Middle Buffalo

I listen to Chocago sports podcasts sometimes when I'm at work, and here's a summary of what I heard this week: I downloaded the waddle and Silvy show from Tuesday (on location with Urlacher). Kaplan, Silvy & Jesse Rodgers were all pretty confident that the Cubs would win game 3. Waddle's assessment of Schwarber in the outfield was that he isn't as bad as everyone says. Silvy is upset that Sox fans were not rooting for the Cubs. He says that he was pulling for the Sox in2005. I'd love to hear those shows so I could verify that myself. On the score, listening to Bruce Levine after the series was comical. He's about as bad as the worst dumb caller when it comes to possible trades. According to him, Solef is an AL player because he's prone to injuries. Castro is a guy that a few teams really want and he can be a good SS. Schwarber is a really hard worker, so he'll improve in the field wherever that play him. The Cubs will target Shark (who Levine has a total stiffy for) because he will be much less expensive than some other guys out there. I heard him on two different shows (I listen to the score interviews podcast), and he was in full fanboy mode. I've managed to avoid mocking my Cub fan friends, but I'm so happy they lost because of all the douchebaggery in the media.

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Oct 23, 2015 -> 06:30 AM) We completely gutted and remodeled our kitchen about 5 years ago. We made sure to get a permit because we know our asshole neighbor would call us in the second he saw a contractor's truck in our driveway. i have the same problem. Everything I do at home has to be by the book because of my neighbors.

QUOTE (bmags @ Oct 23, 2015 -> 07:40 AM) If he's going to throw off his back foot, fade routes into the end zone are the one place I'm fine with it. Right, but he tends to under throw that pass, as opposed to putting it out long where either it is out of bounds or only his guy can get it. Either way, what I find funny is the analysis of him is always based on the result. His form is often bad even on successful plays, but the announcer/analyst will often say that he's only one of a handful of guys who can make the pass.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 22, 2015 -> 01:17 PM) Really good piece from Bleacher report by the Bronco's GM who drafted Cutler. Very interesting when you read about what Mcdaniels did and why Cutler wanted out (justifiably). http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2580349...ened-from-there That was good. It was interesting to watch the draft video and reactions of the ESPN guys. Unfortunately, many of his bad habits that were identified pre-draft (eg. Throwing off his back foot) are still evident. Actually, I thought it was interesting that both of his TD passes in the KC game were off his back foot. I heard some of the experts praising him for those throws - paying no attention to his bad mechanics. But if he throws an INT (like he did on the Jeffery pass last weekend), they point out the mechanics. I've always wondered where he got the reputation as a bad guy, because other than being aloof, I've not really seen it. It seems like that comes from Shanahan pulling Plummer (who was really popular) and replacing him with Cutler. The veterans on the team didn't like that. Then he was traded to the Bears for Orton, who was similarly popular with his teammates.

July 31, the Mets were 53-50. They added Cespedes and took off. Toronto was 53-51. They added Price & Tulo. Texas was 50-52. They added Hamels. The Sox were 49-52. They did not add, but it's not inconceivable that Sale would remain dominant, Q would run into some luck and get some wins, and Shark would have a strong second half. If LaRoche, Melky and a few others play to their lifetime averages (which means getting hot for a few months), the Sox aren't as far out of it as they ended up. Going forward, you have to hope Rodon continues to improve, and maybe Fulmer shows up and is as good as 2015 Rodon. That would put the Sox staff on par with the Mets. If they can add a few dynamic bats, who knows, maybe the Sox make a run next year. Baseball, like football and hockey, seems to be about getting hot toward the end of the season and making a playoff run.

Assuming this holds up, Sox fans should make it a point to NOT gloat. That's what Cubs fans want and expect. Say nothing. It will bother them more.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Oct 19, 2015 -> 01:51 PM) I root against the Cubs for the same reason I root against the Yankees and Red Sox--their obnoxious fans don't deserve to celebrate a championship. How'd that work out for you?

I'm finding being a Mets fan very stressful. I can't wait 'till the 2015 baseball season is over.

So, are the Yankees fans supposed to be rooting for the Mets now? I don't know all the rules for fans. I guess I'll call one of the Chicago radio shows.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Oct 15, 2015 -> 09:40 PM) You two obviously are never going to get along. Oh, they said that about Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis on "Moonlighting," too. Life is unpredictable.

