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Anthony Rizzo Blasts Miguel Montero For Comments About Jake Arrieta

By
Erik Lambert
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anthony rizzo miguel montero
30 August 2015: Chicago Cubs Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) [4002] hits for a single sits in the dugout as the bottom of the 9th inning approaches during a Major League Baseball game between Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. The game was won on a no-hitter by Chicago Cubs Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) [4002].

Anthony Rizzo is not a happy man. At least in regards to his teammate Miguel Montero. For Chicago Cubs fans who are in the dark about this situation, here’s a quick recap. During the teams’ 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals yesterday, the Nats successfully stole seven bases in the game. It was a key factor in the defeat and something that hasn’t happen to the Cubs since 1995.

Montero was not happy about that sequence of events. Yet rather than admit it was something the team couldn’t quite solve, he decided to single out pitcher Jake Arrieta as the source of the issue. A selfish and bush league move by a guy who’s supposed to be a good teammate.

“It really sucked because the stolen bases go to me,” Montero said. “And when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn’t give me any time. So, it’s just like, ‘Yeah, OK, Miggy can’t throw nobody out.’ Yeah, but my pitchers don’t hold anybody on. It’s tough because it doesn’t matter how much work I put on footwork and throwing and everything, because if I don’t get a chance to throw — that’s the reason they were running left and right today, because they know he was slow to the plate.”

Suffice to say that team leader Rizzo was not happy about those comments. At all. He made his feelings known during a segment on ESPN 1000.

Anthony Rizzo calls out Montero for being “unprofessional”

Keep in mind Rizzo is not somebody who is prone to doing this sort of thing. He’s always been a team player. So one can imagine how much those comments must’ve infuriated him when they were made. He’s right in that it’s not the first time Montero opened his mouth pushing the blame on other people. He was upset with Joe Maddon last year both for his lack of playing time and use of Aroldis Chapman in the World Series.

Whether he may or may not have a point is immaterial. It’s an unwritten rule in professional sports that any beefs with other people in the organization should be handled behind closed doors. Montero is developing a reputation for doing the opposite, and it’s angering one of the few men on the team it might not be wise to.

UPDATE:

PFF Ranked The Bears Roster Ahead of Two Playoff Teams

By
Erik Lambert
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bears 2017 roster

Pro Football Focus does things differently. They are the most analytical entity out there when it comes to the NFL. They have numbers for everything and their evaluations may be a bit different for determining who the best players and teams in the NFL are. They have their critics, but it’s still interesting to hear their thought process. Especially in regards to the recent work they did on the Chicago Bears 2017 roster, along with the other 31.

In a collaboration with ESPN, they set out to rank every NFL teams’ starting lineup from #1 to #32. To the surprise of nobody the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots went first and second respectively. Being the two representatives in the Super Bowl last season can do that. No, the bigger shocks were saved for later in the list.

Perhaps one of the biggest? The fact that the Bears earned such a respectable ranking of 18th despite finishing 3-13. Perhaps a nod from the PFF brass on their woeful injury situation from 2016. Not only that but they ranked ahead of both the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins. Two playoff teams from last season.

Bears 2017 roster less on star power and more about limited holes

“Biggest strength: Jerrell Freeman was the top-graded linebacker (93.8) in the league in 2016, but he missed four games due to suspension. He has been an elite playmaker over the past two seasons, notching 59 defensive stops last season and 51 the season before.

Biggest weakness: The Bears have several major question marks among their starters with no clear standout at receiver or in the secondary. Plus, free-agent signee Dion Sims was one of the lowest-graded tight ends in the league last season, particularly as a blocker.

By the numbers: The interior of the offensive line — guards Josh Sitton and Kyle Long and center Cody Whitehair — combined to surrender only 30 total pressures in 2016, but tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie gave up a combined 73.”

