I am a die-hard Cubs fan. I have been a fan for over 40 years, since I was about 11 years old.  The Cubs are in my blood.  I live in New York City.  It's tough to be a Cubs fan in Met country.  A few days ago, someone in my family called me up and offered me a ticket to the first playoff game vs The Dodgers.  I jumped at the chance to see the Cubs in person.  This would entail laying out some bucks for the plane ticket and other expenses, but it was worth it.  I was going to see my Cubbies beat LA. 

Well, I got to Chicago, bought a Cubs tee-shirt and sweatshirt, took home a plastic cup with the Cubs logo on it, but I didn't see the Cubs win. They lost 7-2 on a night when pitcher Ryan Dempster pitched his worst game of the season.

Dempster simply didn't have it. I think he pitched like it was the 7th game of the World Series. He wasn't right all night.

Continue reading "Saw Game 1 at Wrigley Field"

Somebody get me some Bufferin or maybe a beer. The Chicago Cubs lost to the LA Dodgers last night in LA, 3-1, and were quickly swept out of the playoffs. This was a shocking ouster. Most baseball fans and those close to the game, thought the Cubs would go far this year. Instead, Game One's stunning defeat turned into Game two's shocking loss, and Game 3 was a mere formality. The Cubs lost this year, but it wasn't to the Dodgers. It was to the high expectations, and tremendous hype that hung over this club.  "100 years since the team won the last World Series." "This is the year." "The Cubs are loaded."  "They seem to have it all."

I knew it wasn't meant to be when the Dodgers scored two quick runs to lead 2-0 in game 3. The Cubs, who failed to get a clutch hit all playoffs until Darryl Ward's RBI single in the 8th made it a two run deficit. Derrick Lee had a fine game, getting on base all night, but no one drove him home until Ward did. Soriano and Ramirez disappeared all series. The Cubs made the Dodger pitching staff look like Koufax and Drysdale of the 60's.

Continue reading "Cubs Swept in NL Playoffs"

It's great that the Chicago Bears strutted their stuff against a team in disarray like Detroit. Orton threw for un-Bearlike numbers and the offense clicked. The defense has won enough games for this team. I'd like to see the offense come together and make it two in a row on the road this Sunday against the Falcons. If the Bears want to be considered a good team, an upper tier NFL team, they need to win on the road. And, this is the perfect situation.

Sure the Falcons are a much improved team, with a crowd that makes a lot of noise in their domed stadium. Atlanta has Matt Ryan, an up and coming QB, who has been impressive.  Well, if the Bears want to win, they need to keep him off the field. Ball control, throw some play-action passes. Move the team down the field and let the defense rest. I'd like to see the defensive unit come into a game with a 10 point lead. I think they would hold that lead or likely force a turnover.

Continue reading "Bears Need to Win in Atlanta"

The Bears will face a team as fast as them tomorrow. Atlanta has some burners on offense, and the D would like to force a few Orton interceptions. Chicago needs to play within their own limits, and not try to outspeed Atlanta. If the Bears get out of their game, it will likely head for an embarrasing defeat.

This is a game the Bears can win and need to win. If the Bears offensive line controls the Falcons' defensive line, the Bears will give Orton time to look for receivers, and players are more likely to make their blocks. And, the Bears need to win the battle at the line of scrimmage and control the game. If this is done, then it's a win.

It's an early season test, and a good one. I hope the Bears will meet this challenge.

Continue reading "If it's a trackmeet, Bears Will Lose"

The Chicago Bears scored a Touchdown with just 11 seconds left in the 4th quarter to take a 20-19 lead in a tough game down in Atlanta. One would think that for all purposes, this game was over and the Bears stole a victory.

Well, the Bears were'nt done yet.  These Bears are a charitable bunch. If the game isn't over, "We'll give you a chance to win it."  "Come on, take a shot."  Well, the upstart Falcons did just that.

