nitetrain8601

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Sep 14, 2009 -> 11:12 PM) I have to respectfully disagree. As an overall album BP3>BP2...and really, it's not even that close. Also, Jay's 39. This has been my point, it's not great...it's just kinda good. I'd say it's in the middle of the pack when comparing his work. A Dream, The Watcher 2, '03 Bonne & Clyde, The Bounce, I Did It My Way, Diamonds Is Forever, Meet The Parents, Blueprint 2 are collectively better than What We Talkin' About, DOA, Run This Town, Empire State of Mind, A Star is Born, and Hate. You're right though, Jay turns 40 this year. QUOTE (3E8 @ Sep 15, 2009 -> 08:29 PM) After first listen I'm quite disappointed. One of the few times the free stream online swayed me not to purchase the album. The bookends of this record, Vices and Noro, are really enjoyable. Too bad everything in the middle is forgettable It wasn't anywhere as good as Your Favorite Weapon, Deja Entendu(all-time favorite), or Raging. QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 16, 2009 -> 12:56 PM) well, yeah, but that was only one album removed. He took too much on in Kingdom Come. Not only was he making a come back but I think he thought his coattails were bigger, bringing in a bunch of, imo, more raw up and coming producers. And I liked, one beat, Kingdom Come on that album. He's doing the right thing. He has good chemistry with Kanye, just blaze, timbaland (who, imo, is out of ideas), and I thought No ID did well on this album with Jay. Best Jay can do now is probably make a couple singles and one great song, and some of it's going to be reliant on its beats. Venus vs. Mars is one of the worst songs I've ever heard. But empire state of mind and DOA bring the goods. That's jay's sound now. He couldn't carry Reasonable Doubt beats anymore, he really can't be that minimal. People get old. Kingdom Come had a bunch of known producers. Only one who was semi unknown was Dj Khalil and maybe one or two other producers. It had Chris Martin, Just Blaze, Dr. Dre on there. In fact, the beats were superb on that album. I also thought it was underrated, but I could see why. The only tracks that I can listen to on repeat are Lost Ones, Trouble, Dig A Hole, Minority Report(very underrated song) and Beach Chair(very very underrated). American Gangster completely lost me though. Only hot tracks on there to me are Pray, Roc Boys(And The Winner Is), and Ignorant S***. Rest of the album was trash. Jay has always been production driven to me though. I don't think I've ever heard a song with a wack beat that was good of his. He's not that type of artist and he's always ensured he's worked with the best producers. Again, where he's failing nowadays are the beats, and then trying to be witty, but most of the time failing like Blockbuster.

Honestly, I rather have Justin Duscherer or Ben Sheets. Heck, the Sox should just add a bunch of coming-off-injury starters who used to be stars(minus one babied Erik Bedard) and put them in the pen. Just like they used to in the old days.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Sep 16, 2009 -> 06:06 PM) In order for a player to become the Rally ____, doesn't he have to come through in a clutch situation or something? Which he has not. In fact, there can be no rally Sox offensive player because none of them really have come through. Maybe Pierzynski, that's about it.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Sep 13, 2009 -> 03:54 PM) Not sure what you've read, but from the jump the Blueprint 3 was known as an "anti-autotune" album. Beat selection gone downhill? Do you have a version that I don't have or something? This just sounds like another rant that I've heard numerous times about this album. I know this isn't Jay-Z at his best, but it's still better than a lot of stuff to come out this year. I don't know if people are expecting the old Jay to come back from somewhere, but I'm pretty sure he isn't. He's almost 40, arguably the most successful rapper to do it & has basically done it all. I read up alot on hip-hop. I'm pretty sure you can google it, but Kanye and Jay-Z were planning to make Blueprint 3 with a ton of autotune and Kanye was supposed to be the only producer on it. Well originally it was going to be Timbaland, Jay went away from him and was going to have Kanye produce the whole thing, and a lot of it was autotune, then Jay and company used other producers after it being delayed and that's how you got the final product. And it really isn't much better than the stuff out this year. I actually liked Kingdom Come, but he has gone downhill big time. American Gangster was overrated immensely. Blueprint 3 is worse than Blueprint 2 as Blueprint 2 was filled with a ton of filler, but also had much better tracks than this album's best tracks. Meet the Parents > anything on blueprint 3. Last but not least, Jay is over 40 if you didn't know. Oh yeah, Kanye does need to be punched in the mouth. He took away from a 19 year old girl winning one of her first awards and probably the most popular award for someone their age. He told her she didn't deserve it and ruined her thanking speech. It's not like Taylor stuffed the ballots herself. Honestly, Kanye is dumb for this.

