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The Glass Half Empty (and Full) Ways To View Latest Alshon Jeffery News

By
Erik Lambert
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alshon jeffery
SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 09: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Chicago Bears is defended by Patrick Robinson #26 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

By this point most Chicago Bears fans were losing hope. Alshon Jeffery, the best receiver the team has ever drafted in the Super Bowl era, could be leaving. After failing to use the franchise tag on the 26-year old for a second time, it seemed like GM Ryan Pace was content to let him walk. Inexplicable thinking from the perspective of others.

You’re bringing in a new quarterback and letting your best receiving threat leave at the same time? Does not compute. However, it seems the thread isn’t cut just yet. Ian Rapoport indicates the two sides haven’t broken off contact just yet.

Initially there is a surge of relief and hope at that news. However, as logic begins to set in one realizes there are a number of possibilities in play. Not all of them in favor of the Bears. Two scenarios stick out as the most likely.

Kris Bryant Makes Hitting A Grand Slam Look Easy

By
Aldo Soto
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Kris Bryant picked a great time to hit his first home run of spring training for the Chicago Cubs, destroying a baseball against the Los Angeles Dodgers for a grand slam on Saturday.

The reigning National League MVP showed once again that falling behind in the count doesn’t matter because he can still do serious damage. After Jason Heyward walked with the bases loaded, Bryant cleared them with this swing.

Beautiful. He hit 39 home runs last year, so like 50 this year?

Bears May Be Mimicking Quarterback Plan of This NFL Contender

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears draft plans

The Chicago Bears aren’t betraying any details regarding what they plan to do at the quarterback position. Why would they? The less the media knows, the more advantage they have over other teams who also need a QB. There are any number of routes they could go. Of course there is the draft but also free agency and the trade market.

For the first time in what feels like awhile, there are considerable options from each of those avenues. It comes down to what GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox think is best. They have the resources to make something happen. Upwards of $51 million in salary cap space with the ability to create another $20 million easily if they wish. Also the highest draft position they’ve held since 1972 at the #3 overall pick.

If applied right they can set this team up for a big turnaround in 2017 and perhaps a long run of success in the future. It comes down to having a good plan and executing it. So how can they possibly play this? Recent signs offer a theory.

No Way The Cubs Are Going To Re-Sign Jake Arrieta If This Report Is True

By
Aldo Soto
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Yes, even after a record-setting 2015, two no-hitters and a World Series title, Jake Arrieta is most likely pitching in his final season with the Chicago Cubs if he’s still looking for a $200 million contract. According to Jon Heyman, that’s exactly what the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner wants when he hits free agency following the 2017 season.

It shouldn’t come as a big surprise, seeing as Arrieta still pitched great in 2016, despite looking bad at times and struggling with his command throughout the season. The truth of the matter is, Arrieta has been phenomenal since the Cubs traded for him in 2013. In four seasons with Chicago, Arrieta has a 54-21 record, 2.52 ERA and 0.985 WHIP. Amazing numbers.

So yes, Arrieta has every right to go out there after this season and demand as much money as he wants because as bad as the pitching market will be, he’ll probably get a huge deal from someone. I just don’t think it will be from the Cubs.

On Friday, Heyman reported that Arrieta is looking for a big deal, a Max Scherzer type deal. No way the Cubs do that for Arrieta, who will be 32-years-old when the 2018 season begins.

Via Jon Heyman:

The Cubs and Jake Arrieta’s agent Scott Boras spoke within the past few weeks, and there was said to be “no traction.” The expectation is that Arrieta will be a free agent at year’s end. Cubs people love Arrieta, and helped turn him into a big star. However, the belief is that they wouldn’t go more than four years, if that. Arrieta is looking for a mega deal along the lines of the Max Scherzer contract with the Nats

The “no traction” in contract talks between the Cubs and Arrieta has been a common theme. During spring training in 2016, both sides reportedly engaged in extension conversations, but those didn’t lead to anything either.

Arrieta wanted a seven-year deal last season and obviously the Cubs wanted nothing to do with that. As a reminder, the Washington Nationals gave Scherzer a seven-year deal worth $210 million.

