It was reported yesterday that the Chicago Blackhawks will open their 90th season at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 5. The rest of the schedule was released today and here are some of the highlights.
One of the first things you will notice is that there is no more “Circus Trip” or “Disney on Ice Trip” this season. Well, there is no more Ringling Bros. Circus anymore and who knows about the Disney trip. The longest road trip of the season will be six games from December 21-January 3.
There will be 19 of the 41 home games played on weekend with six Friday, four Saturday and nine Sunday games. The longest homestands will be a six-gamer in January and five-gamer in February.
Now, to who the Blackhawks will play. There will be a total of 26 division games with four games each (two home/two away) against the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues. The boys will have five tilts against the Minnesota Wild (three home/two away) and Winnipeg Jets (two home/three away).
The Blackhawks will play the remaining Western Conference teams three times each for a total of 24 games. As far as the Eastern Conference is concerned, they will play each team twice (one home/one away) for a total of 32 games.
You can see the full schedule for yourself below.
Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings.
The Bears safeties were a mess when it came to forcing turnovers in 2016. Harold Jones-Quartey had two while the rest of the position had zero. It’s a big reason why the team invested heavily at the position for another offseason. Eddie Jackson was drafted in the fourth round. The most important addition though may have been veteran Quintin Demps.
The 32-year old is coming off his best year as a pro with six interceptions for the Houston Texans. Clearly he’s figured out certain tricks to getting more takeaways. Indeed he has. During a discussion with JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago, Demps revealed his secret. The funny part is it has less to due with instincts, athleticism or speed.
Turns out it all goes back to the fundamentals.
Quintin Demps stresses learning to tackle before intercepting
One of the lost arts in the NFL these days is tackling. It may seem like one of the lesser important jobs for a defense but that’s far from the truth. Teams that are often the most efficient in tackling tend to play great defense. This was a persistent problem for the Bears, who missed routine tackles to allow extra yards. That’s something Demps intends to put a stop to.
“Turnovers are like, it’s not something that you go get, it’s something you let come to you by doing your job first and then helping out,” Demps said. “And then you’d be surprised how they come to you by doing your job and being aware of when you can help somebody out. A lot of times when you get help is when you get picks and turnovers.
I tell my safeties all the time, we gotta tackle first,” Demps said. “Tackle first, don’t miss any tackles and then the picks are going to come. I promise you that.”
That video indicates what Demps is referring to. It’s less about seeking the big play and more about doing his job. The idea being that if he and 10 other guys on defense do their jobs right, the takeaways are going to be there. That’s just something a young group of players is still figuring out. It’s also why Demps was signed in the first place. That is exactly what the Bears coaches and front office wanted him to do. Mentor and teach, both through words and by example.
It mind sound boring and technical, but there’s a reason for that. It works. Part of what made those Lovie Smith defenses so great a decade ago was their ability to tackle. They strung drives out, forcing opponents to work their way down the field. This increased the odds of them making a mistake. More of than not, it proved true.
Sports Mockery’s Adam Nissen broke the news earlier today that Kyle Schwarber was going to be sent down to Triple-A Iowa. However, the Chicago Cubs aren’t done making roster moves today. Jason Heyward is going to be placed on the disabled list, while outfielder Mark Zagunis and left-handed pitcher Dylan Floro will be called up.
After helping the Cubs win the World Series in November, Schwarber never took off batting leadoff in 2017. Manager Joe Maddon eventually moved the 24-year-old out of the No. 1 spot in the lineup, but Schwarber never improved. Through 64 games this season, Schwarber put up a .171/.295/.378 slash line. Schwarber struck out 75 times, drawing 36 walks, while hitting 12 home runs. The power has been there, but the overall struggles were too big to overlook.
The Cubs want Schwarber to take a break for a few days and just stay away from baseball before reporting to Triple-A, but Theo Epstein didn’t give a time table for his return back to the Cubs.
Sources: #Cubs planning to send Kyle Schwarber to Triple-A Iowa, put Jason Heyward on DL and add Mark Zagunis and Dylan Floro to roster.
