Tuesday Morning Thoughts: We are the Champions!

1. Manchester United vs. Barcelona (Wednesday at 1:30pm Central time) Champions league final. I hope that Barcelona kicks the, you know what, out of Manchester. I’ll be watching at Fados.

2. I can’t understand the NBA anymore. There used to be a time where the best teams won their playoff games. We all knew it would be Bulls/Jazz or Lakers/Celtics or Pistons/Lakers. But not in today’s NBA. An Orlando team lead by the Turkish Jordan (sorry for that reference. It's insulting to everything Jordan) might beat the hyped up Cavaliers. The Cavs ineptitude might allow Orlando to advance to the playoffs. The same Orlando whose main scorer is Hedu Turkaglu. Even that awful 76er team that made it to the Finals was lead by Allen Iverson. Can you think of a worse team making it the Finals than Orlando? I guess Lebron isn’t the King after all.

3. Speaking of bad, do you realize that the Denver Nuggets also have a chance of making it to the Finals? Denver was so bad earlier this year, that “the trade” made Chauncey Billups seem like Isiah Thomas (the player, not coach). It’s conceivable that a team with the likes of Nene, Kenyan Martin and J.R. Smith (the all head case team), will make it the Finals. I guess Kobe isn’t the next MJ. Heck, he may not even be the next Paul Pierce.

4. So I watched my first hockey game on TV this past Sunday (Hawks v. Red Wings). Not a good game to get into hockey. Man I hate Detroit.

5. Speaking of the Hawks, there are too many teams ending with the “Hawks” nickname. It’s sort of like reading a ticker and seeing that the Sox are up 4-2 on the Yankees, except that it’s the Red Sox and not the White Sox. We got the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Hawks, and Chicago Blackhawks, just to name a few. The “Hawks beat Detroit” isn’t clear enough. I insist that ESPN, et. al. must use the full nick names on headlines or tickers (and even city names if necessary). Also, WNBA scores and Women’s college basketball scores should not televised.

Jay Cutler Man Crush: It's happening

Oh no, my Cutler man crush is already starting. Wayne Drehs of ESPN Chicago put together these great replies by Cutler from a recent Q&A.

"Anytime a team wants to make a trade like that and give up what [the Bears] gave up, there's going to be a lot of pressure and a lot of high expectations," Cutler said Wednesday. "And I welcome it. It's going to be fun. It's going to be a good challenge."

--
When one fan asked whether he had started to develop a hatred for the Packers, Cutler laughed and then said, "I've never really liked them." When another fan wanted to know whether he had begun recording a new "Super Bowl Shuffle," he quipped, "Orlando [Pace] is in the process of choreographing that whole deal. We're just waiting for him to finalize it."

--
Then there was the little boy who wanted to know how many touchdowns Cutler plans to throw this season. "How many do you want?" Cutler responded, knowing his career high is 25. "Thirty," the boy said. "We can probably get you 30," Cutler said. "I don't think that's going to be a problem."

--
When one fan began asking whether a quarterback makes his receivers better or vice versa, Cutler stopped the fan before he had a chance to finish. "You're worried about our wide receivers a little bit? Let me put you at ease," Cutler said, before explaining how the Broncos' Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal were relative unknowns before their arrival in Denver. "Receiving-wise, we've got what we need here. You don't need to worry about it."

--
When asked by a female fan Sunday about his impression of Chicago women thus far, the quarterback-turned-rock star didn't skip a beat. "Good city. Good women. I'm single, so I could get in a little bit of trouble."

I love this man. Finally, our star player isn't a robot with no personality (read Urlacher).

Jay Cutler: It Begins

Sorry, no baseball posts here. But who cares about baseball when you have the Hawks in the playoffs and Jay Cutler in a Bears uniform?

Here are some quotes taken about Cutler.

'I've never been around an arm like this,'' marveled offensive coordinator Ron Turner, who is not prone to such grand statements.

--
''Yeah, no [kidding],'' Olsen said when asked if there was some mustard on the throws. ''Once you get adjusted [to the arm strength], it's all the same pretty much. You just have to get your eyes around that much faster and expect it.''

--

"You just have to get used to catching a ball that comes that hard," said Davis. "It comes fast; it's on you real quick. You've got to get your head around. Once you get used to running routes with him and catching the ball from him, it gets a little bit easier. But he throws the ball pretty hard and the heat is still on the ball 20 yards down the field. It's not like you're [just] five yards away from him and it's hot."

