Same Old Bears? Say It Aint So!

Godfrey Logan outsideanalysis.com

 

Yes it is the pre season but what they’re saying in the city is the Bears aren’t any better. Is it possibly because though the scheme maybe different it can’t get the stink off the last two seasons? I’m hoping for a 10-6 season but even if this team was good the first nine weeks are a beast.Except for the Chiefs, Raiders and Vikings the Bears could start off at 3-6. I’m not one to scream at the schedule makers. It’s a job I’d love to have myself but what the hell man? Anyone would be lucky just to go .500 through that that stretch of games. The rest of the season offers no help and it’s possible this team could go 3-13 with the only wins coming from the Vikings twice and the Raiders. As they say any given Sunday… It was about this time we were told we would see some return from the losing seasons of the Cubs. I think this year they’re going to have to charge it to the game. As badly as the team played in a victory no less Cutler would do his best to get out of Chicago faster than Brandon Marshall and that was via trade. We’re still getting comments back from him about the state of the locker room during his time here and players still on the team call bull s**t on it. I don’t see Cutler’s departing via trade. No one I’ve talked to wants him. Even Jerry Angelo the man who brought him here ranks him in the twenties among other NFL QB’s. Granted he’s had two different head coaches and I’ve lost count of offensive coordinators and offensive systems he’s been in since his arrival. But even in the second preseason game against Indianapolis it was Jimmy Claussen bring home the win. This team is starting to remind me of the Detroit Lions of 2008 who win all of their pre season games and then lose every game in the regular season. AT this point schedule and all I think this group of Bears will be truly lucky to end the 2015- 2016 season at 7-9. That might even include benching Cutler for Claussen. And 7-9 will be lucky given that our #1 pick Kevin White might be done for the season with successful shin surgery. Some say the Bears knew about the injury pre draft because he was working out so hard to get himself drafted. Personally, I’d rather have a healthy Brandon Marshall but I don’t think many in the locker room would have that. It might have been the best time for him to move on but he’s not in any better shape considering the Jets starting QB just got his jaw broken in a fight with a former teammate who is now with the Buffalo Bills. I’d think the last person anyone would want getting into a fight is the team’s signal caller. Ah well that’s their problem. The Bear had two teams put up 50 plus points on them last season and with the criticism the new defense is getting that might be a likely scenario again this year though for all the Packers haters in Chicago there is great relief (nothing personal of course) that Jordie Nelson is down for the season. However if the Packers make the playoffs and Nelson is ready by then I’d be very afraid whichever team has to face them in the first round. The fact that there is a new regime in Chicago does nothing to mollify the fan base because we just went through a short lived regime that had nothing to show for it but the worst of the worst. There was some pedigree behind that regime too but it all got wiped after two years and an unprofessional and unceremonious release of Brian Urlacher. No one in Chicago was happy about that. I’d say that had some play in letting the last regime go including the GM. It’s going to be a few seasons and favorable scheduling before the Bears are even what level Lovie Smith had them. So here’s to the Cubs doing something special and Patrick Kane staying out of jail.

Second Half Much Like The First

July 25, 2015 Godfrey Logan Leave a comment

Predictions are just that prediction of what might or might not happen. In my years the predictions have hardly been whether or not the Cubs contend regardless of who they have on the field. Usually they don’t. Then there is the talk of how much they’ve built up the farm system or whichever new star they have stashed away, predicted to be the second coming of somebody. How long will it take for Starlin Castro to get the next manager fired? And or when are we going to trade him? This years prediction in Chicago had the White Sox finishing ahead of the Cubs but Adam Laroche has turned into Adam Dunne. If Robin Ventura wasn’t a fan favorite he’d have been gone weeks ago. I’m a big fan of his since his days playing in Chicago but hey I’m not a White Sox fan. I predicted the Cubs would be in the middle of the pack right where they are. But with all of this fan fare about the youngsters being the future I have to say those in charge should know better by now.
The second half of the season has started out much like the first half. Losing games they should win and having to listen to Cardinal fans with their feint praise while their no name bunch is whooping up on everyone. The Cubs are better than the Pirates who have left us behind. We should be where they are now though no one will catch the Cardinals. With some of the embarrassing losses to St. Louis you hope it leaves a bad enough taste that they can return the favor next season. Again with the next season. Otherwise leave it to the oddball playoff system to extend the season by one game. There will be a point where we will have to stop talking about the age or experience of the players. The season is long enough to go through every scenario highs and lows. But every team at some point and in almost every sport gets it together long enough to make a run. Whether it is because of the schedule or in the Chicago the weather.
One other predictor fans use to decide on their team’s fate is their free agent signings. Let it be said that Chicago is a city where careers come to die unless you’re moved by mid season in a three team trade having to eat some of his mega contract. Yes I’m talking about Jon Lester. I don’t believe pitching is our problem as they’ve finally shored up the bull pen. But all of the chatter is about trading for pitching. Realistically the Cubs need a bat and more than one. San Diego’s Justin Upton is the best rent a player that comes to mind. for some reason this guy doesn’t stick with whatever team gets him but he is very productive for whomever he plays for. Maybe adding him as a veteran presence and keeping him around for that reason might get this team going in the right direction. They didn’t need to hire Joe Maddon to put them in this position of middle of the pack. And if you’re counting this is Starlin Castro’s fourth manager.
It gets frustrating to write these pieces with such bitterness. I grew up with the lovable losers with Harry Caray making their games bearable. Now they’ve dropped the lovable part but they haven’t dropped the losing or the incredible ways to do just that (do I need to bring up 2003, 07, 08?). We are in the post Tribune Company ownership period. And like the Cubs are wont to do they try to make a splash that has nothing to do with the players on the field. With a team struggling to score runs is it necessary to put up a Jumbo-Tron or build up the outfield bleachers which might not even fill up once the team is officially out of the race?
Admittedly the future is bright for this team but unless your team is in St. Louis or New York you don’t know the word consistency and it is what we as Cub fans are hoping for. Many of our fans moved south after 2005 and that ball club has made what, one post season appearance since then. You look at the BlackHawks a team left on the pile of history has risen like a phoenix and haven’t leveled off yet. Proof positive it can be done. They have the nucleus like the ‘Hawks have and the brains to put a run together. One ten game winning streak is a good start. These are kids who have dreamed of playing baseball their whole lives. That cannot be said for many players in the league who are in it for the money. Why else would Aramis Ramirez leave Chicago for Milwaukee in 2011? Chicago is a city of winners. Good football. Good basketball and great hockey. But baseball is where the good and great end unless you’re talking about history. Yet there’s nearly 200 years of losing. Let’s start the second half fresh like the first half never happened and let my next piece be about this being the year.