In recent weeks, Schwarber was in a platoon, only starting in left field against right-handed pitchers. The weird thing about Schwarber’s short MLB career is that he’s seemingly had a lot of success, but he still hasn’t played in 162 regular season games. He came up until the summer in 2015, missed basically all of the 2016 season, and then became the leadoff hitter. Schwarber has 539 career plate appearances in 135 MLB games. Yes, that’s still a relatively small sample size.
The hope is Schwarber works on the specific things the Cubs have told him to work on and he gets his confidence back. Epstein was on 670 The Score on Thursday, and his main point was that Schwarber became a slugger instead of being a hitter.
Theo Epstein on Kyle Schwarber: "It's about being a hitter first, not slugger." #Cubs
Yes, it’s the minor leagues, but before Schwarber was called up for good by the Cubs he hit .333 in Triple-A. He can hit. That’s why the Cubs drafted him fourth overall in the 2014 draft. But right now, he’s simply lost, but we’ve seen incredible things from Schwarber before. He can easily get it back. The Cubs are on the road for two weeks and then the All-Star break starts a week later, so maybe Schwarber spends a month down in Iowa before coming back.
The bigger loss for the Cubs right now might actually be Heyward’s departure. The gold glove right-fielder injured his hand against the Pittsburgh Pirates and wasn’t available against the San Diego Padres this week.
Heyward has been better at the plate this year, but his defense in right is going to be missed even more.
As for the players coming up, we’ve seen Floro pitch out of the bullpen, but the intriguing name is Mark Zagunis, who could be the new Cubs leadoff hitter?
Yes, even though Anthony Rizzo established himself as the greatest leadoff hitter of all-time, ideally the Cubs want him batting third. Zagunis put up a .399 OBP in 65 games with the Iowa Cubs, with an .873 OPS.
Zagunis, 24, was drafted in the third round of the 2014 draft. In 338 minor league games, the right-handed hitter has a .401 OBP.
We’re just a few hours away from the 2017 NBA Draft, and trade rumors are in full swing. For the Bulls, the question of the day is whether or not Gar Forman and John Paxson will finally pull the trigger and sell high on Jimmy Butler.
According to Brian Windhorst, who covers the NBA for ESPN and follows the Cleveland Cavaliers closely, LeBron James & Co. are out of the running to land Butler.
Windy on George/Butler: "Nope. Not happening. The Cavs were not generating enough trade interest in Kevin Love."
Even if the Cavaliers failed to work a three-team trade for Butler or Paul George, the Bulls will likely still be receiving calls leading up to the draft tonight. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics have all been tied to Butler through reports and rumors.
The 2017 NBA draft has finally arrived. The Chicago Bulls have the 16th pick in the first round and the 38th pick in the second round tonight in New York. As rumors swirl around a potential Jimmy Butler trade, he and teammate Dwyane Wade are hanging out in Paris. Earlier this week, Wade informed Bulls management he’s picking up his $23.8 million player option to return next season. As for the Butler rumors, plenty of teams are trying to come up with an offer good enough to suit the high demands of Gar Forman and John Paxson. Right now, it looks unlikely that such an offer will materialize.
So let’s focus on tonight’s draft, assuming the Bulls stay put and pick 16th in the first round.
Draft Strategy
Forman and Paxson have a track record of drafting “best available” as opposed to drafting to fit the roster’s specific needs. However, we might see them stray from that course a bit this time around. Paxson made note several times that this roster seriously lacked shooting threats last season, and they’ll try to add a shooter in some way. That could mean a guard, a wing or even a stretch power forward with potential as an NBA three point shooter.
The other common denominator among previous GarPax picks is age and experience. The only two “one-and-done” players they’ve drafted in recent history are Derrick Rose and Marquis Teague. One of those worked out great (at least in the beginning) and the other was a total bust. Will we see them draft another player with several years of college experience? That might be difficult in this draft, as this class is very heavily saturated with one-year guys. If the best player available only has one year (either overseas or in college) under his belt, look for GarPax to take a chance.