With just 11 seconds to play, QB Matt Ryan drove the team to field goal position, and their kicker made it good on the last play, Bears lose!  This is a typical Bears loss. They bumble and stumble around for 3 quarters, wake up, play some football, make a game out of it, take a late lead in the game, and then give it away before the gun sounds.

Continue reading "Bears Discover New Way to Lose Game, 22-20"

There is good news and not so good news.  The good news is the Chicago Bears scored 48 points in their win over Minnesota on Sunday. The not so good news is they gave up 41 points and still won the game. That is un-bearlike. But a win is a win.  The Bears used 5 turnovers, including 4 interceptions, two touchdowns by the special teams, and a nice pass and catch from Orton to Marty Booker to highlight the win.

Chicago also gave up a ton of yards on the ground and made Gus Ferrote into a reincarnation of Matt Ryan.  I know the Bears have injured secondary players, and their replacements stepped up in the game.  However, when the Vikings got the ball with just over a minute left in the game with no timeouts, I held my breath.  But, the defense made some huge players. Tommie Harris got a sack and on the next play, The Bears intercepted the ball.  Game over.

Continue reading "Bears score 48 points to beat Vikes"

The Chicago Bears won't be in a close game this weekend. The game won't go down to the wire.  The defense, who has been on the field of play at the end of games this season, won't be huffing and puffing this week.  The Bears have a bye.  They won't be playing.  That gives some wounded Bears players some time to mend.  And, they need it.

This season has seen the Bears fritter away close games. Last Sunday, the team made a few plays and won a game.  The Monsters of the Midway host the Detroit Lions a week from Sunday. The Lions are one of the weakest teams in the NFL. A good team should put the game away early. Let's see if Chicago can stake a claim to a team that is coming together and healing from its bruises.  A win would put them on track for a possible playoff berth. A loss would deal a serious blow to any playoff hopes.

Continue reading "Bears Have Bye: Fans Breathe Easy"

The New York Giants scored 12 points to overtake the powerfulhouse Pittsburgh Steelers to win 21-14 on the road, while the New York Jets needed a last minute touchdown to squeeze by the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24 in the Meadowlands.

Two dramatically different performances by New York's pro teams today. The Giants, trailing 14-9 in a bruising battle, tied the game on a botched snap to the punter in the end zone which was called a safety. That play also enabled the Giants to receive the kick from Pittsburgh and Eli Manning and the offense took over and scored a touchdown to take the lead.

The Jets played an inferior opponent who almost came away with an upset that would have stunned the team. Instead, Brett Favre connected on a late TD to bail out himself and his teammates. Favre threw for 3 interceptions, one which went 91 yards for a TD and a 4th quarter Chiefs' lead. Then the Jets woke up and drove down the field and punched one in the end zone to win the game late. Is this what it takes for the Jets?  If this is the case, The Jets are going nowhere, even with the heralded Favre.  He has thrown for 7 interceptions in 3 games. That is not helping your team win.

Continue reading "Giants Are Really Good, Jets are the Jets"

The Chicago Bears will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday and the Bears need to win decisively with no doubt about the outcome.  The Bears can't afford to win the game like the Jets' Houdini act against the Chiefs last week.  If Chicago is for real this season, this game should not be a contest.  If Chicago handles the Lions, it will be 5-3 and contending for the Division lead.  Who is the other contender?  The Packers.  Nuff Said.

If the Bears come out the game unscathed and victorious, their next clash against the Titans will be filled with pre-playoff drama.  The Titans are this year's surprise team of the NFL.  They are coached by Jeff Fischer, former Bears' player under Coach Buddy Ryan.  The Titans have a great defense, just like past Bears' teams.  It's six degrees of separation.  And, you have to shake your head when you hear all the praise that is being heaped upon Tennessee right now. They are good.  If the Bears defense would wake up, that game might be a fierce matchup. 

Continue reading "Bears Must Get Job Done At Home"