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The Smartest Move of the Bears Offseason Is a Slight Shocker

By
Erik Lambert
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adam shaheen pick

The 2017 Chicago Bears offseason has met with, shall we say, mixed reviews to date. Free agency involved quantity approach rather than quality. GM Ryan Pace continues to show he won’t compromise the future in the name of immediate gains. Of course that meant missing out on a number of top free agents. To most media outlets, that was the kiss of death.

Pace didn’t find his aggressive streak until the draft. His signature move of course was dealing up one spot from #3 to #2 for quarterback Mitch Trubisky. A polarizing decision that remains the talk of the draft. This overshadows his other aggressive trade to get Alabama safety Eddie Jackson. Either way it’s clear the Bears made a ton of acquisitions this year.

So which can be considered the smartest of them all? There are plenty of candidates. Adding two experienced corners in Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper to a beleaguered secondary. Grabbing the underrated Jaye Howard late in free agency for the defensive line. Infusing the receiving corps with more speed courtesy of Markus Wheaton and Victor Cruz

All solid options, but not the smartest of them all.

Adam Shaheen is savviest move of 2017 Chicago Bears offseason

According to Bleacher Report, who noted the 32 smartest moves of the NFL offseason, they felt securing tight end Adam Shaheen in the second round was the Bears’ finest moment. His mixture of size and speed is just impossible to ignore. So impressive in fact that even coming from a small school isn’t derailing the buzz that continues to grow around him.

“Smartest Move: Drafting Adam Shaheen

The Chicago Bears are rebuilding, and they’ll be at it for a while. Starting the rebuilding process means collecting as many high-upside and uniquely skilled young pieces as possible. And tight end Adam Shaheen will likely emerge as an offensive pillar fast.

Shaheen doesn’t move like someone who stands 6’6″ tall and weighs nearly 280 pounds. The fluidity in his movement isn’t normal or fair as he gallops in the open field. That led to 867 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016 for the former Ashland University stud. He can pile up yards after the catch while also functioning as a looming red-zone target.”

An instant success?

Pace didn’t shy away when asked about Shaheen. Most assumed him being a Division II product that he was basically a red shirt for this year. Pace did not agree. He stated quite clearly his belief the tight end could contribute sooner than later.

“I would disagree with that. I think Adam’s projected to play early,” Pace said. “I like his skill set. We spent a lot of time  on that. So just because he’s a small school player — yeah, it’s a big jump, but he has the physical skill set to make that jump and we’re confident in that. We’re excited about what he can add to our team right now.”

Safe to say the Bears think they got a good one. Early signs from minicamps and OTAs hint he is indeed a headache for defenders to handle. Critics have remained steadfast in their dislike of his blocking. That’s fair. He wasn’t very good at it in college. However, that’s not the reason this team draft him. They love throwing to the tight ends in this offense. Shaheen has the perfect skill set for it.

White Sox Call Up Pitching Prospect From Triple-A Charlotte

By
Emmet McClain
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Yesterday, Dylan Covey went down with an injury for the White Sox. As a result, the White Sox are promoting pitcher Tyler Danish from Triple-A Charlotte. He will start the second game of tomorrow’s double-header.

This will be Danish’s MLB debut. In Triple-A, Danish posted a 1-3 record with a 3.15 ERA in 45.2 innings of work.

Here is a pitch sequence from last year where Danish went up against Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Josh Bell. After falling behind early in the count, Danish is able to use his off-speed stuff to get back into it, and then freezes Bell with a fastball right down the middle.

Tyler Danish is not in the White Sox top 30 prospects, and many fans are probably screaming in frustration that Carson Fulmer or Reynaldo Lopez did not get the call. This is understandable, but the White Sox have said repeatedly that they will not call up any of their top tier prospects unless they feel they will be there to stay. Danish will probably throw a few starts until Covey, or Carlos Rodon for that matter, can return to 100%. Fulmer and Lopez are both close, but the White Sox seem to be staying true to their word by not rushing any of their top of the line guys.

Danish did throw a complete game shutout last year. Maybe he can surprise some people and stick around for some bullpen depth. For now, let’s just see what Danish has to offer to the big league club.