With that – and given our latest information about certain prospects’ draft stocks – here’s my updated list of the top five most likely candidates for the Bulls to select with the 16th pick.
Top 5 Most Likely Bulls Draft Picks In 2017
5. OG Anunoby – Indiana
Year: Sophomore Position: SF/PF Meet/Workout with Bulls: No
Anunoby is one of the more fascinating unknowns in this draft. He burst onto the scene with a dominant defensive performance against Kentucky’s Jamal Murray in the 2016 Tournament his freshman year. Then OG hit a huge roadblock midway through his sophomore season with a torn ACL.
The kid is an athletic freak of nature in every perfect way for today’s NBA. The combo forward is long (6’8, 7’2 wingspan), strong and confident on the defensive end. He could very well turn into a Draymond Green/Kawhi Leonard type, capable of guarding 4 or 5 positions on the floor. He still needs a lot of work on the offensive end, but that can come with time. Draymond wasn’t the confident three point shooter he is now when he came out of Michigan State. Kawhi had virtually no offensive versatility when he got drafted from San Diego State. Look at them now.
If the Bulls want young, athletic guys who can guard multiple positions while developing a better NBA stroke, Anunoby would be a great option at 16. But with a different torn ACL so fresh in their memory, GarPax might shy away from him.
*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: According to my source who spoke with Anunoby earlier this week, the Indiana product believes he is falling down most teams’ draft boards. If the Bulls lose out on some of their targeted shooters projected to go from 10-15, Anunoby could very likely still be available.
4. Justin Patton – Creighton
Year: Freshman Position: C Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes
When chatting with Bulls scouts at the NBA Combine, Patton expressed confidence in his ability to contribute offensively around the perimeter at the NBA level. Smart kid, knowing that’s the answer they were looking for. But is it true? Let’s pump the brakes. His eye-popping 57.1% shooting from deep last season falls flat when you realize he only attempted 0.4 threes per game. He does have the size (7’0, 7’2.5 wingspan) and quickness to be an effective NBA center. He runs the floor well in transition and can play above the rim.
I wouldn’t necessarily take Patton over Jarrett Allen (Texas) or Ike Anigbogu (UCLA) if you’re talking about NBA potential at the center position, but we can’t forget the Gar Factor (patent pending). Patton played at Creighton under whom? Coach Greg McDermott. The Ames, Iowa connection might strike again in the 2017 draft.
*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: As much as Gar loves his little bubble of Iowa State and Creighton connections, I’m under the impression that the Bulls have been more impressed by Jarrett Allen of Texas. If they decide to go big, I give Allen a slight edge over Patton if both are available.
3. Jarrett Allen – Texas
Year: Freshman Position: C Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes
Allen had a private workout with the Bulls earlier this week, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. The center from Texas was a one-man wrecking crew through the Big 12 last season. Like Ike Anigbogu, he will need time to develop his offensive game at the NBA level, but he has more in his arsenal coming into the draft. He’s decent executing the pick and roll, and his enormous hands make him a great rim runner and lob target. Allen’s physique is top notch, standing 6’10 with a whopping 7’5.5 wingspan. The defensive skills are ready for the NBA.
Downside? Virtually zero chance at developing perimeter offense. While he converted 68% of his shots around rim for Texas, he played enough minutes at the four to prove he has no business playing the four in the NBA. If the Bulls insist on drafting a shooter, Allen’s out.
*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: Allen has begun to fall in several final versions of mock drafts, even as far as 26th in Chad Ford’s updated column this morning. The big knock on Allen is his “lack of focus” and similar character flaws. If that talk grows louder today, the Bulls might think twice about taking him. After all, young player development is *supposedly* this team’s focus moving forward. They don’t want to draft a kid who won’t put in the work.
2. Justin Jackson – UNC
Year: Junior Position: SF Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes
Jackson might be the prospect most frequently paired with the Bulls in mock drafts going back several months. The junior forward helped the Tar Heels reach back to back championship games in the NCAA Tournament. His strong play through UNC’s triumph this spring vaulted him up several draft boards from late first rounder to potential lottery pick.
