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QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 6, 2013 -> 07:59 PM) Totally. A similar situation would be if Strasburg was only throwing 80 mph because of an elbow injury, but the Nats kept him on the mound because it's the playoffs. NFC games should be exciting next week. The AFC games, not so much. He was making the point the the Nats kept a player coming off an injury off the field when he was could play but was at risk for further injury. While the Redskins took a player coming off an injury c and played him when there was a risk of further injury and it happened.

QUOTE (Lamar Johnson 23 @ Jan 4, 2013 -> 01:11 PM) There is VERY little difference between not being able to spend money and not spending money. I guess I'm in the minority here; I believe that an owner's primary responsibilty is to put the best possible team on the field that he can. Period. Being a minority owner, albeit the Chairman, he needs to answer to the rest of the board and the majority owners. Singling out Reinsdorf for all of the money matters isn't accurate. Sacrificing the long benefit for short term gains is not a good way to operste a baseball team. You need consistent winning to get to the playoffs regularly to have a chance. There are too many variables for success in baseball to sell out for a single season.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jan 4, 2013 -> 10:31 AM) Lovie was a linebacker coach at Tampa when Tampa was bad to average. And St. Louis didn't win because of defense. He made them better, but they weren't winning because of defensive touchdowns. Not sure how his prior coaching is relevant. Anyone who objectively looks at some of the defense plays made over the course of Lovie's career has to chalk it up as luck. I'm sorry, but winning games with Mike Brown interceptions for touchdowns or Hester returns for touchdowns is fluky. I'm not saying Lovie shouldn't get credit - he's a great defensive coach who has had/drafted/coached up good defensive players. But the his winning percentage is probably 10-15 wins (or more) too high if you take away some of the lucky plays. Calvin Johnson's bogus non-TD call last year, the late TD interception against the Panthers this year, etc. When it happens on a consistent basis with Brown, Hester, and Tillman, it isn't luck. It's a mindset he instilled in the players on how to attack players. It's just unfortunate that he basically ignored the offense and always tried to make it too conservative. This is on him and is why he had to be fired. Reminds me of Buddy Ryan, a really good defensive mind but discounted the offense why too much. At least Lovie didn't attack his OC on the sidelines.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 4, 2013 -> 10:28 AM) You would have to say at this point he's a lot closer to George than the elite QBs many thought he was destined to become. Maybe the new system will make him an MVP candidate. It's happened before, but up until now, he's pretty much been a dissappointment. Agreed. That's why I said he hasn't shown it yet. However, he has had many different systems in which to win and hasn't shown it.

QUOTE (3E8 @ Jan 4, 2013 -> 10:04 AM) Hahn and KW are probably polar opposites when it comes to patience. KW could never wait to get his chips in the pot. We're used to having more offseason activity by now. Hahn is more conservative and can hold out in attempt to get what he wants. Hahn's best skill as assistant GM has been in contract negotiations, so that should translate well when he makes his first trade. Not if you remember Ron Schueler. This would have been a blistering off season for him.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 4, 2013 -> 10:12 AM) Cutler's won a lot more than George has. Other things of note: Cutler's more accurate, but tends to throw more picks. In overall numbers but it's like Lovie Smith. and Marty Schottenheimer, good in the regular season but nothing to show for it. Neither QB really ever went anywhere. Maybe it's more leadership than physical gifts for both. Cutler still has time but he hasn't shown much yet.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 4, 2013 -> 08:51 AM) Haugh asks the question that hasn't been asked in a couple of years...is Cutler the next Jeff George? I hadn't though of that. Very similar personalities. Physically talented QBs who can't seem to win enough. Instead of swithing teams so often, Cutler has switched offensive coordinators, he still has time though. So far, I think it is a good comparison.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 4, 2013 -> 08:07 AM) The Royals signed Chad Tracy, Mark's older brother, and not the one who played for the Nationals. Mark will still be a stiff in the White Sox organization for a little while. KW Jr. got over a half a million in signing bonus. Nepotism is a beautiful thing if you are the one getting taken care of. Welcome to Chicago.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 11:26 AM) I popped in the final game at Comiskey Park over the weekend, and it was interesting to see the White Sox players-- Fisk- future Hall of Famer Thomas- rookie- future Hall of Famer Sosa- traded to the Cubs a year later, steroids allowed him to hit over 600 HR Guillen- future Sox manager. 15 years later, won the World Series Ventura- rookie, future Sox manager Calderon- murdered Fletcher- Sox 2B, daughter would later marry Sox future 2B who was 4 when this game was played Johnson- One Dog one of a few to play for Sox, Cubs, Yankees and Mets McDowell- future Cy Young winner The Mariners also had a young Ken Griffey Jr, his dad, and Omar Vizquel who could be the last active player to play in Comiskey Park. The final out was Harold Reynolds who is still around at MLB Network. Didn't you see me sitting in right field with a tear in my eye?