This Bears Player Is Predicted To Dominate in 2017

By
Erik Lambert
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leonard floyd 2017

A Leonard Floyd 2017 breakout season would be such a huge help for the Chicago Bears. What with the regime taking a media beating over the past few months for not rebuilding the team fast enough. To say nothing of the fact they’re being blamed for the teams’ injury woes. That’s not entirely fair since they have little control over such things. Then again their stubbornness with revealing relevant information has contributed to this lack of support.

The team staying healthy would really help matters, but so would the big names of their excellent 2016 draft class taking a major step forward. Floyd teased how good he could be as a rookie. He suffered a myriad of nagging ailments including two concussions. To say nothing of a well-documented problem with being underweight. Nonetheless during one five-game stretch last year he racked up 6.5 sacks.

It was a marvelous display that showcased everything the Bears saw in him. The athleticism, the speed, the quickness and the burst off the snap. Going into this year, the plan is simple. Bulk him up and teach him how to protect himself from injury. Word is there’s been significant progress in both areas.

Leonard Floyd 2017 season looks promising

Outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley expressed his excitement when Floyd showed up for offseason activities a couple weeks ago. The 24-year old had clearly added more muscle to his frame and looked thicker from top to bottom.

‘‘His body now is just so much different than when he came in here. He was, like, 225 [pounds] when he came in here; he’s almost 250 [now]. just a lot stronger player. He’s a lot more equipped to handle the rigors of the NFL.’’

Most people have claimed the same thing about Floyd since he was first drafted. If he could add enough mass without losing his trademark speed and athleticism he could become one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. No joke. Early indications are he’s achieved the first part of that objective. Now predictions are rolling in. NFL.com experts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks labeled him as one of their top three second-year breakout stars on defense.

Little stands in his way

Truth be told there isn’t much reason to doubt what they’re saying. When his body was right last season, Floyd never met a blocker he couldn’t beat. Now he might be stronger than last year? That has to be a scary thought for those who’ve faced him and those who have heard stories. Much of what the Bears defense can and will become in 2017 revolves around him. The best units always have at least one elite-caliber pass rusher. Floyd has that ability.

GM Ryan Pace has done what he can to fill out the roster around him. Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper hope to improve the coverage on the back end. Jaye Howard arrives to help bolster the front line. That’s not counting a healthy return by Lamarr Houston and possible development by Jonathan Bullard as well. Of course having a healthy Pernell McPhee across from him wouldn’t hurt either.

Either way, his ascent to the top of the league will undoubtedly make the entire defense better.

New Bears WR Victor Cruz Took a Shot At Former Team

By
Erik Lambert
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bears receiver victor cruz

On the surface it seemed like new Bears receiver Victor Cruz was justifiably released by his former team the New York Giants. After all he’d missed 26 games between 2014 and 2015 with repeated leg injuries. Having added a number of weapons to their offense during his absence, it made sense they didn’t want to keep paying a 30-year old player they felt they no longer needed.

However, it seems Cruz himself isn’t ready to buy that story. Many veterans cut by the teams where they became stars feel jilted by the sequence of events. More than that though is the fact he publicly accused them of freezing him out of the offense. As in the Giants didn’t try to get him the ball more often when they should’ve.

Maybe that’s just bitterness from having to take a backseat to Odell Beckham Jr. Then again, from the way he tells it, that’s not the case.

Bears receiver Victor Cruz has a beef

Being a former undrafted free agent, Cruz carries a gigantic chip on his shoulder. He’s had to fight for everything he’s gotten in the NFL. So of course doesn’t like it when he feels a team is jerking him around. It seems the Giants started doing that last season and he said so on a New York R&B radio show called “The Breakfast Club” a couple days ago.

“Halfway through the year, you’re like, ‘OK, I’m ballin’ and then the other half I’m not getting the ball,” Cruz said. “And you’re just like, ‘What’s going on?’ It was like ‘OK, I see what’s happening. They don’t want me here anymore.’ ”

“It’s hard to believe,” Cruz continued. “Even just to think about someone coming up to the quarterback and saying ‘Hey, don’t throw it here’ or ‘Don’t give it to this guy’ — it’s hard to even fathom that thought. Which I don’t even know or think happens. I doubt it. But when you look at the film and you look at how it goes down, that’s the only way.”

