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Two Bears Officially Ranked Among 10 Best Linebackers Ever

By
Erik Lambert
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bears linebackers

Ask fans this simple question. If there is one position the Chicago Bears have made their own in the NFL, what is it? Almost to a man, woman and child they’d say the same simple word:  linebacker. No team in pro football has a deeper and more illustrious history that Bears linebackers do. It’s one that goes back all the way to the birth of the league in the 1920s through today.

The demands of the position may have changed over that time but the franchise always found a way to stay on the cutting edge. Whenever Chicago has had success in the realm of football, it’s often been because of the presence of a great linebacker. So it might be interesting to know what the top experts think about this legacy in comparison to the rest of the league.

Gil Brandt, a former longtime scout for the Dallas Cowboys and current analyst for NFL Network, created his list of the best linebackers of all-time. To the surprise of nobody he had Lawrence Taylor at #1 overall, but how did the Bears end up fairing?

Bears linebackers represented well with two in the top 10

9. Bill George

Chicago Bears, 1952-1966; Los Angeles Rams 1966
» One-time NFL champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

3. Dick Butkus

Chicago Bears, 1965-1973
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The entire list was made up of 45 names. For those curious Mike Singletary (16), George Connor (24), Brian Urlacher (27) and Joe Fortunato (33) were the other men to make it. No other team was able to top that total number of six. Only the Kansas City Chiefs matched having two in the top 10 with Bobby Bell and Derrick Thomas taking the honors.

It’s fitting that George and Butkus are the men to reach the top. After all they were really the two men who put middle linebacker on a completely different level between the 1950s and 1960s. Before it has been a position all about stopping the run. With them it transformed into a versatile tool of destruction that wreaked havoc on every down. In a way it seems so fitting that the two men were connected. Butkus was the man who replaced George in 1965.

At first glance it appears the Bears might be adding to their already rich legacy. Leonard Floyd flashed a ton of potential as a rookie in 2017 with seven sacks. If his health holds out, there is a strong chance he could become the next great linebacker in Chicago.

Papa Hops 16″ Softball Tournament Becoming ‘Must-See’ Event On South Side

By
Matt Eastman
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Papa Hops Tourney

In you are from Chicago, especially from the South Side, you’ve almost certainly played or at the very least watched the game of 16-inch softball. The concept was born back in the late 1800’s with a wrapped up boxing glove and broom stick becoming a makeshift bat and ball; however, true no-glove softball became famous in the 1920s and has remained a staple of nearly every park in Chicago during the summer months.

At first glance, some may look on and question, “how hard can it be to hit an oversized ball being lobbed underhand?” The answer lies on the diamond. Watching the game being played at the highest of levels can bring a whole new level of respect for not only the game, but those who leave it all out on the field for the sake of bragging rights.

In just one week, the fourth annual Papa Hops Tournament will return July 14 to Kennedy Park in the heart of the South Side. Those who play the game are very familiar with this tournament as it has grown considerably over the past couple of years.

The tournament now stands at 28 teams, with the first and second rounds being played at both Mt. Greenwood and Kennedy Park. From there, all games move to Kennedy Park with the championship game usually beginning around 9:30 p.m.

The best part about the tournament though is the atmosphere. Everyone is there for a great cause and to have a good time.

Image may contain: one or more people and text

It all began back in the summer of 2014, when three brothers, Liam Hopkins (24), Martin (26) and Tommy (28), along with their friends, started the Inaugural Papa Hops 16″ Softball Tournament up at Kennedy Park in honor of their later father, Tom “Papa Hops” Hopkins, who died earlier that year as a result of melanoma.

Howard Ludwig, DNA Info, gives a fantastic breakdown of how this tournament has quickly begun to make a name for itself in the eyes of softball enthusiasts all over the city. If you haven’t read it, I implore you to give it a read.

Image result for papa hops softball

“You’re out with everyone. The lights are on. The scoreboard is on, and it is just a fun-filled event,” Liam Hopkins said.

“It’s turned into one of the best tournaments in Chicago,” he said. “What’s able to make it go on is not just the guys organizing it. It is the neighborhood and the community supporting us.”