The key to this situation lay in the overall makeup of the roster. What the Bears lack in starpower they make up for in consistency. Only four of their players rated an 85 or above on the grading scale with Jerrell Freeman being the lone man to crack 90. At the same time they do have five other players who crack the 80 barrier and three others who do respectable 75 or more. There aren’t a ton of glaring holes in the lineup.

The lowest grade went to tight end Dion Sims and that’s mostly because he’s new to the roster. Leonard Floyd also had a low grade but that was due to his persistent injury issues. If nothing else it’s a sign the team has quality players. It’s a matter of whether they can stay health first and foremost, and whether some of them can attain elite status. Then Chicago is in business.

Blackhawks Reportedly Share Mutual Interest With C Sam Gagner

By
Matt Barbato
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The Chicago Blackhawks will look for more scoring depth after shipping goal scorer Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets to bring back two-way forward Brandon Saad back to Chicago.

One player the Blackhawks might pursue is soon-to-be unrestricted free agent center Sam Gagner. Both the Blackhawks and Gagner share a mutual interest, according to The Athletic’s Scott Powers.

Gagner could be an ideal addition to the Hawks for a couple of reasons. The 27-year-old would add depth to Chicago’s group of centers that currently includes Jonathan Toews, Artem Anisimov, Tanner Kero and Marcus Kruger, although Kruger is expected to be traded at some point during the offseason.

Gagner is also a semi-reliable goal scorer and tallied 18 goals and 50 total points for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. He has 142 goals in 10 professional seasons.

Gagner is also an asset on the power play and could serve as a right-handed shot on the special teams unit. However, he doesn’t give Chicago much help in the faceoff dot, as he’s won only 45 percent of his draws during his career.

The Blackhawks probably won’t find a dynamic scorer like Panarin on the open market and if they do, they probably couldn’t afford him. But they can replace Panarin by committee while adding more depth pieces to a roster that featured seven players with at least 19 goals.

Chicago is currently $2 million over the NHL’s $75 million salary cap, but should have Marian Hossa and Kruger coming off the books soon.

Patrick Kane Sent The Most Beautiful Message To Artemi Panarin

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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Kane, Panarin, Blackhawks

Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin had on ice chemistry unlike any duo in Blackhawks history, but it all came to an end last Friday. Panarin was packaged up in a deal sending him to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad, leaving Kane without his partner.

For two seasons the duo fed each other passes, like two lovers sharing grapes at a picnic, leading to the success of both. Panarin scored 70 plus points in each of the first two seasons and Kane benefited by winning the Hart and Art Ross trophy in 2016 with 106 points. Kane followed that up with 89 points last season.

When the trade was announced, memes rolled across social media poking fun of Kane and how he may have been feeling. It was funny but there may be more truth to those reactions than we all thought.

Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago, reported that Kane saw Panarin’s agent at the draft on Friday night and gave him a message for Artemi.

“just let [Panarin] know that I love him.”

It doesn’t get more sincere than that. Those are the three words every person longs for in a relationship and Kane had no problem putting it out there. Patrick Kane will still be the superstar he already is, but after hearing this we can’t help but wonder if he’s more upset as a hockey player or a person.

Panarin sent a thank you to Chicago and the Blackhawks this morning via Twitter but made no mention of Kane. I hope he sent a message back to Kane and didn’t pull a Han Solo with a reply of “I know.”

Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings. 

The Overlooked Reason Jordan Howard Thinks He’ll Dominate 2017

By
Erik Lambert
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jordan howard

People have offered plenty of reasons for why they believe Jordan Howard will eclipse what he did in 2016 as a rookie. It’s a tall order. Howard ran for 1,313 yards in just 13 starts to finish second in the NFL in rushing. Defenses are aware of him now. Smart money says with the QB situation in flux for Chicago, defenses are going to focus on stopping him. Yet through the debating people had bothers to ask the man himself how he thinks the 2017 Jordan Howard season will go.

