Back in the Swing of Things: Quick Hits on '08 Cubs

Throughout the past week, baseball has been roaring in the Valley of the Sun, as spring training action finally has gotten underway.  With a couple games already broadcasted over the HD airwaves, we've been able to get a look at the team and get some quick, early impressions.

-The Cubs new RF acquisition from Japan, Kosuke Fukudome, has looked very good in his first few games.  Despite only having 1 hit, he's been extremely patient and looks to be a high OBP guy.  He's drawn numerous walks, gotten hit a couple of times, and has shown amazing defense with a rocket of an arm.  Not to mention, he's been having fun in the clubhouse.

-Lee has been solid...he looks stronger than the past and hopefully will regain All-Star form.  Sori and A-Ram have been injured, but should be back soon, along withe DeRosa.

-Pie has looked bad at times with the strikeouts, but overall he does have 2 dingers this spring with some good hits.  So, coupled with his stellar D, he should do a nice job in CF this year and only improve.

-Soto looks amazing defensively, and continues to hit.  He should be very good this year, and a plus over past years of Cub's catchers.

-The bullpen has seen many new, hardthrowing guys coming through that could make it to the big-league club at some point this year.  Jose Ceda, Ascanio, Mateo, and Samardzija are all supposed to be very good and have shown flashes of it, but they'll need the spring to make an impression on Lou.

-The IF has had a nice showing of candidates that could not only make the club, but maybe be used as trade bait for the rumored Brian Roberts deal.  Figueroa, Cintrón, Fontenot, and Cedeño have all played pretty well. And Theriot has had a great start getting his hits and scoring once he gets on.

So, it's been a nice start with some good first looks...more to come has the spring progresses in Mesa, AZ.  Cubs will take on the division-rival Brewers later today with Ryan Dempster slated to make his second start of the spring.

Looking Ahead: Mock Draft 1.1

Back with another edition of the Bears Mock Draft.  Now, this obviously is very early for large, multi-round projections, but let's have some fun.  Have a look at the previous version of the Bears Mock Draft, and now let's move on in light of some recent developments.  Here's what has happened since the last mock draft:

-Bears re-signed QB Rex Grossman, and extended QB Kyle Orton...they traded QB Brian Griese to Bucs for a '09 draft pic

-Re-signed LB Lance Briggs

-Lost free-agent WR Bernard Berrian to Vikings, AND released WR Moose Muhammad

So obviously, with the above news the Bears will be looking for a #3 quarterback, and all of a sudden are in dire need of wide-receiver help with Devin Hester the Bears number one receiver currently.  When it comes to the draft, there are a few areas of need that include:

-a stud RB from this year's deep class to challenge Benson and share playing time

-a #3 QB that could be groomed for future; includes many interesting sleepers

-a WR that can make an immediate impact as a #1/#2 if a free agent is not signed (Javon Walker is still out there)

-Offensive Tackle is a key positional need that could be addressed in the first round, definitely the 2nd!

-two positions that could use some shoring up include safety and defensive tackle

-final note to include: as of today, we have the following number of picks in each rd...1,2,3,3,4,5,6,7 and an unspecified pick from the Patriots (for Dante Wesley trade)

So, what do we do in the draft?  Here's my take; first, analytically:

In round one, there are three possible directions we can take: 1)we select a stud RB, such as Rashard Mendenhall(Ill), Jonathan Stewart(Ore), or Jamaal Charles(Tex), 2)we address the offensive line and draft the best available OT like Ryan Clady(Boise st), Jeff Otah(Pitt), or Chris Williams(Vandy), or 3)we decide that WR is the most pressing need and pick a #1 guy like Limas Sweed(Tex)/Malcom Kelly(OU)

In round two, we then can address our second biggest need that was not addressed in Rd.1, and pick a WR or OT.

In round three, we have two picks.  Here would be a perfect spot to pick our QB, like Joe Flacco(Del.), Chad Henne(Mich), or John David Booty(USC).  There are many other interesting options at QB that can be picked up in later rounds like Dennis Dixon(Ore), Josh Johnson(SD St), etc.  It was also mentioned on chicagobears.com that we could sign an undrafted free-agent as a #4 guy if the need arises.  With our other Rd. 3 pick, we could again address one of the needs above that hasn't yet been(WR or OT).  There could be many intriguing options still available here.

