Chisoxfn

Well I'll take a new punter...Maynard was great for a long time but he's lost it. That was a terrible kick (zero hangtime and poor distance) and it led to that great field position for the Titans (and the opportunity for such a big return).

QUOTE (knightni @ Nov 9, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) I'm thinking that the Bears should look at getting a punter in next year's draft. Yep. Defensive line has looked great except when it comes to the pass rush, but the Bears haven't exactly blitzed in passing situations yet. Vasher and Tillman have played very well though as its hard to defense an over the middle pass when Collins gets that much time. Time for a good drive here though cause the defense has been on the field for a while and obviously the titans are currently in a good spot in terms of field position (with the Bears being backed up again).

I actually really enjoyed this weeks episode. Thought it was one of the better ones all season.

I wouldn't be shocked at all if the Sox had a plan of turning Poreda into the closer by the all star break while they utilized the matchups of Thornton/Dotel prior to (plus pick up another reliever, maybe a Juan Cruz). Plus, given the cost of closers (financially speaking), you might be better off having a young closer who will be cheap for years who you can than spin off when they get closer to getting paid big bucks. Poreda projects to be a potential elite reliever (given his stuff) but the question is obviously whether they believe he'll be able to develop enough secondary stuff to be a potential front line starter.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Nov 8, 2008 -> 08:07 PM) Okay, so now it's 17-3 USC. How about another TD, Carroll? TT just manhandling OKST. If they beat Oklahoma in 2 weeks in Norman...wow. So, let's say: Oklahoma beats TT next week. Texas loses to Missouri in the Big-12 title game. Alabama loses a regular season game, then beats Florida in the SEC title game. Then who plays for the national championship? I'm sorry but it'll be a joke if USC plays in the national championship game. Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Alabama all have better resumes, even with a loss.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Nov 8, 2008 -> 06:19 PM) At least it keeps Ferentz in Iowa City. He still has one hell of a time against Iowa State, and while they can win when they come in motivated like they did last year, things figure to be different next year. Iowa is quietly getting back to being pretty good and I find it hillarous how the only thing you can point at is Iowa State beating Iowa a few times. Last I looked Iowa has completely kicked ass during the Ferentz era when compared to the Clones, but than again so have most programs And I'm happy Kirk stays. The ship has been righted and is heading back in the right direction.

Tons of penetration...I love it...Time for a turnover or at least a turnover on downs

I think the Bears defense is showing up. The key will be the pass rush on the 3rd down's though because if Collins gets time with single coverage he'll make plays. Offensively obviously the key will be the performance of the line and RExy.

QUOTE (scenario @ Nov 8, 2008 -> 05:02 PM) The AFL is considered an 'elite' talent league. The fact that he is excelling here this soon is a very good sign. I think (my opinion) that he'll start the year in Birmingham and has a good shot of being in Charlotte before year end. It is still very early, but I'm starting to think he'll be penciled in as the opening day starter a season from now.

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ Nov 6, 2008 -> 06:52 PM) huge, huge, huge day for Gordon Beckham in AFL Two homers, a triple and two singles. 5 for 5 with seven RBis. Also scored five runs. Only downer is that he was DH, not SS or second baseman. Cole Armstrong is having a huge mini-season out there. He had three hits and launched his sixth home run. Jordan Danks went 0 for 5. Poreda did not pitch. Here is the link to the box. : http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?si...scowin_peswin_1 The system is getting much stronger and they'll have a plethora of picks. I'm really liking what the new regime is doing and I think Buddy Bell commanding the organizational viewpoints down in the minors is a really good thing (I love having baseball people taking care of that end of things...and a very good baseball person at that). The Sox made the playoffs but I honestly think the best is yet to come with Kenny making some more good moves and a nice little core of young players being ready in the next couple years (to team up with a nice group of young major leaguers they already have in Quentin/Ramirez/Danks/Floyd/Richard).

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 11:14 AM) Quote from Beckham. What a great attitude, until Walk gets ahold of him. Walk is a good hitting coach. I'll continue to stand by that too.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 5, 2008 -> 06:41 PM) And how about how inaccurate he is on Poreda's velocity. I would be hugely surprised if he ever throws a fastball 90 mph. And Beckham's swing has been broken down and compared to A-rods, now its choppy? I think he has been listening to too many "scouts" at the local fudruckers. A lot of scouts have issues with Arod's swing to be honest. It's just a very unatural swing and it takes a lot of natural ability to make up for it. However, the one nice thing is it generates power to all fields and is considered a line drive swing to an extent. Beckham's swing isn't perfect but that and range were probably his biggest knocks coming out of the draft. The thing is he's taken wood bats well and really is quite talented. Easily the best draft pick the Sox have had in years.

