T R U

I don't buy, at all, that fans at a baseball game pump Paul Konerko up to sock more dingers than he would if no one was there.. they are professionals, this isn't college sports.. most of them prolly block out the fans as it is

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 3, 2011 -> 03:52 AM) I've finally realized how stupid it is to give teams draft grades. Mel Kiper says the Seahawks draft sucked, but they got 2 offensive lineman with their top 2 picks, went defense (or special teams) with 6 of their next 7, and then brought in a receiver to a group that is collectively pretty untalented. They'll do more in free agency when it rolls around too, but I don't see a lot wrong with that. Then they talk about the Raiders too and how they overdrafted a few players. I understand that you want to maximize the value of your choices while getting the players you want, but isn't the most important part of that formula getting the players you want? Oh yeah, they also went 8-8 and lost games by scores of 24-23, 31-24, 17-9, 38-31, and 31-26. People make fun of them for drafting track stars, but it looks like it's sort of panning out. There are teams that you see where you are just like "they seriously didn't do anything they needed," especially when it regards a general area rather than something specific (like a team has older linebackers and they're thin anyways and they completely ignore it...that's stupid). I don't mind it as much when a team passes on a QB too when they have a pretty big need there, like the Dolphins or Bills, especially when they have a suitable option and they didn't find the guy they had in mind at that spot. That's a pretty important position and if you mess it up, it is almost assuredly going to cost you your job as a coach. Why would you draft someone you weren't comfortable drafting? It just bugs me that these analysts say "OH THEY DRAFTED THAT GUY 10 PICKS EARLIER THAN HE SHOULD HAVE" (exaggerating, but barely) when really it's a bit of crapshoot too. So many teams were chastised last year for passing on Jimmy Clausen, but those teams look pretty smart now, don't they? Teams were dumb for passing on Matt Leinart too. Teams were smart for passing on Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles, but really, neither may be nearly as good in a different system. That's the main point that bugs me - these guys (generally) look at all of these players and teams in a vacuum and don't consider their actual preferences. This isn't a video game though, and you can't just plug and play these players and everything works out fine. Some will fit better in specific schemes than they will others, and that covers more than just a QB running an offense or a linebacker in a particular defense. Three different teams had Big Mike Williams and nobody got anything out of him, and then his old coach Pete Carroll comes in and he has a pretty damn good season. How about that? Everything I've read about Stefen Wisniewski suggests that he is a mauling run blocker. The Raiders were thin on their offensive line, the focus of their offense is going to be to running the ball, and they used their top pick on someone to help them out specifically in that area. That seems smart, even if they did "draft him a round or two too early," doesn't it? eh, I wouldn't exactly say the Raiders drafting has been "panning out" 2003: 4-12 2004: 5-11 2005: 4-12 2006: 2-14 2007: 4-12 2008: 5-11 2009: 5-11 2010: 8-8 Using the Raiders for your argument might be the worst choice as they have been terrible over the last 8 years, even with their 8-8 record that was 6 division wins as well.. I don't think its smart to take players who more than likely would still be on the board a round or 2 later, but I am in agreement with you that you should take the player you want.. I mean s***, they took that Michael Moore guy or whatever in round 2 a few years ago and he was graded out as a 7th rounder.. I understand its easy to bash on Kiper and McShay but they literally spend all year scouting these kids, they know what they are talking about.. Grading drafts is dumb though, because it takes a few years to get a true grade on it.. but if McShay and Kiper have people graded out as 5-7 round talents and the Raiders keep taking these guys in rounds 2-3 that's prolly a telling reason why they had 10+ losses 7 years in a row.. The Seahawks for instance, passed on Carimi and Sherrod for a guy that might have been available in round 2-3.. But thats where you get into the personal preference for a player.. I guess that's what New England was doing? It made no sense to me for them to take a project lineman, then trade out of the first round to get a pick next year which they will prolly just trade again.. They really needed pass rushers, and instead of adding say Corey Luiget and Cameron Heyward they get Nate Solder and 2 runningbacks.. Honestly though, I think teams need to draft the best player available.. in the NFL and MLB, that's the best strategy you can take.. look at the Steelers and Ravens, they are consistently taking really good defensive players in the top rounds, and they always have insane defenses.. Of course, they also took Big Ben and Flacco but they waited for them and took them where they should have been going anyways.. Unless you are in dire need of a QB, BPA is usually the best way to go or else you are that team reaching for a player because of need and more times than not you aren't having a great draft when doing that.. The only exception really is teams picking late in the draft, like the Colts, who can just take the best lineman left on the board and be fine with it because they have Manning.. Miami did that this year, although they didn't actually reach on any picks, all their picks where need picks who are going to help right away.. and I can give them a pass their because the coaching staff and GM are "playing" for their jobs next season so to speak..