Though soft-spoken, Howard comes across as a confident and determined young man. It comes from overcoming all the obstacles he has in such a short life. Surviving the death of his father and taking care of his mother. Getting through the demise of his first college football program at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Then surpassing the expectations of being a lowly fifth round pick.

So when he was asked his thoughts on this coming season, he didn’t hide from the high hopes. If anything he embraced them. Why? Some people might’ve missed his explanation at minicamps. It was quick, but undeniably clear.

2017 Jordan Howard season rests on experience and conditioning

Howard already reported upon arrival that he was in much better shape than last season. He’s lighter and therefore quicker with more speed. A terrifying thought given he was already dangerous thanks to his power and vision. However that wasn’t his reason. Instead it comes via the mental side of the game.

“Things are a lot different this year because I know what to expect,” Howard said during the team’s minicamp two weeks ago. “I know all the plays and things like that. I’m not out there thinking, so I can just play free and fast.

“I definitely feel like a veteran ’cause I know what to expect and can help the young guys on the plays that they’re not understanding. I’m just more comfortable and want to be a leader.”

Experts have said for weeks that experience is critical for Mitch Trubisky if he’s going to have NFL success. What they always seem to gloss over is it’s the same for every other position too. Running backs are no different. The more they know and understand, the faster and better they play. It’s why the best seasons players tend to have are during third to seventh range. That’s often when knowledge and physical capability meet at the peak.

Both those needles are headed in that direction for Howard, and he knows it.

John Paxson Puts Foot Down On Dwyane Wade Buyout Situation

By
Matt Peck
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john paxson puts foot down dwyane wade buyout bulls

Today was the deadline for Dwyane Wade to either pick up the second year option of his Bulls contract or opt out to become a free agent. He already informed the team last week that he chose the former, telling TNT’s David Aldridge he had “24 million reasons” to do so. Chicago owes Wade $23.8 million next season, a grotesque amount of money that falls squarely on the shoulders of Gar Forman and John Paxson.

Today also marked the official introduction of the new Bulls players, who arrived after a blockbuster trade on draft night sent Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves. GarPax had plenty of excitement to share about their “new direction” and spoke very highly of all three new players: rookie Lauri Markkanen from Arizona and trade acquisitions Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn. But the media had more on their minds than the status of LaVine’s knee or Dunn’s shooting drills regiment this summer.

Everyone wants to know: now that the rebuild is a go, will the front office negotiate some kind of buyout for Wade’s albatross contract and let him play for a contender somewhere else?

Here’s what Paxson had to say on the matter:

“I know Gar has spoken to Leon Rose, Dwyane’s agent. As far as a buyout, that has not been broached. I will say this: in this type of scenario it would have to benefit us. It would absolutely have to benefit us. Dwyane was a great pro last year and he’s been around a lot of different situations. He was in Miami when they had a couple rebuilding years as well. Right now we’re operating under the assumption that he’ll be here. But like I said, if that [buyout] subject is ever broached by them then it would have to be advantageous for us.” – John Paxson

So what does that mean? Essentially, Paxson is saying that if Wade wants out of Chicago now that they’re rebuilding, he’ll have to give back a significant piece of that $24 million he’s owed. But as of this moment, the front office has not been told anything by Wade or his representation that he wants a buyout of any kind.

The Bulls could try to swing some kind of midseason trade for Wade next year, but it would be nearly impossible to find any takers to pay even half of his enormous salary. If Wade wants to ring chase after watching the Bulls stink up the floor through the first half of next season, it’s logical to assume GarPax would be willing to negotiate a buyout. But Paxson stressed – saying three times – that such a buyout would have to benefit the franchise and their financial situation.

John Paxson Takes Veiled Shot At Jimmy Butler During Press Conference

By
Matt Peck
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john paxson takes shot jimmy butler during press conference

The Bulls formally introduced their new players in a press conference at the Advocate Center on Tuesday morning. Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn both expressed their excitement to be in Chicago after being traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night for Bulls star Jimmy Butler. Rookie Lauri Markkanen, whom the Bulls selected with the #7 pick in the draft last week, said he’s looking forward to living in Chicago and playing in Fred Hoiberg’s offense.