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 07:15 PM) Saw this joke in another forum... Eli Manning, Jay Cutler, Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger walk into a bar... They see four girls and go to pick them up. Cutler immediately says something stupid and another guy intercepts his girl. Eli is failing miserable and everyone is laughing at him but somehow the girl leaves the bar with him. Romo is just about to score but inexplicably starts talking about the time he had herpes and strikes out. While Romo is leaving he asks Ben how come he is still there? Ben says he's still waiting for the drug to take effect. And if Tom Brady was with them, (wasn't available since he's in the playoffs) he would've left with all four of the hotties! The punchline for Brady should be: Brady would get one of them pregnant but leave with the others.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 01:50 PM) One remarkable thing pt...I think almost everyone here would agree with your sentiment in this post: I certainly would also...and I'd be one of the ones called government-lovers by Duke. There's a lot of places, particularly at the state and local levels, where things could be improved by reducing government interference. Take some time and go through the number of licenses that municipalities have for different types of businesses and you've got great examples. My standard tends to be...I want a good reason before I demand government action. Its a cost-benefit calculation in my view. Just to take this case...when the cost of having people armed with assault style rifles is 20 dead kids...and I can't fathom a single benefit other than some vague "You're ready if the US Army comes after you!"...I lean quite strongly towards a strong regulation. I just don't think that anything with more regulations will make much of a difference. Maybe a magazine size regulation. But honestly, anyone willing to plan and commit mass murder will find a way with illegal weapons or home made bombs.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 01:43 PM) I still think there was a lot of injury worry in teams, particularly the Royals, passing on him, although I'm never going to find the source that said so. I believe you are correct. Many teams passed on him due to mechanics and durability issues, although it's not the mechanical issues that I think he has issues with.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 01:31 PM) Advocating for a limited government is different than saying the only reason we haven't been trampled under the boot of tyranny is because of guns, or bizarrely arguing that Japan's domestic gun control laws had anything to do with their East Asian and Pacific conquests. I agree. That's why I said some of them are radical. However, in many of the post he refers to the primary reason is to keep the federal government from taking too much control of everything. That's he calls many posters "government lovers" or says many poster equate government with God.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 01:19 PM) And we're just working with assumptions that skinny guys can't be durable I take it? I'm more concerned with the way he gets into the arm slot. He keeps his hand down for a really long time then whips it up into the "cocked" position. Then has to rush to come forward. That really quick movement from arm down to up makes me worried about shoulder issues. His elbow is in a good spot but if someone develops shoulder issues it can always lead to elbow problems by compensation. His long arms and this whip action are what gives me pause about his durability. He handled it well last year with planned breaks. I would expect that they will handle him the same this year. They will need planned breaks for him and Quintana so they really need to plan on 6 starters. Any team with playoffs aspiration should do this anyway.