Is he right? Well according to Pro-Football-Reference the numbers tell an interesting story. Through the first eight games of his comeback tour, Cruz was targeted 42 times. Through the final eight games he was targeted 30 times. Not only that but if one were to subtract his game against Philadelphia where he was thrown at 13 times, that decreased to 17 times in seven games. So in this context Cruz certainly isn’t lying.

Out to prove something

Based on projections had the Giants stayed at their normal target pace from the first half of the season, Cruz would likely have gone over 750 yards. Not bad for a guy who hadn’t played in over a year and a half. Not only that, but he was also averaging just over 15 yards per reception. It demonstrated he hadn’t lost too much of that trademark speed and quickness that made him so dangerous back in 2011 and 2012.

The Bears may have paid him some guaranteed money, but that might be because they feel he can still be a playmaker if given the opportunity. Given the mercurial state of their depth chart, he may just get it. Cruz no doubt is anxious to prove something. Both to himself and the team who felt he wasn’t worth keeping around anymore.

PHOTO: First Look At The Cubs In Their ‘Ron Burgundy’ Inspired Outfits

By
Gus
-

Yesterday I wrote an article sharing that the Cubs would have their first themed road trip of the season following a four-game series with the San Francisco Giants. That series finished up a few hours ago so after the players talked to the media, showered, and collected their belongings — they donned their finest 70’s outfits to make the flight out west to play the Dodgers and Padres.

Here is the first look at some Cubs players in their Anchorman ensembles (I’ll keep updating as more pictures come out.)

And I had to save the best (and most puzzling for last.) Kris Bryant must have gotten confused with the theme I guess?

Stay classy, Cubs.

 

The Bears Add Former Pro Bowl Receiver To Their Offense

By
Erik Lambert
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victor cruz bears

The Victor Cruz Bears experiment didn’t feel like it had any legs when the rumors first surfaced. As the past couple weeks went on though the buzz didn’t die down. It was reported from his radio show that the veteran wide receiver had narrowed his choices down to Chicago and Baltimore. At that point it felt like the Ravens were the clear choice.

After all they’d just missed the playoffs and were in need of help at the position, increasing his odds of playing time. Seems that wasn’t the big selling point for Cruz. Word just broke that the 30-year old has agreed in principle to a deal with Chicago.

Cruz is a rather fascinating case. For a good three-year span from 2011 to 2013 he was one of the most explosive receivers in the league. He went to the Pro Bowl the first of those seasons and helped the New York Giants win the Super Bowl. Since then? It’s been kind of a mess. He played just six games in 2014 before a series of leg injuries knocked him out for the remainder of that year and all of 2015 as well.

This past 2016 season marked his first action in over a year and a half. All things considered he played fairly well with 586 yards on just 39 catches. No doubt he’s hoping to join an offense where he can better showcase he’s still got some juice left in the tank. Chicago features an offense that seems to favor receivers known more for quickness and speed. So in that context it’s easy to see the attraction.

Whether anything comes of it will depend on how quickly he can pick up the offense and connect with the quarterbacks.

LeBron James Is Getting Sick Of The Michael Jordan Comparisons

By
Matt Peck
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lebron vs. jordan

It’s the NBA debate version of “The Song That Never Ends”, and LeBron James has had just about enough of it. Maybe it’s because he’s one win away from his 7th straight trip to the Finals. Maybe it’s because these NBA playoffs have been so boring and lopsided leading up to Cleveland’s inevitable rematch against the Warriors that there’s nothing else to talk about. Whatever the reason, the “is LeBron better than Michael Jordan?” debate is raging on Twitter, talk shows and social media right now.

During the Cavaliers morning shootaround in Boston on Thursday, James was asked if passing MJ on the all-time playoff scoring list (he needs just 28 points coming into tonight’s Game 5) would factor into his whole “chasing the ghost” thing. LeBron said no.

“Nah. It’s just a personal goal of mine. It has nothing to do with passing him in rings, passing him in points, passing him in MVPs, it’s just my personal goal to keep me motivated.” – LeBron James

Room For All?