Gar Forman and John Paxson were there too, of course. Paxson reiterated his words from their draft night press conference and subsequent interviews, focusing on the excitement of having finally picked a clear direction for the organization moving forward.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the media session came when Paxson was addressing a question about the future of veteran point guard Rajon Rondo. The Bulls still haven’t made a decision on whether they’ll bring Rondo back for $13.4 million or buy out the second year of his deal for $3 million. The Bulls VP spoke about needing veteran leaders to offer support for this new young core.

“We do understand that veterans are important for a young basketball team. The right veterans. The guys that are good teammates, are supportive of the young guys and teach them how to be pros. So those are things we’ll be addressing.” – John Paxson

Ouch. It’s hard to not see a connection between that comment and the recently traded Jimmy Butler. Paxson even put emphasis on the word “right.” Several reports over the years have indicated GarPax never saw Butler as the leader their team needed. This kind of statement only furthers that notion.

Paxson said that the Bulls will sit down with Rondo and his agent Bill Duffy soon, likely in the next day or two. As for the other prominent veteran on the roster, Paxson said any hypothetical buyout for Dwyane Wade would need to benefit the Bulls and their current situation.

Either way, there are two alphas still alive in the Bulls landscape for next season. But Alpha #1? He’s gone, and Paxson doesn’t seem to broken up about it.

Michael Jordan Has Special Message For MVP Russell Westbrook

By
Matt Peck
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On Monday night the NBA aired the first ever televised NBA Awards show. Running over two hours, it was largely unnecessary. Why not just stick to the normal routine of handing out the regular season awards during the playoffs? Oh, right. There are advertising dollars to be made. Of course.

The night concluded with the much anticipated revealing of last season’s MVP winner. Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook beat other finalists James Harden of Houston and Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio in one of the more entertaining MVP races in recent history. It was the first MVP of Westbrook’s superstar career.

Westbrook had an historic year, becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple double for a full season. He played in all but one of the Thunder’s 82 regular season games while averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists. His 31.6 points per game led the league, giving Russell his second scoring title in addition to his first MVP. Kevin Durant’s shocking departure from Oklahoma City last summer opened the door for Westbrook to make the leap from second fiddle to main man. His 41.7 usage percentage led the league by a wide margin; DeMarcus Cousins came in second with 36.5.

After Westbrook’s MVP coronation, a former five-time MVP offered his congratulations. In a tweet released by Foot Locker, Bulls legend Michael Jordan had a short and sweet note for Russell.

Nice words of encouragement from the GOAT. It seems as thought Michael has taken a special interest in watching Russell’s career. Forget all the comparisons to LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Michael sees a lot of himself in Westbrook.

“When I watch [Russell] play, I see a lot of resemblance of his passion for the game of basketball [to] the way I played the game of basketball … Every time I played the game of basketball, when I stepped onto that floor, I always felt like there was someone there that never saw me play the game of basketball, and that motivated me every single night. This kid has the same passion, and you can’t get that.” – Michael Jordan

Jordan won his first regular season MVP award in the 1987-88 season, three seasons before the Bulls finally won their first title in 1991. Westbrook will very likely be in the MVP conversation again next season, assuming he stays healthy. But unless the Thunder somehow land another star to play alongside Russell this summer, they won’t be anywhere close to competing with the best teams in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City – despite Westbrook’s greatness – were bounced in the first round of the playoffs, losing to Harden’s Rockets in five games.

That surely won’t stop Westbrook. Knowing Russ, he’ll take MJ’s advice and run with it. He’ll keep going, and it will be a great gift for all NBA fans. Just like Jordan’s MVP years.

