for Wilson, Avila
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 1, 2017
It’s been a rough season for Grimm, who has a 5.18 ERA in 40 innings. The righty has already been sent down once after starting the year with a 7.53 ERA through his first 13 appearances. The frustrating thing about Grimm is that he has incredible stuff, but the control issues are present far too frequently. And we’ve seen him be great in big moments going back to the 2015 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, so he’s shown off his ability. Even this year when he came back from the minors, Grimm pitched 12.1 innings in June and only gave up one earned run, with 16 strikeouts and three walks. However, he simply hasn’t put it together. Grimm pitched in nine games during July and gave up at least one run in six of those outings.
So, Grimm’s out and Wilson is in. If you think he’s simply a matchups guy that will only come in to face left-handed hitters, then you’re way off. With the Tigers, Wilson had a 2.68 ERA and 0.94 WHIP as the closer. Lefties are only hitting .220 against him, with a .633 OPS. Yet, Wilson has been even better against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .131 batting average and .535 OPS in 99 at bats.
I’d assume Wilson becomes the set-up man for Wade Davis, while Carl Edwards Jr., Pedro Strop, Koji Uehara and Hector Rondon get their chances earlier in games.
Finally, there’s Alex Avila. He’s had a great rebound year, although he just finished off a terrible month of July at the plate. But he comes as another lefty bat with some pop and will give Willson Contreras the rest that he needs. Jed Hoyer talked about that aspect of the trade and how the Cubs needed to make the trade to save Contreras from himself.
Via Patrick Mooney:
“Willson plays like the Energizer Bunny,” general manager Jed Hoyer said. “We all know that. But everyone has their limits. And I do think we have to be very careful not to wear him down – to make sure he’s still fresh during the pennant race.
“We risked him playing too much without going out and making a move like this.”
-Jed Hoyer
Avila has a .274/.394/.475 slash line with 11 home runs in 219 at bats this season. He’ll fit right in the Cubs lineup, with his 16.3% walk rate.
And hey, at least Victor Caratni went out with a bang.
Victor Caratini Went Out With A Bang, Hitting His 1st Career MLB Home Run
Hey, LaVar Ball – you can shut up now.
During a Q&A session at his basketball camp in Santa Barbara, California, Bulls legend Michael Jordan fired back at LaVar Ball’s assertion that he could make the GOAT cry in a game of 1-on-1.
Check it out:
The audio is somewhat muffled by the shouts from the crowd. In case you can’t make out what Jordan’s saying, here’s the transcript:
“You got to understand the source. I think he played college, maybe? He averaged 2.2 points a game. Really? It doesn’t deserve a response, but I’ma give it to you because you asked the question. I don’t think he could beat me if I was one-legged.” – Michael Jordan
Michael’s right. LaVar’s claim is so ridiculous that it doesn’t even deserve a response from the greatest basketball player ever. But he gave him one anyway, and MJ didn’t disappoint.
For the record, I don’t think Michael was being facetious or hyperbolic. I truly believe he thinks he could beat LaVar Ball in a game of 1-on-1 while using only one of his legs. He’s not the only one who believes that. My money’s on one-legged Michael all day.
Will this shut up LaVar for a while? Probably not, but let’s hope so.
After last night’s freak collision, Willy Garcia was officially diagnosed with a concussion and has been put on the seven-day disabled list. In a corresponding move, the White Sox have purchased the contract of INF/OF Nicky Delmonico from the Charlotte Knights.
Delmonico is a versatile player that can play just about any position on the diamond. In 99 games with the Charlotte Knights, Delmonico has put up a slash line of .262/.347/.421. With that, he has 12 home runs, 44 RBI’s, and 4 stolen bases. Delmonico isn’t the flashiest White Sox prospect by any means, but he does a little bit of everything and will play hard 100% of the time.
One of the biggest themes during this White Sox rebuild has been depth. Sure the future stars like Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech are going to bring on the majority of attention, but the best teams also have tremendous depth. Delmonico could easily be one of those guys. He has the offensive/defensive balance to be an effective super-utility type player on the White Sox for years to come.
It’s an interesting time to be a Bulls fan.
What I mean by that is… if I see one more status by Chicagoans proclaiming their newfound love of the Cleveland Cavaliers I will delete all social media.
Seriously.
I’ve done it before for far less– because, fuck people, right? Especially Gar/Pax. However, that’s neither here nor there.
Despite the fickle nature of Bulls fans lately, there is truth in the fact that a decent number of former fan favorites are spread throughout the league now.
Hence the widespread plague of allegiant confusion.
Jimmy Butler is in Minnesota playing for Tom Thibodeau. Who in hindsight, probably shouldn’t have been fired for (snore) “the Mayor,” Fred Hoiberg.
Derrick Rose is now suited up a few hours away with the guy (LeBron James) who was supposed to be his arch nemesis for years to come…before the aforementioned Rose knee ligaments turned to cotton candy.
Hell, even Taj Gibson, the forever forgotten one, is playing in Minnesota– and truthfully, I had to google that again to assure myself this entire off season hasn’t just been some sort of sick twisted acid trip. Which yeah, it has been. But, it’s also reality.