--
"He's going to make us a lot better," said Hester. "Some of the things Jay tells me ... I wish I could put that in the playbook. Instead of having one window open, he gives you a second option. So if something is not there [with the called play], there could be something else before the play ends. That's the type of quarterback he is.

"Everybody knows that Jay has a strong arm and that's real important. He is not only strong with it, he is very accurate. At the end of the day, when you need a big play, you can always depend on me. That's the kind of receiver that I try to carry myself as. Just make big plays, you know."

Ahh, it begins.

Breaking Down Larry Mayer's Bears "Chalk Talk".

Below is Chicagobears.com report, Larry Mayer's recent Chalk Talk Q & A. My thoughts are in bold. His follow the question.

Despite how well the Bears did in the draft and how they can never have enough defensive linemen, do you think this could be a make-or-break season for Tommie Harris?
--

I wouldn’t call this a make-or-break season for Tommie Harris. He’s only 26 years old, has played extremely well when healthy and is under contract through 2012. With that said, however, I do feel that it’s absolutely crucial to the success of the Bears defense that Harris reverts to his Pro Bowl form. When he’s at his best, he’s a lightning-quick disruptive force that attracts double-team blocks at the three-technique position, freeing up other players and enabling the Bears to pressure the quarterback without having to blitz linebackers or defensive backs. The key with Harris is his knee. If he can remain healthy, he should have a great season, especially now that he’s being tutored by new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.

First, Don't ever believe what Mayers has to say. He is employed by the Bears and would likely be fired if he wrote anything negative about a player or the Bears organization. With that being said, of course this is a make or break year for Harris. Harris is approaching Mike Brown territory with his frequent injuries. While I love Harris, if he suffers another injury, its time for the Bears to seriously consider replacing him in the line-up.

With all the wide receivers the Bears drafted, do you think that Rashied Davis’ roster spot could be in jeopardy?
--
I know Rashied Davis struggled with some drops last season, but I don’t think he’s in jeopardy of losing his roster spot. He excelled as the No. 3 slot receiver prior to becoming a starter last year, and the plan is for him to return to that role in 2009. Davis is also a valuable contributor on special teams, which is a necessity for backup wide receivers on the Bears roster. The Bears did draft three promising receivers in Juaquin Iglesias, Johnny Knox and Derek Kinder. But as I’ve mentioned before in “Chalk Talk,” it’s extremely difficult for wide receivers to flourish as rookies given the complexities of NFL offenses and defenses compared to what they experienced in college.

Rashied Davis is not an NFL WR. He is terrible and should still be playing in the Arena league. Why the Bears continue to employee him, I don't know. They've let players like Gage and Bradley go, why not Davis? No one can rationally explain this.

I read that the Bears picked up undrafted free agent linebacker Mike Rivera. Is he any relation to Ron Rivera, and what kind of college career did he have?
--

Mike Rivera is not related to Ron Rivera, and from what I’ve been told it’s only a coincidence that he was issued the same No. 59 jersey that his namesake wore for nine seasons with the Bears from 1984-92. Mike Rivera was a versatile linebacker at Kansas who earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors three times. Every scouting report I’ve read says that Rivera is an instinctive player with a non-stop motor who could excel on special teams in the NFL, so he’ll definitely be a player to watch in training camp and the preseason.

What idiot asked this question and why did someone feel that it had to be answered?

Tuesday Morning Thoughts: Horse Racing

Thoughts on horse racing, the NBA playoffs, hockey and Kobe "PR machine" Bryant.

1. Thank you Orlando. No more Perkin’s pouty/angry face.

2. Now, the NBA playoffs get interesting. Denver/Lakers, Cleveland/Orlando. But, I still think its Lakers/Cleveland. The refs will make this happen.

3. I watched highlights of the Preakness this past Saturday. No, I didn’t watch the 2 hour buildup for the 2 minute race. Sorry, but the rich dude from Kentucky’s struggle to get to the Preakness on his private jet because of a busted knee, just isn’t that interesting to me. But, the racing? I love it. Racing is simple and immediate. Just run as fast as you can AND in a minute or two we will know who won. There is something beautiful about seeing an animal just take off. No engines, just natural ability to accelerate (well, besides the steroids they likely provide these horses).

4. But the hardest thing about horse racing is naming the horse. Mind that Bird and Rachel Alexandra are okay names. Cigaro, Secretariat, and Barbaro are great names. They are like those great one-name Brazilian fubol player names (Ronaldo, Pele) If I had a horse, I would name it one of the following: Big Kahuna, Zico, or Calvara. Yep, Calvara it is. (Calvara is a reference to a rather old western-movie. If anyone can tell me the name of that movie, I will allow you to write anything you want on this website. You can provide the answer in the comment section).

