Chisoxfn

What does this mean?

The Chargers are timing it right, given how bad the Rams are. Whomever can get good fastest has the best shot at actually getting the fan base, imo. I also don't expect that a ton of Charger fans just stop following so I think the Chargers probably still will hold a good size fan base, especially in the orange county and riverside markets (south of LA)...plus the San Diego market. There are plenty of Charger fans, but can you really blame them for having attendance issues when no one knows where they are going to play the following year (this issue has been on-going for a while now). I am going to presume Rivers will use "retirement" talk to force a trade (possibly to Denver).

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 09:48 AM) Sessions gets his ass kissed from fellow republicans and some great jokes by funny man Lindsey Graham! Democrats are cowards and so we probably get AG Sessions confirmed with ease. A man who thinks the worst think about the KKK is they smoke pot and thinks the NAACP are communists. I think we are in trouble here folks. Do people believe that Sessions said that pot comment in seriousness? When I heard it, it sounds like someone who was being totally sarcastic. Please note, I'm specifically referring to that comment not other aspects of Sessions.

Right now everyone is in a game of chicken to see who moves first. The interesting thing will be, if one team (hopefully it isn't the Sox) moves, will other teams quickly react. All depends on how serious some of these teams are.

This whole Rose story obviously reeks of the fact that he is so mentally weak. Basically, he got benched and thought to himself, am I better off just not playing the game. By and large, I think he has not really wanted to play basketball since he had his injuries. It shows in his play. Its unfortunate, because if he had Westbrooks' attitude, Rose would still be one of the top PG's in the league (imo). I fully believe his lack of production is tied to his indifference to basketball vs. any physical limitations. But hey, its up to him at the end of the day. But the guy has pretty much milked a ton of money. I think it is the definition of the worse thing that can happen when you hand out a big contract. If Rose got hurt and physically was never the same, fine, I understand. If Rose busted his but but just sucked, fine. Instead, we got a guy, who yes, got hurt, but kind of quit on everything post injury and who never was able to make the true mental adjustment to recover and largely is so meh over basketball. It is so evident in his play / lack of effort you would consistently see post-injury (on the court). I even wonder how true those "workout" stories were of him during his recovery (1st recovery I fully believe...but that 2nd one and he was done).

Man, I was looking back at the FA lists and the lists are depressing for 17 (and even 18). I'm starting to rethink this find a FA. Best bet is like a Lowry or Chris Paul (unlikely).

Why are the Bulls keeping Rondo around. Just cut ties with the mistake already. I'll give it to Rondo, who has handled this much better then I expected. If what he said at his press conference yesterday is true, it is kind of daming...where is the communication. On an unrelated note, even though the Bulls lost last night, the game was pretty fun to watch. Odd lineups out there but Valentine was on fire from three. If Doug didn't have such an off night with his shot, they win that game (to be fair, Valentine was on fire...albeit most of his threes were wide open shots). The thing I like about Denzel is, he is a very smooth passer. Not very athletic though. If Rondo were willing to play off the bench, I actually think he'd be a solid fit with that unit, where you have a few shooters that Rondo could look to find. At least Rondo seemed to play aggressive, but my goodness, he is terrible defensively.

DeMarcus Cousins is reportedly going to sign a 5yr 207M contract extension with the Kings this summer.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 08:26 AM) Damn, are we seriously going to see a draft where the top three guys drafted are QB's in a year that people are saying its a weak draft for QB's top to bottom? That sounds disastrous. Everyone underrates QB's leading up to the draft and then switches to probably overrate them a bit when the draft happens. Last year was an espically weak class and the 1-2 picks were QB's. I can't imagine anything other then that going down this year, and it might actually be three.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 07:56 AM) I dont watch much of any college football because I think it sucks even worse than the NFL product but I do think that accuracy is underrated when teams are drafting the QB position based off of a guy being gifted athletically. From what I understand Watson threw a ton of INT's this past year. We all know what an inaccurate toolsy guy looks like as Bear fans. Not quite what I am looking for. You have to show me both to get drafted in the first or second rounds. 41tds to 17 interceptions. 579 attempts. Winston in his final season had 25 TD's to 18 interceptions (467 attempts).