Fun fact: Jackson is from Tomball, Texas. Yeah, Jimmy Butler’s hometown.
Jackson is a stereotypical pick for GarPax. He’s older (already 22) and has three years of college experience. He’s not the most athletic guy or the most skilled guy in the draft, but he’s a well-rounded player ready for the NBA. Jackson saw great improvement in his three point production as a junior, setting a Tar Heels record with 105 made threes at a 37% clip. His defensive versatility is limited, but his high basketball IQ should attract Hoiberg and the Bulls.
“IT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF MY BEST WORKOUTS AS FAR AS LEARNING AND COMPETITION. I LOVED IT. IT WAS INTENSE. I FEEL I SHOT THE BALL REALLY WELL.” – JUSTIN JACKSON
*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: After a surge into the lottery picks in some mock drafts, Jackson has cooled off a bit. I’d say there’s above a 50% chance that he’s still on the board when the Bulls pick at 16. The big question will be whether or not GarPax stray from their traditional methods and follow through on drafting somebody “younger and more athletic.” If they chicken out, Jackson will be the pick.
1. Terrance Ferguson – Adelaide (Australia)
Year: 1 year pro (NBL) Position: SG/SF Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes
Ferguson is a wildcard. The five-star recruit out of high school turned down Arizona to play his one pre-NBA year professionally in Australia. He served as a role player off the bench for the Adelaide 36ers, so his stats are nothing special. However, in his meeting with the Bulls at the NBA combine he talked about the benefits of playing against “grown men” in Australia’s pro league.
Terrance could be a great fit for Fred Hoiberg’s system in Chicago. He has the necessary physicality and skillset to develop into a great 3-and-D wing in the NBA. He mostly played shooting guard in Australia but has the size (6’7, 6’9 wingspan) to play minutes at small forward as well. Ferguson can get hot from three point range, and is also a very smart passer. In Fred’s pace and space offense, he’d be ready and willing to make the extra pass. His athletic ability is among the best in this draft class, and he just turned 19. “Younger and more athletic”? This kid definitely checks those boxes for GarPax.
*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: Unless a team ahead of the Bulls pulls a surprise move, I believe Ferguson will be available at 16. If GarPax are firm in their desire to add a shooter/athlete, this is the pick to make. Ferguson will need time to develop an NBA-ready game, but he’s only 19. I’m crossing all fingers that the Bulls finally adjust their draft strategy and take a player with raw athleticism and a high ceiling.
Too Late
Here are a few names the Bulls would love to get their hands on, but will likely be gone at 16. If they’re somehow still on the board, the Bulls should pounce: Donovan Mitchell (SG – Louisville), Luke Kennard (SG – Duke), Zach Collins (C – Gonzaga), Lauri Markkanen (PF – Arizona)
Honorable Mentions
If it’s not one of the five guys detailed above, here are a few more names Bulls fans should be aware of as possible alternative picks: Harry Giles (PF – Duke), Bam Adebayo (PF/C – Kentucky), John Collins (PF – Wake Forest), DJ Wilson (PF – Michigan)
Trade Up?
This is the last and – in my opinion – least likely scenario for the Bulls tonight. There have been reports that the Bulls are trying to trade up into the lottery. Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox and NC State point guard Dennis Smith Jr are rumored to be their targets. To get a chance at Fox, GarPax would need to trade into the top five. Phoenix picks 4th and have been mentioned in Jimmy Butler trade rumors. Smith is projected to go in the top ten. If the Bulls were to pull off a Butler trade with Minnesota, the Wolves’ #7 pick could probably land Smith. Another option would be somehow acquiring Sacramento’s #10 pick and hoping Smith falls that far.
That just about covers all the bases. Enjoy the draft tonight, everybody!
Chicago Bears 2017 free agency felt like a mixed bag of results. While GM Ryan Pace was able to bring in a number of solid veteran players to help improve team depth, it felt like he’d failed to land any big fish. Every notable name considered a top guy that the Bears targeted went elsewhere. Fans were disappointed. Especially later on when the team ended up making just five draft picks in total.
