Fotop

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Aug 30, 2010 -> 11:22 AM) Ya, I think the best combo you can do is Andre-Thomas. Following up on this, as I went Andre then Pierre, here's the results of my draft....think it's the worst team I've fielded yet. Again, 6pts for all TDs, 0.5 per reception QB: Cassel, Roethlisberger RB: P Thomas, Forte, F Jones, D Sproles, B Scott WR: A Johnson, G Jennings, S Smith (CAR), J Maclin, L Robinson TE: Celek DST: Dolphins K: Akers Mistakes - Taking Big Ben over Eli or McNabb. Really wanted Ben and knew he wouldn't get back to me. Was hoping I'd get McNabb on the way back to cover me the first 4 weeks but was gone by the time I picked. Hopefully I can tread water w/Cassel and waiver qbs (maybe bradford? he's got a favorable schedule) until Ben is back. - Minor one, but I think I should have taken Ryan Grant over Jennings in the 2nd round. I'm really bullish Jennings this year though, so hope he doesn't make me look like an idiot (I think I own him in 3 leagues). - Not taking a 3rd RB sooner. Have to hope for a breakout from Felix Jones or an injury if I'm to have any depth. Will probably look to trade a WR for an RB at some point if Thomas and Forte don't pan out. Even if they do, the depth would be nice. Will also likely need to trade a #4/#5 wr for a backup qb as early help/ben insurance.

payin' anything to roll the dice....

Here's a team I drafted today - 14 team league, 0.5pt ppr, 6 pts for all TDs. Had #6 overall pick. QB: Cutler RB: Gore RB: Grant WR: Jennings WR: Welker WR: Bowe TE: Carlson Bench: Barber, M. Bush, Jacobs, Naanee, Big Ben, McNabb. Concerned Cutler is gonna crap the bed, hence the extra qbs. Would have liked another decent #3/#4 type WR for depth but missed out. Very happy w/my RB situation. Imagine I'll try to package one of the qbs w/an rb for a decent WR (pref. #2/#3 caliber). Probably once Ben returns from suspension.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Aug 29, 2010 -> 07:24 PM) Need advice on a trade. I'm in a pretty hardcore fantasy keeper league, and was just offered an interesting deal. Currently, my WR is sick at Andre Johnson, Larry Fitz, and Hines Ward, with Wes Welker on my bench. BTW, to acquire Andre and Fitz, it took a few years of sucking, so thats how it happened. Anyway, I just got offered a very intersting trade. Right now my TE is Owen Daniels, and with him being limited to 10-15 plays in the first few weeks, I would like a little more stability at the position. I was just offered Sidney Rice and Visaanthe Shiancoe for Wes Welker. With my depth, I feel like I could get away with some risk, which is what this trade obviously is. No chance I'd give Welker up for those two. Rice may not even play this year, and if he does he probably won't be 100%. Even though its a keeper league, Rice's value is inherently tied to Farve - and who knows if he'll play next year. Shiancoe vs. Daniels is pretty much a wash, if Daniels is healthy this year. I'm sure you could get a better offer for welker if you're in the market to trade him, especially once the season starts and he proves he can play. Honestly I'd try to move Ward before Welker. Ward is getting up there in age, Steelers OLine is a mess and Ben is out for at least 4 games. I'll leave you guys with a question of my own as well: Keeper league (can only keep players drafted outside of the 1st 3 rounds - can keep for one year only), 12 team, 0.5 ppr, 6 pt of all TDs. Who would you keep? P. Thomas (4th rd), R Bush (9th rd), Carson Palmer (10th rd). Then, who would you draft at #4 overall (knowing R.Rice is being kept, and assuming CJ, AP, and MJD go 1-2-3): Gore or Andre Johnson? I'm leaning toward keeping Pierre and drafting Andre - but I keep flip-flopping in my mind as I think it's better value to keep Bush and give up the 9th rder. I'd probably draft Gore if I kept Bush.

Quite deep at WR, wallace and sims-walker are both good #3s. I'd probably drop scheffler (unless it's a huge, deep league) as I never carry a backup TE - maybe pickup a deep sleeper RB to replace him? Also, I love Rice this year but even still I probably wouldn't have taken him over CJ. Might have outsmarted yourself that one, in my opinion, but it's not like Rice is chopped liver so it won't make or break you.

It crashes everytime I go to it. Then again, I have to use IE5 (don't ask) so I figured it was just an old browser thing. Regardless, I'm sure they'll have to figure out the kinks....they don't want to lose web traffic just because certain browsers don't work. Any suggestions on how to fix it in the interim would be helpful though.

Jon Rauch is not a good RP.

