nitetrain8601

QUOTE(chitownsportsfan @ Feb 13, 2006 -> 06:04 PM) I would agree that the "ceiling" for this years staff is def higher than last years. But I don't think the "mean" projection is. Vasquez is a huge upgrade over last years Bmac and Duque. But unfortunetly some improvement out of the 5th starter isn't likely to overcome what I see as likely regression from Jon G and Buehrle. Buehrle was great last year, and his W/L record doesn't shot it. His peripherials had him as top 3 in the AL easy. I peg him as top 10 in the AL this year, nothing to shake a stick at, but not elite category. Very Good yes, but not elite like 2005. Jon G I see coming back down to earth and posting something around a 4.00 ERA, good numbers, but not as good as 2005 again. I should say that I think there is a slight chance the pitching staff outperforms last years, but a slightly greater chance that they underperform from last year. Also, the 'ceiling" on this group is much higher than last year. If Vasquez has a great year, (and that possibility is another thread and post in and of itself) then I agree, this staff will be hand down the best in baseball. And you also don't take into account the improvements made by Contreras. I think he will pick up the dropoff. And I don't understand how our starting rotation projects to be the same if not slightly worse when we've upgraded the weakest spot.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 12, 2006 -> 06:52 PM) Yep, great play. However, only his 2nd best of the game IMO....he had an up and under scoop shot he made late in the 4th that was even better. And he got fouled on that play too.

"Sammy doesn't think of himself as someone who has to beg for a spot on a big league roster," said the source." In other words, he doesn't want to earn anything.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Feb 9, 2006 -> 03:05 PM) Wow, Draft express really seems to be gushing over Aldridge. I don't think they said one negative thing. I don't know how you could say that he is that polished offensively watching him at Texas. I've watched them a couple of times, and I think he took maybe two hook shots and two jumpers. They make him sound like a cross between Kareem and Olajuwon on offense. He's got more talent than most big men that enter the draft, but he isn't THAT good yet. Edit- Nevermind, didn't click on weaknesses. Still, I don't think he's as polished as they make him sound. I think he is. And I think he's a cross between Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Bosh. He has a nice hook and is great with footwork in the post, that's why he was thinking about making the jump straight from high school, but he wanted to be a sure-fire top pick. Last year he suffered some type of injury so this is his first real year. The reason why you don't get to see his array of moves is because their guards are huge ballhogs who will never give him the ball. Gibson especially is overrated because of the points he puts up, but they'll never pass the ball to the open man and Texas coach doesn't really care. He was leading the nation for some time in points per touch. I don't know if he's number 1 for anymore though. Without a doubt, the Bulls current board should be: 1)Aldridge 2)Gay - Have to trade Deng in this instance IMO 3)Trade.

QUOTE(fathom @ Feb 12, 2006 -> 03:44 PM) Don't they lose Dials, Sullinger, Foster, and Sylvester? Ohio St. will be good next year, but there's other teams out there that potentially will have better talent. They have the Fab 5 coming in next year anyway. They will have the most talented starting lineup and their bench won't be a joke. I see them as being the most talented team, hands down in the nation. As far as that translating into the most wins, we'll see.

I'll say a prayer for her tonight man. I hope she gets better.

I AGREE! GROSSMAN IS GROSS AND SUCKS

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Feb 9, 2006 -> 10:45 PM) As far as rap goes, a lot of mainstream stuff is garbage but there is some quality rap out there. If Kanye West could do a song without a sample, he would be atop the rap game right now. Young Jeezy has impressed me with his mixtapes and his mainstream CD's. He has a new mixtape coming out now that I can't wait to get my hands on. Trap or Die was phenomenal. 50 Cent is highly overrated IMO. Lloyd Banks is the best rapper in G-Unit. I also like all of Dipset (Cam'ron, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones). Lil Wayne's last 2 albums have been amazing too. As far as the more underground stuff, Mos Def is my favorite. He can rap about anything and beat 90% of the world in a freestyle. And for the record, Eminem has fallen off a bit. As far as older stuff, any Biggy Smalls or 2Pac stuff is always on my playlist. People immediately assume all of 2Pac's stuff was about the Thug Life but it wasn't.....Thug Mansion, Changes, etc. I am asctually watching a movie about 2Pac's life for my music class and it is very interesting. Public Enemy and Run DMC and NWA were classic. Old school LL Cool J was great too. To say that rap, as a whole sucks, is absurd. There are some pretty garbage rappers (D4L) but the rap industry is at it's peak. Man, you say alot of mainstream rap is crap and then state you listen to crappy rap. Dipset = crap. Seriously, they come up with the stupidest rhymes ever. E.G. I chew bubblegum Bubblegum I chew Like bubblegum, I'll chew into you G-Unit is horrible as well in my opinion. All of them. They're only good for party music when no one is paying attention to what they're saying. Lil' Wayne's "The Carter" was a great album, but "The Carter 2" is horrible IMO. And I was a huge Eminem fan, but he has not fallen off a bit, he's fallen off a ton. All he raps about nowadays is his daughter or shoving gerbals up people's asses. I like some of the old school stuff you listen to though. Good choices all around. Here's some of the current rappers I listen to: Nas Crooked I Saigon Sly Boogy Chamillionaire(Don't let "Turn It Up" fool you; listen to songs like "Rain" & "Void In My Life") Talib Kweli Mos Def Papoose Common Lupe Fiasco AZ J.R. Writer Dilated Peoples Akon