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ Sep 12, 2009 -> 04:44 PM) That's what I didn't like. He's already proven he's the greatest player, I see no need to bring himself down to take shots at anyone. Jordan holds resentment towards Krause because Jordan wanted the opportunity to keep playing for championships until the team could not win anymore. Basically he wanted to be given the opportunity to succeed until he failed and Krause took that away from him and the rest of the band. As far as Kerr, Kerr gained Jordan's respect after that fight. It was in an article somewhere.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Sep 9, 2009 -> 01:10 PM) Album of the year thus far. This & The Blueprint 3 have been the only albums I've bought this year. Also, a good quality of the Kid Cudi album leaked today. I was pleasantly surprised. Disagree with Blueprint 3. Jay has fallen off immensely. All he does is boast saying he's the best and how everyone is trying to copy him and such and everyone else is just ruining hip-hop. Really Jay? The same guy who uses others' lines for his own benefit, the same guy who follows the trend moreso than anyone is calling everyone else a follower? Please. He's hypocritical and he tries to be thought provoking with his lyrics when in reality, he was better off rapping straight from his head, not trying to be witty. Or did he forget that just like he planned on doing most of the Blueprint 3 in autotune? He jumps on whatever is popular and try to claim he had the idea. He's a joke nowadays and his beat selection has gone downhill. J.Cole is better than him and he's supposed to be his protege. Anyway, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II is a pretty raw album. Album of the year so far. Kid Cudi was nice. To me, it's 808's & Heartbreak done right.

He's the same guy who punched Steve Kerr for not playing as good as Jordan wanted him to do so in practice. He's always been a douche, but that's what made him so great. He wanted to prove to everyone that he was the best at all moments and not a second less and if you weren't down with that, you were going to be a target. I'm glad Pippen got his due from Jordan though. The legend of Pippen could've had been bigger if he wasn't down to be part of something bigger than him, something more important.

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 07:23 PM) its only begun knight. wait until the redbirds start 10-0 or something in basketball. i don't even care about football but I sure do hate Ill-annoy. also, in 2006 ISU was 10-3 in football and lost by one point at a 7 win kansas state team that knocked off texas that year. Illinois on the other hand had 2 wins. We had the best player in the state in Laurent Robinson and I really believe would have beat fratboy U that year. I'll be more than happy to wait for the RedBirds to come out gunning against wack teams only to be slaughtered by their own conference schedule and the real teams in the NCAA. Northern Illinois > Illinois State at life.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 06:04 PM) Well, I will respectfully disagree. I gave up expecting more when FO brought us Jake Peavy and Alex Rios. Agreed. Podsednik is not bad when healthy or as a 4th OF.

Fellow Cowboys fan. I salute you. The same goes to King Felix! Happy Birthdays

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 05:18 PM) I hate how afraid U of I is to play ISU. They wouldn't have played us in football 3-4 years ago when we would have beat them and they won't play us in basketball the last 2-3 years because we would beat them. LMFAO. Oh yeah, when ISU dominated. Didn't they go undefeated for awhile and yet continued to miss the tourney. ISU will dominate UIC, not UIUC.