Good read. The Chicago media is basically acts as a free marketing department for the Cubs. I listen to podcasts at work, and I had to stop listening to the local Chicago ESPN ones because it was the summer of Cubs. I looked at one twenty day stretch in July, and Jesse Rodgers or a Cub guest was on C&J 15 out of 20 shows. In the same period, Doug Padilla (their Sox beat guy) was on 5 times. At the time, the records of both teams were pretty close. The media disparity is a huge factor in the difference in fan bases. I know some people don't believe that, but I look at it like any advertising. Have a message and repeat it. The Chicago media is largely pro-Cubs, so they are covered in a positive manner. I recently heard Bruce Levine on WSCR, and they asked him a question about the Sox going forward. He gave a sarcastic reply about the new video boards solving their problems. He could hardly contain his joy when the Cubs added theirs. I'd love to see someone like Mark Cuban own the Sox. Bat the very least, they need a Rocky Wirtz like situation to revitalize the Sox. I appreciate JR, but he's exceedingly arrogant, and that's a problem for the organization.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Oct 9, 2015 -> 12:02 PM) Hopefully they lose in the most painful possible way. I actually said this to a coworker in 2003. She assumed that I would root for the Cubs since I was from Chicago. I told her that I didn't just want them to lose, but I wanted it to be in the most spectacular way possible. Then Bartman happened.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 12, 2015 -> 06:35 AM) Science. This guy is pretty awesome Neil deGrasse Tyson ✔ ‎@neiltyson Today's @Bengals winning OT field goal was likely enabled by a 1/3-in deflection to the right, caused by Earth’s Rotation. 3:48 PM - 11 Oct 2015 4,666 4,666 Retweets 5,004 5,004 favorites "Likely" means he's just guessing.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Oct 9, 2015 -> 05:33 AM) Maddon also has more resources with the Cubs than the Rays however. If they don't win this year (even if they do I think), they will go out and get someone. Price made comments last year about how cool it would be to win with the Cubs. That was before Maddon signed with the Cubs. Personally, I think Cubs starting 3 next season will be Price, Arrieta, Lester. You still have to win, and it is not always the best team that does it. Atlanta was in the playoffs throughout the 90's with a pitching staff that had 3 HOF, and they won once. At some point, players on the Cubs will get selfish, too. They're going to want to play defined positions and get maximum playing time. Right now, they're good with starting in left and moving to third (for example), but eventually they'll want to be full time somewhere because that's how players get paid.

I think it's kind of funny, but it reinforces the idea that Sox fans are more concerned with the Cubs than their own team. I'd be against any Cub-centric marketing campaign by the Sox. Just get better.

I didn't see it.

I'm this close to starting an "In Defense of Robbie Gould" thread.

Can't even have a full stadium in a rendering.

The closest comparison might end up being the Duke Lacrosse case. The only thing we know for sure is that Kane put himself in position to be accused. His actions after that are unknown. Did he actually have any sexual contact? We don't know. Interesting soxtalk throwback thread - http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/lofiversion/...php?t48467.html

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Sep 25, 2015 -> 09:21 AM) He squandered YEARS of amazing defenses and special teams that were superbowl quality. He's not 100% to blame, but he gets the majority of it in my book. Defensive Ranking Year - Points - Yards 2014 - 31st - 30th 2013 - 30th - 30th 2012 - 3rd - 5th (10-6 team record - Lovie fired) 2011 - 14th - 17th 2010 - 4th - 9th (lost in conf final) 2009 - 21st - 17th Yep, YEARS of amazing defense and special teams squandered. You're correct, though. He does get the majority of blame in your book.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Sep 25, 2015 -> 08:28 AM) I disagree about Palmer. He was a top 5 QB most years when he was in Cincy and iirc he wasnt run out of Cncy, he refused to play for them and retired until they traded him to the Raiders, who are the Raiders. http://www.nfl.com/player/carsonpalmer/2505245/profile His turnovers (INTs & fumbles lost) have been pretty high his entire career, and that's always the complaint about Cutler. I did forget the details of his departure from Cincy, though.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Sep 24, 2015 -> 03:13 PM) I watch a ton of football (when i watch...Bears are just one of the many games I'm watching) and Flacco and Eli at times are horrible. I've said many times, Luck can be horrible (and people are seeing it this year). Would I take Luck over Cutler, no brainer. Do I take Flacco over Jay...I'm not sure. I do take Eli over Jay though (but not by a ton). When it comes to the non top 3 QB's (4 including Luck...who might be getting bashed but if I were building a franchise today, he'd be my 2nd pick...behind Rodgers). You have a very long list of guys who are good, but not great, and who can win on the right teams. Bears fans blow up Jay for what he is, but don't pay attention to what a lot of other QB's do. We expected him to be Rodgers, he isn't, but we think he's a lot worse then he actually is. And I consistently said something similar about Romo (who is better then Jay, but suffered / struggled through some of the same issues Jay did before finally getting a good oline and above average D). We all forget how good Jay was when our D was good (his record was extremely strong and he led us to an NFC championship game). Fact of the matter we constructed pretty s***ty teams and our had horrid coaches during a lot of the tenure. Jay was overrated for a long time, now he is severely underrated. He fits squarely in that 7 - 14 mold as a QB and where he rates their depends on the players around him and the quality of the team around him. ^This is basically my point. All QBs throw bad INTs at terrible times. (Is there ever a good time?) PManning has two pick 6s this year. He's also not considered to be great in big games throughout his career. Since the beginning of last year, Luck leads all QBs in turnovers. EManning had terrible mental mistakes that probably cost his team two wins this year. He faced similar body language criticism as Cutler prior to winning. And if not for two historically great catches, he could easily be winless in Super Bowls. Pretty sure the Giants barely qualified both times, too. Carson Palmer was considered a flop as the number one overall pick. He was run out of Cincy. He was dumped by Oakland. Now he's 15-2 in his last 17 starts. Incidentally, he threw a terrible INT right before the half last week that could have cut the Bears deficit to four before halftime (or tied the game if they had capitalized on the muffed punt). Alex Smith threw an equally bad INT before half time of the Thursday night game the week before that helped Denver get back into the game. The list goes on. I don't think Cutler is great. He's overpaid. But, he's way better than most guys out there. And, if you look at the list of QBs who have started in the super bowl, there are quite a few who are not anywhere near elite. Mark Rypien. Neil ODonnell. Stan Humphries. Rex Grossman. David Woodley. Tony Eason. Doug Williams. Ron Jawlrski. Vince Ferragamo. Jim Plunkett. Craig Morton. Jim McMahon. Etc. http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2015/9/24...k-bears-history