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Feb 9, 2006 -> 10:48 PM) Did Clarkson perform last night at the Grammy's?? I saw her on SNL a while back and the power in her voice completely blew me away....and I'm not a fan of her music. Since then, I've seen her perform twice live on TV and she was God awful. Yeah, her voice was pretty good as well. Other award shows and live, she usually doesn't use her voice though. She'll just start screaming.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Feb 9, 2006 -> 08:32 PM) I really don't think there should have been 4 Pistons on the East squad. I have no real problem with Billups and Rip, and I guess Ben Wallace should go since they need big guys, but Rasheed was too much. I'd rather have seen Dwight Howard if they absolutely needed another big guy. I have a bigger problem with Arenas getting snubbed than Redd. It's hard to argue against Carter and Pierce though. If I had to drop a guard it'd be Rip, but he's pretty good in his own right. Chris Paul definitely should have gone. That kid is a stud, and he is the main reason that the Hornets are overacheiving so much. I'd have dropped Ray Allen. He's pretty good, but his team is struggling way too much. The Sonics actually have been playing well and are at or over .500. I would have liked to seen Paul in the big game though as well. I would've removed Parker for him since they're both PG's.

Jesus Shuttlesworth is my pick.

Curve was harder for me to learn. Still never actually learned it. I just said, "fug it" and threw a sinker instead.

I for one love Mariah and grew up on her music so I'm in love with that too. Her voice is stunning though her performance last night she started off bad. And most definately would I still do her. As far as other people that like her, everyone I know likes Mariah. Her voice is just spectacular. I can't believe Kelly Clarkson upset her though twice. That's some bs and I'm a Clarkson fan. F*** AMERICAN IDOL!

QUOTE(Steff @ Feb 9, 2006 -> 02:17 PM) But don't fret.. I found a little something for you guys to note in this year's V-Day cards... A holiday right up your alley... Steak & BJ Day. http://www.derbygripe.co.uk/oddsocks/holiday.htm Haha, I've been passing the word about this since it started. Great great holiday. Chances are though that most women will burn the steak or not do anything "special" for their man on this day at all. steakandbjday.com Look into it fellas.

QUOTE(Tannerfan @ Feb 9, 2006 -> 06:58 PM) I watched parts of all four Series wins on DVD this past weekend. As I watched Jenks blow the save in game 2 and have a shaky outing in game 3, I started to think that in order for him to be a truly dominating closer (which I know he can be), he needs to develope a change up. Because his fastball is unhittable as a high strike, it seemed that the Astros were starting to lay off of the pitch by the third game. It got me thinking that a great change when mixed with the curve and the high heat would put him in Rivera and Gagne territory. I'm curious to know what you guys think. It would be hard for him to develop a change since he throws the ball so darn hard. I mean his change would probably be around 88 which is basically asking the opposition to hit a homer off of you. If he were to develop any type of changeup, it would be a replica of Buehrle's "Claw" changeup. I think he should just work on his slider more. Mix a 2 seamer/cutter right up at the batter's face and he'll be friggin untcouhable.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Feb 8, 2006 -> 09:42 AM) At least we get to see your avatar a bit more. RockRaines, show us the way to the avatar. We must get more.

By the way it sounds, it will be kind of a hassle just getting tickets for any weekend, discounted nights and premium game tickets, if you can get any at all.

QUOTE(CubsSuck1 @ Feb 9, 2006 -> 05:04 PM) Anyone know when Opening Day tickets are going on sale to the public, if at all? I don't think they will be hitting the public.

Sources have told me that his first act of duty will be to creat a seperate sub-forum under "Sex, Lies, & Politics" for better Sex. Stay tuned as more becomes available.

They will sell out, especially the bleachers because Cub fans like true dumases(spelled incorrectly on purpose) will pay to sit in the new seats.

Shouldn't that be a technical since no one wasn't in front of Nocioni?

QUOTE(fathom @ Feb 8, 2006 -> 11:19 PM) I'm convinced Hinrich's the least clutch player in the history of basketball. He is. He falls apart in the 4th in close games.

That's a reach.

Benjamin Gordon is killing it. Their defense is killing themselves.

Gordon with the 3.