CSF

Final Score Arizona D-Backs: 9 "The Chosen Ones": donut

503 feet! Now that's a home run!

The Sexson shot hasn't landed yet!

And the D-Backs have the Unit staked to a 2-0 lead. Make it stand, Big Unit! :fthecubs

Halladay pitched yesterday, so more than likely, yup. Of course if he wants to pitch on 3 days rest against the Twinkies, I have no problem with that. BTW, Jays won 6-1. We're a half game out of 1st.

Who knows, the Sox may get lucky with Lilly. Now Halladay, that's an entirely different story.... :puke

The game is in the bottom of the 8th inning, and so far Ted Lilly's given up 2 hits (one being a Michael Cuddyer homer), but if they win, the Sox will only be a half game out of 1st. I know, kinda early, but 1st place is 1st place.

Harris' weak bat cause for concern By Mike Spellman Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted Monday, April 26, 2004 Lack of production at the top of the White Sox batting order - particularly from second baseman Willie Harris - tops the list of concerns of both general manager Kenny Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen. Harris, who was named the starting second baseman and leadoff man late in spring training, saw his batting average plunge to .208 entering Sunday's game against Tampa Bay thanks to a 1-for-18 stretch. He moved his average well north of the Mendoza line Sunday by going 3-for-4, including a double. "It's not too early (to worry). Willie needs to pick it up," Williams said. "It's not a news flash. He knows it. He's been told that." With a lineup that ranks second in the AL with 23 home runs, Guillen said it would be nice for the Sox to have a few runners on base before the big boys get to the plate. "I'm not worried, I'm just concerned," Guillen said. "I want to have a better performance from the leadoff hitter because the guys we have behind him, they're going to do some damage. We've got 4 or 5 solo home runs. It would be nice to have a couple guys on base for those guys." It certainly couldn't have been a boost for Harris to see Tampa leadoff man Carl Crawford tearing it up against the White Sox all weekend. The speedy Crawford tied a team record with 3 stolen bases in Saturday's game. "This kid can be one of the best players in the American League pretty soon," Guillen said. "He reminds me of Ken Griffey Jr., but with more enthusiasm. He's going to be special." No room in the pen: While absence may make the heart grow fonder, it doesn't necessarily guarantee anyone a roster spot. Just ask Sox reliever Kelly Wuensch, who is currently rehabbing an inflamed teres minor muscle in Charlotte. Kenny Williams indicated Sunday that when Wuensch is ready return in a few weeks, there may not be room for him in a Sox bullpen that ranks third in the AL with a 3.20 ERA. "The bullpen is really shaping up to where we think it's going to be a plus on this club," Williams said. "If we can get Bill (Koch) back to being the old Billy or even close, we're going to be that much better. "Neal Cotts has come in and done a heck of a job from the left side. He faces left-handers and right-handers and does each equally as well. Right now there isn't a spot for (Wuensch). That's the way it goes sometimes." Rules of engagement: Ozzie Guillen understands the game of retaliation. That's why he wasn't too upset Saturday when Tampa Bay's Doug Waechter hit Frank Thomas an inning after Danny Wright had plunked Devil Rays leadoff man Carl Crawford. "Lou (Piniella) did what he was supposed to do," Guillen said. "If that was the opposite, believe me, I would do it too. When my pitchers are involved, I make the call. That's why I went to the mound (after Crawford was hit). I asked Danny (if it was on purpose). He said, 'No, no.' "We had meetings in spring training. I said if you want to hit somebody because they're kicking your butt, well, you're going to go out there and fight by yourself. I'm not going to have one of my players hurt because you got mad. If somebody does something disrespectful or unprofessional, drill the guy. But don't drill people just because you're mad. Get him out."

Hawk said Mariotti takes snippets and tidbits from other reporters in making his arguments as well. I guess going straight to the horse's mouth is too much work. Maybe because Mariotti is persona non grata at 35th and Shields.

Don't forget Koch's meltdown vs KC with a 3 run lead. Fortunately, the hitters picked him up and won that game!