LeBron went on to say he finds it odd that this kind of “greatest ever” debate is unique to the NBA, while fans and analysts of other sports tend to admire the greats collectively.

“It’s so funny that the conversation is always talked about in the NBA about who’s the greatest, but it’s never talked about in the NFL. Who’s the greatest quarterback? It’s just like, ‘Marino, Elway, Manning, Brady. All great quarterbacks.’ It should be the same for us.” – LeBron James

First of all, how is Joe Montana not on LeBron’s list of quarterbacks? Second, my astonishment at his exclusion of Montana in that list contradicts the point LeBron is trying to make. Of course the “greatest ever” debate is not unique to NBA players. It exists in every major professional sport.

James did admit to seeing the entertainment appeal of such debates for sports fans, but insisted he’s focused on building his legacy without comparing it to anyone (MJ) else’s.

“Always trying to compare people, either living or still playing or not playing, I think it’s great for barbershops. But for me, I’m just trying to put my mark on the game and leave a legacy behind so I can inspire the next group of kids that want to play the right way.” – LeBron James

It’s interesting that less than a year after saying his pursuit of Jordan’s ghost is what motivates him, James is shrugging off a milestone that some would argue moves another check mark next to his name on the comparison sheet. Maybe he’s just sick of the debate, because it’s all NBA fans seem to be capable of discussing these days.

Let’s Wait

From this author’s point of view, the debate can’t be had until LeBron’s career is over. At this very moment, Jordan is still the greatest NBA player ever. But James could still be playing eight, even ten years from now.

So let’s talk then. In the meantime, let James focus on closing out the Celtics and giving all of us NBA fans what we’ve been impatiently waiting for: Cavs Vs Warriors Part III. A chance for LeBron to add to his legacy, or a chance for the Warriors to prevent him from inching closer to MJ in that future debate. After a very predictable NBA season, let’s all just enjoy the finale and talk about GOATs later.

Celebrate Brian Urlacher By Remembering The Year the NFL Screwed Him

By
Erik Lambert
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brian urlacher pro bowl

He was one of my favorite football players of all-time. The first true superstar I can remember watching as a legitimate Chicago Bears fan. He was my hero. A guy who loved the game and played it at the highest of levels. It was heartbreaking not getting to see him with a Super Bowl for the team, and even worse watching his career end the way it did. Yet nobody knows about the epic Brian Urlacher Pro Bowl snub.

Time eventually healed most of those wounds over. However, there is one thing regarding his career that I’m still furious about. Something that remains a travesty of justice to this day. See, Urlacher is an eight-time Pro Bowler. Not many defensive players ever get to say that. The problem is he should be a nine-time Pro Bowler. That may sound like nitpicking but it’s the truth.

Most will remember the 2007 season as the Super Bowl hangover year for the Bears, going 7-9 after coming up short the year before. That made it easy for people to overlook just how jobbed Urlacher got by the NFL over what should’ve been his third-straight Pro Bowl nod at the time.

The lost Brian Urlacher Pro Bowl

Though 2007 was a tough one for the Bears, it was one of the best statistically of Urlacher’s brilliant career. He started all 16 games and was all over the field making plays. Yet he wasn’t chose to go to Hawaii that year. Who was? None other than rookie San Francisco 49ers standout Patrick Willis.

Now this isn’t meant to take away from what Willis accomplished as a player. He was a superstar in his own right, but that Pro Bowl belonged to Urlacher. Every conceivable stat proves that much.

Willis 2007 stats

  • 174 tackles
  • 4 sacks 
  • 2 forced fumbles

Urlacher 2007 stats

  • 123 tackles
  • 5 sacks
  • 5 interceptions
  • 1 defensive touchdown

On what planet did people think Willis had a better year than Urlacher with those stat lines. Aside from tackles Urlacher had considerably more impact as a playmaker. It just gets worse from there. The Bears defense ranked 16th in points allowed that season. San Francisco ranked 20th. Chicago finished the year 7-9. The 49ers dropped to 5-11. It’s just beyond difficult to understand what possessed people to think Urlacher didn’t belong in the Pro Bowl.

