Two posts in one day? Some kind of record for me recently...
I wanted to touch base on the report that several schools, including DePaul, St. John's, Marquette, and Notre Dame, are forming a new conference made up of all Catholic schools.
This is where Loyola should be. I know they're a founding member of the Horizon League. I was there when they formed it. It was then called the Midwestern City Conference, and included Butler, Oklahoma City, Oral Roberts, Detroit, Xavier, Evansville and Loyola, and maybe one or two more. That's right, Xavier. They were a founding member of this conference also. They didn't let that keep them from joining a better conference. Back then, they were often in the NCAA tourney as a representative from this conference when they went to that automatic bid system. They were good. They've gotten better because they're in a better conference. Of course, now Butler's gone too.
Loyola isn't good. But if they were playing ND and St. John's regularly, they might be. They might be able to recruit better players, and do better things.
Maybe there's going to be a requirement that the team play in a certain sized stadium, and the Gentile Center won't be big enough. But if they can, they should move to that conference.
Hey, a Jesuit is now pope, so why shouldn't LU embrace their religious background and play in this much better conference?
*****
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Harry Teinowitz gone from ESPN 1000
I noticed it a couple weeks ago and meant to find out why ESPN 1000 had gotten rid of afternoon co-host Harry Teinowitz from the show Carm, Jurko and Harry. I liked Harry. I thought he injected levity and irreverence into an otherwise not-very-attractive grouping. Yes, some of his jokes fell flat, but some didn't, and I thought the show was better for his input.
It seemed, however, that his co-hosts didn't like him much. First Dan MacNeal, who seemed to be happy to throw insults Harry's way, and didn't like it much when Harry returned fire. Now John Jurkovic (I don't know if I'm spelling that correctly), who does the same thing. When I'd listen, it would sound a little like bullying with Carmen trying to smooth things over and keep things focused on sports, which is where Carmen always seems to be focused.
I guess that the common denominator was Harry in these little on-air feuds...so maybe his personality in person was a problem. But over the air, it sounded like he just was being made the brunt of jokes. And the other two, especially Jurko, were a little too happy when he was gone and they were on their own.
I liked them, with Harry, as an alternative to the insulting and arrogant Bernstein and Boers on WSCR. I think Bernstein and Boers both are very intelligent, but I think they got the idea that their schtick of ripping their callers for their opinions is worth listening to. I know I switch over, even though I like their insights. Too uncomfortable listening to them trashing another fan as knowing nothing, or however they can belittle the caller's opinion.
Listening to Carm and Jurko the last few days on my drive home has NOT been as entertaining. Carm is likeable but Jurko just comes off as, well, kind of a jerk. At least they're not condescending and downright insulting to their callers, so I'll probably keep listening to them. But it won't be as fun. I'd rather listen to Waddle and Silvy. Or J. Hood. (Always have really liked Hoodie. He can be condescending at times, but usually he's pretty respectful of his callers/listeners. He's smart, informative, opinionated, and funny.) Or Lawrence Holmes on the Score. Thank God for Mully and Hanley and for Mac and Spiegs in the morning.
*****
It seemed, however, that his co-hosts didn't like him much. First Dan MacNeal, who seemed to be happy to throw insults Harry's way, and didn't like it much when Harry returned fire. Now John Jurkovic (I don't know if I'm spelling that correctly), who does the same thing. When I'd listen, it would sound a little like bullying with Carmen trying to smooth things over and keep things focused on sports, which is where Carmen always seems to be focused.
I guess that the common denominator was Harry in these little on-air feuds...so maybe his personality in person was a problem. But over the air, it sounded like he just was being made the brunt of jokes. And the other two, especially Jurko, were a little too happy when he was gone and they were on their own.
I liked them, with Harry, as an alternative to the insulting and arrogant Bernstein and Boers on WSCR. I think Bernstein and Boers both are very intelligent, but I think they got the idea that their schtick of ripping their callers for their opinions is worth listening to. I know I switch over, even though I like their insights. Too uncomfortable listening to them trashing another fan as knowing nothing, or however they can belittle the caller's opinion.