In 2016, the Cubs and Arrieta were discussing a deal worth about $130 million.

Via Bruce Levine:

Another source told me that the discussions go back to this fall and winter. One source said a six-year, $130-million contract was asked for a few months ago in negotiations. The source said there were many moving parts to the contract language that has yet to be agreed upon.

(Bruce Levine)

Again, no long-term deal was ever reached.

The 2017 season is a big year for both the Cubs and Arrieta in regard to the future of the team’s starting rotation. John Lackey will also be a free agent and nearing 40-years-old, could be retiring. Arrieta will be the top starting pitcher in free agency and even if the Cubs do want him back, which they do, he’s going to be too pricey. The Cubs are in danger of losing 40 percent of their starting rotation after 2017, and as far as Arrieta goes, if he has another good year he’s in for a mega contract.

I hope I’m wrong, but I just don’t see Arrieta signing a contract extension before hitting the free agent market. Once that happens, I don’t see the Cubs investing so much money on a 32-year-old pitcher.

Jimmy Butler ‘Balled So Hard’ At The Club With Chance The Rapper

By
Matt Eastman
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The ‘TNT Bulls’ did it again on Thursday night, knocking off the Kevin Durant-less Golden State Warriors 94-87 in somewhat of an upset win at home.

This team is extremely frustrating to watch because you never know what type of effort they are going to bring. The win brought them to 31-30 overall; however, the Bulls are now 15-13 against teams .500 and above, which is good enough for fourth best in the NBA. Yes, you read that right.

Problem is, they are 16-17 against teams below .500, which ranks 25th in the NBA. The Bulls are the only team with a winning record against teams .500 and above and a losing record against losing teams (below .500) via ESPN.

But, enough of the facts…

Here’s Jimmy Butler ballin’ out to some Jay Z with his buddy Chance The Rapper at Studio Paris in Chicago via TMZ. You can see all the fellas hanging in the VIP section where they got served up with champagne and cake.

 

Previously, Butler stated he has every intention of doing some social work with Chance in the communities of Chicago. The only question is, is Mark Wahlberg peanut butter and jealous of Jimmy’s new bromance?

Image result for peanut butter and jealous gif

Cardinals Attempt To Throw Shade At Cubs World Series Title, Fail Miserably

By
Gus
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We’re not even into the 2017 regular season yet and St. Louis fans have already begun to annoy me. Well, a St. Louis based t-shirt company has begun to annoy me but I know for a fact that the self-proclaimed “best fans in baseball” will support the aforementioned t-shirt company therefore they can both go play in traffic.

JoeSportsFan.com is an online t-shirt shop for Cardinal fans to prove their loyalty to the second best team in the NL Central.

We believe that St. Louis sports fans deserve attire that is well-designed, clever, and won’t turn into vapor after a few washes.  Our shirts are printed in St. Louis on a 50/50 cotton and polyester blend that you’ll want to wear to a bar, to Busch Stadium, to sleep, and everywhere in between.

I’m going to have to stop you right there. If the t-shirts are clever, they have no business being on Cardinal fans.

It’s ironic that the website boasts that their t-shirts are made “by St. Louis fans, for St. Louis fans” because when you visit their website, the very first t-shirt you see is a Chicago Cubs themed shirt. Obviously, the shirt doesn’t paint the Cubs in a positive light since it’s a Cardinals fans company, however, the shirt proves yet again how much the Cardinals can’t give credit where credit is due.

I’ll try to stay out of the political arena here because people will really prove their stupidity by making statements about the shirt but I will say this. I find it pretty ironic that the shirt references the famous phrase “not my president” that was made famous by Hillary Clinton supporters immediately following her 2016 Presidential election loss. It’s ironic because out of 114 counties in Missouri, only three voted for Clinton. Therefore, using a “Clinton slogan” in a predominantly Trump state just reeks of stupidity.

To further the stupidity, the shirt retails for $19.08. Now, if the Cubs hadn’t won the World Series last year, that would have been a pretty solid dig BUT, no matter how much it pains Cardinals fans to admit, the Cubs won the fucking World Series.

