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The Private Bears Draft Meetings You Don’t Know About

By
Erik Lambert
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bears draft meetings

By now the Chicago Bears draft meetings are in full swing. The big day is less than three weeks away. GM Ryan Pace, head coach John Fox and the rest of the team brass know this could be the most important 72-hour event of their careers coming up. After going 3-13 last season, that isn’t a surprise.

The one hope they’re clinging to is how well the 2016 draft class turned out. Stacking another good class on top of that could push this ship in the right direction. Every detail is being mulled over, and that’s why the private meetings are so important. It gives them a chance to get up close and personal with certain players they like.

Most fans have heard the big names mentioned like Jonathan Allen, O.J. Howard, DeShone Kizer, Reuben Foster and Malik Hooker. All of them are possible options for the #3 pick the Bears hold in the first round. So what about the other names that have appeared on the list? The ones casual fans might not know.

Here is some information on all those available.

Keith, Kane And Panarin Connect On Most Beautiful Play Of The Season

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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The Blackhawks really hit the skids the last four games. A lot has to do with the team resting some players but these games didn’t matter. Play was a little loose at times and then there were plays like the one tonight. There may be better individual efforts but this was beautiful hockey.

Late in the game versus the Los Angeles Kings, the Blackhawks hit two cross-ice passes to score one of the prettiest goals of the season. Keith to Kane to Panarin for what he does best. The snipe from the left circle.

Be careful of crying because what you’re seeing is a thing of beauty.

Buzz Growing That Top Bears Draft Target Could Fall To 2nd Round

By
Erik Lambert
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deshone kizer second round

Do the Chicago Bears believe that a DeShone Kizer second round rendezvous is actually possible? People would’ve considered that crazy a few months ago. The Notre Dame quarterback was the hottest name in the college football world. A supreme physical talent with all the tools and playing for one of the most respected quarterback factories in the history of the game.

Joe Montana.

Joe Theismann.

Daryle Lamonica.

They all went to South Bend before taking the NFL by storm. Many believed that destiny awaits Kizer as well. This time of year should’ve been his moment to shine. Instead its been one puzzling stumble after another. Not all of it his fault either. It just seems like the flow of the river is heading in the wrong direction and he’s caught in the current.

Normally in such circumstances reality sets in and a first round hopeful must accept his spot towards the back of the line. Could Kizer actually be headed that way? Believe it.

Start the DeShone Kizer second round talk

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report is one of several credible sources that have continued to hint the quarterback run won’t come right away. Not like the past few years. In fact it may take place at the end of the first round and early in the second round.

“A director of player personnel dropped this bombshell while talking with me this week: “I don’t think that run on quarterbacks is gonna happen early. I think it happens in the 20s.”

What!?

This might sound crazy, but after I digested this thought, it’s really not. No team in the top five is connected to the top quarterbacks.”

That’s not the only executive who believes the quarterback run takes place later. Former scout and current NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah polled five others with the simple question. How many quarterbacks go in their first round? Their answers were diverse in numbers, but remarkably similar in at least one way:  Kizer is not among those expected to go that high.

Bursting the balloon

Read the names carefully. Most of the notables are brought up at least once. Yet his isn’t. That is a surefire sign that teams aren’t expecting to consider him in the top 32.

Executive 1: 3 QBs
“I’ll say 3. (Deshaun) Watson and (Mitchell) Trubisky go in some order early with a team coming back up into the late 20s to take either (Patrick) Mahomes or (Davis) Webb.”

Executive 2: 4 QBs
“I’ll say at least 4. I just think people will trade back into Round 1 because they’re scared (of missing out).”

Executive 3: 2 QBs
“Two. Watson and Webb. I am sticking to my Webb guns. He’s the second-best QB in this class. I have read the Trubisky and Mahomes buzz. Not sure if I believe it.”

Executive 4: 2 QBs
“I think we’re going to see 2 (QBs) go in the first — Trubisky and Mahomes.”

Executive 5: 3 QBs
“I think 3 guys will go in the first: Watson, Trubisky and Mahomes.”

Snatching the future at #36?