outsideanalysis.com

New Low For Cubs

July 26, 2015 Godfrey Logan Leave a comment

So a day after hoping, pleading for the Chicago Cubs to do something special, to prove how good these guys really are, they go out and get no hit. Granted they had the longest streak in baseball without being no hit. Couldn’t they have at least done it on the road or against a team which isn’t the worst in the league?
Now everyone is saying we need to trade for Cole Hammel.
No! We need to trade for a whole new roster! One which remembers the point of the game is to hit the ball.
With hits come runs. With runs come wins which it seems the Cubs have not figured out that equation. So what exactly are the Cubs selling right now?
They fought the roof top owners and won to keep them from seeing their product for free. After Saturday I’d have to say selling out was a good idea. Keep it moving there’s nothing to see here.
Now I’m a positive thinking man.
They’ll figure it out one day. I mean they’ve got Theo Epstein doing his thing right? There’s bound to be a day when the Cubs can celebrate three World Series under the same GM. All of the attention he’s brought to the team and the picks he’s made in the draft are all bearing fruit.
Some of his free agent signings however have made me scratch my head and still with Starlin “my batting average goes down every month after April” Castro doing his disappearance act once again. I don’t know what keeps him on the roster. At least Anthony Rizzo is struggling but will still have quality at bats. There isn’t much to be said to defend this team as within a decade both sides of town have seen a no hitter. One thing I could hold over Sox fans heads when the Cubs are at their worst.
Not anymore.

Outsideanalysis.com

Respect Due The Cubs

August 9, 2015 Godfrey Logan Leave a comment

Well I’ve written a number of times about the Cubs. From their anemic offense to the fact they have yet to play like a playoff bound team even questioning the fact Starlin Castro is still on the team. He is still with the Cubs but I am now ready to give them their due. Back in 2005 the Cubs Manager Dusty Baker was consistently questioned about why he would not drop the strike out prone soon to be former slugger Sammy Sosa in the line up. It was a question that he finally acknowledged and dropped him from his usual three or four spot. Joe Maddon has finally decided he will not be the next manager fired because of Starlin Castro and took him out of the line up altogether. The Cubs have finally gotten over the hump and are playing like they should though many say that they are still ahead of schedule. There’s no such thing in Wrigleyville. When a team looks like it can contend the faithful start up with the this is the year chants. I’m not drinking the Kool Aid just yet. Especially when it took them this long to get to ten games over .500. I’m still not sold on Lester as our ace going in to the playoffs. Some of that big money he got to come here is probably getting to his head. Jake Arrieta is the one I’d give the ball to in a one game playoff type situation. And not to be too much of a downer will Kyle Schwarber and the rest of the young stars play like this next year? We are still in a division where the Cardinals are the standard bearers. Any world series title will have to go through St. Louis and they look as dominant as I’ve ever seen them.
Still the Cubs are 61-48 and whatever they do with Castro now he knows there’ll be no more blaming his mistakes on his youth. I’d been told many time this was his last year in a Cub uniform. I feel for the kid because he’s talented and he’s seen his share of losing seasons. And you never want to see your team take off while you’re on the bench. All kind of thoughts start to swirl. With the Cubs being a National League team at best he’d be relegated to pinch hitting if this benching keeps on. Thoughts of being traded are swishing around in your head. Maybe some anger at the manager who made the choice to bench you. This wasn’t a decision that came down from on high. This shows Joe Maddons true value after thinking for some time anyone can manage a .500 level team.