So 3 runs through 7 innings is a decline? I'll take those declining numbers then. Lugo's triple could have just as easily been an out if Rowand is about a foot closer, if that. Buerhle gave up 2 solo shots to Huff and Hall, and Crawford's run in the 1st was due to his baserunning. Rather than that, Buerhle looked good out there.

For all the crap he receives for bad deals and such, he seems to be pretty accesible. I thought last year when he shaved his head when the team won like 5 or 7 in a row shows that he's in touch with this team and doesn't try to make it a players vs. management type of standpoint.

I came in towards the middle of his interview with the Score's Jessie Rogers, but here's some of what I heard: He said Koch would be fine, that his attitude was different this year than from 2003. He said Koch would be worried if he walked a batter if JM was gonna give him the hook, but has relaxed a bit. The Score interview Koch had with Mike North after he blew the KC game (which the Sox came back and won) showed that. He also said among other things, that Adkins could also be closing a few games before this year is up and said he fares quite well vs righties. Both he and Jessie Rogers spent the last 5 minutes pretty much bashing Kotex Boy for his constant negativity. Rogers brought up the point that nobody talks about the ballpark food (which he said was best in the majors) or the park renovations or the statue honoring Comiskey. And if they do, there has to be a negative spin to it as well. Hawk basically said that Mariotti knows nothing about baseball and he hasn't seen Mariotti at a game in the last 6-7 years. He said he knows Mariotti will continue to rip him, Reinsdorf, and the organization. Rogers said it seemed like Mariotti "had an agenda". Hawk also said that Mike Lupica used to do the same thing to Steinbrenner. Hawk ended it with calling Mariotti a fraud. I truly think this is but a minor cog in the Sox eventual move from ESPN 1000 back to 670 AM.

Thank you, thank you. ***takes a bow***

Me too. What a great show that was.

3-0 top of the 6th. He also has 11 K's.

Profile of Bears 5th round pick (148) Craig Krenzel :banghead Prospect Profiles Craig Krenzel Position: Quarterback College: Ohio State Height: 6-3 Weight: 227 Hometown: Sterling Heights, Ohio Analysis | Agility | High School | Personal OVERVIEW An outstanding leader and winner in every sense of the word … Tough, smart and competitive … Completed his second year as the starting quarterback, boasting a 24-3 record as a starter … Completed 329 of 579 passes (56.8 percent) for 4,493 yards, 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 35 games … His 4,493 yards rank eighth on the school's career-record list … Added 604 yards and six scores on 251 carries (2.4 avg.) … Amassed 5,097 yards in total offense, the ninth-best total in school annals. ANALYSIS Positives: Good field leader with average body tone and adequate muscle development … Will stand tall in the pocket and take a hit (not afraid to run with the ball) … Bright student who is very focused on the field … Shows quickness on the move and the ability to throw coming out of the pocket … Has an adequate set-up and release … Uses good judgement on his throws and will not force the ball into traffic … Has the short-area speed to pull the ball down and run with it. Negatives: More of a camp player, who may have the size and speed of a pro quarterback, but lacks the intangibles to be considered more than backup material at the next level … Has good quickness, but looks to run more often than standing tall in the pocket (is not afraid to take a hit, though) … Not real fast getting the ball off, lacking the wrist flick to air it out … Very inconsistent on his short tosses, missing screens and curls often … Lacks timing on his deep throws (does not lead his receivers in stride) … Needs to do a better job of scanning the field to find his secondary targets (must use his hot reads better). AGILITY TESTS 4.82 in the 40-yard dash … 320-pound bench press … 430-pound squat … 300-pound power clean … 31-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-6 broad jump … 4.04 in the 20-yard shuttle … 33 1/8-inch arm length … 8¾-inch hands … Ambidextrous. HIGH SCHOOL Attended Henry Ford II (Sterling Heights, Mich.) High, playing football for coach Terry Copacia … Completed 60 percent of his passes and threw for 1,760 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior, earning USA Today honorable mention All-America accolades that year. PERSONAL Molecular Genetics major, earning national, conference and school academic honors … Son of Allen and Debbie Krenzel … Older brother, Brian, played football at Duke and is now in medical school at Louisville … Would like to attend medical school after his career is over at Ohio State (he and Brian would be the first two medical doctors in the family) … Spent this past summer (2003) doing medical research at the OSU Medical Center … Became engaged this past summer to Beth Barr, an OSU senior … Born July 1, 1981 … Resides in Sterling Heights, Mich. Courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com, Powered by The Sports Xchange