Listening to Carm and Jurko the last few days on my drive home has NOT been as entertaining. Carm is likeable but Jurko just comes off as, well, kind of a jerk. At least they're not condescending and downright insulting to their callers, so I'll probably keep listening to them. But it won't be as fun. I'd rather listen to Waddle and Silvy. Or J. Hood. (Always have really liked Hoodie. He can be condescending at times, but usually he's pretty respectful of his callers/listeners. He's smart, informative, opinionated, and funny.) Or Lawrence Holmes on the Score. Thank God for Mully and Hanley and for Mac and Spiegs in the morning.
*****
Thursday, February 14, 2013
No Rose?
So the news the last couple of days has surrounded Derrick Rose's comments in an interview with USA Today that he may sit out the entire season. That's disappointing. I had sort of thought he'd be back shortly after the All Star Break (now) in a limited role to begin preparing him for the playoffs. But maybe we're just out of luck for this year.
I'm of two minds. I'm not sure the Bulls have enough to take the Heat in the playoffs, let alone the Pacers, this year. Rose coming off a serious injury probably won't be at 100% by the playoffs, and even though Rose at 80% probably makes the Bulls a better team just by changing the rotations, I'm thinking that it won't make them good enough. And then there's the injury factor...no one wants him coming back too soon and screwing something else up. When you favor or protect one joint or limb, you tend to put more stress on something else. Will that something else give him problems that he might not get if he waits it out and just comes back next year at full strength?
Then there's the matter of the Bulls' finish in the division. Can they finish low enough to get a draft pick that can contribute? Or be valuable enough to deal for the right piece? I'm not suggesting that they throw the season away, but maybe they end up with only the 8th or 10th best record instead of the 3rd or 4th by virtue of Rose's absence? One of these years that Bobcats' pick will actually become the Bulls' pick without strings, and if it was this year, could the Bulls perhaps package a couple picks for another really useful player?
On the other hand, Deng is having a good year. Noah has up until now been pretty healthy. They picked up Hinrich specifically as a backup to Rose, and they still have Hamilton and Butler's emerging. Boozer's been good, and Gibson is solid as usual. (They have a dropoff on their bench at center.) Could they give the Heat a run for their money? Another part of me wants to see just what this Bulls team can do in the playoffs at full strength.
So what will it be? Stay tuned to find out...
*****
I'm of two minds. I'm not sure the Bulls have enough to take the Heat in the playoffs, let alone the Pacers, this year. Rose coming off a serious injury probably won't be at 100% by the playoffs, and even though Rose at 80% probably makes the Bulls a better team just by changing the rotations, I'm thinking that it won't make them good enough. And then there's the injury factor...no one wants him coming back too soon and screwing something else up. When you favor or protect one joint or limb, you tend to put more stress on something else. Will that something else give him problems that he might not get if he waits it out and just comes back next year at full strength?
Then there's the matter of the Bulls' finish in the division. Can they finish low enough to get a draft pick that can contribute? Or be valuable enough to deal for the right piece? I'm not suggesting that they throw the season away, but maybe they end up with only the 8th or 10th best record instead of the 3rd or 4th by virtue of Rose's absence? One of these years that Bobcats' pick will actually become the Bulls' pick without strings, and if it was this year, could the Bulls perhaps package a couple picks for another really useful player?
On the other hand, Deng is having a good year. Noah has up until now been pretty healthy. They picked up Hinrich specifically as a backup to Rose, and they still have Hamilton and Butler's emerging. Boozer's been good, and Gibson is solid as usual. (They have a dropoff on their bench at center.) Could they give the Heat a run for their money? Another part of me wants to see just what this Bulls team can do in the playoffs at full strength.
So what will it be? Stay tuned to find out...
*****
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Chicago Sports Bits
Just a few notes that have struck me as 2013 takes over...
The Bears, despite finishing 10-6, didn't make the playoffs and promptly fired coach Lovie Smith. Their coaching search has extended to 13 different names, including 7 current NFL offensive coordinators. Lovie was a decent coach, but did not seem to have the ability to develop a consistent offense, and it was definitely time to move in a different direction.
The Cubs signed Edwin Jackson, a guy who seems to have been on most of the teams in MLB, to a relatively long term contract. Four years, I think...and something around 52 million total, if I recall correctly.
