AddisonStSox

"Goon."

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 13, 2006 -> 08:24 AM) I agree with this. He looked great yesterday, but when you face a teams B team in the late innings you will be facing guys who won't be in the major leagues, at least not this season. I really think Ozzie should start some of these relief candidates, warm them up like its a relief appearance, but start them so they actually face major leaguers. I agree. It really is one of the only ways to see if these left-handed "pitchers" are worth carrying. To be honest with you, I had Reynoso pegged as the early favorite well before spring training. I know Wilder is really big on the kid's arm, but, he's suffered control problems has he not? To be honest, I'm starting to get a little worried about bullpen depth. After having seen the importance of a dominating bullpen in 2005, I'm a complete believer. You can't bulls*** your way through the later innings and expect to win the pennant. Trading Bajenaru doesn't add to my worries; however, he seemed like the only in-house candidate able to step in and at least compete against some MLB talent if or, better yet, WHEN Hermanson goes down. Trading for bullpen help may not be the wisest move at this juncture either. If Williams can pull off a trade using some minor leaguers, I'm fine with that. Do what you have to do, but, don't tell me you're going to start 2006 with two Sox farm-hands in the bullpen, while moving Brandon McCarthy to an unfamiliar role. It's a real area of concern.

We got bent over. That is all.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 09:05 AM) I think I might be the only person in college that doesnt have any of them.... :headshake Incorrect.

Did I just see T R U on the active member list? My computer must not be working.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 07:12 PM) Tony, pal, there was a day when many talked about the White Sox like you talk about the Hawks. Well, the Hawks no longer rule Chicago like they once did. Last time I checked, the Hawks roster doesn't have Stan Mikita or Bobby Hull on it. Chicago is far, far, far from the "Hawks Town" it once was. The passion is no longer there. Can you tell me the last time the Blackhawks have led off the sports segment or had the front page of the sports section? I think this was his point.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 03:36 PM) As deep as this draft is, and as hesitant as some teams have been at giving big contracts to RB's...there has to be someone who can help you more than Rhodes, IMO. What'd the Bears have to do to find Jones? Wait for him to fall by the wayside with both the Cardinals and the Bucs.

According to ESPN.com

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 01:51 PM) Huge signing. Everyone knows the Cards have one of the best WR duos in the league, but now to add a premier RB? Wow. This past year they couldn't move the ball on the ground...at all. At this time last year, I was telling Soxtalk how overrated JJ Arrington was. The guy will amount to nothing in the NFL. You can't quite describe how big a signing this was for the Cardinals. In fact, I'd bet dollars to donuts James is the biggest name free agent the franchise has ever brought in. Very impressive.

