The day after Super Bowl 46 is as good a date as any to bring up some of my pet peeves with sports and all that goes around it.
There are many! No doubt, too many for me to list, and remember right now, but here we go!
Watching the Giants beat the Patriots and Tom Brady for the second time in the last four years in the Super Bowl, I have listened all day that Ahman Bradshaw should have gone down at the one yard line, forcing New England to use their last time out so the Pats would not have any time to come back. People wanted the Giants to play for the field goal, forget about going up four points with the touchdown, and rely on your long snapper, holder and kicker to bring another title to the Big Apple.
I'm sorry, but scoring the touchdown was the right call! You are trailing in the game, 17-15. No field goal, no matter how short, is a guarantee. Ask Baltimore and Billy Cundiff.
People and football experts keep bring up Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook going down at the one a few years back. Big difference. The Eagles were leading that game, 10-6 with under two minutes left. The Giants were trailing. Simple as that!
If your team can not stop the opposition, Tom Brady or no Tom Brady, from going 80 yards and scoring a touchdown, you don't deserve to win a Super Bowl.
Speaking of the Big Game, why is it that the networks and the NFL feel we need a 31 minute halftime, and that we need to be entertained by an aging rocker, (Madonna, Springsteen, the Who, etc.), for just this one game of the season, the biggest game of the year! It messes with the coaches and the players, that have played with a 13 minute intermission all season. Silly! Are we that shallow that we need to be entertained with music and a light show...isn't the game enough for us?
I know I have done it myself, but when broadcasters say things like, "anyone that knows the game knows..." or anything that shows the broadcaster "thinks" he knows or is better than his listeners, this is WRONG! The listeners and viewers many times know more about the games and the situations. The broadcasters are there to enlighten and inform, but not to show their superiority. Please STOP IT!
A playoff in college football...why bother with this one, the college presidents and the BCS just seem to be stuck in the dark ages...or might they be seeing the light? Reports say some minds may be changing.
NBA players are well trained, skilled athletes. When I hear fans and media criticize coaches for playing guys deep into blow-out games, I just don't get it. You can not protect players from injuries. Playing a few extra minutes is not going to hurt these guys. The panic from fans and media types alike is comical. There are time outs, free throws, it's not like these guys on the floor don't get a break.
Why is it that we can't just enjoy games instead of trying to categorize games and players. The Giants and Eli Manning win another Super Bowl. All we hear after the game is how does this one rank, or are you now better than your brother, or is Eli better than Brady? It's ridiculous! Enjoy the games! Enjoy the skills! Stop trying to rank each and every game and player in historical terms. And worst of all...Is this guy a Hall of Famer after he retires? Wait til he retires, and THEN the discussions can begin.
That's a good start. Have any of your own? Let me know.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What a Ride!
No, I'm not reminiscing about the late, great Riverview amusement park. I'm talking about what the 2011 Chicago White Sox have provided us fans this season.
"We're All-in!"
That was the phrase that the Sox organization chose to use for this season. They went out and secured the services of slugger, Adam Dunn. Re-signed Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski. Everything looked like we were headed for the post season and a possible repeat of 2005.
The Sox may still bring us there, but they have given us ulcers, headaches and heartaches throughout the season, so far.
This morning the Sox are 5 games behind first place Detroit in the Central Division, riding a 5 game winning streak.
After an afternoon game with the Twins, the Sox are off to Detroit for a weekend series with the Tigers. 20 game winner, Justin Verlander awaits on Friday night. Beating him would lead to a great start in catching the Bengals and getting the fans "really" excited about the final month of the season.
I have referenced this quote quite often on both Talkin' Baseball and the "Murph & Fred" show the last several weeks on ESPN 1000..."every time I get out, they keep on bringing me back in!". That is from Godfather III, one of the few memorable things from that flick. That has been the story with these White Sox.
All the talk the last several days has been about Ozzie and Kenny not getting along. They can't go on like this after the season.
I don't know about anyone else, but I DON'T CARE about next season and future seasons to come!
I like Ozzie as the Sox skipper and Kenny has made many great moves to put this team in position to win. The players need to be blamed for what has happened this season. Not Ozzie...not Kenny...not Greg Walker. The players have let down the team and themselves, but have the next month to make things right.
As Hawk say, "Sit back, relax, and strap it down...", White Sox baseball will take us on a ride for the next 30 days!
"We're All-in!"