Get over it.

Even the description for the shirt makes no sense.

Welcome to the resistance. The Chicago Cubs are NOT my 2016 World Champions.

We are strong. We are united. We are clothed in a delicious blend of cotton and polyester sure to make friends jealous on Opening Day as the 11-time World Champion St. Louis Cardinals take the field against a team that hasn’t won one in over a century. Sad!

RESIST!

The red text was my emphasis but are Cardinals fans not aware that the Cubs did indeed, win it all last year? Like, what alternate universe do you have to live on to still fail to acknowledge that your team is no longer the best in the NL Central and finished last season a staggering 17 games behind the Cubs?

Oh I’m sorry — 17.5 games out.

Even the Cardinal play-by-play announcers HATE mentioning the fact that the Cubs won it all.

Side note: in no way, shape, or form should Matt Adams be compared to Anthony Rizzo.

Ever.

Look, I’m all for t-shirts that show pride in your favorite teams. However, when you fail miserably to make fun of your rival’s success, you just look desperate.

JoeSportsFan should take some notes from the people at Urban Gameday on how to produce a great sports t-shirt.

Jay Cutler Has A Preferred Team In Mind Once He Leaves Chicago

By
Erik Lambert
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jay cutler
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field on November 22, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Jay Cutler era appears all but over in Chicago. It didn’t end the way many Bears fans wanted. They had desperately hoped Cutler could be their savior. A man who might elevate the franchise back up to elite levels like no QB since Sid Luckman. Though Cutler would end up with every passing record in team history, he just never could get the winning thing down.

After coming so close to a Super Bowl in 2010, it’s been one disappointing season after another until things bottomed out last year. Cutler missed most of the games with a variety of injuries and threw more interceptions than touchdowns. It was likely the final straw for GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox. For them, the time feels right to move on.

That begs the question. What does Cutler want? Rumors have covered the spectrum from trades to a possible retirement. However, there is a slowly growing rumble that he not only plans to keep playing, but has a team in mind.

Jimmy Garoppolo Fans Trade Flames With Cryptic Instagram Post

By
Erik Lambert
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jimmy garoppolo instagram

It’s no secret by now that Jimmy Garoppolo is one of the hottest topics of the NFL offseason. The New England Patriots backup quarterback stands as the most sought-after player on the trade market. Following his brief but productive play in place of the suspended Tom Brady at the start of last season, and at just 25-years old, most feel he’s the best quarterback a team can hope to get.

Thus far though the rumors have been all over the place. It started with buzz that the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers all having interest in a possible deal for him. Then it shifted to an apparent shutdown. Word leaked that the Patriots weren’t planning to deal him, preferring to keep him on as a quality backup.

Others quickly denounced that as classic misdirection. An attempt by the Patriots to drive up the price offered by other teams. As things stand nobody knows for sure what will happen. Some think he’s staying put. Others believe a deal is still coming.

What about the man himself? Well according to one very odd Instagram post, something may be about to happen.

✌🏼 #LaFamiglia

A post shared by Jimmy Garoppolo (@jimmypolo10) on

Posting championship photos isn’t anything special. What makes it usual is the type of picture itself combined with the timing. Every team has their top representatives down at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. That is considered prime time for discussing possible trades. Then there is the fact he’s posting a Super Bowl pic with two fingers in the air and the hashtag #LaFamiglia.

It comes across as a sort of bid farewell to a family he’s grown up in for the past three seasons. Sure, it could be a coincidence but given the timing and the thick smoke surrounding his status there is a strong possibility he’s hinting that a deal may be in the works. Whether the Bears are part of it or not remains unclear. Either way, this could be huge news that will come out on March 9th when trades can become official

How This Possible Blockbuster Trade Could Impact Entire Bears Draft

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears 2017 draft

The Chicago Bears figure to be a big part of the action this 2017 offseason. They have money to burn and high draft picks to spend. However, they can often be at the mercy of action out of their control. Big actions by teams who are trying like mad to improve just like they are. It’s always about how such changes alter their strategy.