Other NFC North Experts Agree This Should Be Bears’ Trubisky Plan

By
Erik Lambert
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bears trubisky plan

Initially there is a moment of caution with Bears fans when taking advice from columnist of their most hated rivals. They’ve been born and bred to despise everything the Lions, Vikings and especially Packers stand for. At the same time, those three teams have had considerably more success the past six seasons compared to that of Chicago. So maybe hearing them out in regards to the Bears’ Mitch Trubisky plan isn’t so bad.

What with all three teams experiencing significantly more success at developing quarterbacks as well. Jeff Dickerson of ESPN decided to reach out to his fellow NFC North associates with a simple question. What should the Bears do with their new rookie QB this 2017 season? Where should the expectations be?

Turns out the trio shared a near unanimous verdict in that regard.

Bears Trubisky plan must be about patience:

Rob Demovsky (Packers) – “To hold the clipboard for Glennon. Let’s face it, the Bears aren’t going to the playoffs this season whether it’s Glennon, Trubisky or anyone else under center. Why mess with Trubisky’s confidence now? Follow the Aaron Rodgers plan and let him watch and learn — not necessarily for three years like Rodgers did behind Brett Favre, but until he really knows the offense and the Bears assemble a more talented team around him to take some of the pressure off.”

Ben Goessling (Vikings) – “The Bears probably aren’t going to rush Trubisky into action, particularly after signing Glennon this offseason. You don’t make that kind of move if you don’t want the luxury of a slow development timetable for your young quarterback. The Bears might decide they’re better off spending the year with Glennon and giving Trubisky time to grow.”

Michael Rothstein (Lions) – “While Trubisky was the highest quarterback selected in the draft, if the Bears are smart they won’t force him into duty. This was a long-term play by the franchise, so it would be wise to let him sit behind Glennon at least to start the season. Let him learn by osmosis and by seeing how everything operates first.”

Essentially all three are urging the Bears to take the cautious approach. Trubisky is young and the team isn’t very good. Let Mike Glennon absorb the hits in what is still a rebuilding year. Then in 2018 they can use the offseason to bulk up the roster for Mitch’s debut. It’s a logical enough plan. At the same time it’s not stooped in reality.

Aside from Aaron Rodgers, neither of those teams were able to stick with such a plan. Teddy Bridgewater was starting by the fourth week of his 2014 rookie season in Minnesota. Matthew Stafford was a day one starter for Detroit in 2009. That didn’t stop either of them from going to the Pro Bowl or getting to the playoffs.

The point being that if Trubisky is as good as the Bears believe he can be, then it really doesn’t matter when they put him on the field. He’s going to eventually have success regardless. Provided they give him proper protection and weapons of course.

Blackhawks Measuring Up Trades For Physical Linemate Of Kane

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
-

With the trade of Artemi Panarin to Columbus, the Blackhawks are in need of a left wing on Patrick Kane’s line. The organization won’t be able to acquire another 70 point player but they are looking for a player with more than scoring attributes. This morning John Jaeckel tweeted that they are looking for size and physicality to play with Patrick Kane.

Evander Kane and James Neal were the two names that Jaeckel mentioned as possible targets. Each comes in at 6’2″ and hovers around 215 lbs with the ability to agitate on the ice. This is of course isn’t the only reason the Blackhawks are targeting one of these two, they also bring another skill to the ice.

They’re goal scorers. Both players consistently score 20 plus goals and have each reached the 30 goal mark at a point in their careers. Neal even scored 40 in 2011-2012.

The Blackhawks have lacked an agitator with this size and ability for some time. Kane or Neal can bring a few dimensions to the team but no matter how interested the Blackhawks are in trading for them, they may have issues doing so.

Both players are in the last year of their contracts and it would take some shuffling of the roster to make this work. The 25 year old Evander Kane carries a $5.25 million cap hit and the 29 year old Neal a $5 million hit.

Either of these players would be the presence the team is looking for, but it seems Kane is who they are really targeting. Sources have said that a move for Evander Kane would be really well received by the team.

Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings. 

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