That was the phrase that the Sox organization chose to use for this season. They went out and secured the services of slugger, Adam Dunn. Re-signed Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski. Everything looked like we were headed for the post season and a possible repeat of 2005.
The Sox may still bring us there, but they have given us ulcers, headaches and heartaches throughout the season, so far.
This morning the Sox are 5 games behind first place Detroit in the Central Division, riding a 5 game winning streak.
After an afternoon game with the Twins, the Sox are off to Detroit for a weekend series with the Tigers. 20 game winner, Justin Verlander awaits on Friday night. Beating him would lead to a great start in catching the Bengals and getting the fans "really" excited about the final month of the season.
I have referenced this quote quite often on both Talkin' Baseball and the "Murph & Fred" show the last several weeks on ESPN 1000..."every time I get out, they keep on bringing me back in!". That is from Godfather III, one of the few memorable things from that flick. That has been the story with these White Sox.
All the talk the last several days has been about Ozzie and Kenny not getting along. They can't go on like this after the season.
I don't know about anyone else, but I DON'T CARE about next season and future seasons to come!
I like Ozzie as the Sox skipper and Kenny has made many great moves to put this team in position to win. The players need to be blamed for what has happened this season. Not Ozzie...not Kenny...not Greg Walker. The players have let down the team and themselves, but have the next month to make things right.
As Hawk say, "Sit back, relax, and strap it down...", White Sox baseball will take us on a ride for the next 30 days!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Most Important Thing!
As I sit down to talk about all the exciting things happening in sports, not only locally, but around the world, I find out that Daryl Hawks from NBC 5 has been found dead in his hotel room in Atlanta.
Hawks was 38, in Atlanta to cover tonight's Game 6 of the playoff series between the Bulls and Hawks.
Just yesterday, before my show on ESPN 1000, we discussed the passing of Robert "Tractor" Traylor in Puerto Rico, at the age of 34. I said, at this point, nothing shocks me anymore, and that remains the case today.
Maybe it's me getting older, ready to celebrate another birthday this weekend, that has me never surprised at what terrible things can happen in this world, to people we love, are acquainted with, or just have heard of a little.
Despite what some people say, I am not heartless! I feel horrible for everyone who knew, was associated with, worked with, or just enjoyed Daryl Hawks on television, especially his family. Thirty eight is just the beginning of this thing we call "Life".
It is times like these that make you realize that despite the problems we all have, be it employment, money, (or lack there of), repairs around the house, strained relationships with friends and/or family, we should all try to find a way to learn to love and appreciate those closest to us.
Friends and family are much more than a commercial slogan. They are everything! Anytime you have the chance, let your buddies, or siblings, or parents, know how much they mean to you.
The old phrase, "you don't know what you've got til it's gone", rings truer everyday we walk this Earth!
Sport talk can wait for at least one more day...at least here it can.
Hawks was 38, in Atlanta to cover tonight's Game 6 of the playoff series between the Bulls and Hawks.
Just yesterday, before my show on ESPN 1000, we discussed the passing of Robert "Tractor" Traylor in Puerto Rico, at the age of 34. I said, at this point, nothing shocks me anymore, and that remains the case today.
Maybe it's me getting older, ready to celebrate another birthday this weekend, that has me never surprised at what terrible things can happen in this world, to people we love, are acquainted with, or just have heard of a little.
Despite what some people say, I am not heartless! I feel horrible for everyone who knew, was associated with, worked with, or just enjoyed Daryl Hawks on television, especially his family. Thirty eight is just the beginning of this thing we call "Life".
It is times like these that make you realize that despite the problems we all have, be it employment, money, (or lack there of), repairs around the house, strained relationships with friends and/or family, we should all try to find a way to learn to love and appreciate those closest to us.
Friends and family are much more than a commercial slogan. They are everything! Anytime you have the chance, let your buddies, or siblings, or parents, know how much they mean to you.
The old phrase, "you don't know what you've got til it's gone", rings truer everyday we walk this Earth!
Sport talk can wait for at least one more day...at least here it can.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Cubs, Hendry Doing Their Best
The acquisition of Pitcher, Matt Garza from Tampa should give any depressed Cubs fan something to look forward to as the 2011 baseball season is quickly approaching.
Jim Hendry and the North Siders went into the off-season looking for three things, and after finalizing the deal for Garza, have acquired all three.
They wanted a left handed hitting power hitter...and came up with Carlos Pena.