Profile of Bears other 4th round pick (112) Leon Joe: Prospect Profiles Leon Joe Position: Outside/Inside Linebacker College: Maryland Height: 5-11 Weight: 232 Hometown: Fort Washington, Md. Analysis | Agility | High School | Personal OVERVIEW An athletic linebacker who was one of the most underrated players in the country the last few years … An outstanding sideline-to-sideline player from his "Will" (weakside) linebacker position, he was also Iron Terp (honor bestowed on top performers in the team's offseason conditioning program), who is the strongest linebacker on the team and posted the highest strength index ever by a Terp linebacker (785) in 2002 … He also owns the Terp record for bench press (475 pounds) and vertical jump (41 inches) by a linebacker … In 48 games, he recorded 322 tackles (200 solos) with three sacks for minus-23 yards, 22½ stops for losses of 61 yards, 25 quarterback pressures, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, two interceptions and five pass deflections while starting his final 37 contests. ANALYSIS Positives: Has a compact, yet muscular frame with above-average quickness, body control and change-of-direction agility … Makes up for a lack of instant ball recognition skills with his physical ability … Shows the speed needed to reach the outside to take down ball carriers … Has a sudden burst and takes proper angles when closing … Has the lateral agility and leg drive to work around the piles … Has the speed to cover tight ends and ball carriers beyond the short area … Has adequate hip flexibility in his pass drops, showing the foot speed and agility to come out of his backpedal without gathering himself … Will look up crossers (receivers on crossing patterns) and shows quickness to react to the switch-off in the zone … Effective blitzer with the speed off the corner to outmaneuver blocker. Negatives: Lacks ideal height … Late to react when asked to break down plays … Despite his awesome weight room power, it does not translate to the field (struggles to take on and shed blockers) … Shows marginal hand usage to maintain position on receivers in the short zone … Does a poor job of anticipating the receiver's routes, but compensates with quickness to recover … Can get past blockers, but lacks pass-rush moves in attempts to get to the quarterback (poor hand usage shows in his marginal ability to deliver good swim moves) … Tries to overpower blockers too much and rather than shed, he tries to use his forearm flipper to split double teams, resulting in rush lanes opening for the runner … Because of his lack of bulk, he gets washed out quite a bit vs. the larger blockers … Could possibly move to strong safety due to his quickness, but his inability to recognize routes could pose a big problem there. AGILITY TESTS 4.43 in the 40-yard dash (indoor track) … 4.6 in the 40-yard dash (outdoors) … 475-pound bench press … 615-pound squat … 363-pound power clean … 41-inch vertical jump. HIGH SCHOOL Attended Friendly (Fort Washington, Md.) High, playing both outside and inside linebacker as a senior, recording 165 total tackles (88 solos) and 10 sacks … As a fullback, he averaged 10 yards per carry in limited attempts … Scored four touchdowns, including a 95-yarder in the state semifinals … Helped spearhead Friendly to the county's first Maryland state title in 10 years … FHS went 13-0, won the 3A state championship and finished the season with a final ranking of No. 3 by the Washington Post … All-Region selection by Super Prep and Prep Star … Rated the No. 3 linebacker in the state by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming entering his senior year … First-team all-county selection as a junior when he played strictly outside linebacker. Friendly went 10-2 and advanced to the state semi-finals … Also an outstanding sprinter on the track team. PERSONAL Criminal Justice major … Son of Leslie Bishop-Joe and Clarence Joe … Born Leon Maurice Joe on Oct. 26, 1981 … Resides in Fort Washington, Md. Courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com, Powered by The Sports Xchange.

