Another Bulls Injury

Kirk Hinrich is the latest Chicago Bull to go down with an injury. Kirk will miss 1-2 weeks with a sprained left thumb. This shortens the Bulls depth even more than it previously was with him in the rotation. Jannero Pargo is going to have to fill Kirk's place for the next several games. And with the continually slow progression of James Johnsons' rookie campaign, the Bulls are still going to be hurt by their lack of depth. Fatigue could become a factor for this team come March and April when these players are logging 35+ minutes a night early in the season.

Tyrus Thomas Injured

Tyrus Thomas was injured in a weight room accident and is going to be out 4-6 weeks with a broken arm. I am suprised Tyrus knows where the weight room is, let alone actually lifting a weight. This injury puts a strain on the depth of the Bulls. Rooke Taj Gibson is going to start in place of Thomas. Taj has played well so far and I look for him to keep improving as the year progresses. Another rookie, James Johnson, is going to get additional minutes to replace Thomas. Johnson has had the deer in the headlight look so far as a rookie. He needs to slow down and just play basketball. Vinny played only 8 guys with Thomas in the lineup and since Tyrus' injury, he only has played 7 guys in the regular roation with Johnson only getting a few minutes. Vinny is going to wear out the Bulls by the All Star break if he keeps going with his 7 man rotation of: Rose, Salmons, Deng, Gibson, Noah, Hinrich, and Miller. The Bulls should go out and try to sign a veteran PF to help with the depth of this team. The Bulls may be able to manage the 7 man roation for now, but how long are they going to be able to last?

Preseason Top 25 College Basketball Poll

The AP top 25 was released recently with Kansas ranked as the preseason #1 team. Each season, there are between 8-12 teams that have a legitamite shot at winning the naional championchip. This seasons preseason top ten are: #1 Kansas, #2 Michigan St, #3 Texas, #4 Kentucky, #5 Villanova, #6 North Carolina, #7 Purdue, #8 West Virginia, #9 Duke, and #10 Tennessee.

This year there seems to be wide open in who could win the title. The defending champions, North Carolina, have arguably one of the best frontcourts in the nation led by Ed Davis and Deon Thompson. The concern with North Carolina is how are they going to replace Ty Lawson at the PG position. Larry Drew II will start the season as the teams starting PG. That is the most concerning position with the defending champs. A team that I really like this year is Texas. Texas is led by two seniors, Dexter Pittman and Damion James, and have one of the top rated freshman in the country in Avery Bradley.

The four teams that I think will reach the Final Four this year is: Kansas, Michigan St, Texas, and North Carolina. My NCAA final matchup is going to be Kansas vs Texas. And the team I think is going to win the title is Texas.

Help Wanted: Offensive Line

It's been far too long since I've last made a post, so I am long overdue. The Chicago Bears O-Line is absolute dog crap. With the current play of the line, Cutler is going to himself killed at one point this year. I had to hold my breath a minute on Sunday when he took a helemet to the chin shot. Upgrading the O-Line in the offseason should be Jerry Angelo's number 1 priority next offseason. Also, seeing an actual Wide Reciever out there would be nice too. These could be difficult tasks seeming how the Bears are without a first or second round pick(don't get me started on the Gaines Adams trade). So for now, every time Cutler drops back to pass I hope he doesn't get himself killed.

Glen Davis bumping a fan

The father of a 12 year old boy wrote a letter to the NBA demanding that Glen Davis apologize to his son for bumping him the other night. In my eyes there is no reason for Davis to apologize to the fan, but today he did. Davis had just hit a game winning shot, and was celebrating the win. It was obvious he did not mean to bump the fan. In the letter wrote by the 12 year old boy's father, he stated that Davis had, "no regard for fans' personal safety." If that was the case, the 300 lbs Davis would have been visciously attacking the fans sitting courtside and not just slightly bumping a person as he was celebrating. The kid did not even fall down. Sitting courtside to a NBA game in my eyes the best seating in any pro sports and I would be lucky to sit there once in my lifetime. This is just an act for this boy and his dad to get their 5 minutes of fame. If you don't want to run the risk of being involved in a physical act, like this one, then don't sit courtside. The boy's father just needs to shutup and go away.

Bulls-Celtics Series After Game 4

Those who have been watching this series knows how fun this series has been to watch. Outside of Game 3, where the Celtics whooped the Bulls ass, this has been far and away the most exciting series to watch. There has been 3 games where its been back and forth where 2 of the 4 games have gone to overtime, with the most recent game going to a second overtime. Ray Allen and Ben Gordon have gone back and forth hitting big shot after big shot. Rajon Rondo has been terrific in this series with multiple triple doubles. The Bulls have been getting good minutes from their bench in Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller. The problem for the Bulls often during this series has been their inability to get rebounds at times during these games. There also has been many coaching mistakes during this series as well. In the first two games, Vinny Del Negro had a combined 0 timeouts at the end of the game to set up a play that could tie or win the game. Instead they had to settle for desperation half court heaves. In game 4, Doc Rivers did not have the Celtics foul while up 3 with under 10 seconds left in the first overtime. Instead Ben Gordon drained a 3 to tie the game and send it into a second overtime. As far as the rest of the series goes, the Bulls can win Game 5 if they get off to a good start and rebound defensively to keep the Celtics off the offensive glass. I think however this game might end up going 7 games, which will be fun to watch. Hopefully, the Bulls can be the victors in the series.

Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland vs (8) Detroit: The Cavs should have no problem winning this series. LeBron James is more than likely going to win the MVP and he is surrounded by a good supporting cast. Mo Williams has shown that he plays well alongside LeBron and the presence of Big Z in the paint will be too much for the aging Pistons. Cavs win series 4-0

(4) Atlanta vs (5) Miami: This series will be one of the better series of the first round in my opinion. Dwayne Wade has played like an MVP all year, and has helped carry the Heat to this point. The difference in this series just might be the homecourt advantage, which the Hawks have. Hawks win series 4-3

(3) Orlando vs (6) Philadelphia: Though the Magic will miss Jameer Nelson later in the playoffs, this shouldn't affect the outcome of the series. Dwight Howard is an absolute monster in the paint, and when the double teams come to him he kicks it out to the plenty of three shooters that the Magic have. Magic win series 4-1

(2) Boston vs (7) Chicago: Kevin Garnett's health has been apart of the headlines in sports for the past month and a half. The reports are that he may miss the entire playoffs. This helps out the Bulls a lot but I don't know if that will be enough to win the series. It will be tough for Ben Gordon to guard Ray Allen and as much as I really want the Bulls to win the series, I don't think they can do it. Celtics win series 4-2

2009 NFL schedule released

Today the NFL regular season was released today. This day is one of my favortie sports day of the year. It is the first chance we as fans get to see when are favorite teams play their games. By last year's records the Miami Dolphins have the toughest schedule, playing teams with a combined winning percentage of .594 last season. And who might have the easiest schedule based on last year's records? You guessed it, my beloved Chicago Bears by playing teams with a .414 winning percentage. This number may be a little skewed considering the fact that they play the Detroit Lions twice every year and we all know the Lions finished 0-16 last season. The Lions have the 21st toughest, the Packers with the 30th, and the Vikings with the 31st toughest. The games against the Packers and Vikings are always my favorite games to watch during the year, but the one non-division game that is most intriguing to me will be the Week 6 October 18th game at Atlanta. It will be a Sunday night game and will be a re-match of last year's game at Atlanta, where the Bears took a lead with under a minute to go in the game and then Atlanta got a good kickoff return and then a big pass play by Matt Ryan to set up the game winning field goal by Jason Elam. The thing that grinds my gear is the Bears home opener. I do not mind that they are playing the defending champions Steelers. The thing that gets me going is the 3:15 start time. I hate the 3:15 games, especially when they are played at Soldier Field. In my opinion, there is nothing better than the noon kickoff games. Though the NFL season is still a few months away, it is time to start getting excited about the upcoming season. With the schedule being released today and the NFL draft in 11 days, football season will be here faster than you can blink.

Tar Heels Win Title!

On Monday night the North Carolina Tar Heels won their 2nd national championship in the last 5 years. This was Coach Williams first championship with all his own players. This game was all Tar Heels from the get go. MSU Coach Izzo put it best when he said his team looked like deer in the headlights. It was obvious watching the game that North Carolina had the better team. The Final Four Most Outstanding Player went to Wayne Ellington. He had a good Final Four but my choice would have been Ty Lawson. The best point guard in the nation showed off his skills and also why he is so valuable to his team. Tyler Hansbrough had a great tournament to wrap up his outstanding career at North Carolina. Though he may not be good in the NBA, that should not diminish what he accomplished in his four years in Chapel Hill. Danny Green also had a good tournament and the senior from New York will be missed next year. It was a pleasure for me as a Tar Heel fan to watch this senior class over the past four years. It was a real good feeling to see these guys go out on top as National Champs.

Welcome to Chicago!

Jay Cutler is a Chicago Bear! As a Bears fan, I can say I am very excited and very suprised that Jay is now a Bear. I am suprised because it is typical of the Bears front office to not be aggressive and to sit on their hands when it comes to making big ballsy moves. Trading for Cutler shows Bears fans that the organization cares about winning and improving upon the most important position in the game. The main reason for my excitement was that reason of the Bears growing some peaches and making a big move. Cutler is a huge upgrade over Kyle Orton. Orton was a nice guy and a decent starter, but getting a game changer in Cutler is a big time improvement. At age 25 (will be 26 in a month) Cutler has already been to a probowl, and the last Bears quarterback to go to a probowl was Jim McMahon in 1985.

