A Look at Sports in Chicago

I thought due to the fact we have many things, good and bad happening in the world of Chicago sports, we should take a look at what’s going on. Then I will give my humble opinions. Let’s get to it.

CHICAGO BEARS

Where they’re at: After shocking the world with trading Kyle Orton and a few first round draft picks over the next couple of years, to Denver the Bears acquired a franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler. Bears fans in Chicago couldn’t contain their excitement. Yet, that quickly changed when Cutler threw 4 interceptions against the Green Bay packers and many after that. A few Bear fans started wishing Orton never left mainly due to the Broncos 6-0 start. The rest of Bear fans knew that the O-Line didn’t age well, receivers were missing, and the game management skills of their coaching staff rated below average. The team missed the playoffs for the third straight year since going to the Superbowl, and Lovie Smith continues to be numb to the fact that his team’s skills regress rather than improve.

What they should do: Very simply put, its time for a regime change. Jerry Angelo gambled the future of the Bears by trading for Cutler, and did so without any necessary reinforcements that a team needs to win. Sure the chance of getting a possible franchise QB doesn’t come everyday. However, you need to find a way to make the team stronger. Every draft pick should have been about strengthening up the offensive line. Cutler runs for his life every Sunday, and if the line continues to stay thin, having a franchise QB on IR doesn’t mean shit. Furthermore, Lovie Smith put himself under the gun when he said he would be calling the defensive plays. Plus, I believe his “everything will be OK” attitude has grown tiresome throughout the city. I also believe he needs to go for firing the brains behind that awesome defense when it was an awesome defense, Ron Rivera. A new coach would bring some life into this team. You can tell the team goes through the motions every Sunday, and it’s a lack of leadership and motivation behind that.

My prediction for next season: I believe the Bears brass will exterminate the management of this team, and next year will be a strict rebuilding year. Expect an impact player to be traded for some draft picks. The Bears need to get into this draft somehow. They need to beef up both the O Line and D Line. Cutler needs to be protected to do what he does; throw the ball downfield. Although, the receivers on this team try the best they can, you need to find a way to get a playmaking receiver. If Brandon Marshall doesn’t resign with Denver, perhaps a reunion should take place between him and his former QB in Denver. The Bears will be a 500 team at best next year, as they will have to contend with Minnesota, who will continue to be the class of that division, but Green Bay may not be far behind.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Where they’re at: About to hit the ceiling, but who really gives a shit? The Blackhawks have locked up a young core of players who can be labeled “the heart of the team.” Patrick Kane, Jonathon Toews, and Duncan Keith all were given long term deals to keep them with the Hawks for a minimum of the next five years. This, along with the long term contract given to Marian Hossa, veteran goal machine, has made the Blackhawks a solid team. My friend and I had a conversation about how the Hawks get less coverage than the Bulls and Bears, when they’re just kicking ass. Nice game last night. I thought the bench would bum rush the Blues for getting all brave with Huet. The team has one of the best records in hockey, they dominate the shots on goal in every game they play, put pressure on opposing teams, and defend well. Many teams when playing the Hawks shut down after they score a goal or two, and play in survival mode. They shift their focus to defense, and with good reason. The offensive threat the Hawks present with Kane, Toews, Hossa, and others like Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, and Troy Brouwer can be quite a bit of trouble. The Hawks have won many games in OT due to clutch players like Dustin Byfuglien and Brent Seabrook. They’re a force to be reckoned with.

What they should do: Don’t change too much. Perhaps find a way to make the high shots on goals become more goals would be my criticism. As I said, they put lots of pressure on teams to play defense, but come up empty.

My prediction for this season/future: I believe you will see the Hawks in the Stanley Cup Finals this year. It’s too early to declare them the winner, but they have shown themselves to be one of the great teams in the Western Conference this year. Along with San Jose, Los Angeles; the Hawks will compete hard for a cup appearance. Yet, don’t overlook Detroit, Anaheim, Vancover, and Colorado. All these teams compete hard and can find a way to get in the playoffs and surprise. The Hawks just need to make minor adjustments and just be the Hawks. The only downfall I see; to make room for cap space, Sharp or Byfuglien may be gone next season. Let’s hope not.

CHICAGO BULLS

Where they’re at: I don’t know, Ford Heights maybe. This team plays like they couldn’t give a shit anymore. With the exception of the fiery Joakim Noah, and number one draft pick Derrick Rose, I have ZERO faith in this team. What happened to that scrappy team that went man to man with the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs giving us some of the best basketball ever seen? All those triple overtimes. The effort the Bulls have turned in this year, just laughable. They have lost 11 out of their last 13, and in half of those games, they have lost by more than 20 points. The media gave them props for playing the Lakers hard, but forget that shit. They should be playing hard every time they hit the court, especially this early in the season.

What they should do: Everyone says fire Vinnie Del Negro, head coach, but perhaps the problem may be bigger than that. John Paxson, now VP of basketball operations, but before shield Gar Forman became general manager, was the guy running the show. Perhaps, the Bulls can use a regime change as well. Paxson fired Bill Cartwright for Scott Skilles, who brought the Bulls to three straight playoff appearances, who fired him for supposingly “losing the team.” During this period, the Bulls kept Loul Deng despite the fact he could have been part of a deal that would have brought Pau Gasol, a seven foot terror from Spain who ended up signing with the Lakers, and Deng has been so hot and cold. He let Ben Gordon go, when he scored the most points. And after missing out on opportunities to sign coaches Mike D’Antoni and former coach Doug Collins, the Bulls settled on rookie Del Negro who has been serviceable, but not making any kind of impact with the team. Paxson and Del Negro need to go, but the question would be who can replace them this far into the year that can turn the team around? Furthermore, the Bulls need to make a serious play at one of the superstar free agents that will be available next season. Dwayne Wade would be nice, but we can dream.

