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So we’d get the Mets number 11, 25, and another pitcher outside their rankings board. All pitchers. Why the hell not. Sign me up if you can’t get a single stud pitching prospect for him.

I think a few things can be true at once. On one hand, expectations change for teams quickly in the NFL. Many didn’t think the Bears would win 8 games this year, but when they held the No. 1 seed late in the year, your view of what can be accomplished in a given season changes. And because fortunes can change so quickly in the NFL, you need to capitalize on the opportunity when it’s there. So I think it’s fair to “criticize” a team that now has raised the level of expectation for fans. On the other hand, I think there are plenty of “fans” that simply don’t want to admit they were wrong, pegged the Bears as a bad team before the season started and simply want to be proven “right”. It’s the day and age we live in and just have to accept people are going to make fools of themselves. I view things this way: If the Bears lose to the Packers on Saturday, it will be very disappointing and being honest and frank about where this team needs to make improvements will be justified. However, I will still acknowledge the leaps this franchise made over the last calendar year in finding the right coach, seemingly finding a QB they can build around, and being excited about what Year 2 under Ben Johnson will look like, on all sides of the ball. His first draft proved to be pretty fruitful and adding in another class should be a welcome addition, or them taking a big swing at a DE in the trade market. But next season, and basically the two years following (the years that span Caleb’s rookie deal), it’s Super Bowl or bust. They are basically right on schedule. This was the come up year, but next year it’s all-in.

A little late to unite Noel and Holliday, but alas

While I agree that the bears defense is pretty bad, you look across the playoff field and see a bunch of flawed teams and most of them backed into the playoffs this week. There is no boogeyman team waiting for you, everyone has problems. The same team that dropped 42 on the bears last week just lost to the Seahawks and scored only 3 points. The Seahawks lost to the panthers. The rams have been super weird for the last month. The eagles haven’t scored in the second half pretty much all season. The panthers are the panthers. It’s such a open playoff field all it takes is one offense to get hot and the defense to not hurt the offense on the way.

I wonder how much of JR’s thing is actual loyalty vs him just wanting to avoid the work involved with finding replacements.

How do you stop someone from not wanting to work for you lol you can’t physically make them. You just don’t have to show up lol

Honestly seems like something shady was going on and they are getting in front of it. Not only did they fire their scouting director, but they also fired the assistant to him. I'm kind of surprised it hasn't gotten more attention.

I’m not talking about the tedium of basic job responsibilities.

I agree with them 100%. I've had him as the top Sox prospect since midseason. For me, he's their best-looking A-ball player since Colson.

BA really likes Bonemer

Jimmy just reported the Sox are a week away from the new period and have a significant amount unaccounted for.

@Mariners. May we interest you in Lenyn Sosa for a package built around your comp pick? Or Pirates honestly. Keep the good vibes going. Edit: or deal one of each (Robert, Sosa) to Reds, Pirates, or Mariners.

I hadn’t considered intentional money along with him, though I’d rather the Sox just spent that allocation.

As the "other" English teacher around here I approve this message. Plus the OP was damn funny.

Matt Ryan to be named president of football operations for Atlanta. That actually might be big from the Bears stand point. Matt Ryan and Ryan Poles are very good friends and teammates at BC. Ryan will likely interview Ian Cunningham for the GM job and Poles will likely put in a good word for Ian. Bears could get two 3rd round compensation picks out of it.

There have been way too many games lately where it seems like Caleb has about 80 yards passing when they go to halftime. Usually the 4th quarter heroics seem to balance it out in the final box score, but to your point...they gotta put up some points in the 1st half.

when you hear about a Bulls/Sox GM wanting to retire that shows (1) this is how he got bigger raises..because he was incredibly valuable to Jerry who never wants to launch a wide search..always wants familiarity (lol) and (2) this is the only leverage ploy that can work because it is not believable any other team would want this employee to do any job equal to what he had here. unless it's Benetti.

I agree and I sure hope we win. No reason Bears can't do it. But more highlighting there is only so much a coach can do scheme wise given the severe limitations in talent on the defense. Hopefully some of it is more shorter lived and a healthy off-season cures some of the holes cause there are a lot of them. Offensively - there are issues too - slow starts, footwork from QB, next level play, etc. Oline has still given up more pressure than I'd like (Caleb has done a nice job avoiding it)...but they all have work to do too...but you can also, at least as of now, squint and see a lot of explosive talent on that side of the ball...guys who can trend and emerge as blue chip players.

I hear Jimmy John’s is interested.

I really was surprised Pete failed that badly, but I do think the thing to zero in no was all of his sons as Assistant coaches. Similar to end of Belicheck era, there seems to be a real decline when the coach gets tired of managing other coaches and just wants those he knows won't leave and won't challenge them.

And with that kind of amount, it is probably going to be paid off at the end of the lease cycle.

I disagree. I love mine. Have for 38 years. Plus, many of the people I know past and present enjoy working for Reinsdorf. He treats them well.

Honestly really like getting the Packers. Not only is it probably the best matchup for the Bears, but if they win...everything else this season is truly gravy. If they lose, it will be pretty heartbreaking, and hopefully it's a kick in the ass to put them over the top in the offseason.

How is it states make money building stadiums for these teams? If it is so lucrative why does the state still owe more money for Comiskey Park II and the Soldier Field renovation than the total cost of their construction?

That was a meaty meatball he was thrown.

Just overall talent really. Not just velocity.

Mama Mia!! If he was wearing a White Sox uniform, that jumping high ten landing would have resulted in a blown-out knee.

Eloy in the LIDOM playoffs

January 4, 1941 - The White Sox made a savvy purchase, acquiring righthander Joe Haynes from the Washington Senators. For next to nothing, Chicago secured a valuable pitcher throughout the decade. Haynes came to the White Sox as a reliever, and in his first full season on the South Side, 1942, led the A.L. in games (40) and games finished (35), picking up six saves with a 2.62 ERA. Eventually, Haynes would move more or less fully into the starting rotation, and in 1947 finished with a 14-6 record and league-best 2.42 ERA. He was rewarded by being selected for the 1948 All-Star Game. For his career with the Sox Haynes won 55 games and saved 14 others. He was traded to Cleveland after the 1948 season for Joe Tipton. The Sox then traded Tipton a year later for a youngster named Nellie Fox. January 4, 1993 – The Sox signed off-injured outfielder Ellis Burks to a one-year deal. Burks would have a breakout season in 1993 and finally stop the revolving door in right field (at least for that season.) Burks would produce 17 homers, 71 RBI’s and hit .275 in the divisional championship season. He’d catch the final out to clinch the division title that season as well. In the six game A.L.C.S. he’d hit .304 with seven hits including a double and a home run and drive in three RBI’s. He also walked four times. Unfortunately, then G.M. Ron Schueler, wouldn't give Burks the multi-year deal he was looking for when the season ended and he left for Colorado where he became an All-Star.

I lose interest in this thread when @tray doesn’t post.

How about the Illiana Bears.

Looking at the history of public funding for stadiums, I find it hard to believe Kansas isn’t going to lose money on the deal, and a ton of it. But they get the Chiefs.

Realtor is a trademarked name. A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors. It gets capitalized.

"Future Realtor Zack Collins" is among the best things I've read on this site...almost spit out my coffee!