Shelby, Danks and Poreda are the three prospects that interest me the most. Danks is the highest ceiling of the group but Poreda is probably the surest thing (barring injury I'd be shocked if Poreda isn't at the very least an above average closer).

I love Juan Cruz although I'd hate to give up our first rounder for him though.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 9, 2008 -> 12:58 AM) Morales simply hasn't hit yet in his limited big league opportunities...when he has hit, he hasn't hit for nearly the power (20-25 homers with lots of doubles) projected for him and finally, his body type lends itself to being overweight. Morales is a good major league hitter, he's just never had the opportunity. You watch his swing and its nice. Sweet...opening kickoff in the Bears game...I'm calling a Bears WIN.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Nov 8, 2008 -> 06:18 PM) I dunno, Cowley was on the Score earlier today and sounded pretty sure of himself that if and when the Sox sign him, the plan is to hand the starting 3B job to him. But Cowley has been wrong many many times before. Offensively the kid is supposed to be well above his years. Plus the Sox still have enough bats that he'd likely be able to adjust slowly and be eased in (he'd be down in the lineup). So I wouldn't be opposed to it, although I think defensively we'd see quite a few struggles. If the Sox go that route though, than I truly believe they'd need to find a CF and a 2B that can really pick it to make up for the errors that might happen at 3B/SS (where the two Cubans continue to adjust). I would absolutely love signing Viciendo though. I don't think some people realize the magnitude of this move. This would be the best prospect the Sox have had in there system since Joe Borchard. I realize Borchard isn't a great name to throw around but you want guys with the type of tools Viciendo has and offensively his tools are off the charts.

Depedning on how long the thing I'm at tonight goes, I'm going to try and see Role Models. Looks f'in hillarious and just got Tru's stamp of approval.

f***ing eh....Bama wins in overtime.

f***ing Sweet...Hawkeyes have been pretty solid. Only losses have been to quality opponents (yes, I'm going to call the Illini a quality team) and none of the losses have been by a large margin (should have beaten Pitt, and I tip my cap to MSU/Illinois). I just hope Stanzi can continue to develop and turn into something next year (since Greene should be back).

What do the Phils really have to offer though. I don't think they have enough to get the Sox to move Dye. Or at least they won't be willing to give up what it takes, nor do I believe they are good partners.

QUOTE (G&T @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 04:16 PM) Beltran has a full NTC and his agent is Boras. I wouldn't doubt the Sox would need to extend his deal to waive his NTC. Weren't the Sox relatively interested in Beltran when he was initially a FA. On a sidenote, I would make a Jenks/Javy for Beltran deal. He fills a major need. The Sox would than obviously have some other moves to make but they would have enough chips to fill out the rest of the team and hopefully add another reliever/starter.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Nov 7, 2008 -> 02:11 PM) http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...--+Red+Sox+news I'd make a deal for Jose Reyes. I doubt the Mets would but I'd be happy to throw out the type of deal that got the Sox some upper echelon talent, especially if they feel Thornton could step in as a closer (obviously if you make this move you'd have to than shore up the pen). But the Mets have some intriguing prospects and young major leaguers that would interest me and I have no problem moving a guy like Jenks when his value is at its max.

I'm thrilled to see the Sox have interest in this kid. We are talking about a phenom offensive talent. The type of guy that could be a perennial all star and potential MVP. Will it happen, who knows, but getting this type of talent in the system would be huge especially with it coming at a need position. He probably wouldn't be ready to make a significant impact this year, but the Sox could sign him and have him set to make an impact a year from now if all goes well and who knows, maybe he surprises and develops extra early. I'd try and offer him a 4-5 year deal worth 10-12 million (that would be a pretty solid contract for both parties, imo).

QUOTE (Soxy @ Nov 5, 2008 -> 05:15 PM) Because you're a fiscally conservative (and at the moment slightly disenchanted) Republican who believes the government should not be involved in legislating "morality." But, um, that's just a guess. Touche

Sorry to hear that Alex.