relax greg, we hadn't been no hit in like 20 years.. the only reason we got not hit tonight is because Lillibridge didn't get an AB.. as soon as Beckham gets sent down to A ball and we get Lilli in there at 2B for the rest of the year this teams fortunes will change, guaranteed..

well considering this year isnt over and there is still a chance they could get right, I have to vote for 06.. they were cruising and then ended up in 3rd when it was all said and done.. coming off the World Series and the way they started, that was extremely dissappointing.. at least this year they've pretty much been bad consistently so far

Our first game against the Twins this year we get not hit, at home, against a pitcher with an ERA in the 9's.. who also walked 6 people, and could have walked WAY more.. How embarrassing, something has to happen this is too much.. its been a month now, if you aren't going to make major changes you need to send a message..

ugh, this is just awful.. I was hoping ide never have to witness this

man Dunn is gonna walk, hes not a moron like the other guys in this lineup

oh geez Dunn

i know its not gonna happen, but how sick would it be if Alexei walked off right here?

nobody should be swinging, Liriano cant throw a f***in strike

game is going on ESPN for those who want to cry when it happens

On a side note, I hope greg isnt watching this somewhere.. he might be on suicide watch right now

Im sorry, but I just cant stand watch Beckham anymore.. dude has been just awful for the majority of his time up in the majors

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ May 3, 2011 -> 08:45 PM) I can't figure out if I would like to see us get no-hit, to nationally embarrass this offense and get some more talk about firing Walker, or just get 1-hit so we are't national news, but still means we are awful at hitting. Thoughts? No hit or not, I doubt anything would change because of it.. And man, what a wasted start by EJax.. he gets back on track and they couldnt hit water if they fell out of a boat, man..

QUOTE (chw42 @ May 3, 2011 -> 08:39 PM) Happy 7777 post, lol. It's too cold, that'll be the excuse, lol. Yes! damn, I f***ed it up

oh man, what the hell is wrong with this offense

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 30, 2011 -> 04:47 PM) When I first started message boarding on the big sports sites it was because I was in the Army and lived away from my home fanbase, and there were no other Bears, Sox, and Bulls fans to talk to. I felt "lost" away from "home" and needed a place to go, the first place I used this particular name was the Sporting News's website. I noticed people stopped asking me what the name meant when the TV show came out. It actually has nothing to do with that and I've never watched a single episode of it. haha good, ive always thought you were named after that lame ass TV show

QUOTE (SoxAce @ May 1, 2011 -> 09:51 PM) Reminds me of your nicknames... its terrible?

Hey greg, what kind of life do you live? Because if you get this anal over one month of baseball I wonder what goes on with you when an actual real life problem happens to you..

QUOTE (chw42 @ May 1, 2011 -> 08:58 PM) If Memphis had a healthy Rudy Gay, I would be pretty scared if I were the Lakers. Yeah except word is a lot of the players don't care for Rudy Gay and they've actually been better without him..

Glad Christian finally got the belt

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 1, 2011 -> 04:19 PM) Enough is enough. You can't get swept at home by f***ing Baltimore. Fire Kenny and fire Ozzie tonight both. Go with that Hahn guy as GM and promote Cooper to manager. I really don't want Buddy Bell. But if it has to be Bell, make it Bell. s*** happens and the team's performance in April and now MAY means it's time to clean house. Even that ninth inning. I mean yes the pitcher was wild, but pick your spots and take a hack! Paulie had at least two meatballs to slam. Rios had no intention to hit; he was trying to draw a walk. bad call? So what. And AJ. He was obviously no threat to get a hit off that slow tossing closer. FIRE SOME PEOPLE TODAY. Please. lol man why do people get so outraged.. If they bomb this year, in the "all in" year, ide say they will both be gone at the end of the year anyways so relax.. Furthermore, ide only REALLY start losing it if we fall way behind Detroit or Minnesota, which were not currently, because I dont care what they appear to be Cleveland will not be at the top of the division all season..

oh what the hell, I forgot the PPV was tonight

He should have gotten more time in the minors