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 03:43 PM) I'm using two inputs at the moment. The optical out from my tv to the soundbar so it automatically controls the power when the television is turned on and off. This runs the Comcast feed. The I run HDMI from the PS4 through the soundbar and out to tv through the soundbar. The sound is absolutely exceptional. No visible wires because I'm awesome. The subwoofer being Bluetooth is nice as well. The soundbar also functions as a Bluetooth speaker from a tablet or phone and just blasts the tunes the 3 minutes a week or less in home and my wife and daughter aren't haha. I was going to say...good for you...I'm too owned by my wife to get a sounbdar. If I had one, by the time I turn the TV on (which is late when the kids are asleep), I'd get the ssh...kids are sleeping, put it on low. I've become the old man who uses closed captions cause my wife is afraid a volume past like 6 on the TV will wake everyone up, haha. Once we get the house with a man cave, I'll be in business. That said, I'm sure your daughter will love it when you bluetooth some disney tunes through it.

QUOTE (Deadpool @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 07:26 AM) I would take him mid second. If he didn't play in either national championship game, he'd be a third or fourth. I think he probably was going to go in the 1st anyway (too many teams have QB needs and his resume is pretty good and the tools are all there, albeit, I agree there are concerns about his accuracy...but outside of that he clearly has the NFL arm and plus athleticism). He also has shined on the biggest stages. If he slid through the 1st, I don't see him getting much past the early 2nd round (where any team like the Bears / Niners / Browns...who passed initially on a QB would clearly be going QB at this point). Outside of him getting hurt or doing something dumb off the field, there is no way he is a 3rd or 4th round pick (whether he played in the championship game or not...that is just ridiculous).

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 07:15 PM) I don't like where this is going. Glad he isn't the Bulls problem.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 09:31 PM) So on Clemson's first and goal play with 6 seconds left why not instruct all of your defensive players to just hold and tackle the wide receivers and then make them either go for the win or kick the FG on one final play? I was wondering the same thing. Just tackle them or do whatever you need to do to prevent anything, allow the defensive penalty, move them to the 1, but time would be at zero so you either go for the win or kick the field goal.

I still think there is a chance that Kizer, Watson, Trubinsky go 1-3 (in no particular order). Watson looked like an NFL QB last night. He has issues with his accuracy at times, but he showed that he has the arm to make all the throws (and made quite a few NFL type throws) and also obviously has the athleticism to make plays with his feet as well. He also showed pretty good adversity given how he battled back from the tough start. Guys don't get picked based upon one game, but putting up over 800 yards in two national championship games against one of the elite college defenses can only help his resume.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 10, 2017 -> 05:44 AM) Sorry, but do not want Watson at 3 I don't think he will be available.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 10:14 AM) Butler will likely play. I'd be shocked to see him not want to play Russ. I tend to agree.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 10:09 AM) The people above you have advantages of being able to work the tax system that you may never have. To me, thats an issue. The fact that I pay a much higher effective tax rate then someone who makes millions of dollars just doesn't feel right to me. Yes, they may pay more in an absolute basis, but as a percent of income, they pay a lot less, which to me means taxes have a far less effect on them then others. Trumps plan totally screws the upper middle class brackets and doesn't do much for the lower income brackets (and to some extent, hard to do much for brackets that have pretty low effective to almost nill tax rates). I didn't like Hillary's plan cause I felt it raised the already high taxes on upper mid class too much (mainly because what is upper mid by national levels may not equate to that by geographic locations). I might be rich if I lived in a small city in Iowa, but not where I live, far from it, so to be taxed like it, just doesn't feel right. That said, I do support a fair effective tax rate for the wealthy (because I feel that under the current system, they get a pretty sizable break). I'm not one who says that we should just tax the rich, I just feel in the current system, the ultra wealthy get ridiculously favorable tax treatment vs. the general masses.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/08/chart-shows...affect-you.html I still don't understand how many people could get on board with this tax plan. It does practically nothing for the masses, and that includes anyone outside of the top 1%. There are so few groups who get any real benefit and to me, as I've argued many times, I think there should be a differentiation on those making 500K+ per year (and even more so when you get into the millions). It only makes sense for the very elite to help the support...they'll argue they already do, and I agree, they pay plenty in taxes, but the effective rates at those levels is nowhere near the effective rate of people making low to mid 6 figures (I have no fact to back this up, but can only assume this to be true and can't possibly believe it isn't, as I presume so much more of the income on those mega earners is from capital gains / businesses which can help tax treatment). I'm not saying we should tax them more, but I certainly don't agree with drastically reducing their taxes and do not believe that it will just create massive jobs. Just means more wealth will be hoarded to me.