QUOTE (hammerhead johnson @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 02:21 PM) The New York Giants have the best offensive line in the NFL. They also have the best defensive line in the NFL. Most people have 'em down as the top super bowl contender in the NFC, and yet, both of you guys have 'em missing the playoffs. Hold on, gotta go find my gun. Seriously though, a lot of this stuff is beyond belief. They have Eli Manning. Servicable, but nowhere close to a world beater. They don't know who they're number 1 receiver is. I know Nicks is supposed to be good, but he's barely a rookie. Smith right now is supposed to be their #1 guy, and while I was a huge fan at USC, he hasn't shown enough in the NFL yet. I love their defensive line, especially with Osi coming back, but it takes alot more. There is a lot of questions remaining with them. I think the Eagles will absolutely own that division, and the Cowboys get in with a 9-7 record.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 02:39 PM) It doesn't matter. So many teams have so many players that hate each other and still win. Ever hear the stories about Jeter and A-Rod? Yeah, no WS since they paired up but playoffs all years but one and the Evil Swisher is on that team and they will likely lock up the best record in the AL And they like Swisher. A-Rod and Jeter aren't best buddies anymore, but they don't hate each other as far as I knew. And oh yeah, if you have ridiculous talent at every position, eventually that will win out.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 01:42 PM) As much as I'd like to keep the comedy of this thread going...I'd like to get back to the thread topic...Predictions! AFC Playoff Teams:Steelers, Colts, Patriots, Chargers, Titans, Broncos NFC Playoff Teams:Vikings, Falcons, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears, Panthers AFC Title Game:Pats over Steelers NFC Title Game:Falcons over Eagles Super Bowl:Falcons over Pats. NFC: Vikings, Eagles, Seahawks, Saints, Cowboys, Bears AFC: Steelers, Colts, Patriots, Chargers, Titans, Bengals Title Games: Eagles over Vikings Patriots over Chargers Super Bowl: Eagles over Patriots

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 01:46 PM) Well good thing I dont have to smell field turf when I am watching it on TV Very true. Very very very true. Games are way too expensive to go to.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 01:15 PM) and you know this how? Speculation on the way how PK acts. How he called out Podsednik for saying the Sox need to be more intense because the intensity is not there. The way he carries himself. The way he didn't like how Frank spoke his mind and they started fighting(verbally). PK having a problem with Orlando trying to take the leadership role. Just based on how he acts, what has come out in the papers and putting the puzzles together. PK is not the only way who is like this though. Jermaine is very much the same. PK is the face of the franchise though with Buerhle. QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 01:17 PM) Here is the end to this thread; Swisher was brought in to play leftfield Quentin became an MVP candidate Swisher sucks as a CF There was no room for him and he didn't have a positive vibe...off he went Some liked him some didn't Swisher doesn't suck as a CF. He's not terrible defensively, he's not a superstar defensively though. QUOTE (rangercal @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 01:26 PM) who is #6? #6 on the bullet chart. #14 is the only player though.

I'm saying we lose a close heartbreaker today as Ozzie is forced to put Tony Pena in. I say when that happens, the rest of our players should walk off the field, because you know we lose if that's the case.

So far, everyone denying the trade.

No. Rubber smells badly from Field turf. Like really badly. I remember going to St. Ignatius when they installed it...puke.

QUOTE (b-Rye @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 11:51 AM) Because... 1. He's a D-Bag 2. He hit .219 last year 3. Dewayne Wise outperformed him offensively and defensively last year 4. He strikes out too much 5. He was a fourth OF/backup 1B 6. He's a D-Bag nobody liked, and have you noticed when we play Yankee's Konerko won't even talk/look at him at first. 1)He's really not a d-bag. The Sox are the only team he didn't mesh well with in the clubhouse. My thinks it has to do alot with #6, or #14 if you will. 2)Very true. Yet, we applaud Rios and want to give him another shot next year. Huh? 3)And how about this year? How about the career? 4)True. So does Adam Dunn whom we all want as DH next year. And we had Thome. Some good players do K a lot. 5)And probably one of the best fourth OF/backup 1B in the league at his worst last year. 6)He's a d-bag that "leaders" of the clubhouse didn't like, particularly Paul Konerko who I think hates when people attempt to take the leadership role from him. Or perhaps hates people who lead in different ways than he does. I'm pretty sure he's the one who also hated Orlando. All in all, he probably doesn't like any loudmouth player who tells it like it is. Players who were their emotions on their sleeve. You follow PK, or you leave, pretty much unless you're Ozzie.