To say nothing of the fact that Demeco Ryans was the AFC representative that same year. DEMECO RYANS! No sir. This will not stand. Everybody knows how fickle the Hall of Fame voters can be. The difference between getting into Canton and not can sometimes be one extra Pro Bowl appearance. Particularly for a player that failed to win a championship.

Most others have long since let this go. Well at least one person won’t. You screwed him big time on that one, NFL. I hope you’re happy.

Here’s The Reason The Cubs Bullpen Has Turned Into A Dancing Machine

By
Gus
-

If you’ve been watching Cubs baseball for the past week, you should have noticed a brand new trend forming during games at Wrigley Field. The Cubs bullpen has inexplicably turned into a well oiled dance machine in an attempt to help their teammates celebrate big plays on offense or defense during the game.

And it’s pure comedy.

The dancing started harmlessly enough last week during a May 20th rain delay against the Milwaukee Brewers. Since the bullpens have been moved underneath the bleachers, both bullpens were sitting there with nothing to do during the nearly two hour delay. So when boredom strikes — you dance. When asked who started the now epic dance off, Cubs relievers Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop kept it short and sweet.

“They started it,” Cubs reliever Hector Rondon said.

But who finished it?

“We did,” Pedro Strop said.

The Cubs would go on to lose that game 6-3 but the idea of the bullpen dancing was born. The next day, the Cubs offense exploded for 13 runs against the Brewers and fans got their first glance at the entire bullpen in their first group performance. This was immediately following a Kris Bryant home run in the bottom of the third inning.

What started as a joke within the bullpen has turned into some great entertainment for the entire team. Reliever Pedro Strop took to Instagram to explain the reason why the bullpen dances their asses off after big plays by the Cubs.

“Since cant be in the dugout to celebrate with our teammates after a home run we just find a way to do it in the bullpen.”

The bullpen claims they were unaware that the footage of them dancing could be seen by their Cubs teammates in the dugout on closed circuit television so their “private” dance party turned out to be a very public event for their teammates to watch.

And they love it.

Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber explains,

“For them to be doing that out there, it’s always a good laugh when you’re either on the bench or running the bases, and you see the big board and they’re dancing.”

The bullpen was back in action for their second performance during a May 23rd game against the San Francisco Giants. It’s unconfirmed but I’d suspect this celebration came after Kyle Schwarber’s 470-foot cannon shot off Johnny Cueto in the first inning.

And as a surprise to absolutely nobody, Joe Maddon is a huge fan of the bullpen party after big plays. He was asked his thoughts on his dancing pen and whether or not he thought the dancing was ‘showing up’ opposing teams.

“I absolutely love it. I think it’s great. And if you want to look at the more human side of everything we do, I would absolutely encourage [it]. You’re not showing anybody up.”

Coaches love it, players love it, and fans love it so you may as well prepare yourself for a long summer of dancing at Wrigley Field.

 

The Day Grade Schoolers Super Bowl Shuffled Better Than 85 Bears

By
Erik Lambert
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super bowl shuffle

The 1985 Chicago Bears remain the gold standard by which all other Bears teams are measured. They took football in the Windy City to levels people never dreamed possible. A once-in-a-lifetime defense. Maybe the greatest football player ever in Walter Payton. A roster packed with unforgettable characters like Jim McMahon, the Fridge, Steve McMichael and Mike Singletary.

For all the amazing things they did on the field, nothing received more acclaim or at least notoriety than their iconic “Super Bowl Shuffle.” A music video of the team dancing and singing about the desire and belief they’d win a championship. It was so controversial at the time because they actually did the video during the season. Dan Hampton even declined to appear in it because he felt it was too arrogant. That they were temping the football gods.

In the end he had nothing to worry about. The song was nominated for a Grammy and the Bears stampeded through the playoffs to win the championship. Even to this day people still do mimic videos of the shuffle. Including this dandy from Windsor Elementary School in Arlington Heights.

The Super Bowl Shuffle….downsized

That’s a fine piece of work from the kids right there. One thing is for sure. They did a lot better dancing in that performance than the actual Bears players did back in 1985. True it’s easy to criticize now but it’s all in good fun. Hats off to them regardless. A fun performance and good reminder of how prevalent that team still is to this day.

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