In round four, we could choose to solidify the safety or DT position.  Possible prospects that could be available here are defensive tackles DeMario Pressley(NC State) and Frank Okam(Tex), or safeties DJ Parker(VT), DJ Wolfe(OU), and Caleb Campbell(Army).

In round five we can address the other need we didn't fill in Rd. 4 (S/DT)

In rounds six, seven, and the other pick we may get from NE, there are numerous things we can do.  We can continue to solidify the O-line, get another WR, etc.  These needs for these picks will become a little more apparent as we near the draft and free agency has gone on a bit.

So, finally, here is Mock Draft 1.1:

Rd.1-Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

Rd.2-Gosder Cherilus, OT, BC

Rd.3-Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

Rd.3-Early Doucet, WR, LSU

Rd.4-DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State

Rd.5-DJ Parker, S, VT

Rd.6-

Rd.7-

DG Entertainment: The Randomness of 30 Rock!

DG Entertainment: Some Good Super Bowl Ads

DG Entertainment Post: Leno Reads Kid's Questions

Looking Ahead to NFL Draft: Mock Draft 1.0

It's that time of year, again.  The Pro Bowl just finished with rookie Adrian Peterson and Cowboy T.O. leading the NFC to the comeback win, and pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in about a day.  Football action may be over, but now is the time where team's focus on rebuilding for next season.  The Bears really do have some work to do.  Here's the initial outlook on the offseason and some possibilities:

Ranked Team Needs: OT, QB, RB, DT, WR, FS, LB

Ranked Team Options:

QB-Flacco(Delaware), Woodson(Kentucky), Dixon(Oregon), Brennan(Hawaii), Ryan(BC)...(McNabb/Anderson)

RB-Mendenhall(Illinois), Jones(Arkansas), Charles(Texas), Choice(GT), Slaton(WV), Hart (Mich)...(Turner)

OT- Clady(Boise St.), Otah(Pitt), Williams, Cherilus (BC), Baker (USC)

WR-Kelly(OU), Sweed(Tex), Manningham(Mich), Doucet(LSU), Reynaud(WV), Monk(Arkansas)

FS-Phillips(Miami), Parker(VT)

DT-Pressley(NC St.), Okam(Tex)

LB-Leman(Illinois)

Draft Projections:

Scenario 1-

Rd1 Otah,OT

Rd2 Brennan, QB

Rd3 Charles, RB

Rd4 Pressley, DT

Rd5 Parker, FS

Rd6 Leman, LB

Rd7 Reynaud, WR

Scenario 2

Mendenhall, RB

Cherilus, OT

Dixon, QB

Okam, DT

Parker, FS

Leman, LB

Monk, WR

Scenario 3

(resign Bernard Berrian, WR)

(trade 1st rd pick for Donovan McNabb, QB)

Rd2 Otah, OT

Rd3 Cherilus,OT (or backup QB in Flacco, Brennan, Dixon)

Rd4 Pressley, DT

Rd5 Parker, FS

Rd6 Hart, RB

Rd7 Leman, LB

Scenario 4

Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt

Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas

Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

DJ Parker, FS, Virginia Tech

DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State

J Leman, LB, Illinois

Darius Reynaud, WR, West Virginia

DG '08: Colbert and Huckabee Play Political Air Hockey

The Diesel Steams into the Valley with Title Hopes

"The sun will rise in Phoenix!"  Shaq was his usual self when he arrived in Phoenix to be introduced by Suns GM Steve Kerr and head coach Mike D'Antoni.  He had some fun with the media, had his share of laughs, but was clear in his mission for his time with the Suns.  He expressed how he will be motivated and serious in getting healthy and fitting in with the Suns' fastbreak style of offense.  He also stated that his presence will only make those around him better.  He said that Steve Nash is already great, Raja Bell will improve because he'll have more room to shoot from outside the arch with opposing defenders drawn around Shaq, and he also stated about his desire to be Amare's "big brother" and make him the best power forward in the league.