The tournament has raised over $60,000 for charity, which includes a new scoreboard for Kennedy Park; however, the majority of the funds raised have been given to families in the Chicagoland area with children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The year, Liam expects the event to be bigger than ever, which is why Sports Mockery is proud to announce our involvement in sponsoring the championship game. We hope to bring added, and much deserved, attention to this event in an effort to get more people involved.

If you are looking to volunteer your services, please contact the Tom Hopkins Memorial Foundation here.

So, pack your coolers and head on up to the park for a fun afternoon/night of 16″ softball. Papa Hops will be smiling once again to see the park he loved packed with family, friends, neighbors and many people throughout our community.

— Tom Hopkins memorial foundation

Stay tuned for further information on how and when you can watch the championship game being streamed LIVE courtesy of Sports Mockery.

Mitch Trubisky Agents Have Stalled on Rookie Contracts Before

By
Erik Lambert
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mitch trubisky contract

Turns out the Mitch Trubisky agents in charge of his rookie contract have a history of hardball negotiating. Bruce and Ryan Tollner are part of a sports agency known as Rep 1 Sports. They have a prominent standing in the NFL these days. Nowhere more so than the quarterback position. Five-time Pro Bowler Ben Roethlisberger is their client, as is former #3 overall pick Blake Bortles of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The one that will interest Chicago Bears fans though is Marcus Mariota. He signed on with them back in 2015. Why is this relevant. Well according to Chris Boden of CSN Chicago, the brothers aren’t afraid to stand their ground on contract negotiations. Even if it might cause a media uproar. One that is threatening to if Trubisky can’t attend the start of training camp because he still hasn’t signed his rookie deal.

Turns out the same thing almost happened with Mariota two years ago.

Mitch Trubisky agents aren’t afraid to be patient

“Bruce and Ryan Tollner will not let their client take the field in Bourbonnais without a deal in place, even if they let it slide during organized team activities and minicamp last month. It’s great the kid says he’ll be there, deal or not, but they won’t let it happen without being signed, sealed and delivered.

It’s important to note that the Tollners have represented the last two No. 2 overall picks, who’ve also happened to be quarterbacks. Back in 2015, Marcus Mariota was their man and things got a little dicey before he eventually signed a four-year, $24 million contract that included nearly $16 million guaranteed. The Titans historically didn’t include offset language in their deals for first-rounders, but agreed to a partial offset in this case as the day of reckoning neared.”

For an idea, Mariota agreed to his deal on July 21st of 2015. Training camp started just 10 days later. For the Bears their first camp practice is set for July 26th. This means 19 days remain for the team to get things worked out with Trubisky and his representatives. The good news is that’s still plenty of time. GM Ryan Pace has his own history of methodical negotiating that can take longer than normal.

One can say it’s unnecessary but given how well he’s managed the salary cap to this point, it’s hard to argue with his methods. He knows the simple stipulation. Get the deal done by July 25th. As long as he does that, however long it took before doesn’t matter. It certainly didn’t impact Mariota. He was terrific in 12 starts as a rookie with 2,818 yards, 19 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions.

Kris Bryant Doesn’t Care About Hitting For The Cycle, Crushes 2nd HR Of The Game Instead

By
Aldo Soto
-

Kris Bryant got the Cubs rolling today against the Pittsburgh Pirates after some of the ugliest baseball you’ll ever see on Friday. After both teams combined to strand a million runners on base, Bryant hit an RBI-triple in the fourth. He followed that up with a home run in his next at-bat, which put him a double shy of hitting for the cycle (he had a single in the first). But nah, the MVP isn’t here for cycles, he’s here to hit dingers.

With two outs in the eighth inning, Bryant stepped up to the plate with a chance to be the first Cubs player to hit for the cycle since Mark Grace. What’s better than sliding into second for a double? As JD told us, it’s jogging around the bases after a home run.

See ya!

Bryant’s first home run on Friday was even more majestic.

I’m so happy I could hump some ivy. Wait what?

Oh.

Anyway, this game horrid at the start as both teams left 10 runners on base in the first two innings alone. Both teams made three errors, but a win is a win and Cubs fans will take it and be more than happy.