Profile on Bears 4th round pick (110) Nathan Vasher: Prospect Profiles Nathan Vasher Position: Cornerback/Punt Returner College: Texas Height: 5-10 Weight: 177 Hometown: Texarkana, Texas Analysis | Agility | High School | Personal OVERVIEW Speedy, versatile and explosive athlete who was one of the nation's top cornerbacks and punt returners … Began his career at cornerback and nickel back, moving to strong safety as a sophomore before shifting back to cornerback in his junior campaign … An All-American punt returner in 2001, he started 38 of 47 games during his career … Recorded 152 tackles (117 solos) with a pair of sacks for minus-9 yards and 15 stops for losses of 43 yards … Caused and recovered two fumbles … Holds the school career-record with 64 pass deflections, breaking the old mark of 57 by Quentin Jammer (1997-2001) … Intercepted 17 passes, tying Noble Doss (1939-41) as the school's record-holder … Returned 94 punts for 1,314 yards (14.0 avg) and a pair of touchdowns, breaking the previous Texas all-time record of 1,076 yards by Eric Metcalf (1985-88) … His 1,314 punt-return yards rank third in Big 12 Conference history … Added 58 yards on two kickoff returns (29.0 avg). ANALYSIS Positives: Has a lean, yet developed frame with solid muscles in the lower body and room to add more bulk (185-pound potential) … Has good deep coverage skills and, despite his size, delivers a strong hand punch to reroute receivers … Knows how to get on the receiver's hip and mirror the opponent through his pattern … Has a quick backpedal, staying in control while showing smoothness in his turn and run … Has the ability to squeeze the field and break on the ball in zone coverage … Makes a play on the ball with his body adjustments and hip flexibility … Has the range and catch-up speed to accelerate out of his breaks … Times the ball properly and will extend to catch it outside the body's frame … Aggressive player who will not hesitate to fill the rush lanes … Reliable tackler who will get into position before striking … Reliable punt returner who uses his burst to gain yards. Negatives: While he shows aggression in run support, he lacks the size and strength to prevent blockers from riding him out and leveling him when working in the piles … Not always quick to make proper reads and locate the ball (might have a learning disability) … Can read the quarterback and receiver, but will still bite on play-action and misdirection … Has good leaping ability, but because of his size, he generally will get outjumped by the taller receivers … Has been effective intercepting the pass, but lacks natural hands (too small), resulting in potential thefts becoming pass breakups … Needs to play in a system where he can freelance and attack the ball (looks uncomfortable in a complicated defensive formation — see Senior Bowl performance). AGILITY TESTS 4.48 in the 40-yard dash … 275-pound bench press … 405-pound squat … 256-pound power clean … 35½-inch vertical jump … 30 5/8-inch arm length … 8½-inch hands … Right-handed. HIGH SCHOOL Attended Texas (Texarkana, Texas) High, playing football for coach Barry Norton … Played wide receiver and cornerback … Earned first-team Texas 4A all-state (Texas Sportswriters Association) honors on offense and defense as a senior … Also named to the 1999 first-team all-state (Associated Press) squad as a cornerback … Posted 106 tackles, six interceptions, two sacks and three forced fumbles in 1999 … Added 52 receptions for 837 yards and 12 touchdowns … Ran for a touchdown and threw for another against Corsicana in the first round of the 1999 state playoffs … Lettered three seasons each in basketball and track, and played eight seasons of youth soccer … Honor Roll student. PERSONAL Liberal arts major … Very active in UT's community service program, serving as a mentor at local elementary schools and volunteers time at his local Boys Club … Nicknamed "ESPN3" … Cousin, Randy Garner, was a defensive end at Arkansas … Born Nathanael DeWayne Vasher on Nov. 17, 1981, in Wichita Falls, Texas … Resides in Texarkana, Texas. Courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com, Powered by The Sports Xchange