The Bulls are in limbo, and our favorite players are gone.
So, for the sake of conversation– if we’re all going to be pseudo Cleveland and/or Minnesota fans, which one of our favorite former Bulls should be happiest to be free from the inept cluster fuck known as the Chicago Bulls?
Ahhh, the holy triumvirate.
Jimmy Butler is happy as hell to be in Minnesota back under the tutelage of psycho Tom. This is a given.
Especially considering the T’Wolves are young as hell and full of potential star power.
Also, his trainer compared Gar Forman to the likes of Pablo Escobar. So there’s that.
Sure, last year was rough for the kids up north. But, it was their first year with Thibs; and if there’s anything Thibs does well, it’s maximizing potential.
The acquisition of two veteran players in Butler and Gibson who are familiar with Thibodeau’s methods should yield great results in terms of helping to mentor the likes of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. Thus expediting their rise to Western Conference contention.
The caveat?
Will Thibodeau run the potential out of them? Will he stunt their growth and plateau as he did in Chicago?
At any rate– Best case scenario, the Minnesota Timberwolves are serious contenders within 3 years.
Worst case? They die of exhaustion and never reach the mountain top. Same story, different colors.
Now to address the fallen angel.
Derrick Rose.
The man who was supposed to save Chicago, but instead fell victim to the rigorous style of the man we spoke of above.
Let’s be honest here– Thibs didn’t cut Rose’s knee ligaments like a psycho ex would your brakes. But hell, he certainly didn’t help. Let’s just say he neglected to change the oil every three thousand miles.
When it comes to Derrick Rose, Tom Thibodeau is surely guilty of (at the very least) criminal negligence.
However, Rose has the opportunity to do something really special here.
Which is–revitalize his career.
Without delving into some crazy distribe we are all tired of hearing, let’s just leave it at this– the story of Rose is fucking insane.
I’d be willing to bet that, for ill or nill, a 30 for 30 will be made about him within the next 10 years. And it’ll go something like this…
“What if I was to tell you… a shy kid from Englewood dared to challenge the shadow of his mentor in the city he loved… and then became a walking life alert commerical..”
OR
“What if I was to tell you… a shy kid from Englewood dared to challenge the shadow of his mentor in the city he loved… fell from grace… yet somehow managed to reach the mountain top as hand to the king.”
Touching story.
Now for my opinion– without being a cop out I’ll say this and then expound, I believe it’s somewhat of a toss-up.
On one hand you have the T(hib) Wolves, who just got notably better, but the West is ummm NOTABLY better than the East. SO, there’s that.
On the other, you have the Cavs who are essentially a lock to go to the Finals– being that I’m pretty sure my current south side 8th grade Catholic league team is a challenger for the 8 seed.
I’ll take D. Rose and the Cavs. LeBron may be extrememly motivated IF this is his final year in Cleveland and especially motivated after seeing this–
But it’s this year or bust for LBJ and Co. whereas with the Wolves it’s the exact opposite– so it’s essentially a pick ’em.
What say you?
[poll id=”64″]
The Chicago Bears wide receivers know they’re under the microscope in 2017. With three new quarterbacks on the roster, it’s more vital than ever for them to perform at a high level. That can bring a lot of pressure. In such situations it’s the coaches’ jobs to keep them loose and motivated. No easy task given how different the personalities can be.
Of course the poster child of this is Kevin White. The former first round pick is fighting a war on multiple fronts. He’s expected to fill a larger role now that Alshon Jeffery is gone. His health remains a constant concern after missing all but four games his first two years with leg injuries. His confidence is low. How do the Bears cope with that?
Well one way new Bears receiving coach Zach Azzanni is trying out is stoking his competitiveness. Every professional athlete has an ego and believe they’re the best. Why not find a creative, and friendly way to fuel that drive?
The last thing football fans would ever think is that fully grown, testosterone-fueled men would get a thrill out of receiving a plastic toy army soldier. Turns out Azzanni found a way to make that work. When talking with Chris Boden of CSN Chicago, he explained how he uses it to push his players in practice. In a short time it’s taken on a life of its own.
“Yeah, I give out those little green army guys. I give out one of those a day for our soldier of the day. And it doesn’t have to mean making 18 catches. And you know what’s funny? We go into those meetings and guys are like, `Who’s got the Soldier of the Day?’ Cuz they wanna line `em up on their desk. I mean, these guys are still kids playing this game. And we’ve got to make it fun, too. I’ll let everyone else stress out about it, but we’re gonna have some fun in there but also teach these guys how to respect this game, how to play it with a hard edge and make people change the way they think about NFL wideouts.”
I had to ask. Is this coming out of his personal childhood collection?
“No it’s just Amazon. Ten bucks (for a 144 pack)…I don’t get paid what they get paid.”
One should at least give credit for Azzanni for his creativity. The Bears went looking for a new receivers coach during the offseason after shuffling their staff. Word is multiple sources recommended the former Tennessee assistant. True results from his work won’t come to light until the regular season. Nonetheless it’s clear he’s found a way to get his troops up each morning to give their best.
In the end that is the fundamental responsibility of any good coach.