Joe Maddon Calls Lengthy Team Meeting With One Clear Message

By
Gus
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joe maddon

Going into today’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cubs find themselves in a position that absolutely nobody expected them to be in. They are one game below .500 and trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games in the NL Central. Add to that, they got embarrassed at home yesterday by those same Brewers and were relegated to having a position player (Jon Jay) pitch which as we all know, is not something you want to see your favorite team have to do.

Needless to say — things are pretty shaky on the North side of Chicago.

We are now beyond, “Well it’s only April (or May or June)” that many Cubs fans would say early in the season and now we find ourselves only days away from the All-Star break. The Cubs have played mediocre baseball at best which has resulted in the team never being four games above or two games below .500 all season. Cubs fans know the team’s struggles — the starting rotation is very bad, everyone has seemingly under performed offensively, and they still cannot get a goddamn hit with a man in scoring position.

However, within the last week or so, the urgency to right the Cubs ship has slowly been starting to appear. Responding to the players comments about welcoming some trade deadline acquisitions to add some “energy” to a dormant ball club, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein responded,

“The talent rests inside our clubhouse, inside players who are wearing our uniforms right now.”

Those players in Cubs uniforms were summoned to a team meeting yesterday by Cubs manager Joe Maddon. If you know anything about Maddon, the fact he called a team meeting should be relatively surprising in and of itself. He has stated on numerous occasions that he hates holding team meetings and traditionally only holds three meetings per year: Spring Training, All-Star break, and before the post season. In addition to that, he doesn’t like to hold team meetings at home because he believes that most team meetings have a bad vibe and he never wants to give the home facilities a bad feel.

So with that said, the fact that he bumped his All-Star break meeting up a few days, paired with the fact that it was held in the home facilities since the team played Milwaukee at home yesterday, shows you the urgency Maddon must have. Never one to panic however, Maddon shared the message of yesterday’s lengthy team meeting.

“The message was to continue to stay together as a group, and the answers will come out of the room itself.”

While Theo and Joe both think that the answers are within the current team itself, the team’s 42-43 record says otherwise. They need to add AT LEAST one arm to the rotation and I just can’t wrap my head around watching Lackey or Eddie Butler get handed the ball in the post season. Lester and Arrieta haven’t been as sharp this season and Hendricks’ health is still in question. Can the team pitch and play better baseball in the second half?

Absolutely.

Does the team need to make some moves at the deadline to inject some life into this team?

My opinion says yes but there’s a reason why I’m not a MLB front office executive. Neither Maddon or Theo believe in making a trade just to make one and Epstein was even quoted saying the team wouldn’t “force” a trade even though every fan is screaming for changes.

Of course I want to see some form of a trade happen because watching the Cubs the first half of this season has been pretty painful. However, I remember when Theo got hired back in 2011, I was so pumped that I bought a shirt that has a message that still holds true today even though the team has limped through the first half of the season:

“In Theo We Trust.”

 

 

 

Cubs Sign First-Round Pick Alex Lange

By
Aldo Soto
-

The Chicago Cubs have signed first-round pick Alex Lange out of LSU. The right-handed pitcher was selected 30th overall back in June and the Cubs actually saved some money on the signing.

Lange, who went 10-5, with a 2.97 ERA and a 3/1 strikeout to walk ratio during his junior season at LSU, settled for less than the slot bonus value of almost $2.2 million after something came up on his physical, according to FanRag Sports.

Robert Murray reported the following before the Cubs came to an agreement with Lange prior to Friday’s deadline.

Chicago Cubs first-round pick Alex Lange had an issue come up with his physical on Monday, but the sides continue to talk about a deal that would presumably be less than the slot bonus value of $2,184,300 for the No. 30 pick, league sources tell FanRag Sports.

It’s unclear what the exact issue is with Lange’s physical, but it was enough where the two sides have to go back and discuss a new deal.

Earlier on Friday, Jon Heyman reported that Lange was considering a return to LSU.

However, Lange would then be at a disadvantage coming into next year’s MLB Draft as a senior, having no leverage in negotiations. At the end, the Cubs and the pitcher got on the same page and agreed to a deal.