Not a single mention of Kizer anywhere. Davis Webb was mentioned far more often, another signal of how hot his draft stock has gotten since the Senior Bowl. Over that same span Kizer has watched his remain stuck in the mud. Going 4-8 for Notre Dame in his last season. Getting benched briefly and then publicly criticized for declaring too soon by his head coach. Inconsistent throwing sessions at the scouting combine. All of it seems to have convinced people the 21-year old needs work.

All that being said, is he worth risking at the #36 pick for the Bears? The answer is yes. Zero hesitation or doubt. For all his drawbacks, Kizer remains one of the most talented quarterbacks in this class. He has size (6’4″), a big arm and can deliver the ball with accuracy when his footwork is sound. On top of that he’s a smart kid, understanding how to read defenses, call audibles and set protections.

The Bears are in perfect position to take on somebody like him. They have two quality veterans on the roster. One to start in Mike Glennon for a year or two. Another to mentor in Mark Sanchez, something he did with great success last season for Dak Prescott in Dallas. Understand that Kizer is still very young. Chicago could technically stash him for two seasons if they wished. He won’t be 23 until January of 2019.

By that point they should have their answer on Glennon and he should be ready to go. It’s exactly the sort of long-term plan this team hasn’t had for ages.

White Sox Avisail Garcia And Geovany Soto Hit Back-To-Back Homers

By
Sean Sears
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The White Sox are trying to even up their weekend series with the Minnesota Twins, and while the Twins looked like they might storm back, the combination Avisail Garcia and Geovany Soto have made that look doubtful.

First it was Avi clubbing a bomb to left field, extending the lead to 5-2.

Then Soto chipped in with his own dinger, increasing the lead to 6-2.

Garcia also drove in a RBI on this triple earlier in today’s game, and actually ‘stole’ home later that inning.

What a great heads-up play by Avi – LOL.

While it’s a been a sloppy game, the Sox are looking like they’ll stick this one out.

Alexei Ramírez Used To Eat The Grossest Thing Imaginable When He Was With The White Sox

By
Aldo Soto
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I don’t care what country you come from, there’s no way you can defend this combination. Who knows, maybe Alexei Ramirez had no clue what he was mixing as a rookie with the White Sox, but Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune has an incredible story about the former shortstop on the South Side.

Back in 2008, the Cuban shortstop would eat two donuts with mayonnaise between them. How do we know that’s true? White Sox GM Rick Hahn saw Ramirez eat that atrocity.

Via the Chicago Tribune:

“When we had his debut in Cleveland, his major-league debut, he pre-gamed with two Krispy Kremes with mayonnaise in between,” Hahn said. “He put them together and enjoyed that for his pregame meal. So we’re not unaccustomed to the transition in his diet.”

(Rick Hahn)

That came up because it was discovered that Yoan Moncada once at 225 Twinkies in a week. 

But back to Ramirez, why? There’s zero percent chance that Krispy Kremes with mayonnaise is good, OK, or even passable as food.

An SB Nation writer tried it and posted a video on YouTube. He says it was, “actually pretty friggin’ delicious.” So, we’re dealing with a crazy person here.

HOWEVER! You cannot argue the results. Ramirez hit 21 home runs as a rookie, the most he ever hit in a season during his career, so apparently Krispy Kremes with mayonnaise helps hit dingers.

Anyone else brave enough to try this?

Emotional Bryan Bickell Was Moved To Tears While Discussing Future

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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Former Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell had his share of success while with the organization and was a favorite among fans. That it is why it is so hard to watch this video where he hints at retirement while in tears. It turns out that this wasn’t only a hint.

Bickell who started to have health problems during the 2015 Stanley Cup run and it was believed to be vertigo. He was never the same. He spent much of 2015-2016 with the Rockford IceHogs and the organization eventually traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes following the season.

Through the first seven games in Carolina Bickell only tallied one goal and was experiencing health issues again. On November 11, 2016 he was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) and was placed on the IR the following day.

Being the fighter and tough guy that he is, he never gave up. Bickell underwent his treatments and worked to come back. On April 6, 2017 he made his return to the lineup for the Hurricanes. Carolina didn’t win but it surely was a victory for Bicks.

