George Bliss recently sat down with the infamous Ronnie Woo Woo Wickers to get his side of the story.
More on what happened and why Wickers was asked to leave Wrigley Field here.
Mitch Trubisky Won’t Be Happy About This Bears Signing
Bears rookie QB Mitch Trubisky had an outstanding 2016 season for North Carolina. He threw 30 touchdowns to just six interceptions. That’s pretty impressive even at the NCAA level. No doubt he’s excited for the chance to show the team and Chicago they made the right call drafting him #2 overall back in April. It starts with rookie minicamps, where he hopes to learn about and get to know some new teammates. Well, unless the guy is Dallas Lloyd.
Trubisky may still be a bit sour hearing that name. Need a little backstory? Remember that he threw just six interceptions last year. Turns out two of those six came courtesy of the same guy, and in the biggest game of Trubisky’s career no less. It looked like the QB was destined for the top of the draft a few months ago until questions began to arise about his readiness for the NFL.
Why? His uneven performance in the Sun Bowl. While most remember the relentless pass rush of Solomon Thomas being the major catalyst for Trubisky struggling, he wasn’t alone. Lloyd, the starting safety for Stanford, was the one who reaped the benefits with two huge interceptions. One of which he returned for a touchdown.
Captain @DallasLloyd read and ran back his first interception of the @HyundaiSunBowl 45 yards.#TakeawayTuesday #GoStanford #BeatUNC pic.twitter.com/XPks8UJhFc
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) January 3, 2017
No better QB in the secondary than a former one. @DallasLloyd grabbed a team-high five INT this year.#NFLDraft #StanfordNFL #DBU pic.twitter.com/nLqqD4Q6H4
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) April 20, 2017
The intrigue of Dallas Lloyd
Both interceptions were cases that involved Trubisky coming under pressure and Lloyd cutting in front of the pass for a pick. What makes it all the more compelling is the backstory of Lloyd himself. He actually began his career at Stanford as a quarterback before being asked to switch to safety. It took some time but he soon began to master the position and it showed with his five interceptions in 2016.
At 6’2″ he has premier size with good athleticism. What really stands out though, as the videos show, is his instinct and ball skills. Though not the fastest or quickest defensive back on the field, he’s likely the smartest. Lloyd is rarely ever out of position.
On the heels of @dpbrugler UDFA "watch list", here is a look at Stanford S Dallas Lloyd pic.twitter.com/ykDUwrnqbS
— Kyle Morgan (@NoHuddleScouts) April 24, 2017
Everybody by this point knows the Bears are in hot pursuit of help at the safety position. Lloyd may be the most intriguing of their undrafted free agent defensive backs at the minicamp. His size and tape reveal a player who can be the brains of the operation on defense. Something they haven’t had for years. Meanwhile he also brings special teams prowess. One should never turn that down.
If nothing else Lloyd is almost certain to delight in the chance to intercept Trubisky one more time.
Cubs Give Ronnie Woo-Woo The Boot From The Bleachers At Wrigley
I never thought I’d see the day that Ronnie Woo-Woo Wickers would be asked to leave Wrigley Field.
The 75-year-old super fan can be seen wandering around the Wrigleyville neighborhood during almost every Cubs game and you’d be hard pressed to find a Cubs fan that hasn’t had at least one solid encounter with the man known as Woo Woo.
Wickers has been a life-long Cubs fan so when the Sun-Times broke the news that he was kicked out of Wrigley Field during an April 19th game, I have to admit I was pretty shocked. I’ve been to hundreds of Cubs games and somehow I always end up bumping into Woo-Woo. Hell, he kept our section entertained during Game 2 of the NLDS.
And look who shows up to T the section up @sportsmockery pic.twitter.com/X0LF6GdH5J
— Adam Nissen (@nissen54) October 9, 2016
Look, I understand that Woo Woo is the unofficial mascot of the Cubs and a good chunk of Cubs fans are highly annoyed with his infamous “Go..Woo..Cubs..Woo” chants that can be heard outside (and inside) of Wrigley but I don’t see any harm in it. He’s kind of like the drunk uncle at the family BBQ that everyone just laughs and shrugs their shoulders at.