In essence they were left with few sure things about this upcoming season. It would be largely based on hope. The hope that some of their additions would outdistance expectations. Otherwise this has the look of a roster that will need one more offseason before it’s ready to compete. Yes it’s a rebuild, but it’s also generally expected that results should be seen by the third year.
ESPN insider Field Yates believes at least one name might surprise some people. He listed his top 10 one-year flier deals that teams handed out in free agency. Pace has proven himself the king of such contracts the past three years. True to form one of his moves ended up making the list.
Chicago Bears 2017 free agency could rest with Prince Amukamara
Prince Amukamara has had an interesting career. A former first round pick, he’s intermixed periods of big success with ones of struggle. More often than not the struggles were with nagging injuries. Most believe he quietly had a strong 2016 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and could be poised for something bigger in Chicago.
“The value of cornerbacks took another leap forward this offseason, as free-agent signings Stephon Gilmore (New England) and A.J. Bouye (Jacksonville) got a combined $66 million in guarantees, and it was a record-setting year for defensive backs in the draft, with 19 picked in the first two rounds.
And yet Amukamara, the former first-round pick who was steady but unspectacular in Jacksonville last season, had to sign yet another prove-it deal. Positional economics are important to be mindful of, and the Bears landed a projected starter on a below-market deal who’s only 28. Amukamara is a low-risk option who could pay off for Chicago down the road.”
Put simply Amukamara has a chance to be a slightly more talented version of what Tracey Porter was for Chicago in 2015. Porter became a lynch pin for the secondary that year and the team finished fourth against the pass. Amukamara is younger than Porter at that time. So indeed the potential upside is hard to ignore. Provided the front seven plays up to expectations, there’s a chance he could end up having a surprisingly good year.
Bryan Bickell’s battle with MS and his return to hockey have been well-documented. The disease forced Bickell into retirement but it hasn’t stopped him from being a hero.
The NHL chose to honor Bicks for his perseverance at the NHL awards tonight. Part of that honor was a video tribute that will bring the toughest of men to tears.
After the video highlighted Bickell’s fight to come back, he made a profound statement. “There’s a hockey life and a life after hockey. I have no regrets.”
He now has time to spend with his daughters, hang out on his boat back in Canada and raise awareness for MS.
Bickell along with his wife Amanda, followed the video with a speech to the crowd in attendance. The two of them could barely keep it together but found the time to thank the Chicago Blackhawks. I’m sure we’ll see Bicks back in Chicago one day for “One More Shift.”
We have heard for weeks that Marcus Kruger and Trevor van Riemsdyk would be headed to Las Vegas. No one was really sure who would go through the expansion draft or via trade.
Well the first one to go is officially final. Trevor van Riemsdyk is headed there via the draft.
The next question is, what about Marcus Kruger? The unprotected forward with the $3.083 million cap hit who was also rumored to go to the Golden Knights.
If there is in fact a deal, it will most likely be announced tomorrow morning.
Las Vegas was the only team able to make trades with the rest of the NHL during the trading freeze but decided to hold back that information. The Golden Knights said they wouldn’t announce any trades until the expansion draft.
Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings.
There is a long-standing myth in the NFL that drafting a quarterback high can protect a head coach from being fired. The reason being the importance of continuity for the sake of the player. Why it’s such an effective idea is based on its logic. Few things can destroy the career of a young player more than lack of consistent coaching. That’s why most felt that the John Fox job security got a bump when Mitch Trubisky was drafted in April.
Is it true though? According to some research, I went back and looked at every quarterback drafted in the first round who saw his head coach get fired after his first year. Here is the list of names involved:
Chad Pennington
Rex Grossman
Aaron Rodgers
Matt Leinart
Tim Tebow
Blaine Gabbert
Brandon Weeden
Jameis Winston
Marcus Mariota
Jared Goff
Paxton Lynch
As with most lists there are definitely some names involved that give the argument some credence. However, the fact is guys like Grossman and Leinart were done in more by injuries than by coaching issues. Meanwhile guys like Pennington, Mariota, Winston and of course Aaron Rodgers had good to great success despite the change.