They wanted a quality reliever to go along with lefty, Sean Marshall in the bullpen...and came up with former Cub, Kerry Wood.
The pick-up of Garza strengthens a starting rotation that will feature Ryan Dempster, a question mark in Carlos Zambrano, a youngster in Andrew Cashner, along with three or four others battling for the fifth spot.
They needed to improve the rotation, if nothing else, just to keep up with the other teams in the National League Central. Milwaukee has improved with the pick-ups of Shawn Marcum and Zach Greinke. St. Louis and Cincinnati already had good rotations.
If you look at the back of the Cubs bullpen, can you name many other teams with better set up guys and closers than the Cubs have in Wood, Marshall and Marmol?
Tom Ricketts has told all that would listen that the Cubs hope to build through their system, and despite the fact they traded some minor leaguers that many expected to play a part in that process, the team apparently has plans that didn't necessarily include those players.
Hak-Ju Lee may be a good player in a few years, but he wasn't, and isn't going to be a better hitter than Starlin Castro, who at twenty years of age, should be at shortstop for many years to come.
Chris Archer is a good prospect, but he is just that...a prospect. We already know Garza can win in the big leagues.
I feel General Manager, Jim Hendry, has done a very good job with what he has been allowed to use in building the 2011 Cubs. I like Mike Quade!
What are your thoughts on the move?
Catch Fred on ESPN 1000 & espn1000.com weeknights with J. Hood on Chicago's Gamenight, Saturday morning with Bruce Levine on Talkin' Baseball, and Sundays with Jerry Azumah & Brett Basanez for Bears pregame on Chicago's NFL Gameday, and with Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with the Ultimate Post game Show.
Jim Hendry and the North Siders went into the off-season looking for three things, and after finalizing the deal for Garza, have acquired all three.
They wanted a left handed hitting power hitter...and came up with Carlos Pena.
They wanted a quality reliever to go along with lefty, Sean Marshall in the bullpen...and came up with former Cub, Kerry Wood.
The pick-up of Garza strengthens a starting rotation that will feature Ryan Dempster, a question mark in Carlos Zambrano, a youngster in Andrew Cashner, along with three or four others battling for the fifth spot.
They needed to improve the rotation, if nothing else, just to keep up with the other teams in the National League Central. Milwaukee has improved with the pick-ups of Shawn Marcum and Zach Greinke. St. Louis and Cincinnati already had good rotations.
If you look at the back of the Cubs bullpen, can you name many other teams with better set up guys and closers than the Cubs have in Wood, Marshall and Marmol?
Tom Ricketts has told all that would listen that the Cubs hope to build through their system, and despite the fact they traded some minor leaguers that many expected to play a part in that process, the team apparently has plans that didn't necessarily include those players.
Hak-Ju Lee may be a good player in a few years, but he wasn't, and isn't going to be a better hitter than Starlin Castro, who at twenty years of age, should be at shortstop for many years to come.
Chris Archer is a good prospect, but he is just that...a prospect. We already know Garza can win in the big leagues.
I feel General Manager, Jim Hendry, has done a very good job with what he has been allowed to use in building the 2011 Cubs. I like Mike Quade!
What are your thoughts on the move?
Catch Fred on ESPN 1000 & espn1000.com weeknights with J. Hood on Chicago's Gamenight, Saturday morning with Bruce Levine on Talkin' Baseball, and Sundays with Jerry Azumah & Brett Basanez for Bears pregame on Chicago's NFL Gameday, and with Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with the Ultimate Post game Show.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
So, I Don't Have to LOVE All Sports!
Last night, the NBA season got underway with the most talked about team in a long time, the Miami Heat, with Lebron, Dwayne Wade & Chris Bosh, getting it started in Boston.
Yawn!
Don't get me wrong, I like basketball. I have made the trip to Champaign, and then Peoria, for 26 of the last 27 years to see the Boys State Basketball Tournament. I've seen some great players that, eventually, made it to the NBA, such as Kevin Garnett, Derrick Rose, Andre Igoudala, Eddy Curry, just to name a few, (and I know I'm pushing it with Curry).
I love college ball. Not as much as I did when good players actually stuck around a few years to help teams develop into powerhouses, but I still live the game.
The Bulls start this evening, and can be heard all season on ESPN 1000), and I won't miss a game. I root for Rose and Noah, and I really like the potential of a Taj Gibson. I'm interested in how Tom Thibodeau will do in his first year as head coach.