Why isn't Frank on there or am I missing something?

I opened up this theard and immediately jumped to the last page. And then I thought I opened up the wrong thread. So I see this thread has new posts, cementing the fact that I probably open the wrong thread, just to open it again and realize, there is no mention of Octavio Dotel at all on the last page. Off-topic much?!

QUOTE (soxfan-kwman @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 01:20 PM) Rios is having a problem at the plate & him dropping that ball last night may help him. Sometimes when you completely bottom out, you only have one direction to move in.(hopefully up). I went to the game last night & sat really close to the sox dugout. Rios seems to be off in a different world. I believe he is very frustrated, but he may think to much of himself to try to help himself. He strikes me as a guy who doesn't like to ask for help until its to late. At this point in our season he is a base-stealing version of Brian Anderson. These areas in his swing might help him salvage his year: FEET He needs to change his approach. He has his lead (front) foot up in some attempt to get loft on the ball. Then he spreads and bends his legs, which is fine(you start your swing through your legs). With the squatting motion the height seems to change up on him. I would even suggest that he open up little bit & he might pull more. He would surely not swing through hittable inside pitches . SHOULDERS & ARMS Also he puts his shoulders somewhat back to not jam himself. However, his torso leans toward the plate & he ends up not able to get around with that long swing. At this point the only pitch he can hit good is high outside pitches. The sweet spot of the bat is only on the outside part of the plate. That & he like to swing at low pitches to often. HANDS Rios has like 2 or 3 hitches he has going with his hands. He should rest his hands ready for his swing like Crede used to do. However, he gets ready, then he brings his hands down to rest & relax his hands, then he puts it in his natural load spot. He should put his hands in his spot for hitting and just let the barrel rest on his back right shoulder&arm. Also I would suggest that he watch Chase Utley hit in a mirror so he can see how to simplify his swing. In general his swing, if he tilted his body back (ala manny ramirez) he would be able to connect a lot more.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 01:36 PM) I can't imagine that'd have a lasting effect. Are people from all over the world clamoring to visit Atlanta and Salt Lake? Atlanta I can say yes. That place was a dump before the Olympics. I rather go to Milwaukee than Atlanta pre-1996.

QUOTE (hammerhead johnson @ Sep 9, 2009 -> 03:14 PM) Darrell Arthur has a lot of upside on the defensive end, and he's shown that he could also be a force on the glass. He's not ready to play 30+ minutes as of yet, so Memphis was correct in acquiring a stopgap PF, but for the love of god, why Zach Randolph? Dude is easily one of the biggest losers in the NBA, and I just know that they're gonna keep him out there for an insane amount of minutes, thereby stunting the growth of Arthur. The Iverson acquisition is also pointless. They already have a score-first combo guard in OJ Mayo. You're telling me that both of those guys are gonna be on the court at the same time, with Zach Randolph? LOL. This team might have a terrific young core, but players like Conley and Arthur will most likely have their growth stunted. Whether or not they make the playoffs is irrelevant to me. This is a team that should be thinking long-term. Randolph and AI are not long-term assets, and yet, they're gonna be hogging precious minutes that should be reserved for important pieces. I die a little inside every time someone talks positively about these acquisitions. Agreed. The only reason why they're doing it though is because they've been losing fan support. I am big on Conley and Arthur as well as I am a huge fan of Mayo. I think they need to get rid of Randolph(duh), Gay(not a big fan), and get some more quality depth at the guard positions. Honestly a guy like 'Melo or Danny Granger would do wonders IMHO with Mayo.