Surprised no one's mentioned Jack White. So I'll give him his props - everytime I've seen him live he's been great.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 9, 2010 -> 03:04 AM) Can the Bulls get Al Jefferson from T-Wolves? Probably for pretty cheap, one would think. Considering the Wolves have little leverage, what with their apparent glut of PF types. But.... "Where would he play?" (Note: Jefferson would be a nice get, fully support it - just perfect spot to use the ol' standby Hawkism) Edit: Gah, Jefferson is only 25? Go get 'em.

Beasley to the TWolves for a 2nd rder and undisclosed details on future pick swapping. I have no idea where he fits in with the TWolves, but considering the price I think this is a great deal. Beasley just 21 years old. As I said earlier, I wish the Bulls would have swooped in on him but they probably had issues w/the character red flags and/or the heat probably didn't want to help a rival out.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 7, 2010 -> 08:54 AM) He's a pretty big-time screw up. I'll admit I'm not a resident expert on all things Beasley, but there are plenty of guys that are screw ups and made something of themselves in sports. All I've heard about Beasley is he's a pot-head. Surely, he's not the only one in the NBA. On the court, he sure looks like he hasn't cared at times. Again, this is the NBA he's not the only one. Much like someone like Zach Randolph, it might just click for this kid elsewhere. Is Randolph still crazy? Yes, but he's got talent, and so does Beasley. I'm not saying trade anything of note for the guy - but if he could be had for a song I think it's good value.

Am I crazy for thinking that if Bosh doesn't S&T with the Heat, then the Bulls should low-ball the heat for beasley? I'm not sure why Beasley is considered such kryptonite, but if he can be had for peanuts I don't see how you don't at least explore it.

QUOTE (bmags @ Apr 7, 2010 -> 09:17 AM) they really gave up on rap this year, which is odd. Yeah it's disappointing. Snoop was great last year, and I didn't see Cudi due to being the same time as Kings of Leon - but imagine he was alright as well. They should have gotten Lupe Fiasco again - think he has a new album coming out and he's a big enough name. Jay-Z was likely as a headliner if they wanted him, as he's playing a lot of festivals this year, but I think they poured all their money into Gaga (she probably got a mint to play Lolla instead of say two nights at the United Center). Drake would have been an interesting get, as his album is about to come out as well, but not sure he was or is available.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Apr 6, 2010 -> 11:12 AM) Lollapalooza lineup isn't all that impressive. For what they're charging I'd expect something better than Green Day and Lady Gaga as headliners. Two words: Arcade Fire. Very excited about them being there. Top 2 headliners aren't all that impressive (Soundgarden, Green Day), Gaga is at least intriguing. Arcade Fire and The Strokes are real nice though. I love Phoenix as well, but I've seen them already so barring how they match up, I could skip them. I do agree with the sentiment that the last few years have been better. 2008 was amazing in my opinion - Radiohead, RATM, Kanye, NIN, Wilco for headliners with The Raconteurs in the 6th slot. 2009 had a great middle tier. This one is kind of all over the place, but it's generally a down year for festivals. Still think it'll be worth it though - it's a great weekend.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Mar 12, 2010 -> 01:54 AM) The Garlic Noodles and Beef Lollipops at Sunda are fantastic...love it. Ahhh forgot Sunda. That's a good spot too - only issue I had there was the service. We had a reservation, but it still took them 45 mins to seat us. Pretty silly, in my opinion. The food is damn tasty though - once you get to the table.

QUOTE (flippedoutpunk @ Mar 11, 2010 -> 11:55 AM) lol L20 is pretty ridiculous, almost as much as Alinea where it will cost you at the very least $400 per person. If you go there you better take someone you reeeaaaaaaaaalllyyyyy love I had a $100 gift card when I went there, which helped....only slightly. I think all in it was $500 for two (incl tax/tip), for the full tasting menu and that included a reasonably priced bottle of wine. So yeah, like I said ridiculously expensive. At the same time I think it was well worth it - probably the best dinner I've ever had in the city, great food, great service, and great memories due to the interesting dishes/surroundings/tour of the kitchen and such afterward. In my opinion, it's worth the money on special occasions, and I think the next time my choice would be Alinea if only because I've yet to go there.

QUOTE (The Baconator @ Mar 11, 2010 -> 04:01 AM) Tangent here, but I think the best song entrance of any (non-Sox) player has got to be Trevor Hoffman entering to AC/DC's Hell's Bells. Apparently they play it so loud at Miller Park that the Macha hides in the dugout after he calls Trevor in. Glad to see he carried it over from SD, always thought it was cool. Hell's Bells is very cool for a closer. Enter Sandman for Rivera is nice as well. This is probably why I've always been disappointed with the "Here Comes the Boom" entrance for Jenks. 1) It's a terrible song. 2) It's like I've fallen into a WWE event (who's choices for popular music have always been suspect).