However, the Cubs recently had to remove Wickers from the bleachers during an April 19th game because Woo Woo couldn’t produce a ticket when asked by security for proof of entry. I’ll save you the time from reading a very long and drawn out Sun-Times article about the situation and give it to you straight.
The Cubs claimed Woo Woo was wandering around the outside of Wrigley trying to sneak in (probably true). Woo Woo ended up in the bleachers that day so Cubs personnel asked Woo Woo to produce his ticket to prove he got into the stadium legally. Wickers then claimed his ticket was on his friend Scott Miller’s phone (probably true as well).
Well, Miller couldn’t pull the ticket up on the app (has to be true) and Miller became “irate” with Wrigley security because he felt his group was being targeted because they were with Woo Woo. Miller, Wickers, and another woman named Jane Tabit were all asked to leave the game because they couldn’t produce their e-tickets.
Tabit feels their group was wrongfully asked to leave and takes it a step further claiming the Cubs have a specific policy in place to ask to see Wicker’s ticket anytime they see him.
“The fact that they are told to see Ronnie’s ticket at every game is discrimination.”
Cubs VP of communications, Julian Green, says there is no such policy regarding Wickers,
“he has to have a ticket like everyone else,” Green says.
Woo Woo was pissed off enough to ask for a sit-down with Cubs owner Tom Ricketts about the misunderstanding. And like the good baseball fan that he is, Wickers is asking for a video review of the event.
“I would like to sit down with Mr. Tom Ricketts for 10 minutes and let him roll back the videotape,” Wickers said.
I’m still waiting to hear if the controversial call will be overturned.
Forget Lonzo Ball, Bulls Should Consider Drafting His UCLA Teammates
Let’s talk about these UCLA kids for a minute. No, I’m not talking about Lonzo Ball and his younger brothers, who’ve both already committed to the Bruins. Unless the Bulls front office pulls a shocking move and trades Jimmy Butler for a lottery pick, the eldest Ball brother will be long gone by the time Chicago’s on the clock with the 16th pick of the 2017 draft. And I’m more than okay with that. Honestly, I get hives just thinking about LaVar Ball parading around Chicago with his big stupid mouth like he suddenly owned our town. Please, just shut up already.
No, I’m talking about two guys who helped Lonzo turn UCLA’s basketball program around this season. They don’t get nearly as much attention as their teammate (or his father), but they are projected to be first round selections for good reason. Depending how the lottery picks pan out, either or them could be there for the Bulls at 16.
T.J. Leaf – PF
For all of the praise heaped on Lonzo in his one season with the Bruins, power forward T.J. Leaf actually scored more points (16.3) and grabbed more rebounds (8.2) per game. He also led the team in field goal percentage (61.7%) and three point percentage (46.6%) while chipping in 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks. This kid can do it all.
Leaf would be a phenomenal fit in coach Fred Hoiberg’s system. UCLA’s offense this season very closely resembled the “pace and space” style that the Mayor ran at Iowa State and is trying to run with the Bulls. At 6’10 with sharpshooting ability, T.J. is the ideal stretch four for today’s NBA and Hoiberg’s roster. You know, the role Nikola Mirotic and/or Bobby Portis were supposed to play this season?
As long as we’re comparing Leaf to those two, he already appears to have a more versatile offensive game. Not only can he crash the glass with impeccable timing, but he has good hands (something that sadly cannot be said about Niko or Bobby.) T.J. can score from the block by posting and facing up his defenders. Portis still can’t do much from that spot. The UCLA freshman also has excellent court vision and passing ability for a guy his size. How many times did we shake our heads at an errant and inexplicable pass from Niko this season?
Speaking of those passing skills, Leaf uses them beautifully in transition. He’s confident enough as a ballhandler to start the fastbreak on the dribble, and is capable of making long outlet passes or cross-court passes through traffic. Just as impressive is his willingness to get out and run in transition, sprinting ahead of the ball carrier to receive passes for full-steam attacks on the rim. Hoiberg’s offense needs bigs who can run the floor and finish in a variety of ways, including from range. Leaf offers all of that.