QUOTE (Lamar Johnson 23 @ Jan 2, 2013 -> 10:00 AM) I understand the importance of having an ace on your staff, but, IMO, players that can help you win every day are more important than those that can help you win every 5th (or 6th) game. (ie. Cabrera > Verlander) Good pitching usually wins in the playoffs. Cabrera may be more important in the regular season (I still disagree) but the Ace pitcher is more important to win the World Series.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 12:01 PM) bookmark these posts so that when you stop being a libertarian in a few years you can look back and laugh. Duke's post are very radical however I still agree with his main point. Federal government should not have too much control or regulation in general. This is just one issue but it applies to everything.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 12:27 PM) Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet #Bears are 1st team to put in an interview request for #Colts OC Bruce Arians, I'm told. Won't be the last. #Chargers among those interested I really like him. He was an outstanding OC in Pit and Indy. I don't know if he is HC material but he is an innovative offensive mind. **3,000 posts** isn't 3,000 a lock for the HOF? Oh, wait. That's hits.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jan 3, 2013 -> 11:03 AM) It could be bad though. If you go too wide and can't make up your mind, the top guys could come off the board. That said, I'd have to imagine he has his idea as to who his top candidates will be and their is no harm interviewing as long as you move swiftly. To me these are the guys I'd be dissapointed if Emery didn't have a conversation with them: 1. Holmgren 1b. Cowher (probably won't even interview but you better damn well call his agent and ask) 2. Reid (looks like they won't chat) 3. Gruden (not sure I'd hire him, but should at least reach out and have a conversation) 4. Mike McCoy (that is happening) 5. Bill O'Brien (really really good candidate; not sure you can get him but have to try to have the convo) 6. Shanny (like him a lot) Should probably also reach out to the top OC candidates out their as well (not mentioned above). E.g,. Clements, Carmichael. I bet he doesn't interview the top 4 on your list. They don't want the re-tread whether it's for power or money.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 2, 2013 -> 10:22 PM) Ya exactly. Drafting by need in baseball makes no sense, drafting by need in football is essential. This is very short-sighted and should onlybe true in later rounds. In the early rounds you take the impact player regardless of position. Look at Green Bay this year. They had many wide recievers and Drafted Cobb because he was the best player. Turns out they needed him due to injuries and Jefferies may leave because of it. You draft the impact player. Now as I said the Bears have such a glaring need I would be tempted to go O-line all the way. However if you pass on say a D-line or LB you may miss the next impact player you need in a year.

QUOTE (GoodAsGould @ Jan 2, 2013 -> 08:53 PM) I buy that in baseball draft, take best player or highest rated pitcher on your board, but in the NFL and especially first couple of rounds you do need to look into your needs unless someone comes along that isn't passable. I think it's more important in football due to injuries and the relatively short average career of the players.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Jan 2, 2013 -> 08:23 PM) The 4 I'm looking at have him at 19, 26, 30, and 31. And while I have them open... They project the Bears to take. Walterfootball- Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia Drafttek & CBS(Rob Rang)- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan CBS(Dane Brugler)- Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma With the injury rate in the nfl you always draft the best player available regardless of position. However with the state of the Bears O-line it's really difficult not to take the best tackle available.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jan 1, 2013 -> 04:40 PM) I'm from rural Illinois and I don't think my reps have ever represented me. They go in there to push their ideology... And that's okay. What else would they do? This is true. His point was that many committees make decisions, so there is not input from every member. My point was that no decision would ever be made if 100 or more people had to be in on everyone before it made it to the floor. This is where the idea of "not every view was represented" came from.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 1, 2013 -> 02:37 PM) But that is our form of representative government. I don't feel that i should lose my representation in Congress and be left only with someone to vote "yes/no" on major bills. I agree in concept. But in reality that would get absolutely nothing done. I'm from a rural area here in Illinois. Believe me I want all views represented. Illinois politics is ruled by Chicago because of this. However, too many people trying to make one decision will lead to more indecision and no action.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 1, 2013 -> 11:54 AM) why should the process of governing be less democratic and less represenative? Why shouldn't everyone's Senators and Representatives have input into the process instead of just a select handful? I understand the sentiment that everyone should be represented however, nothing would ever get done. It's hard to get anything done with 10 people in one meeting let alone 100.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 10:54 AM) Personally, the "As soon as it's official and AJ is gone, so we will start bashing him and telling some supposed stories out of school" routine, doesn't work for me. AJ was so hated and no one could play for him, that he signed 3 or 4 White Sox contracts. Rozner, who I really like, and Speigel, should be embarrassed they spent their show with this crap. Now, if they want to have someone actually speak on the record, that could be different. It's very common for all the garbage to come out about a player after they leave. Many reporters will keep things quiet while the player is is in town to maintain the relationship. However, as was said Rozner has always told stories about AJ. Many pitching coaches haven't liked him because he would call his own game regardless of what others, including the coaches thought. He was right many times, depending on the coach.