5. While I love horse racing, I can’t stand the obnoxious and stuffy owners that parade around their prized horses. I understand these are southern traditions, but by in large, southern traditions are something I try to stay away from. But irrespective of that, the pursuit of dollars from breeding stud horses probably sickens me the most. I have no problem with owners who take care of their horses and make money off their private endowments. That’s American and that’s business. But you get the sense that if the horse no longer puts out, he/she gets put out.

6. The Cubs and White Sox have played for a couple of months now. They each have about 126 games remaining on the schedule. I wonder what the NCAA College Football people would think of the 162 game regular season? Is there any meaning to a regular season game, if it’s 1 out 162?

7. I know nothing about hockey. I’ve been to one Blackhawks game. I understand that the goal is for several very large men with many layers of padding to get a little tiny 3-inch puck into a very tiny goal that it protected by a very large man, with very large pads. That’s about it. But nevertheless, GO HAWKS!!!!

8. The Tribune ran a story Monday that quoted Angelo stating that he would have an open mind to signing Plaxico Burress. My only thought is… Who are you and what have you done with Jerry Angelo?

9. There was also mention that the Bears might want to re-sign Adewale Ogunleye. Not only am I against such a signing, but I would encourage the Bears to cut Ogunleye. He is an overpaid, fragile blocking dummy.

10. Peter King wrote his MMQB intro about the Colts. Big surprise. But, in his defense it must be very difficult to give equal coverage to all 32 teams. Some home team’s fans will always be upset. In this case, it’s typically the Chicago Bear fans. But maybe we should be happy that King doesn’t cover the Bears?

11. I watched parts of ESPN’s Spike Lee documentary on Kobe. I found it thoroughly un-interesting and totally manipulated. Kobe comes off too perfect and polished. In one long scene he’s seen cheer leading the Laker reserves as if he was a Lakers’ girl. I’ve never seen Kobe cheer any Laker player for 5 seconds, let alone the ½ hour cheer leading training camp he put on in the documentary. If Kobe were breasts, he’d be Double D fakes. It’s as if he was a genetically manipulated clone of Michael Jordan, only without the charisma (and of course, the basketball ability). When I hear Kobe talk, I don’t see a genuine athlete, I see a Hollywood PR firm. Of course maybe he is just that perfect. Either way, I still dislike him.

Simmons and Gladwell: How to... Write

This story (HERE) is how sports journalists should write/interact with their readers. Smart, witty, and creative. This chat makes the reader think, while still being enjoyable and funny to read. While I can't stand Simmons' Boston Bias, I love the fact that he writes from the perspective of a fan. And Gladwell, well Gladwell is just brilliant.

Tuesday Morning Thoughts: Ugly Tattoos

A little Ronaldo, a lot of basketball, and some baseball. Oh yeah, and Eddie House's ugly tattoo.

1. If I were of Latin heritage I would name every child Ronaldo. First we had Ronaldo the Brazillian, then Ronaldinho the Brazilian and current Barcelona player, and finally Ronaldo of Portugal, who plays for Manchester United. United thrashed my beloved Arsenal in the 2^nd leg of the Champions League, while Christiano Ronaldo single handedly defeated Arsenal. While I despise Man. U and Ronaldo, even I have to admit that he is the best player in the world (See video below).

2. The weather needs to make up its mind. It’s fall, it’s winter, it’s spring, or it’s summer. Pick one already. People need to get drunk at Wrigley, please comply.

3. As an excellent NY Times article noted, the NBA has no idea what is and what is not a flagrant foul. Worse what often is called a flagrant foul later gets changed (upgraded to a number 2 or downgraded to an “incidental” foul by the NBA upon further review. (How can a foul that was originally called a flagrant foul be called “incidental”? Are we to believe that Kobe’s elbow to Battier’s groin was just “incidental?). I have a sneaking suspicion that the NBA loves it when its players beat the crap out of each other. Everyone’s talking about the Kobe elbow, Rondo face slap to Miller, or the Artest foul/suspension/expulsion. Flagrant fouls or the talking about whether “X” play was a flagrant foul is good TV and great ratings.

4. With that being said, one of these days a role player is going to seriously injure a star player and David Stern is going to get medieval on said player’s ass. Unfortunately, the NBA will have no one but themselves to blame for the flagrant foul. If you let your player’s beat each other up simply “because it’s the playoffs” don’t get surprised when your league becomes the equivalent of hockey. The NBA, Where Amazing Fights Happen.