Defensively, he’s got some work to do. His lateral quickness isn’t great, and he struggled with pick and roll situations. Physically, he isn’t strong enough to defend the NBA’s larger power forwards or centers on the block. But he can provide decent rim protection with his height and reach. The defensive footwork and muscle should come along over time.
To watch T.J. Leaf’s scouting video from DraftExpress, click here.
Now let’s take a look at the UCLA kid who could become a defensive monster in the NBA.
[USE ARROWS TO CONTINUE READING]
The Final Chicago Bears 2017 Schedule Prediction
Well the draft is over. It’s unlikely any further changes of major significance will take place on the roster this year. Thus the Chicago Bears 2017 schedule can be properly dissected because this is the team they plan to assault it with. All the while asking the big question everybody wants to know. Can they improve from their 3-13 debacle last year, and if so by how much?
Suffice to say the confidence from the outside world is at rock bottom. After what happened in 2016 and then to see them come away with just five draft picks? They’re doomed. That’s all there is to say about it. Of course it’s never as simple as that in the NFL. So many factors are in play for what the Bears can or will accomplish.
Many of them out of their control. Injuries of course being a giant one. A few fortunate breaks here and there might change the entire complexion of things. It really can be that simple. So with that said here is a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of how the Bears will do in 2017.
Cubs Send Down Justin Grimm To Make Room For New Starting Pitcher Eddie Butler
Well, the Brett Anderson experiment didn’t take long to become a disaster, so now the Chicago Cubs are going to one of their backup plans. Right-handed pitcher Eddie Butler will make his Cubs’ debut on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. To make room on the roster, the Cubs will reportedly option right-handed reliever Justin Grimm down to Triple-A Iowa.
Butler, 26, was throwing lights out in Triple-A before missing two weeks. However, he was dazzling again after he returned from the disabled list, throwing six shutout innings on May 6. Overall, Butler had a 1.17 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in five starts for the Iowa Cubs. Butler was a first-round pick in 2012, selected 46th overall by the Colorado Rockies.
The Cubs will option Justin Grimm to Triple-A Iowa to make room for pitcher Eddie Butler who will start on… https://t.co/l47U9aygUA
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) May 11, 2017
The righty made his MLB debut in 2014, getting one spot start in June of that season and then getting two more starts in September. In three MLB seasons with the Rockies, Butler made 28 starts and appeared in 36 games. He was bad, posting a 6.50 ERA and 1.77 WHIP.
So, as Cubs fans we can only hope the success down at Triple-A will translate back to the Majors.
The move also means that infielder Jeimer Candelario is staying up for now. He was called up for Tuesday’s double-header in Colorado. The 23-year-old also started at first base in the series finale. He was briefly with the Cubs last summer before he was sent down to the minors.
While Candelario has sort of become the forgotten prospect in the Cubs minor league system, he’s continued to produce in Triple-A. He had a .340/.443/.649 slash line in 28 games before he was called up earlier this week from Triple-A.
For Grimm, it’s his second time being optioned down to the minors this season. He hasn’t been good, struggling with his control. In 14.1 innings, the righty has surrendered 16 hits, including six home runs. In all, he’s put up a 7.53 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. Maybe he’ll get it together in Triple-A.
So, the pitching matchups for the weekend series in St. Louis now look like this, as the Cardinals have also switched things up in their rotation.
Updated probables for Cubs-Cardinals series:
Eddie Butler vs. Mike Leake
Jon Lester vs. Carlos Martinez
Jake Arrieta vs. Adam Wainwright— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) May 11, 2017
The Cubs are 17-17, back in St. Louis, where hopefully they can get back to playing good baseball because it hasn’t been pretty for the past few weeks.
On This Day: Glenallen Hill Put A Baseball On Top Of A Rooftop
17 years ago today, Glenallen Hill hit one of the most memorable home runs in Wrigley Field history. On May 11, 2000, Hill absolutely crushed a ball that ended up on top of a Wrigley Field rooftop…across the street. The bomb was estimated to travel over 500 feet which easily puts it in the top five longest home runs in Wrigley Field history.