Great signing. Perhaps this is the year the Cardinals decide to take that step in the right direction. A lot of us thought last year was going to be there year, but, now that Denny Green is entering his third year with the club, I think they might be primed for a pretty special year. Colts fans, how does this one feel? This is a big loss, is it not? I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Laurence Maroney to the Colts franchise.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 01:04 PM) Dumb question, I imagine, I'm just a bit confused on this: Why would an NFL player want an extra year? Without guaranteed contracts, what's the advantage? Is all this "6th year" talk just code for a bigger bonus? Bingo.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 11:57 AM) Bears | Randle El rejects team's offer Sun, 12 Mar 2006 09:47:18 -0800 Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports free agent WR Antwaan Randle El (Steelers) has rejected a contract offer from the Chicago Bears. His agent is still in contact with the team to keep talks open. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interesting. He probably still wants a 6th year out of us or something. I'm still thinking it will get done. Much like the Skiles negotations of last year, both parties want to make it happen and it should get done. That agents is earning his money, though. It's been reported his client wants to come to Chicago, and he has still found a way to remain in the cat-bird's seat. Hats off to him.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 05:09 PM) If its true and they've traded for Brandon Lloyd, that would take them out of the picture. Pitt appears to be willing to match any contract (as long as it isn't ridiculous). I sure as hell hope someone not named Chicago offers up a ridiculous contract cause I don't want him. Now if it were an affordable contract I'd shut up, but he's gonna get way overpaid. Just ask Lions fans how great of a deal Az Hakim was. Hakim was a better player than Randle El too and just like El was a mediocre WR. If we have the cap room, I'm ok with overpaying for him. I don't know if you watch Chicago Bears football week-in-and-week-out, but, the added dimension he would add to the offense is worth overpaying. True, he is not #2 WR material, but, he is fine in four receiver sets, he can throw the deep-ball, and would slide right in as the return man. The markets are all crazy now anyway. For every quality signing, there are four irrational ones.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 05:44 PM) I watched quite a few Browns games (the Bar I go to is predominantly a Browns bar; probably 20-30 Browns fans there every Sunday) and they lost a ton of games that they could have and probably should have won. I wasn't watching the games too indepth, but I noticed they were one of those teams that could have picked up a few more wins than they did. Of course they beat the Bears in a game we should have won. But the Bears played conservative. I watched a lot of Browns football this season too, J. I really like that team, always have. If Charlie Frye develops into the type of player I think he will, they are going to be a dangerous team in the not too distant future. Could they bring some competition in for Frye? Sure. Am I sold on Ruben Droughns as a feature back? No, not really. But, the pieces are there. For those of you not familiar with Frye, he's a 6'4 217 quarterback out of Akron. At Akron, he was quick, had solid mechanics, had an excellent delievery point, and, speaking to one of his Akron teammates for two years, I learned that he is an excellent field-general. He was one of my Sweethearts last year and I really think he is going to be right up there with Ben, Byron, and Chad as successful MAC signal-callers. Romeo took quite a shine to Frye last year and I think he believes he has something to work with. Go Browns. I really hope they can put it all together. ...as for Brandon Lloyd, it's a bit odd watching teams compete FOR a former-Illini.

It's a good one. It's called For The Love Of Money by the O'Jays.

You've been watching the boards for quite some time haven't you?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:56 PM) They need a quarterback. Charlie Frye. He has everything necessary to succeed as the team's starter. Yup. I'm coming at you with Charlie Frye. Their quarterback is already on the roster.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:53 PM) Aside from Pittsburgh and Dallas, who else would be interested in Randle El's services? Those have been the other 2 teams I've heard floated. Washington.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 12:20 PM) Big signing for the Browns... Browns | Team signs Bentley Sat, 11 Mar 2006 09:55:37 -0800 Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports the Cleveland Browns have agreed on a contract with free agent C LeCharles Bentley. Terms of the contract are not yet known. Lots of people were assuming he would sign in Phily. Wait...woa! I thought there was ink with Philadelphia. Well done, Browns. Romeo is going to turn that thing around. The Browns rising back to power would be a great story and just a great thing for football in general.

Lewis, who does project do be a starting TE in the league, has more than a few knocks on him at this point. -Speed (an awfully disappointing 4.84 40) -Blocking (whoever said he was a "solid blocker", I think it was your NFL.com link, needs to be fired. His blocking is well below-average and he does not project to get any better) -Consistently catch the easy ball (if you watched him in the Sun Bowl against NU, he was pathetic...that is not the type of player I want to grant a high draft selection) -Very raw/lacks technique (they say he's a WR trapped in a TE's body...and that's not always a good thing) This will get refined as we move closer to the draft, but my TE rankings now stand at: 1. Vernon Davis 2. Leonard Pope 3. Anthony Fasano 4. Marcedes Lewis 5. Dominique Byrd

There is a nice veteran crop of backup quarterbacks starting to emerge. If the Bears really are looking to add some sort of veteran, they will have the opportunity. I'll be making a thread with the NFC North teams and their respective draft needs, but, if the Bears address this spot via free agency, it appears TE, CB/SS, OLB, and OG will be the draft-day needs.

Now I'm hearing that the Saints have the most guaranteed money on the table for Brees and although he's visiting with the Phins', the Saints are considered to be the favorites. If the Saints are able to sign Brees, move down a few spots and draft D'Brickashaw Ferguson, they will have a nice, little offense in the making. I've said if Brees doesn't end up in Miami, Culpepper will, and I'm standing by my statement.

According to ESPN's John Clayton, Collins is officially cut. Make of this what you will.

Alright, now he's cut. Per roto:

You know who I just thought of, lol, Anthrax. He still around?