The White Sox said goodbye to A.J. Pierzynski, their long time catcher and one of the few holdovers from their 2005 world championship team. A.J. was looking for a big money committment and the Sox have a younger player, Tyler Flowers, who is ready and needs the opportunity. As long as A.J. was here, he wasn't going to get it. He may flop, but that's the way of the world. Out goes the old, in comes the new. Can't wait till it is too late...
The Black Hawks will apparently have a few games to play this season, since the strike appears to be settled. By this time, however, are there enough people left who care?
And finally, the Bulls have held their own without Derrick Rose, going something like 19-12 up until today. Apparently it projects to a 49 win season without Rose, who is coming back soon. Guys like Gibson and Jimmy Butler are stepping up their game a little, which is a very good thing. Hinrich and Nate Robinson will be an upgrade in the backcourt over last year's C.J. Watson/John Lucas tandem, and though Kyle Korver was better overall, I think this Belinelli kid seems to be getting a little more comfortable and he too can be a three point threat.
Have a happy new year!!!
*****
The Bears, despite finishing 10-6, didn't make the playoffs and promptly fired coach Lovie Smith. Their coaching search has extended to 13 different names, including 7 current NFL offensive coordinators. Lovie was a decent coach, but did not seem to have the ability to develop a consistent offense, and it was definitely time to move in a different direction.
The Cubs signed Edwin Jackson, a guy who seems to have been on most of the teams in MLB, to a relatively long term contract. Four years, I think...and something around 52 million total, if I recall correctly.
The White Sox said goodbye to A.J. Pierzynski, their long time catcher and one of the few holdovers from their 2005 world championship team. A.J. was looking for a big money committment and the Sox have a younger player, Tyler Flowers, who is ready and needs the opportunity. As long as A.J. was here, he wasn't going to get it. He may flop, but that's the way of the world. Out goes the old, in comes the new. Can't wait till it is too late...
The Black Hawks will apparently have a few games to play this season, since the strike appears to be settled. By this time, however, are there enough people left who care?
And finally, the Bulls have held their own without Derrick Rose, going something like 19-12 up until today. Apparently it projects to a 49 win season without Rose, who is coming back soon. Guys like Gibson and Jimmy Butler are stepping up their game a little, which is a very good thing. Hinrich and Nate Robinson will be an upgrade in the backcourt over last year's C.J. Watson/John Lucas tandem, and though Kyle Korver was better overall, I think this Belinelli kid seems to be getting a little more comfortable and he too can be a three point threat.
Have a happy new year!!!
*****
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Another Three months (plus) has passed...
I'm just not good at updating this blog. I think I had more to say about Chicago sports than I actually do.
Or maybe it's just that I haven't been following much too closely.
Our Bears started off 7-1, but have now lost 4 of their last 5, and currently have a record of 8-5, and are in second in their division, with a big game against Green Bay coming up Sunday at Soldier Field. I listen to a lot of the sports commentary on the radio coming out of Chicago, and I hear a lot about Lovie needing to go, about how bad the O line is, about how the defense is slowing down and is not the same without the injured Brian Urlacher, about dropped passes. All those things may be true, but what I've observed in my limited viewing and with my limited knowledge of football is that Jay Cutler, a quarterback with a whole bunch of physical tools, seems to lack some basic feel for the game.
Why do I say this? Well, he does connect for some big plays now and then with his favorite target, Brandon Marshall. Marshall may just be the best receiver the Bears have had in a long time, if not ever. (People say the same thing about Cutler at QB.) But to me it looks like Cutler rarely looks elsewhere for a target. If I was designing a plan on how to defend the Bears' passing attack, I would start with taking Marshall off the board by double coverage, or whatever means I had at my disposal that could accomplish that goal. Because with Marshall out there as a target, and effectively blanketed in coverage, it seems that Cutler won't connect with anyone else. He won't even look until it's too late. Maybe I'm missing something, but it looks to me like, for Cutler, it's Marshall or no one.
The other thing I have noticed is that he gets himself married to his play. I don't know if that's because he has such confidence in his arm and abilities as a passer, or if it's just a lack of field vision. But I've seen more than once plays where Cutler could have run for a first down and more, but stayed locked in on passing the ball, and it ends up incomplete or rushed or whatever.