Hill played five seasons with the Cubs and slashed a respectable .304/.360/.546 on the North side. Every time I see this footage of Hill’s home run, I’m always blown away at two things: the distance the ball traveled and the unbelievable tightness of Hill’s pants. I mean, seriously, how do you even move in those things?
Hill’s 500-foot home run falls right in the middle of baseball’s “steroid era” and he later admitted in 2008 that he was indeed on the juice.
Since the league didn’t implement league wide PED testing until 2003, I’m pretty sure most of baseball was on the juice so I’ll give Glenallen (and another famous Cub who happened to wear number 21) a steroid pass.
Because without the ‘roids, I’m pretty sure Hill couldn’t have hit a baseball on top of a goddamn roof top.
Chicago Blackhawks Make A Panik Extension
The Chicago Blackhawks have comes to terms with veteran forward Richard Panik. It is a two-year deal is reportedly worth $2.8 million per season.
Panik revitalized his career with the Blackhawks last season with 22 goals and 22 assists. Both career highs.
General Manager Stan Bowman had this to say about Panik, “We were pleased with the consistency he showed throughout the season.”
Panik is getting a value that is consistent with the free agent market but is a bit high for the cap-strapped Blackhawks. At only 26 years old, hopefully this is incentive for Panik to increase his production. He’ll only be 28 when this deal ends and could earn a lot more with a couple 50 point seasons.
Bears Are Quietly Trying To Trade This Key Veteran
The Zach Miller trade talks have begun. Wait really? At first glance it feels somewhat unusual that the Chicago Bears are trying to deal the tight end. For one he’s 32-years old and is also coming off a season-ending injury. One would think his value is minimal at this point. Then again the allure of a potentially decent receiving tight end is all the rage these days.
Remember this as well. The Bears just got done adding four players to their tight end mix. Dion Sims was signed in free agency. Adam Shaheen was their second round pick in the draft. Franko House and D.J. Johnson are former basketball standouts brought in as undrafted free agents. Such an influx of youth sure makes it look like Miller isn’t long for his time in Chicago.
Former front office executive Michael Lombardi went on The Ringer podcast recently and stated the Bears intended to deal him if they got a top tight end in the draft. That has since come to pass.
Shaheen arrival begins Zach Miller trade plans
“They were at the combine this offseason. They were talking to teams and said, ‘Hey look, if we draft a tight end early we might part with Zach Miller.’ They’ve told that to more than one team. Well now they drafted Adam Shaheen in second round, so here’s the opportunity.
Do you take a chance on him? He’s a free agent in ’18. Again, here’s a guy that you could look at that can come in he’s a plug-and-play player. If you have a need at that position and you feel like you can extend him he’s a perfect guy.”
It’s easy for people to say there is no way Ryan Pace will be able to pull this off. Miller is too old and injury-prone. Sure, but there are other factors in play here. The tight end is on a cheap contract that expires in 2018. Basically they’d pay him $2 million in hopes he can become the weapon he was for the Bears in 2015. If it doesn’t work out, he’s allowed to leave with zero salary cap ramifications.
There is also the fact that Pace was able to trade guys like Brandon Marshall, Jon Bostic and Ryan Groy. Players whom many thought were untradeable at the time. It’s all about finding the right compensation. Whether that’s a late round pick or another player remains to be seen.
Patrick Kane Is Doing All Kinds Of Good This Offseason
Patrick Kane has been on a roll this week for positive publicity. He has been doing all kinds of good this week and unlike other professional athletes, hasn’t been sharing this himself.
Monday on Windy City Live, Kane surprised a terminally ill fan on the show with a video message. You could see how much it meant to the boy and Kane promised him a special gift. The boy will be a personal guest of Kane’s at a Blackhawks game this season.
Then, this morning a tweet has been circling the internet for another Kane good deed. He was polite enough to offer up his first class seat to a soldier.
Kane who gets a bad rep sometimes is sure making up for it this offseason. While fans would love it if him and the Blackhawks were still playing, at least Kane is up to some good.
Patrick Kane from The BLACKHAWKS gave up his 1st Class seat to a SOLDIER…what a class act… pic.twitter.com/NKTDWXWdZA
— Teri Truss (@TeriTruss) May 11, 2017