5. I saw the Larry Bird, old school special effects commercial the other night (the one where the fans aren’t in the stands). It’s cool but it makes no sense. Why aren’t the fans there? Someone needs to explain this to me point by point.

6. I still hate the Celtics and would love for someone to punch Glen “Fat Baby” Davis in the face.

7. I have never understood how so many injuries can happen in the sport of Baseball. It’s about as non-contact of a sport that you can get. There is always a pinky fracture here, a hamstring pull there, or a shoulder injury (which makes sense for pitchers). Maybe it’s the roids or maybe baseball players are just made of cardboard. I suspect it’s the former.

8. The Western Conference: Denver could be for real, the Lakers are pretenders and Houston plays very, very hard. Dallas? Who cares about Dallas?

9. The Eastern Conference: Lebron’s team is going to the NBA Finals, Boston will take every series to 7 games, and Orlando relies upon Hedo Turkalo to win games (read Orlando sucks). Atlanta? Who cares about Atlanta?

10. Ummm, unless you are a very hot girl, tattoos are for losers. Yesterday I had a 5 hour our debate with a friend wondering whether Eddy House’s tattoo on his arm was a birth mark or an extremely large and disgusting tattoo. I went with birth mark. We ended up agreeing that the NBA must have made him cover an obscene tattoo with black permanent marker because no one would have such an ugly tattoo or a birth mark the size of Texas.

11. Peter King “stacked” the Bears at number 4 out of 32 teams in his latest MMQB. Two surprises here: (A) He mentioned the Bears and (B) his NFL IQ is worse than I thought. Don’t get me wrong, I think King, despite his clear and consistent East Coast reporting, is a good writer. But, he’s not really good at dissecting football. I don’t think the Bears should be ranked that high. Remember our defense is still porous and we still don’t have WRs and a consistent offensive line. With that being said, it is nice that someone has such a high regard for the Bears.

Manny Ramirez Tests Positive and No One is Surprised

I was listening to Dan Patrick this morning when he introduced the news that Manny Ramirez would be banned 50 games for testing positive for drugs. Arguably the best hitter in baseball tested positive for what is possibly a performance enhancing drug and Patrick announced the news with the same intonation as "Bueller, Beuller". Patrick and crew were not surprised, not angry, not emotional. It's sad to see that baseball has turned into the East German swim team. We are no longer surprised when baseball players get outed. The assumption now is that everyone except, Derek Jeter was on roids. So unless it's Jeter, no big deal. I guess we just wait for the next big name. Like ESPN magazine's annual issue, Who's NEXT?

Tuesday Morning Thoughts: Wolverine

The girl in Wolverine.

Random and short. Wolverine movie, Bears and last thoughts on Bulls.

1. Don’t know why, but I watched Wolverine this past weekend. Not bad, but not good either. But I think the moderately attractive (with Hollywood relativity) brunette in the movie (I just think she could have been more attractive) should have “mind warped” Striker to help heal Wolverine and/or fill in the gaps in his memory instead of having him walk a very long time.

2. From all accounts the Bears really, really like the players they got in the draft. As if Ron Turner is going to talk negatively about Iglesias or Johny Knox. I wonder if Turner is really thinking, “Shit, we don’t have any good WRs on this team and Johny Know would have a hard time playing in the Arena league”.

3. The Celtics, to make up a word, VETERINIZED the Bulls. The Celtics were slower, less athletic and overall weren’t as good as the Bulls. But, that didn’t matter. They played smarter when it counted: they knew how to pick on a bulls defensive matchup (which is pretty easy when you have Kirk Hinrich guarding Glen Davis), knew when to drive to the hoop to get a foul (which pretty much happened every time Paul Pierce drove the lane), and knew how to get looks at the end of games (which the Bulls couldn’t do. Think the Brad Miller/Salmons play that Vinny drew up that resulted in, well, nothing).

4. One player can make a difference. Imagine if KG played this series. The Celtics would have won in 5. But, imagine if a healthy KG or even Chris Bosh played for the Bulls. We win that series in 5. One could argue that we are one post-player away from competing for a title.

5. While I can’t stand Rajon Rondo, he outplayed Rose this past series. Granted, he has a few more years than Rose. While Rondo didn’t light up the scoring sheet the last 2 games he had assist totals in the high teens. Pretty impressive. But, I have a strong feeling that Rose is only scratching the surface with this talent.

I hope that Orlando dominates the Celtics just so I won’t have to see Perkins’ ugly face again.