So the bottom line remains. Does the pick warrant Fox staying put even if the season is bad?
John Fox job security is tied to his record, not his new QB
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was posed that very question during one of his mailbag sessions. His answer was rather straightforward with little room for interpretation.
“I see where you are going with this but I tend to disagree. I think Fox and his staff are going to do whatever they think gives the team the best chance to win every single week of the season. Ultimately, coaches are judged by wins and losses in a bottom line business. If and when Trubisky plays and he plays well, that will bode well for Fox, Loggains and the rest of the staff. To address the second half of your question, I have a hard time believing Fox would keep his job if the Bears win only three games. They’re 9-23 over the last two season and in today’s NFL 12 victories over a three-year period doesn’t get it done for a head coach.
Can you imagine the public reaction if the Bears were to go 3-13 and not make significant changes at Halas Hall? The other key element you’re overlooking here is that Fox is signed through the 2018 season. It’s rare in the NFL for a coach to be given a lame duck season so the Bears are likely going to have to extend Fox at the end of this season or replace him. I personally don’t believe it’s a good idea to keep a coaching staff for continuity’s sake if the results don’t justify continued employment.”
There’s really no getting around that argument. Continuity is a fine idea but it’s also a gray area. That’s because there can be good continuity and bad continuity. The only thing that can be worse than putting a young player under multiple head coaches in a short span is putting him under a bad head coach for a long span. Therein lay the big issue for the Bears.
Eventually they have to make the decision to fish or cut bait. Can they trust Trubisky to work his way into a new offensive system after just one year? Given the storied work habits about the young man, it shouldn’t be a problem if that’s what it comes to. So in truth Biggs is right. The only way Fox keeps his job is if he wins more games than he did last year.
Well folks, the craziness has officially begun. It’s a beautiful Wednesday afternoon here in Chicago and, in case you forgot, it’s not just the summer solstice that makes today the longest day of the year. We are just over 24 hours away from the NBA draft and, as expected, there are rumors aplenty — hot as the season they’re ushering in. Happy summer everyone. Happy NBA off-season.
As of now, even the most casual Bulls fan has heard the rumors swirling around Jimmy Butler. BUT, just in case you’re one of the few who isn’t privy to these aforementioned rumors allow me to fill you in…
Our beloved Jimmy Butler may be on his way out.
However, as sure as the fact tonight we’ll enjoy the latest sunset of the year, the rumors continue to grow as the day is long.
Enter Chicago native Patrick Beverley.
Welcome Home?
Once upon a time, Beverley, now a very serviceable point guard well known for his defensive prowess, was (believe it or not) lighting up W. Adams St. to the tune of 37 points per game around the corner at John Marshall Metropolitan.
Nowadays, the Houston point guard, who actually started his professional career playing in Ukraine, may find himself in familiar territory. Still wearing red, but not any red.
Bulls red.
Originally reported by Sportingnews.com — Houston, now an offensive powerhouse under the tutelage of run and gun wizard Mike D’Antoni, is reportedly shopping the 28-year-old point guard in hopes to clear cap space to possibly lure Chris Paul out of L.A. or Kyle Lowry from the far north.
The goal?
To have a punching chance against the behemoth that is the Golden State Warriors. Duh.
So, where do the Bulls come in?
Well, they happen to have cheap trade pieces that would likely make such a deal possible, as detailed below by Sean Highkin of @TheAthleticChi.
If the Bulls don’t trade Butler and the Rockets want to clear space (Rondo is $3m guaranteed, Canaan $200k guaranteed) pic.twitter.com/EwDXTPbqq4
If Butler is truly leaving, Beverley would surely help to fill the defensive void left by his departure. However, in the event the Bulls lose their All-Star wing. Beverley, along with likely another cap space casualty such as Trevor Ariza, may help to keep the Bulls from being completely irrelevant, albeit still mediocre.
Be sure to continue following Sports Mockery as details continue to unfold.