After the game he gave this emotional interview and it seems as if these next two games with Carolina will be his last in the NHL. Then on Saturday afternoon, Bickell made it official that he will be retiring at the end of the season.

Bickell is still loved in Chicago and everyone has been rooting for him since his diagnosis. He will always be remembered for his game-tying goal in game 6 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final as the first part of “17 seconds.”

As much as people may remember his play it will be his and wife Amanda’s foundation that will leave the biggest legacy. Their selfless work with Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation creates awareness for pit-bulls and works with them to assist formerly abused children.

With all that Bryan Bickell has gone through and the good that he has done, maybe he will receive “One More Shift” with the Blackhawks next season.

Javier Baez Leaves Cubs Game After Scary Collision With Jason Heyward

By
Aldo Soto
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On a bloop single to center field, Javier Baez and Jason Heyward collided at full speed, which resulted in Baez leaving Friday’s Chicago Cubs game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Baez looked OK, but certainly took a bad shot to his head. Somehow, Heyward was’t injured on the play, as his knee made clean contact with Baez.

Here’s how it looked.

We’ll have more updates when they’re provided, but a scary moment for Cubs fans watching.

UPDATE: 

So, good news for Baez and the Cubs.

Latest Draft Buzz Brings Potential Great News For The Bears

By
Erik Lambert
-

This time of year people are scrambling for every scrap of draft knowledge they can get their hands on. The 2017 NFL draft is still three weeks away but the pro days and evaluations are all but over. One overriding question hasn’t changed in that time span. Will the Chicago Bears draft quarterback in the early rounds?

It is an idea that they haven’t flatly denied nor confirmed. Per the usual shtick, GM Ryan Pace is maintaining a fog of unknown around his plans for his biggest event of the year. Nobody can say with 100% certainty they know what the Bears are going to do. So many names have been considered for the #3 overall pick at this point that it’s a guessing game.

However, prominent draft analyst Matt Miller of Bleacher Report may have just delivered some much-needed clarification. Not so much on who exactly the Bears will draft at that spot. Instead he offered a window into which direction they’ll go. It came via a high ranking executive regarding the quarterback class.

“A director of player personnel dropped this bombshell while talking with me this week: “I don’t think that run on quarterbacks is gonna happen early. I think it happens in the 20s.”

What!?

This might sound crazy, but after I digested this thought, it’s really not. No team in the top five is connected to the top quarterbacks. In fact, every franchise in the top 10 that had a need at the position solidified its quarterback situation through free agency except for the Cleveland Browns, and they’re drafting Myles Garrett No. 1 overall.”

The Bears draft quarterback storyline shifts

Barring something unforeseen, this should all but quash any ideas that the Bears will consider a QB at #3 overall. So unless they plan to trade down from that spot, it’s going to be a different position. Most likely one on the defensive side. That is where the talent is heaviest. Maybe another standout defensive lineman like Jonathan Allen or Solomon Thomas. Or perhaps the hot names in the secondary like cornerback Marshon Lattimore or safeties Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker.

At the same time this increases the possibility that Chicago might have a shot at getting one of the top four quarterbacks early in the second round. Already there is talk that DeShone Kizer of Notre Dame could fall that far. Maybe one of the others might follow. Then again it also presents Ryan Pace with the possibility of jumping back into the first round for one of them. Perhaps if Deshaun Watson fell to a certain point he might consider it.

For many Bears fans this is the ideal scenario. Take the best possible defender at #3 and then having one of the top quarterbacks fall to within striking distance. Thus the defense gets another youth injection and the team gets its potential franchise signal caller of the future. As usual the draft is an unpredictable monster. Still, this could definitely work out in their favor barring an unexpected change to the board.

This Coincidence About Kris Bryant’s Slow Start Should Ease Any Cubs Fans Worries

By
Aldo Soto
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Kris Bryant is the reigning National League MVP, but that doesn’t mean at least a few Chicago Cubs fans aren’t overreacting to his slow start to the 2017 season. The Cubs were able to leave St. Louis with a series win, following a come from behind 6-4 victory on Thursday, however, Bryant didn’t have much success against the Cardinals’ pitching staff. The two-time All-Star is 0-for-13, with six strikeouts after the first three games of the year. Yeah, it’s no big deal, but it’s the beginning of the season, so the early slump is more noticeable.