Now that Shaq is in the Valley, and by his estimate hopes to be in the lineup before the All-Star Break, the question is how good this team will be.  Shaq already pointed out that the Suns were already an elite team in the West, however his addition gives them the presence of a big man to advance to the next level and win a championship.  And win a championship is something that he is very confident in.  He expressed his desire to win ring number's 5 and 6 these next two years, and stated that all the negative media has made him a bit upset; but when he's upset he's been "known to do things...like win championships," he stated in his cool, low voice only he can do.  A new era surely is dawining in Phoenix, and era where the Suns not only run on their fast-pace solar power, but a new biofuel...with a bit of Diesel.  J.A. Adande pointed out in his article on ESPN.com that 8 of the last 9 NBA Championships were won by either Tim Duncan, or Shaquille O'Neil.  This addition of the big man will no doubt make Phoenix more of a force to be reckoned with; a new mold from the past few years that hopefully will get them to the next level.  It truly will be a wild, wild west as Shaq, Yao, Kobe, Pau, Melo, AI..........all expect to win a title this year.  We're in for a wild second half, and an even wilder playoffs.

Tiger Terminates Field at Dubai

After birdieing five of his last seven holes, Tiger Woods overtook Ernie Els and won the Dubai Desert Classic to give him his second victory of the year.  It was an amazing sight, as he teed off amongst dozens of skyscrapers being built in the distance, and the desert sand below the palm trees.  Rockin' the cool Nike shades to shield his eyes from the sand, Tiger capped of a great week.  He won the tournament, checked on his personally designed golf course being built across town, Dubailand, and he was provided with a tournament car...no not a Buick, but a Lamborghini!  What a week to be Tiger Woods, as he'll stay sharp and look forward to his next tournament.  Meanwhile, btw, back in Scottsdale, AZ, Phil Mickelson was edged by J.B. Holmes in a playoff at the always entertaining and boisterous "Greatest Show on Grass"...the FBR Open.

Giants Win Super Bowl; and is there a "Curse of the Hoodie?"

The New York Football Giants upset the now 18-1 Patriots earlier this evening on a wild night in Glendale, AZ.  In what Terry Bradshaw called one of the greatest Super Bowls he's ever witnessed, Eli Manning and Michael Strahan led the all-out team effort of the Giants, through numerous 4th quarter lead changes, and the ultimate victory in Super Bowl XLII.  The game saw the two teams enter the last quarter at an unbelievable score of only 7-3, Pats out in front.  However, at the start the Giants jumped ahead as Eli Manning found WR David Tyree in the endzone for the TD.  With 2:42 remaining, and the game looking to a close, the Pats struck back as Randy Moss broke the coverage and caught the TD pass from Tom Brady to put the New England ahead 14-10.  Then, the defining moment of the game came as Eli led his team down the field, including a spectacular sequence where Eli broke tackles from what seemed like the entire Pat defense, and scrambing, found Tyree who leaped and made the 32-yd circus catch.  The drive then proceeded, and with 00:35 remaining on the clock Eli found Plaxico Burress in the back of the endzone wide open for the go-ahead TD.  Tom Brady, who had been attacked and sacked all night by the shut-down Giants-D, then could not get the win for his team as he attempted four straight, unsuccessful deep bombs to his offense.  The Giants were victorius, and for the second year in a row, a Manning has won the big one.

As an aside story, could this devastating loss for the Patriots be blamed on "Hoodie-Gate?"  Did you notice anything different about Bill Bilicheck tonight?  Think about it, on the right is a picture of Bilicheck just about every game this year, and on the left is a picture of him tonight.  Get it?  He changed the "Hoodie." No longer was he wearing his same gray, old hoodie with "BB" on the front, but he had a newer, red hoodie.  Could this have jinxed the Pats?  We will never know.  Did Bill really have to mess with his routine the last freakin' game of the year in the Super Bowl?  Every game the guy wears the old, gray hoodie and now, when his team is on the brink of destiny he thinks, "Oh, maybe I'll shake it up a bit and go with the brand new red one?"  By the way, they showed Giselle in the stands...Tony Romo curse, anyone?

                     Some stats from the game:

Eli:  19/34, 255 yds, 2TD/1INT Brady:29/48, 266 yds, 1TD

Tyree, WR,giants:  3 rec, 43 yds, TD, 32 yd. long

Burress, WR,giants: game winning TD-catch

Giants-D: 5 sacks! (2 by Tuck, 1 by each Strahan, Alford, Mitchell)

Best commercials:

-For all the Super Bowl Commercials go to myspace.com/superbowlads

The best, though, were:

-Shaq Jockey for Vitamin Water

-D-Wade in Barkey's "Five"

-Bud Light, E-Trade baby, FedEx pidgeons

-Audi R8