Lange had 150 strikeouts and 48 walks in 124.1 innings this last season at LSU. The 150 strikeouts were second most in the NCAA.

Anyway, whatever came up on the physical is hopefully not a big deal, but if it leads to something bigger like Tommy John Surgery, it’s better to get that out of the way early and then have Lange all set afterward. Again, that’s simply pure speculation from me, as the FanRag Sports report didn’t specify what the issue was on the physical.

Here’s Your Shot At Winning An Authentic Cubs World Series Ring

By
Gus
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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 12: Members of the Chicago Cubs show off their World Series Championship rings before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on April 12, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 700010344 ORIG FILE ID: 667821230

Starting today, Cubs fans will have the opportunity to win an authentic 2016 World Series championship ring. Jostens, the company who made the rings, has donated one player-grade ring to be auctioned off “raffle ticket” style for one lucky fan to win.

There’s a bit of a catch however.

In accordance with state and local law, Ring Raffle tickets are only available in Chicago.

Basically what this means is residents of the city of Chicago can go online and purchase the raffle tickets without any hassle. If you live outside the city of Chicago, legally you should buy your tickets in person at one of the “designated ring raffle locations”: Wrigley Field on gamedays, near Fan Services in the Budweiser Bleachers, by the Audi Club near Gate D, the Cubs Store locations on Michigan Avenue, the Park at Wrigley as well as additional kiosks in Wrigleyville and downtown Chicago.

The raffle ticket website gives you an option to buy between 1-100 tickets to enter the drawing for the monstrous ring. Per Jostens’ website, “each ring contains 214 diamonds, 33 genuine red rubies and 46 genuine blue sapphires.” If that’s not enough, the ring will also feature your last name on it just like the players had if you are so lucky to win. It’s unsure if this ring would count as one of the 1,908 pieces of jewelry that Cubs gave out following their World Series win but at this point, who’s even counting?

Before you get your hopes up (and credit card out) just remember — anything with the Cubs and contests always means you basically have no shot in hell at winning due to the ridiculous amount of entries but hey, why not donate $10 bucks to the Cubs anyways?

You can find more information on purchasing the tickets here.

 

Bulls Targeting Free Agent Power Forward JaMychal Green

By
Matt Peck
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bulls targeting free agent power forward jamychal green

Bulls fans are still waiting for word on any developments of the negotiations between the front office and restricted free agent Nikola Mirotic. The veteran power forward hasn’t generated much interest on the market, and latest reports have the Bulls trying to play hardball. Mirotic reportedly wants a multiyear deal earning close to $20 million per season. But if he can’t find any such offers from other teams to bring back to Gar Forman and John Paxson, the front office will have the upper hand in negotiations. If they can keep Niko on board for closer to $10 million per season on a three year deal, they’d consider that a big win.

JaMychal Green

Meanwhile, and perhaps as a backup plan to re-signing Mirotic, the Bulls are reportedly eyeing another veteran stretch four on the restricted free agent market. According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, Chicago management is keen on JaMychal Green.

Here’s the excerpt from Deveney’s column:

JaMychal Green, Grizzlies — The Grizzlies are still planning to keep Green, and their payroll is such that they really can’t afford to let him go. Green is 27 and coming off a breakout year, with impressive per-36 numbers (11.8 points, 9.3 rebounds). There has been interest from the Bulls, sources said, and he is a backup plan in San Antonio depending on what happens with Simmons. There is a chance something could get worked out without an offer sheet (the Hawks and Suns will be monitoring the situation), but the Grizzlies can bide their time and see how the remainder of the market for RFAs plays out.

Green has made a strong name for himself in recent seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies after going undrafted in 2012. He started 75 games for the Grizzlies last season, setting career highs with 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He’s a strong shooter for the power forward position, averaging 50% from the floor and 38% from downtown. That’s the kind of stretch four Fred Hoiberg needs for his offense.

But if the Bulls succeed in bringing Mirotic back, the need for adding Green lessens. They also used the 7th overall pick in the draft to acquire 7-foot shooting phenom Lauri Markkanen, and Bobby Portis is still under contract. With those three fighting for minutes at the four, there wouldn’t be much room for Green.