But after the Bulls, someone could tell me, "It's Kobe vs. Lebron tonight", and I'd look to see if there is something better on TV to fill up my evening.
I understand that they are the best at what they do, but I just can not get into the NBA. The games are dull to me. There is very little strategy. I HATE isolation, one-on-one play, and it seems that every game comes down to that in the end.
Am I the only one?
The World Series begins tonight, and there I am interested.
When growing up, most children, "back in the day", were first exposed to baseball. That is the one game we grew up playing, understanding and following.
The Texas Rangers have made the Fall Classic for the first time in their franchise history, while the San Francisco Giants have rode their pitching, and some late inning heroics from former White Sox infielder, Juan Uribe, to represent the National League.
If the first two rounds of the post season showed us anything, it's that pitching does win in the playoffs.
Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum go in tonight's opener, which should be a good one.
I have said for decades that the Rangers would never win because they get worn out playing all those July and August games in the heat of Texas. This team, with a recovering alcoholic in Josh Hamilton as their star, and a manager that has admitted to doing marijuana and amphetamines as a player, and just last year tested positive for cocaine, just might be the ones to get it done.
The Bears are off this week...THANK GOODNESS!!!
The coaching staff needs to look at what has worked for them offensively in the first seven games of the season, and put together a game plan for the final nine games of the year.
It sounds so simple, but don't count on the brain trust in Lake Forest to follow through.
Catch Fred on ESPN 1000 & espn1000.com weeknights with J. Hood on Chicago's Gamenight, Saturday morning with Bruce Levine on Talkin' Baseball, and Sundays with Jerry Azumah & Brett Basanez for Bears pregame on Chicago's NFL Gameday, and with Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with the Ultimate Post game Show.
Yawn!
Don't get me wrong, I like basketball. I have made the trip to Champaign, and then Peoria, for 26 of the last 27 years to see the Boys State Basketball Tournament. I've seen some great players that, eventually, made it to the NBA, such as Kevin Garnett, Derrick Rose, Andre Igoudala, Eddy Curry, just to name a few, (and I know I'm pushing it with Curry).
I love college ball. Not as much as I did when good players actually stuck around a few years to help teams develop into powerhouses, but I still live the game.
The Bulls start this evening, and can be heard all season on ESPN 1000), and I won't miss a game. I root for Rose and Noah, and I really like the potential of a Taj Gibson. I'm interested in how Tom Thibodeau will do in his first year as head coach.
But after the Bulls, someone could tell me, "It's Kobe vs. Lebron tonight", and I'd look to see if there is something better on TV to fill up my evening.
I understand that they are the best at what they do, but I just can not get into the NBA. The games are dull to me. There is very little strategy. I HATE isolation, one-on-one play, and it seems that every game comes down to that in the end.
Am I the only one?
The World Series begins tonight, and there I am interested.
When growing up, most children, "back in the day", were first exposed to baseball. That is the one game we grew up playing, understanding and following.
The Texas Rangers have made the Fall Classic for the first time in their franchise history, while the San Francisco Giants have rode their pitching, and some late inning heroics from former White Sox infielder, Juan Uribe, to represent the National League.
If the first two rounds of the post season showed us anything, it's that pitching does win in the playoffs.
Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum go in tonight's opener, which should be a good one.
I have said for decades that the Rangers would never win because they get worn out playing all those July and August games in the heat of Texas. This team, with a recovering alcoholic in Josh Hamilton as their star, and a manager that has admitted to doing marijuana and amphetamines as a player, and just last year tested positive for cocaine, just might be the ones to get it done.
The Bears are off this week...THANK GOODNESS!!!
The coaching staff needs to look at what has worked for them offensively in the first seven games of the season, and put together a game plan for the final nine games of the year.
It sounds so simple, but don't count on the brain trust in Lake Forest to follow through.
Catch Fred on ESPN 1000 & espn1000.com weeknights with J. Hood on Chicago's Gamenight, Saturday morning with Bruce Levine on Talkin' Baseball, and Sundays with Jerry Azumah & Brett Basanez for Bears pregame on Chicago's NFL Gameday, and with Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with the Ultimate Post game Show.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Have You Felt Completely Useless Lately?
Are you handy around the house...or are you just, "around the house"?
The last few days I have spent showing people where to put things, telling people what I need to have done, and assisting in home repair and appliance installation.
It hasn't been a lot of fun...and isn't that what we're all about?