Are these things that can be corrected? I don't know. Others would have to tell me if they're seeing the same thing, if adding a receiver who won't drop the ball (they used to call it a "possession receiver", I think) might make Cutler more willing to trust another target and go to it. They'd have to tell me if Cutler's just doing what he's told to do when he stays with a play at the expense of a sure first down, or if he can be freed to improvise a bit more. As I said above, I don't claim to know football all that well. I just know what I see. Sometimes I think that the football geniuses try to make the game too complicated, like those of us who are just fans can't really understand what complexities go into a game plan. In the end, it's about running backs finding holes and gaining yards through them, about QB's getting the ball to open receivers far enough down the field to move the chains, and to finally put points on the board. Maybe I've read Semi-Tough too many times, but I wonder what would happen if they just told Jay to go out to the line of scrimmage, call a play, and then do whatever he has to do to move the chains, be it a scramble, a draw, a swing pass, a long throw, a screen, or a nice designed play that they've worked up in practice. And have some fun doing it. That's the other thing about Cutler. He rarely looks like he's having much fun out there. For as much money as he makes, he should be having a blast...
*****
Or maybe it's just that I haven't been following much too closely.
Our Bears started off 7-1, but have now lost 4 of their last 5, and currently have a record of 8-5, and are in second in their division, with a big game against Green Bay coming up Sunday at Soldier Field. I listen to a lot of the sports commentary on the radio coming out of Chicago, and I hear a lot about Lovie needing to go, about how bad the O line is, about how the defense is slowing down and is not the same without the injured Brian Urlacher, about dropped passes. All those things may be true, but what I've observed in my limited viewing and with my limited knowledge of football is that Jay Cutler, a quarterback with a whole bunch of physical tools, seems to lack some basic feel for the game.
Why do I say this? Well, he does connect for some big plays now and then with his favorite target, Brandon Marshall. Marshall may just be the best receiver the Bears have had in a long time, if not ever. (People say the same thing about Cutler at QB.) But to me it looks like Cutler rarely looks elsewhere for a target. If I was designing a plan on how to defend the Bears' passing attack, I would start with taking Marshall off the board by double coverage, or whatever means I had at my disposal that could accomplish that goal. Because with Marshall out there as a target, and effectively blanketed in coverage, it seems that Cutler won't connect with anyone else. He won't even look until it's too late. Maybe I'm missing something, but it looks to me like, for Cutler, it's Marshall or no one.
The other thing I have noticed is that he gets himself married to his play. I don't know if that's because he has such confidence in his arm and abilities as a passer, or if it's just a lack of field vision. But I've seen more than once plays where Cutler could have run for a first down and more, but stayed locked in on passing the ball, and it ends up incomplete or rushed or whatever.
Are these things that can be corrected? I don't know. Others would have to tell me if they're seeing the same thing, if adding a receiver who won't drop the ball (they used to call it a "possession receiver", I think) might make Cutler more willing to trust another target and go to it. They'd have to tell me if Cutler's just doing what he's told to do when he stays with a play at the expense of a sure first down, or if he can be freed to improvise a bit more. As I said above, I don't claim to know football all that well. I just know what I see. Sometimes I think that the football geniuses try to make the game too complicated, like those of us who are just fans can't really understand what complexities go into a game plan. In the end, it's about running backs finding holes and gaining yards through them, about QB's getting the ball to open receivers far enough down the field to move the chains, and to finally put points on the board. Maybe I've read Semi-Tough too many times, but I wonder what would happen if they just told Jay to go out to the line of scrimmage, call a play, and then do whatever he has to do to move the chains, be it a scramble, a draw, a swing pass, a long throw, a screen, or a nice designed play that they've worked up in practice. And have some fun doing it. That's the other thing about Cutler. He rarely looks like he's having much fun out there. For as much money as he makes, he should be having a blast...
*****
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Almost 3 months...