Dead Wrong - Biggie Smalls It would have to be edited like mad due to the choice lyrics, but the intro is perfect and they'd probably cut it off right before the bad stuff hits. its only like 10-15sec of music, roughly roughly.

QUOTE (SHIPPS @ Feb 27, 2010 -> 10:28 AM) Smith and Wolinsky's best aged steak you can get in the city IMO, beautiful location on the river off of State St. Shaws Crab house has great king crab legs and cakes. Which is also on north State St. David Burke's Primehouse @ the James Hotel is the best steakhouse in Chicago in my opinion. Arguably my favorite restaurant in the city as well. Other spots I've enjoyed: Rose Angelis (no reservations - very good italian though) Chilam Balam (no reservations on the weekends past 6pm, BYOB though!) The Publican (didn't think it was all that great originally, but have enjoyed it the couple times I've been back) Follia (another good italian spot) Hub 51 (best way I can describe it is higher quality bar food, it's a cool space as well) and if you're one to ridiculously spoil yourself every now and then: L20

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Mar 9, 2010 -> 03:53 AM) You would have to hope Linebrink has a love for the Cubs org., Chicago, or the NL in general (that or his friendship with Peavy and others on the sox sucks now). He has a NTC in his contract FYI. So even if the sox did/wanted to, he has the final say. Funny thing is.. when they signed him, most of the posters were mad of the money he was gonna make. I was more upset of giving a reliever a NTC. Agreed, but I'd presume that wouldn't be a huge issue. He doesn't have to move his family. He gets to go from the AL to the NL, thereby helping his stats. Unless he has huge hangups about playing for the Cubs, or really, really loves playing for the White Sox I doubt this would be a major hurdle. If he could post one or two more decent to good seasons (and being the NL would help this) he could swindle another contract out of someone after this one. From a financial standpoint, this would be a good move for him.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 9, 2010 -> 01:41 AM) They'd REALLY be rushing Castro to start him on the Cubs this year, even if he's as good as everybody says (and obviously, we have no idea if he is or not.) I think they'd be smart to start him in Iowa, even if Blanco is out for longer than they think. As for Linebrink to the Cubs, come on now, I don't even think they are that dumb. If they call about it though, obviously answer the phone and be nice. I think they're almost certainly that dumb. They did give up Jose Ceda for Kevin Gregg and he made $4.2 mil last year. As bad as Linebrink has been at times, he can't be any worse than Gregg. Obviously we're talking about $10.5 mil committment to Linebrink for two years, so the money is certainly a factor, but this type of move is right up their alley. It's def. not out of the question. They are, or at least to pretend to always be, in win-now mode. Hypothetically speaking, this is a win-now move for them. It's either this, Frasor, Samardzija (if he's not going to start), or trot Esmailin Caridad (whoever the hell that is) as your righty setup man. Considering the inevitable Carlos Marmol Blow-Up, they know they need help. It's high time to exploit that.

Surely this idea has been floated before, but now with the Guzman injury does anyone think there's a chance Linebrink gets dealt to the Cubs? Supposedly they're sniffing around Jason Frasor w/the Jays and they're in desperate need for some RHP out of the pen. No idea what we would ask for, but If the cubs offered a decent spec for him, it'd clearly be a good deal for the Sox - getting Linebrink's contract off the books. Thoughts?

Don't want to post the exact quote from Buster Olney's blog today, but thought this stat was interesting. Off the top of my head, don't have an idea who was hitting for us in the two hole for most of last year (short term memory loss I suppose) and presume the reason for this is that our #3/#4 hitters weren't feared. Thoughts on this?

Garrett Atkins would be a nice addition if he could come cheaply (however I imagine there's multiple teams looking at him) Solves the issue at 3B if we're moving Beckham back to the middle infield. I know Atkins was HORRIBLE last year but he's still a guy that plays a decent third and is roughly a career .800 OPS. Think he's out of our price range but I'd be pretty happy if he landed here. Sign me up also for an Adam Miller reclamation project. Pretty low risk in that one with a possible good bullpen reward.

Since everyone else is doing it: 14 team league...my team (1 qb, 2 rb, 3 wr, 1 te, 1 k, 1 def) qb: hasselbeck/quinn rb: r.brown/mcfadden/d ward/l washington/c benson/j davis wr: r.moss/c.johnson/a.gonzalez/e.bennett te: d.keller def: bears k: j.reed I like it. Just need to pray Hasselbeck doesn't get hurt, or by the time he does get hurt Quinn will be starting. Could use one more WR as insurance but I like having a ton of RBs.