With free agency less than a week away, the rumor mill is spinning faster than ever before. Over the past two seasons, one thing that has take a serious uptick? Trades. It started with the Jimmy Graham blockbuster in 2015 between Seattle and New Orleans. Then last year it was Tennessee and Cleveland dealing the #1 and #2 picks in the draft respectively. Could 2017 possibly top all that?

Based on the bomb Ian Rapoport dropped recently, it just might. Seems there are rumblings that a deal could be in the works involving not two but three teams.

The magnitude of such a trade is difficult grasp. Put simply it would of course involve Cousins going to San Francisco to reunite with his old coach, Kyle Shanahan. Dallas would give the Redskins Tony Romo and get a nice return of draft picks. What makes this easy to believe is a couple keys. Reports have said San Francisco is the only team Cousins would sign an extension with besides Washington. They also said Romo wants to join a contender, but also a team that plays Dallas this season.

The Redskins of course qualify for both. They face the Cowboys twice and have posted a winning record the past two years. It sounds unusual that Dallas would trade with a divisional rival, but it’s something Washington did a few years ago when they took Donovan McNabb from Philadelphia. So presuming there is more than just smoke there, just how big an impact could this have on the Bears?

Fred Hoiberg’s Biggest Weakness Makes Bulls Front Office Look Stupid

By
Matt Peck
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vegas releases nba win projections bulls

The #TNTBulls streak lives on. Hooray!

Did you get that out of your system? Good. It’s just another meaningless win in a string of inexplicably lucky outcomes for an undeniably mediocre NBA team. The Splash Brothers became the Brick Brothers and the Warriors were playing their first game after losing superstar Kevin Durant and his 27.7 usage percentage to a knee injury. A team that usually scores a league-leading 117.5 points per game managed just 87, and don’t you dare give the Bulls defense all the credit for that.

Dwell on this win too long and you’ll lose sight of what actually matters with these Bulls.

Meanwhile, numerous players on Fred Hoiberg’s roster continue to express a similarly frustrating thought: nobody on this team knows what role their coach expects them to play on a nightly basis. That stems from poor communication.

Did you miss the joke? It’s okay if you did, it’s subtle.

Communication Is Key

When the Bulls front office trio of chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, GM Gar Forman and VP John Paxson unceremoniously fired Tom Thibodeau in the spring of 2015, they cited a lack of clear and open communication. They somehow blamed Thibs for the poor communication within every element of the organization, from players’ lockers up to Reinsdorf’s owner’s box. How was that all on Thibs, exactly? I still haven’t figured that one out, but that’s the story they chose to tell.

In case your memory is foggy, here’s a sampling of those thoughts from Reinsdorf, Forman and Paxson on their decision to fire Thibs.

“There must be free and open interdepartmental discussion and consideration of everyone’s ideas and opinions. These internal discussions must not be considered an invasion of turf, and must remain private. Teams that consistently perform at the highest levels are able to come together and be unified across the organization-staff, players, coaches, management and ownership. When everyone is on the same page, trust develops and teams can grow and succeed together. Unfortunately, there has been a departure from this culture.” – Jerry Reinsdorf

Reinsdorf’s key words? Open interdepartmental discussion. The owner pointed a heavy finger of blame at the coach for a departure from the culture that supposedly defined the Bulls for decades. At least that’s how Jerry saw it. His general manager echoed those sentiments, as Gar cited a need for “a culture of communication that builds a trust throughout this organization.”

Now, here’s Paxson.

“Relationships are difficult. But there has to be a situation with open dialogue, where there are no barriers. You should be able to ask any question, push the envelope. That’s what relationships should be about. Obviously there was a breakdown.” – John Paxson

Trust. Dialogue. Relationships. Was this a front office explaining a firing or a session of couples counseling? Either way, the Bulls’ front office trio made a point of hammering home their main idea: the team suffered from a breakdown in communication, and that was Thibodeau’s fault.

Enter Fred…

[USE ARROWS ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING]

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