The Bears also signed Orlando Pace to a deal yesterday as well, which brings an expierenced probowl offensive tackle to this team. Though Pace is not going to be the long term solution, he is a nice one or two year band aid for this team. The next step for this team is to bring in an actual wide reciever. Not anymore of these mickey mouse b.s. recievers we have here now. With the Cutler trade, maybe a person as in one of Mitch Pratt's favorites, Torry "Big Game" Holt will now be interested in joining the Bears. Drafting a reciever in the second round should also be a top priority now. Maybe a player like Hakeem Nicks. For the time being, I am going to celebrate this move. It is exciting to know that the Bears now have a high talent quarterback. It's about damn time!

The 2009 Chicago Cubs

It has been 101 years since the Cubs have last won a World Series and this is the year the Cubs finally bring home the title. I know we Cub fans have been saying this since the Cubs last won the title in 1908 but this is going to be the year they do it. Last year in the playoffs they laid a big turd when they decided not to: hit, pitch, or field against the Dodgers in the divisional playoffs. This year the Cubs should have no problem winning the division. No one in the division scares me to think that they have a shot of beating out the Cubs for the division title. Here is my predicted finish of the NL Central:

1. Cubs: Too much talent not to win the division.
2. Brewers: Good hitting team, but no pitching.
3. Reds: Good young players, but not enough.
4. Cardinals: Albert Pujols and no one else.
5. Astros: What are they doing in Houston?
6. Pirates: At least they have a very nice ballpark.

Now on to the Cubs lineup...

1st. Soriano LF: Not the most ideal leadoff man, but when this guy is hot few are better.

2nd. Fukudome CF: In his second season Fuk U Do Me is making the change to CF to make room for Bradley in RF. If Fuk U Do Me can be close to the guy that started off last year on a roll he will stay in the lineup regularly. If not, Sweet Lou will pull him out of the lineup like he did at the end of last year.

3rd. Lee 1B: Has one of the best gloves over at 1B in all of the Majors. Has a good ability to drive the ball into the gaps and out of the ball park at times. But there is talk that he may be on the decline.

4th Bradley RF: Brings some left handed pop to this Cubs lineup. Health is a major concern. This team won 97 games without him last year, and all we need him to do is perform in the post-season.

5th Ramirez 3B: In my opinion, the Cubs best hitter. A good clutch hitter, can get the big hits when needed. An underrated defensive player as well.

6th Fontenot 2B: Many Cub fans are disappointed that DeRosa is still not in a Cubs uniform, but I understand the move. Sell high, the Cubs traded away DeRosa after he had a career year at the plate, but Fontenot is a capable hitter with suprising power. The one thing the Cubs will miss is DeRosa's versatility.

7th Soto C: How many teams in the Majors would have a hitter like Soto hitting 7th? A very good hitting catcher with good power. Also one of the better defensive catchers with an arm to throw out baserunners. Should make another trip to the All-Star game again this year.

8th Theriot SS: Led the Cubs in batting average last year and I would expect him to be in contention to do it again this year. Look for Theriot to get moved back into the 2 hole should Fuk U Do Me slump at the start of the year.

Rotation

1. Zambrano: Big Z likely gets the opening day nod again and for obvious reasons. Zambrano has no hit stuff (As he threw his first career no-hitter last year) almost every time he goes to the bump. Needs to stay away from the cramping that he occassionaly gets in games.

2.Dempster: Dempster had a suprisingly great year last year considering it was his first full season starting in a number of years. Tied for the team lead in wins last year. I dont expect him to have quite the same year he had last year, but he should have a solid year none the less. Needs to win more on the road more.

3. Lilly: Theodore is very fine pitcher. Tied for team lead in wins last year. A strikeout left handed thrower who should be good for about 15 wins.

4.Harden: The one thing I have to say about Harden is: make sure he can pitch in the playoffs. Harden has ace stuff, but the kicker is he cant seem to stay off the DL. The Cubs arent counting on him to make more than 25 starts this year, which is fine. They will take precautions with him because they can afford to.

5.Marshall: A good 5th starter. Tall lefty pitcher who has been a starter and reliever in his brief career. Should do ok as a starter this year.

Also, dont be suprised to see the Cubs make a mid-season trade with the Padres for Jake Peavy. They really dont need him, but who wouldnt want to add another Cy Young pitcher to its rotation?

Bullpen

The closer of this team will be newly acquired Kevin Gregg. I dont have a problem with this because if he falters, then you can insert setup man Carlos Marmol into that role. Marmol in my opinon is a top 5 relief pitcher in the game today. Nasty stuff, who can strike out any batter out there. The bullpen can be improved by adding a lefty or two to it. The lone lefty out there is Neal Cotts. Cotts is ok but look for them to add a lefty or two by the July 31 trading deadline.

This will be a tough season for Cubs fans because of the long wait till October. Relax. Enjoy the summer of watching Cubs baseball at beautiful Wrigley Field. There is no reason for the Cubs to not make the playoffs this year. I fully expect the Cubs to win the World Series and end the longest championship drought in sports history. And when they do, you can expect me to be front and center of the celebration.