A lot can happen in 3 months. And maybe it did. But I didn't blog about any of it. So here goes:
*****
- The Cubs are still terrible. Actually they were approaching respectable when the trade deadline showed up and several Cubs found themselves in new locations. Gone are Soto, Baker, Maholm, Reed Johnson, and Ryan Dempster. Marlon Byrd was gone a long time ago. In return we got...well, no one for the major league roster. Since then they've only won 2 or 3 games. Those guys were replaced by names like Castillo and Clevenger, Brett Johnson, Josh Vitters, Anthony Rizzo, Tony Campana, and a host of minor league arms vying for a major league tryout. No one on the pitching staff to get too excited about. But Rizzo is showing a major league bat. There's always next year. In the Cubs' case, though, it's looking like "next year" is two or three years away at the minimum.
- The White Sox are in first place, hanging in there against a good Detroit team. Starting pitching, namely Peavy, Quintana and Chris Sale, have been very good. Floyd and Humber, not as good. Danks, injured. Rios is having a great year. Dunn is having a very good year. I hope they can hang in there.
- The Bears look more loaded than I can ever remember on offense, with Forte and Bush in the backfield, Cutler at QB and Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshawn Jeffrey (sp?) looking solid at wide receivers. Their defense looks solid, Brian Urlacher's health notwithstanding. Special teams should be fine. It could be a fun season.
- Lastly, the Bulls had to remake their bench, saying goodbye to CJ Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, and Omer Asik, replacing them with Kirk Hinrich (hello again!), Vlad Radmonanov (sp again?), Nazr Mohammed, rookie Marcus Teague, and a bigger role for Jimmy Butler. I actually like this bunch better. Mohammed is a long time NBA backup who won't make dumb mistakes and who can score at least a little bit. Vlad can shoot threes, and Hinrich will be an upgrade at point until D. Rose comes back. He's better than Watson at defense and at running the offense. And everyone says Butler is ready for the much bigger role. He looked it to me, last year.
*****
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Chitown Sports Update
I haven't been very good about updating this blog, so if you're depending on it for your
Chicago sports news, you've been disappointed and are ill-informed.
But what the heck? I thought I'd throw out these totally obvious factoids just to have something to post.
*****
Chicago sports news, you've been disappointed and are ill-informed.
But what the heck? I thought I'd throw out these totally obvious factoids just to have something to post.
- The Cubs suck. Oh, they've won three in a row, but they aren't good. I understand that they're building for the future, but c'mon. They should be able to score a few runs on occasion. During their 12 game losing streak, it seemed that they couldn't buy a run or a hit.
- The White Sox are good. I suspected that they might be. It all hinged on their pitching, and Danks, Floyd and Peavy are quality major leaguers. Humber was pretty good last year, and their fifth starter has been solid, from what I've seen and heard. (Can't think of his name.) Everyone seemed to think that because Dunn and Rios were bad last year, they'd be equally bad this year. They haven't been. Getting them to play to their major league averages is like adding two solid free agents. And that's why I thought they'd be better than a lot of people were saying they'd be before the season started.
- The Bulls were exposed in the playoffs. They really didn't have anyone who could back up Derrick Rose, and it showed. Rose was injured much of the year and while Watson, John Lucas III and Mike James did decent jobs, and at times way better than decent, their lack of postseason exposure (especially Lucas) showed. When Noah went down, they were cooked. I didn't understand why Thibs didn't go with Boozer and Gibson instead of starting Asik, but it is what it is. 5 and out. Wait till next year...and they probably won't be all that good since Rose won't be there to start the season (probably out till December) and Deng may not be there to start the season either. If I were the Bulls, I'd probably try to build for the following season and not worry about next year. Let Boozer play a lot, hope he's better in the fourth quarter, and you're one year closer to the end of his contract. (And who knows? Maybe he lives up to it finally, next year.)
- The Black Hawks were a disappointment. They just couldn't get it going in the playoffs and were 6 and out (I think it was). Goaltending has been a problem since Niemi was allowed to leave. Hope for better things next year. They have the horses (if Hossa can come back from that horrific hit in the playoffs)...
- The Bears look to have had an excellent off-season, with their new GM Phil Emery addressing the weakness at wide receiver and picking up some help in the draft for the defense. They didn't do much with the O-line, but maybe they figure with Tice moving to offensive coordinator, this group will suit the playbook...or maybe it's the opposite and the playbook will suit this group. Either way, as long as they get Forte back, Cutler should have some weapons and I'm looking forward to watching them next year.
*****
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