My wife and I purchased several new appliances, as we are becoming more energy efficient, (sure we are). A couple of refrigerators, a dishwasher, and a stove, (we've been saving up for this).
Wednesday, I hung around the house waiting for the appliances to be delivered, as I needed to empty the refrigerators as near the delivery time as possible so we didn't have all of our food go bad.
Moving a 25 year old refrigerator, that still works, out from the basement, was a major task in itself. Moving the new things in meant door taken off, both from the house and the appliances, along with assisting in the heavy lifting.
Once everything was in the house, I had to wait for another day for someone to install a few of the items.
How is it, exactly, that one becomes "handy"?
I know it isn't growing up in an apartment from third grade until marriage, as I did.
Juan, the handyman, came over Thursday morning to begin the process of PROPERLY installing everything. I say, properly, because Juan is a perfectionist, and that is a good thing. He would never quick when something was installed until it was PROPERLY and PERFECTLY installed.
As a paying customer, I appreciated it, and respected his hard work...and long hours. He arrived around 8:30am and didn't leave until 6:30, with still more to do on Friday.
Why don't I know how to do all these things? Do I spend too much time watching sports, dramas, movies and sitcoms on television? No need to answer that!
On the way out, I asked Juan to check our gutters. Two hours later, they were completely cleaned and well operational for the upcoming rainy season.
To all of you that know how do do all the things around the house, I commend you. For those of you, like me, that are unable to do these, or even unable to try...get back to your television watching.
Did you know the American League Championship Series Game 6 is on tonight if it stops raining in Texas? And this is the final season of Smallville?
Last week I gave you my BEST FIVE NFL plays of the week. I went 1-3-1. Minnesota was my only winner, while Washington, with the 3 points tied Indy. The Texans, and Falcons let me down.
And how about those Bears?
No picks this week, other than to say it is a must win for the Monsters of the Midway! Jay Cutler needs to find some receivers, stay upright, and throw the ball away if necessary.
Catch Fred on ESPN 1000 & espn1000.com weeknights with J. Hood on Chicago's Gamenight, Saturday morning with Bruce Levine on Talkin' Baseball, and Sundays with Jerry Azumah & Brett Basanez for Bears pregame on Chicago's NFL Gameday, and with Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with the Ultimate Post game Show.
The last few days I have spent showing people where to put things, telling people what I need to have done, and assisting in home repair and appliance installation.
It hasn't been a lot of fun...and isn't that what we're all about?
My wife and I purchased several new appliances, as we are becoming more energy efficient, (sure we are). A couple of refrigerators, a dishwasher, and a stove, (we've been saving up for this).
Wednesday, I hung around the house waiting for the appliances to be delivered, as I needed to empty the refrigerators as near the delivery time as possible so we didn't have all of our food go bad.
Moving a 25 year old refrigerator, that still works, out from the basement, was a major task in itself. Moving the new things in meant door taken off, both from the house and the appliances, along with assisting in the heavy lifting.
Once everything was in the house, I had to wait for another day for someone to install a few of the items.
How is it, exactly, that one becomes "handy"?
I know it isn't growing up in an apartment from third grade until marriage, as I did.
Juan, the handyman, came over Thursday morning to begin the process of PROPERLY installing everything. I say, properly, because Juan is a perfectionist, and that is a good thing. He would never quick when something was installed until it was PROPERLY and PERFECTLY installed.
As a paying customer, I appreciated it, and respected his hard work...and long hours. He arrived around 8:30am and didn't leave until 6:30, with still more to do on Friday.
Why don't I know how to do all these things? Do I spend too much time watching sports, dramas, movies and sitcoms on television? No need to answer that!
On the way out, I asked Juan to check our gutters. Two hours later, they were completely cleaned and well operational for the upcoming rainy season.
To all of you that know how do do all the things around the house, I commend you. For those of you, like me, that are unable to do these, or even unable to try...get back to your television watching.
Did you know the American League Championship Series Game 6 is on tonight if it stops raining in Texas? And this is the final season of Smallville?
Last week I gave you my BEST FIVE NFL plays of the week. I went 1-3-1. Minnesota was my only winner, while Washington, with the 3 points tied Indy. The Texans, and Falcons let me down.
And how about those Bears?
No picks this week, other than to say it is a must win for the Monsters of the Midway! Jay Cutler needs to find some receivers, stay upright, and throw the ball away if necessary.