Prospect Profiles Claude Harriott Position: Defensive End College: Pittsburgh Height: 6-3 Weight: 271 Hometown: Belle Glade, Fla. Analysis | Agility | High School | Personal OVERVIEW Typifies the new breed of lean, long and lightning-fast defensive ends … Cut in the same physical and athletic mold as a Jevon Kearse and Terrell Suggs, he can be a disruptive force once he applies himself … "Claude is just a really special football player," defensive ends coach Charlie Partridge said. "He brings so much to our football team. The thing about Claude that separates him from other guys with his kind of talent is that he keeps trying to improve everyday." … In 47 games, he recorded 154 tackles (94 solos) with 13½ sacks for minus-106 yards, 35 stops for losses of 156 yards, 32 quarterback pressures, nine forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 10 pass deflections and a blocked kick. ANALYSIS Positives: Hard upfield pass rusher who is quick off the snap … Has an adequate feel for blocks and can be productive on stunts … Can redirect inside with an explosive initial step and comes off the ball with good body lean, showing the explosion needed to pressure the pocket … Plays with leverage, keeping his shoulders squared when moving laterally … Active in pursuit, using his power to get through traffic well … Comes hard off the edge, showing good shiftiness in his attack … Flashes cat-like quickness and good reaction movements when given room to operate … Uses his hands well, displaying a quick overhand move when generating a bull rush. Negatives: More move-oriented, as he does not work through contact with power at times … Struggles to anchor and read vs. the run (gets washed out too much as he tries to overpower the blocker, rather than execute proper rip and club moves) … Has a problem defeating blocks vs. the larger foes, as he does not have the bulk needed to prevent from getting engulfed and re-directed … Plays out of control at times and can be ridden wide too easily … For all of his athletic ability, he just seems to go through the motions, taking time off for long stretches … Not a student of the game (needs to be pushed to do the extra things needed to succeed) … Needs to play with better hand usage, as he short arms too much, allowing blockers to cut him at his feet … Question his work ethic and dedication (regressed considerably in 2003). AGILITY TESTS 4.79 in the 40-yard dash … 350-pound bench press. HIGH SCHOOL Attended Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.) High, playing football for coach Milton Watson … Palm Beach County Defensive Player of the Year (all divisions), adding first-team all-area, all-district and all-county honors, in addition to second-team All-Florida, Palm Beach County/Outback Steak House All-Star Team and honorable mention all-state as a junior … Had 100 tackles as a senior, including 12 sacks … Blocked four punts, returning one for a touchdown … Led the team to the 1998 state 4A championship … Team went to the state title game each of his last two seasons and had a combined 27-2 (.931) mark … Earned two letters in football and also lettered three times in track, twice in basketball and once in wrestling … National Honor Society, Honor Roll, Citizen's Award and Perfect Attendance Award recipient. PERSONAL Communication and Rhetoric major … Son of Cecelia and Desmond Hilliard … Brother, Sheldon, played football at Tri-State University … Born Claude Desmond Harriott on April 8, 1981 … Resides in Belle Glade, Fla. Courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com, Powered by The Sports Xchange