My prediction for season/future: One thing that I can say about the Bulls; they’re slow starters. The Bulls will chug along, and most likely the firings I called for will not happen during the season but afterwards, unless this horrid play continues. If that’s the case, expect Del Negro to be gone. However, I can see the Bulls amping up their efforts and making some kind of crazy trade before the end of the season, and finding away to make the first round of the playoffs, only to get blown out and be one and done.

CHICAGO CUBS

Where they’re at: Up shit creek without a paddle. Let alone the fact they have a problem child in board game that will cost a team $20 million to take on, and if a team wants to venture down that road, the Cubs will have to eat at least half. They have a DH in left field that they’re paying $17 million a year. No true center fielder. 3rd baseman that gets injured at least once a year, pothead for a catcher, and a poster boy for Prozac that’s the supposed ace. All being led by a man who thinks its five o’clock somewhere. Yet, there are bright spots in the lineup. Ted Lilly and Randy Wells do a nice job in the rotation, Carlos Marmol when on can’t be touched, and Derrek Lee still can be the big man on campus.

What they should do: The Cubs need more depth in the pitching, and also need to find more guys who can hit with runners on base. They need to find a way to be the Cubs team that ruled the National League during 2008. The craziness should leave if they are lucky enough to find a team who wants Bradley. Perhaps, Gm Jim Hendry should tell him to stay home opening day and beyond. Something he should have did last year when there were big problems with this clown, not with two weeks left. If Hendry doesn’t find a way to get rid of Bradley, then Hendry should be fired for his decision making over the last two years. First, getting rid of Mark DeRosa just to get to Bradley reeks of ignorance. DeRosa could have played third the time Aramis Ramirez was down, and everyone liked him in the clubhouse. Then the shopping spree of 2007 happened which in my opinion can be considered a strike against him. Hendry made very bad decisions and he needs to be held accountable. The only way he gets let off the hook; need to find Bradley a new home, and find a way to fix your various holes on the field. Center field, second base, new lead off hitter maybe. Get it done Jimmy boy. Your job might depend on it.

My prediction for next season: I see the Cardinals and Brewers making moves. The Cardinals don’t have to do too much, but if they can lock Matt Holiday up, they will be the front runners of that division. Yet, don’t look too far past Milwaukee. They did themselves good by signing Randy Wolf to strengthen their starting rotation, and added Latroy Hawkins in the pen. These two teams are doing things the Cubs aren’t. They’re filling holes. The Cubs first need to deal Milton Bradley, and the sooner they do that, the sooner they can make themselves a competitive team in the central.


CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Where They’re At: As usual, Kenny Williams has been busy. Kenny signed free agents Omar Vizquel and Andruw Jones. Two people who he’s gambling on for better defense on the bench. He traded for Kansas City Royal multi positional player Mark Teahan and then signed him for three years. He signed former Mariners closer J.J. Putz to add to a depleted pen. He just made a trade with the Dodgers to acquire Juan Pierre for lead off duties. I don’t know how it happens, but every other year, Kenny goes gangbusters making moves to make his team better. Before the season ended last year, he made the last minute blockbuster deal to acquire Jake Peavy from the Padres, and claimed Alex Rios off waivers from the Blue Jays. This team on paper looks like it should win the AL Central.

What they should do: Obviously, Kenny as I said earlier, has been busy. I believe another power bat, and one more piece to the bullpen should be on the shopping list. Find a way to get rid of your expensive weak link in the pen named Scott Linebrink so you can give someone like Jamie Torres or Dan Hudson a chance at long relief. Perhaps both, as they both did well with their starts last year. Start to prepare them for a starting role if needed. However, the shopping trip may be over. Kenny has said numerous times that he ran out of money. Yet, some bargains remain out there. Perhaps a deal can be made with released long reliever DJ Carasco if he doesn’t find anything. Even bringing Jermaine Dye back at a discount could work as you can use him as a DH and position player. The White Sox do have some holes and seem to be counting on veterans like Jones, Vizquel, and Mark Kotsay to alternate the role of DH. It does give you flexibility but the things that scare me; what happened to all your power? Konerko and AJ will give you the pop, and you can add Q to that list if he returns to 2008 form. However, a bunch of guys hitting for average may not get it done.

My prediction for next season: I think with the White Sox this year, you have to take a wait and see approach. On paper, they should kick ass. The Twins play in the great outdoors which surely will take them out of their element a bit, the Tigers have given up pitching and lost their prized 1-2 punch in the line up with Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco departing, the Indians had their fire sale last year and are in rebuild mode. The Royals scare me a little because you really never know what’s going to happen with them. I have a gut feeling going back to the Cubs, Milton Bradley ends up there. KC has been in the basement for most of the decade and sometime soon, they are going to want to return to the form that they were back in the 80’s. However, when it comes to the White Sox, you never know what’s going to happen next. I guess we cheer them, hope for the best, and count down the days to opening day.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and sorry I missed you yesterday, things happened that prevented me from writing. I will give you one more to make up for it later today.

M