Outsideanalysis.com

What Now Cubs?

Outside Ananlysis 6/30/15

They embarked on an ambitious plan to rebuild not only the team but the stadium. They've done both but have given fans little to rejoice over. Sure a winning record will bring bring the boys to the yard but eventually excuses over a team that has played little time together on the top level will get played out if they miss the playoffs AGAIN. There is a great future for these youngsters but with an effort that was mainly focused on putting together a glut of position players and a manager who has seen the big stage with the Devil Rays and has yet to blow up like many a manager would have by this point on the merry go round, the talk now is about a need for pitching. The Cubs acquired the top free agent pitcher and have put together a quality pitching staff but where I see the trouble is with a team that is about the long ball and that's all. The pitching isn't the problem though it has been lately but when this team has leads they don't have the arms to hold it. Then the trouble of youth comes into play in that they are making a lot of errors including Starlin Castro who has caused a manager or two to lose their jobs and is still dealing with his attention deficit. The Cubs are four games over .500 though they were up to their high water mark of nine games over before they split with the Dodgers and slept walked their way through ST. Louis. What can they do now? They have no strengths that anyone can look at and say they would pick this team to win a one game playoff. Again it's wait until next year. By then the entire ball park will have been rebuilt and perhaps they will take off like the Cardinals have done this year. That team isn't even in the Major Leagues anymore. A league of their own for real. If you're in Chicago this is an annoying refrain unless you're a Blackhawks fan then you wonder when the baseball teams will follow their lead? After all their President & CEO John McDonough worked with the Cubs before joining the hockey club and look where they are now.

If you remember, I wanted them to draft Beasley not Rose.  Beasley did not become the player I expected him to become.  Thus, it appears Rose was the better pick.  But since Rose's injury, I have lost faith in him.  His first step is not as fast, he doesn't have a jump shot, and he can't stay healthy.  For three years we have waited for him to be healthy, and at this point, there cannot be any excuses.  I agree, trade Rose for whatever you can get.  Keep Butler.  The Bulls are starting to Age, and I hope they keep the coach. He is NOT the problem.  I understand he plays like 8 players a lot, but the Bulls need depth for him to utilize the bench.  The Bulls would not have made the playoffs even in the weak East unless he played his better players.  And honestly, does he play them more than the other teams?  maybe the Spurs, but they are quite old.  But the Spurs run has come to an end, and they will go through some years of rebuilding now.

Honestly, I am surprised the Bulls beat Cleveland twice.  Where they should have won was game 4 in Chicago, they BLEW that.  Had they gone up 3-1, they still would have lost.  Cleveland is better, and I am not a CAVs fan, Browns, Cubs, Bulls, and Blackhawks.  Those are my teams...

Bears Pick Like They Mean It. Outside Analysis May 5 2015

The Bears picked pretty much as they did in 2014 but with a serious intent to win. Once again I tout Chicago as the capitol of the sports world right now though the Cubs are doing their best to ruin the party. But to focus on the Bears and the city's new stars. All of the talking heads say the Bears will not make the playoffs in 2015 but they are going ahead as if they plan to compete. The "Administration" at Halas Hall knows that they have quite a task ahead with the murderous schedule. The Bears face Green Bay twice including a Thanksgiving day date and some honor of Brett Favre. An upgraded Detroit team twice. Arizona, Seattle and Denver to name a few. An 8-8 result is the best guess for the Bears especially inserting a new defense. I say don't count them out.

Still there was a question of why a quarterback wasn't drafted. Never mind the chatter of a trade of Cutler and let's not get me started again with the trade of Brandon Marshall. I like the idea of drafting a rb in the fourth round and a two running back system. While I am not a Matt Forte fan at all and would rather see another back in the backfield it is certainly better than the Kadeem Carey pick last year. Among a number of bad picks including the David Fales pick who should have gotten the start when Cutler was benched.

All of the trade Cutler talk has been conjecture. There was also word of Martellus Bennett being traded and avoiding training camp unless he gets a new contract. Again conjecture. "The Administration" has been quiet over the city which put the other city teams on the front page. Bulls and Black Hawks in the playoffs and of course baseball season.

John Fox's Bears can be better than Lovie Smith's teams. A complete purge of years of bad moves which in the end make the Bears a better team. Cutlers contract makes him hard to move but there's hardly anyone to replace him. Face it Chicago he's our man. I'm not complaining. I don't put the failures of past years on him. The man has many failings but a career year still. Questioning the Brandon Marshall pick is more about the cohesion of a very successful receiving core and needing to have an equal to Alshon Jeffery. That cohesion will be at the core of this offense.

The draft certainly put the Bears towards a cohesion they can win with but needing to put young players into a play now mode might bring out the ogre again in Cutler. Walking away from his OC on national TV. That'll get him traded faster. But he's not your problem. They keep changing coaches for a reason. That reason isn't totally on Cutler. Chicago isn't unlike any other corporation. Leaks and the like. Who might be traded Who might not be back. Who wants a new contract. Since no one has lit up twitter with any substantive content no one knows what the new Bears will be like. The future is bright for this team. They drafted like they meant it.