Bernard Berrian Position: Wide Receiver/Return Specialist College: Fresno State Height: 6-1 Weight: 183 Hometown: Winton, Calif. Analysis | Agility | High School | Personal OVERVIEW Exciting big-play artist, whether it is catching the ball, returning kickoffs and punts or coming out of the backfield on reverses … Has game-breaking speed and fantastic leaping ability … Sat out most of the 2002 season after suffering a knee sprain in the season opener versus Wisconsin, but came back strong with a solid senior campaign … Started 40 of 49 games for the Bulldogs, catching 199 passes for 2,849 yards (14.3 avg.) and 25 touchdowns … Only Rodney Wright (222, 1998-2001) had more receptions in FSU annals … His 2,849 yards are topped only by Henry Ellard (2,947, 1979-82), Brian Roberson (2,956, 1993-96), Wright (3,274) and Charlie Jones (3,344, 1992-95) on the school's career-record list … His 25 scoring grabs equaled the team's all-time record, first set by Ellard and matched by Jones … Returned 68 kickoffs for 1,571 yards (23.1 avg.) and a touchdown … His 68 returns tied the school career record, first set by Kevin Means (1989-91), while only Means (1,670) and David Dunn (1,639, 1993-94) gained more yards in FSU history … Returned 99 punts for 1,144 yards (11.6 avg.) and three touchdowns, shattering the previous Bulldogs' records of 71 returns by Mike White (1966-69) and 675 yards by Brian Roberson (1993-96) … His 1,144 punt-return yards rank fifth all-time in Western Athletic Conference annals … Added 264 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries (12.6 avg.) … Touched the ball for a total of 387 times during his career, gaining 5,828 all-purpose yards with 31 touchdowns, topping the old school all-time record of 4,425 all-purpose yards by Rodney Wright (1998-2001) … His 5,828 yards are topped only by Colorado State's Steve Bartalo (5,962, 1983-86), LaDainian Tomlinson of Texas Christian (6,337, 1997-2000) and New Mexico's Terance Mathis (6,691, 1985-87, 89) on the WAC's career-record chart. ANALYSIS Positives: Split high with long legs, tight skin and high calves with the potential to add another 10 pounds to his frame … Immediately defeats the cushion once he gets off his release, showing the quick feet, sure hands and speed to effectively beat the jam … Good route runner in both man and zone coverage, showing the ability to avoid the defender and find the holes with his smooth weaving, quick transition and acceleration through his speed cuts … Has outstanding field awareness, settling instinctively as he slides to create lanes and carry depth in his routes … Sinks his hips to gain his burst after the catch in the open … Very alert of the sidelines and chains, knowing how to squeeze and fit through the defense and take hits going for the ball in traffic … Good extension to pluck the ball at its high point … Shows very good concentration catching in a crowd, protecting the ball securely with his body … Has the height and speed to be an effective deep threat, as he gets down field quickly and can track, adjust and jump for the ball over defenders … Has a knack for locating the ball on a late read or with his back to the quarterback and will not hesitate to make a play on a tipped pass … Very strong and difficult to bring down in isolated coverage, as his burst and elusiveness will generally make the first tackler miss … Has a quick change of direction with an outstanding second gear burst … Performs in the clutch and plays the game with great passion. Negatives: Tough player, but has had several injuries that could draw durability issues … Has explosion in his routes, but will take false steps and be a little late getting his release off the ball (quickly eats up the cushion once into his routes) … Struggles to get to the low ball … Prefers to body catch, resulting in some double catches … Not a strong blocker, lacking technique, but his willingness is there. AGILITY TESTS 4.42 in the 40-yard dash … 305-pound bench press … 405-pound squat … 280-pound power clean … 195-pound snatch … 38-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-11 broad jump … 4.37 20-yard shuttle … 6.80 three-cone drill … 30½-inch arm length … 9½-inch hands … Ambidextrous. HIGH SCHOOL Attended Atwater (Calif.) High, playing football for coach George Sziraki … Named Modesto Bee Player of the Year of 1998 … Merced Sun-Star all-area selection … Member of the Modesto Bee's all-district team … Cal High All-Northern California team member … Caught 53 passes for 1,276 yards and 16 touchdowns, including a 168-yard performance in the Sac-Joaquin Section championship game against Elk Grove … Also returned kickoffs and punts at AHS. PERSONAL Communications major … Son of Sallie and Joseph Berrian … Brother, Tony, runs track for Arizona State … Born Dec. 27, 1980 … Resides in Winton, Calif. Courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com, Powered by The Sports Xchange

Eli looked like he wanted to cry. I agree with the fact that he should go where he was drafted from, but enough with the booing. Especially if those are New Yorkers doing it. They'll probably be the ones benefitting from it the most.

That's not nice. And mough?