It also appears the Bulls might have some competition for Green. If a bidding war arises between several teams trying to buy him away from the Grizzlies, the Bulls might decide to err on the side of fiscal frugality.

We’ll keep you up to speed with any further developments of the Bulls’ interest in Green.

Cubs Fans Going Crazy Over A Free Bobblehead Was So Cub It Hurts

By
Aldo Soto
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A quick side note, I was looking up a story relating to batshit crazy fans and I ended up on the following tweet. Just a little laugh for all of you reading this who might be on edge after yesterday’s brutal loss.

Enjoy.

Anyway, back to yesterday. So, you know it’s a rough game when the highlight of the afternoon is Jon Jay throwing 46 mph and pitching a scoreless ninth inning, but that’s where we found ourselves on Thursday, when the Milwaukee Brewers kicked the Chicago Cubs ass at Wrigley Field. Embarrassing game, but you put those in the trash as soon as you can like Joe Maddon said after the game. Yet, what was more pathetic was Cubs fans losing their damn minds before the game even started.

You want to panic because the Cubs have been mediocre and are 4.5 games out of first place? Fine. You want to boo? Go ahead. You want to start a fucking mini riot for a bobblehead giveaway? Take a step back, re-evaluate your life and calm the fuck down.

It was 9:45 a.m. nearly four hours before first pitch on Thursday and fans were ready to break down the gates at Wrigley Field for a goddamn bobblehead. Oh, but it’s the final out of the World Series, featuring Bryzzo bobblehead, I MUST HAVE IT! No, no you really don’t.

But hey, I guess I’m the crazy one.

Fine.

HOWEVER! This shit was ridiculous.

And Crawly makes a great point. You want that bobblehead so bad, you show up early, get in line, and get yours. You can’t show up after the fact and expect to get one. And if you’re at the point where you’re pissed that you couldn’t get one, then you at least knew there was a strong chance that other people would show up early to get one.

The Cubs are playing awful baseball, the fans are going insane over a free bobblehead. That’s fucking Cub, that’s the shit Theo Epstein came here to stop.

And this dude

Get the fuck out of the way. Also, I’m 100 percent sure this is his wife.

https://www.sportsmockery.com/2016/01/crazy-cubs-fan-yells-at-theo-epstein-instantly-becomes-stupidest-fan-ever/

h/t: @crawlyscubs 

Mitch Trubisky Projected To Start This Many Games in 2017

By
Erik Lambert
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mitch trubisky

When will the Chicago Bears start Mitch Trubisky? Anybody with a lick of common sense knows this is coming. With all due respect to Mike Glennon, his hold on the starting job instantly weakened the moment GM Ryan Pace traded up to take the North Carolina standout at #2 overall. Sure, the 2017 season may be “his” but that’s only so long as he shows he can win football games.

Given the 5-13 record Glennon held as a starter in Tampa Bay, it’s hard to see him holding off Trubisky for long. Presuming of course the season goes as many expect. That being a slight improvement over 2016 but nowhere near playoff contention. In all likelihood this means the Bears will want to get their first round pick some game experience at some point.

ESPN insider K.C. Joyner projected the likely moment that will happen in his latest column. It details the snap percentage every first round pick is likely to play this season.

The Bears start Mitch Trubisky in December against Cincinnati

Projected snap percentage: 31.3

“Trubisky likely will take over the starting job once the Bears’ record indicates their 2017 season will not include a playoff berth. He is therefore being penciled in for four starts plus some fill-in time.”

This makes a good deal of sense. It should be clear through the first 12 games of the season whether the Bears can reach the playoffs or not. The past two seasons have proven that much. So why not use the final quarter to get a head start on 2018 for Trubisky? He’ll get some valuable experience against four beatable opponents. True, three of those games are on the road but it’s still good learning tools.

Four games is just about right. It gives him a solid base to work with going into next year. The risk of injury is minimized. To top it off a win or two would give him a nice confidence boost when he fully takes over the job next offseason. Some Bears fans may not like this. Even so it’s not a bad scenario were it to play out this way.

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