In season now, Bears, Sox, and Illini. No real reason for me to follow sports right now. And I don't usually get invested in NHL and NBA until January.

So, the criticism of Cutler usually centers around interceptions. I'm not a Cutler apologist (in fact, I'm never comfortable with him in the game), but I believe most of the angst related to Cutler is anecdotal. We're Bears fans, so we live and die with every game. Ever mistake is magnified. Successes are mere interludes between mistakes. And if we're not Bears fans, then we take joy in the misery that happens with Jay under center. However, I feel like, with few exceptions, there really aren't many significantly better options at QB available. People like to point out Cutler's salary, but I think that just comes with the the position. If we don't pay him, we will have to allot a similar portion of our cap to his replacement. And, unless we stumble into Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady in the draft, how much better off would we really be without Jay. I did a little research to compare Cutler with his contemporaries, some HOFs, and a few QBs who made it to Super Bowls and others who are just household names. Specifically, I'm comparing TD/INT ratios. Since I'm aware that the game has evolved, and the claim for the poor TD/INT ratios put up in earlier eras would be that they threw the ball downfield more in the past, I included some YPA data for Jay and some of the old timers. Keep in mind that I'm not saying Jay is as good as some of the HOF QBs on the list, but I think it's interesting to looks at them statistically. I also find the numbers of some of his critics in the media (Dilfer, Jaws, Bradshaw, Aikman, et al) to be a little surprising considering how much they like to talk about ball security and decision making. Anyway, take a look. Cutler TD/INT 1.40 - YPA 7.2 Super Bowl QBs Favre 1.51 - 7.1 Jaworski 1.09 - 6.8 Brad Johnson 1.36 Kelly 1.35 - 7.4 Marino 1.67 - 7.3 McNair 1.46 Montana 1.96 - 7.5 McMahon 1.11 Plunkett 0.83. - 7.0 PSimms 1.27 - 7.2 Stabler 0.87 - 7.4 Staubach 1.40 - 7.7 Tarkenton 1.29 - 7.3 Theisman 1.16 - 7.0 Namath 0.79 - 7.4 Warner 1.63 - 7.9 Young 2.17 - 8.0 Hasselbeck 1.37 Bradshaw 1.01 - 7.2 Aikman 1.17 - 7.0 Bledsoe 1.22 Dilfer 0.88 Esiason 1.34 - 7.3 Elway 1.33 - 7.1 Culpepper 1.41 Brunell 1.69 Moon 1.25 - 7.2 JGeorge 1.36 McNabb 2.0 Contemporaries Luck 1.96 Palmer 1.48 Eli Manning 1.41 Rivers 2.05 Roethlisberger 1.93 CNewton 1.51 Dalton 1.58 Flacco 1.61 Kaepernick 2.48 JMcCown 1.03 Romo 2.19 Ryan 1.98 ASmith 1.66 Vick 1.50

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 20, 2015 -> 08:25 PM) Yeah I was hoping he just got tired. I'd love to hear that he played poorly because he got tired.