Everybody knows that football is a physical sport. It features grown men running into each other at high speeds. Certain collisions can be dangerous if technique is shoddy and players aren’t being smart. One other aspect that often gets overlooked is the vast difference in sizes the NFL features. There are men who play the game standing a rangy 6’9″ while others who barely clear 5’8″. When those men come together in contact, it doesn’t end well. New Bears rookie Tarik Cohen found that out the hard way thanks to Cody Whitehair.
It took place during one of their first padded practices at training camp. To the surprise (and delight) of many fans it was the fourth round pick out of North Carolina A&T who was delivering a host of impressive plays. His mixture of speed and quickness were evident each time he touched the football.
Trubisky to Cohen. pic.twitter.com/812S81BHU8
— Dave_Ye (@Dave_YeRN) July 29, 2017
Apparently this performance even got his veteran teammates riled up. It was during one sequence in practice where Cohen made a big play and must’ve felt equally big in size. For a moment he forgot he was the smallest man on the team at 5’6″, 181 lbs. Adam Hoge of WGN documented what happened next.
“That said, there have been some legitimate positive moments for Cohen in camp, including a cut up the middle Sunday that earned a fist bump from offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. Cohen also caught two touchdowns the last two days. On Sunday, that led to an unfortunate chest bump celebration with center Cody Whitehair, which sent Cohen flying to the ground (Whitehair is 129 pounds heavier). Cohen learned his lesson, however, as Monday he went for the more controlled chest bump with tight end Daniel Brown.
“I ain’t gonna fall today,” Cohen said.”
Seems one could call that a perfect “Welcome to the NFL” moment for Cohen. Whitehair isn’t just a big man at 6’4″, 310 lbs. He’s also quite strong. It’s kind of a requirement given the equally big men he has to block every Sunday. So it’s a clear indicator of how clouded Cohen’s thinking was at the time of the celebration. He needs to remember his physics lessons. When smaller, lighter object meets bigger, heavier object the latter always wins.
If nothing else it’s a reflection of who Cohen is that he was smart enough to not do it again and tough enough to take it in the first place. Most human beings his size likely would’ve been carted off the field after that.
In the top of the 6th inning with the White Sox down 3-0, Dawrin Barney hit a flare into short right field. Both Willy Garcia and Yoan Moncada both made incredible efforts, as Garcia actually made a great sliding grab. However, Moncada was flying at full speed and could not get out of the way in time as his knee collided right into the side of Garcia’s head.
Ugly collision between Willy Garcia and Yoan Moncada. Both players left the game. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/S6MHYfpDYl
— CSN Chicago (@CSNChicago) August 1, 2017
Garcia dropped the ball and it was confirmed as a hit after a White Sox challenge. Both Garcia and Moncada remained on the ground in pain for a good five minutes. Garcia eventually was able to stand and walk back to the dugout, but the same could not be said for Moncada. Eventually, the cart had to be taken out to drive him off of the field. Both Garcia and Moncada will not return to tonight’s game.
It’s clear enough at this stage that a Jordan Howard comparison doesn’t really matter. People already know the young running back is a potential star in the making. His rookie season proved that. He set a Chicago Bears record with 1,313 yards rushing and went to the Pro Bowl. A dual feat that no other team in franchise history has accomplished.
Considering that history includes Matt Forte, Walter Payton and Gale Sayers it’s saying something. Nevertheless Howard has much more proving to do, and he knows that. He’s the first person to say he wasn’t satisfied with last year. He left a lot of yards on the field and was out of shape. Unacceptable if he’s going to be that driving force for this offense moving forward.
This didn’t stop his new running backs coach Curtis Modkins from reminding people just who the Bears might have in the backfield.
Modkins has been around the NFL for almost a decade. In that time he’s seen his fair share of excellent running backs. Among them include former Pro Bowlers Larry Johnson and C.J. Spiller. When asked about what he sees in Howard, the two names he raised were interesting ones to say the least.
#Bears RB coach Curtis Modkins says Jordan Howard is "big and strong like Marshawn was" and "there's a little bit of Fred Jackson in him."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 31, 2017
That’s a fascinating mixture and actually pretty accurate. Marshawn Lynch was first and foremost known for his raw power. No back in the league today broke tackles like he did. A stubborn refusal to go down. At the same time the underestimated part of his style that fits Howard the most is his decisiveness. Lynch basically picked a lane and went. He didn’t spend much time contemplating or dancing.
Jackson might be an even better comparison. Though he was never the fastest runner, the former Buffalo Bills star had terrific vision. He saw where the holes were and didn’t waste time getting to them. You’d often see him gash defenses for big plays but had few home runs. That sounds like Howard in a nutshell.
Jackson may not be as revered as Lynch, but he was a tremendous back for a long time. In fact he went for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in five of six seasons from 2009 to 2014. This included 1,300 in 2011 despite playing in just 10 games. In the end Howard playing like him and Lynch isn’t a bad thing, but it doesn’t mean he’ll mirror their careers.
His course will be charted in a different direction. Bears fans can only hope it will be a good one. One thing is for sure. It should be a fun ride.
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