So, maybe you’re a little worried, you really shouldn’t be, but this might help ease any angst you may have. The last MVP to start 0-for-13 or worse was also a Cubs player and guess what, Ryne Sandberg turned out to be pretty good.

What a crazy coincidence, right? Anyway, here’s a little more about Sandberg’s 1985 season. Again, Sandberg was the 1984 National League MVP and put up a slash line of .314/.367/.520, with 19 home runs and 114 runs scored. Then, to start 1985, Sandberg was 0-for-13, before finally getting a double against the Montreal Expos in the fourth game of the season to snap his hitless streak.

How did Sandberg finish the 1985 season following his 0-for-13 slump? Pretty damn good. The Hall of Famer hit 26 home runs, which at the time was his career best, while almost matching his MVP slash line at .305/.364/.504.

At ease yet? Well, Bryant is no stranger to getting off to slow starts and Cubs fans have already seen him win Rookie of the Year and MVP. So, don’t panic. In 2016, Bryant was 3-for-17 in the first four games and if you remember back to his rookie year his debut featured three strikeouts against James Shields. Then, Bryant had nine hits over the next five games.

The great thing about the Cubs is that they can handle one of their big stars going through slumps and still win. We saw that in St. Louis, where Bryant was hitless in the series, but the Cubs still managed to take 2-of-3. Unlike the majority of teams that rely on one or two players, the Cubs can have Bryant or Anthony Rizzo struggle and be fine because guys like Kyle Schwarber, Ben Zobrist and more can pick up their teammates.

The Cubs don’t just have depth, they have star-studded depth.

The New Food And Drink Options At Wrigley Field Are Incredible

By
Gus
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PHOTO CREDIT: Chicago Cubs

With the Cubs home opener less than three days away, it’s time to give fans a glance at some of the new food and drink options for the 2017 Chicago Cubs season. I’ll admit that I’m not usually focused on food because all it does is soak up the beer in my stomach but I’m also aware that not everyone enjoys drinking copious amounts of beer at every Cubs game.

So, for those people — here’s a look at the new food options at Wrigley.

Per James Neveau of NBC Chicago,

“Hot Doug’s will be back in the outfield bleachers, but that isn’t the only good news for fans. The team will also offer a variety of options at the Sheffield Counter, including the Wrigley Dog (a classic Chicago hot dog in an easier to eat version) and the Marquee Melter, a grilled cheese sandwich made with two different cheeses, smoked brisket, and caramelized onions.”

Ariel Chung of DNAinfo Chicago shares some more interesting items on the menu this season. Those items include: al pastor chicken tacos, brown sugar-coated bacon bites, buffalo chicken sandwich topped with gorgonzola and ranch dressing, a pulled pork sandwich served on a bao bun and brown sugar-coated “Pig Candy” bacon bites.

Local restaurants such as Giordanos, Buona Beef, and Pork and Mindy’s will also be serving up their best selections in the stadium as well.

Not exactly your father’s traditional hot dog and beer type of menu anymore huh?

Speaking of beer, Goose Island will offer a new 1060 Wit beer which will be featured on taps throughout the ballpark. Cost of that beer is yet to be determined but I’d imagine it’ll run somewhere in the neighborhood of $9.75 a beer.

Ahh, the joys of craft beer.

If beer doesn’t get you hammered quick enough, the Cubs will be offering up a variety of hard liquor options to help you make some poor decisions much more quickly. These drinks will be served at the new Jim Beam patio and will serve up cocktails made with Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, EFFEN Vodka, Cruzan Rum and Hornitos Tequila.

This has “bad decisions” written all over it.

So as we prepare to embark upon another lovely season at Wrigley, maybe this will be the year that I’ll buy a $9 dollar beer to help wash down the grilled chicken sandwich topped with a sweet chili glaze, Asian slaw and sautéed pineapple that I just devoured.

Never mind, I’ll just stick with an Old Style and a dog.

 

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