Here is a question...if you were the Bulls...do you sit Wade today (especially with Butler being a game time decision) against the Thunder, so that both could go against the Wizards, or do you play Wade today and then have him sit tomorrow? If it were me, I'd say, look, we aren't at full strength, so lets give this one to the young guys and go get the win tomorrow (but I'm not a coach).

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 09:12 AM) He's making more money and has more freedom in college than the NFL. Whats the draw? Only thing would be this presumed ego (or that seems to be what Bill Simmons is implying). My view is that he is so freaking good, that continuing to do so at Bama is just as impressive as if he went to the NFL and had a couple playoff years (since going to the NFL and winning multiple championships is so difficult...especially because as a head coach, you just have a lot less control...even if you were the GM too and I'm sure he would be...it still isn't the same). If you asked me who is better, Carrol (who has had ultimate success at both levels) or Saban...personally I'd say Saban.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 08:59 AM) He did go to pros and then went to Alabama. He is in the same boat as Harbaugh. The pro game is predicated on having ownership that knows what they are doing. Sadly there few NFL jobs better than Alabama. Dumb conversation....ask Chip Kelly. Yeah, but I think they are implying he's chicken to go back again. Who knows how he would have done if he stuck around at Miami or if he decided to go now (he might have learned somethings). Either way, just cause he's dominating the college ranks (and making this many championships, regardless of the outcome tonight is dominating, imo) doesn't mean he's chicken if he doesn't try going pro. I think people forget how close it was that Saban ended up as the Bears head coach (IIRC, Angelo was very close to convincing him to come to Chicago). Regarding Chip Kelly, I am curious what he will do. Does he stay in the pro's or does he go back to college? If he goes back, where does he go? Does he go back to Oregon or does he think its a better sign of respect if he heads somewhere else. I'd have to imagine if Notre Dame struggles, they'd throw a lot of money at Chip Kelly (to replace Brian). Some rumors that he's going to Cal.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 08:02 AM) So, I know I've said this 100 times, but I just really would prefer to not have 3 rebuilding teams at once. The Bulls are not going to win a championship this year. But watching weekday bulls games with competent teams is entertainment I can live with for now. Basically, if we actually add a real point guard I'll be happy for this year, as we slowly wade into the deep ocean with concrete boots on. I do think by the time this season ends, the Lakers might be mighty desperate for a star. That said, we all know my views on sports and while winning titles is great, I also want to be enertained. For example, if someone had a crystal ball and said the White Sox would suck for 10 straight years (like not compete suck) and then win one championship vs. a scenario where you were the 90's Braves but didn't win the championship (note..I realize Braves did win a series..so I'm adding a wrinkle there)...I'd take 90 Braves all day long. I will say though, in basketball, I don't value being a 7 or 8 seed (unless it is on an up and coming team) so I fully do agree with the whole basketball pergatory comment, with the exception of, when you have a superstar on your team...because I think you need to find a way to build through such player and that now isn't the right time to hit "reset"...unless someone makes just a ridiculous offer at you. We clearly aren't in a great place, but there are a ton of teams in worse places and with the right FA moves, could quickly get back towards the top of the list (in almost no plausible scenario can I see us being title favorites, but that is more because Golden State is so much better and well, Cleveland has the greatest player on the planet).

QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 9, 2017 -> 07:45 AM) I agree about Fred starting to do some things but didn't want to get ganged up on for posting in. Would still like to see Bobby get some PT. Also seemed like Denzel was contributing before that ugly angle roll. It seems like it took him being backed against the wall before he finally said forget it, if I go down, I'm going to go down swinging (vs. following the Gar angle). It would appear Hoiberg's moves are relatively aligned with Paxson's public comments of being more athletic (i.e., the benching of Rondo, who was god awful offensively and defensively). This team would look so much different if they had a freaking point guard who was good and could stretch the floor (I mean, so would most teams, but there are so many freaking good pg's in the league...plenty of them weren't even that high of picks). I figure I bash Fred enough that I better give credit for the fact that it seems like he's done a better job of late.

I am curious to see who Iowa hires as its new OC. My presumption is his son is going to be the next OC and I don't think that is a bad thing (by all accounts he was a very good assistant, players like him, and I think he can be a good recruiter as well).