Catch Fred on ESPN 1000 & espn1000.com weeknights with J. Hood on Chicago's Gamenight, Saturday morning with Bruce Levine on Talkin' Baseball, and Sundays with Jerry Azumah & Brett Basanez for Bears pregame on Chicago's NFL Gameday, and with Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with the Ultimate Post game Show.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Bears Should Roll Over Seahawks!
It's Week 6 of the NFL season, and there is NO WAY I thought the Bears were going to be 4-1 entering this week.
Heck, I predicted the Bears would finish 6-10 or 7-9, and had a chance to lose their first three games of the season. It just goes to show you how unpredictable the league is this, and every season...that's why I don't gamble on football. That, and because I can't afford it.
This week, the Bears get Jay Cutler back as the 2-2 Seattle Seahawks come to town. Seattle, under coach Pete Carroll, have been BAD on the road, while winning their two games at home. They have one of the best home field advantages in the league. Those crazies from the Northwest love their Seahawks, and also, their Seattle Sounders MLS team. I've never been to Seattle, but hope to make it there someday. Seems like a nice place.
Cutler has attempted to clear up his concussion suffered versus the NY Giants, but we still are not sure which hit caused the brain bruise. After watching some of his execution in the first half against the Giants, I believe it happened earlier in the half than the last sack from their cornerback, Aaron Ross.
It was great to see Matt Forte run the ball last week. We are now seeing the speed from Forte that we saw in his rookie year.
There is no telling how the Bears will attack Seattle Sunday, but it is nice that, right now, they seem to be able to attack either through the air or on the ground.
Defensively, this team is earning the fans respect once again. Julius Peppers, they say, has been doing so many more things that don't show up in the stat sheet. He had an AWESOME block of a pass and interception last week versus Carolina. Four sacks and a few pressures. He still has just two sacks, two behind the guy on the other side of the line, Israel Idonije.
By the way, don't believe all the talk that Peppers is being double and triple teamed, thus, allowing the rest of the line to do a better job. I re-watched the Panthers game, and did not see ONE double or triple team. He is playing well, but I would like to see him get on the stat sheet a little more.
Here's a look at my BEST FIVE for this week's action:
Houston -4 1/2 over Kansas City
Atlanta +3 over Philadelphia
Minnesota -1 1/2 over Dallas
Washington +3 over Indianapolis
DA Bears -6 1/2 over Seattle
I'm not telling you to wager on these...if you are smart, you might even want to go the other way, but we'll keep track of how I do every week.
Don't forget about the baseball playoffs this weekend! They have been great, so far, and I am looking forward to some great pitching match-ups in the Championship series.
Catch Fred on ESPN 1000 & espn1000.com weeknights with J. Hood on Chicago's Gamenight, Saturday morning with Bruce Levine on Talkin' Baseball, and Sundays with Jerry Azumah & Brett Basanez for Bears pregame on Chicago's NFL Gameday, and with Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with the Ultimate Post game Show.
Heck, I predicted the Bears would finish 6-10 or 7-9, and had a chance to lose their first three games of the season. It just goes to show you how unpredictable the league is this, and every season...that's why I don't gamble on football. That, and because I can't afford it.
This week, the Bears get Jay Cutler back as the 2-2 Seattle Seahawks come to town. Seattle, under coach Pete Carroll, have been BAD on the road, while winning their two games at home. They have one of the best home field advantages in the league. Those crazies from the Northwest love their Seahawks, and also, their Seattle Sounders MLS team. I've never been to Seattle, but hope to make it there someday. Seems like a nice place.
Cutler has attempted to clear up his concussion suffered versus the NY Giants, but we still are not sure which hit caused the brain bruise. After watching some of his execution in the first half against the Giants, I believe it happened earlier in the half than the last sack from their cornerback, Aaron Ross.
It was great to see Matt Forte run the ball last week. We are now seeing the speed from Forte that we saw in his rookie year.
There is no telling how the Bears will attack Seattle Sunday, but it is nice that, right now, they seem to be able to attack either through the air or on the ground.
Defensively, this team is earning the fans respect once again. Julius Peppers, they say, has been doing so many more things that don't show up in the stat sheet. He had an AWESOME block of a pass and interception last week versus Carolina. Four sacks and a few pressures. He still has just two sacks, two behind the guy on the other side of the line, Israel Idonije.
By the way, don't believe all the talk that Peppers is being double and triple teamed, thus, allowing the rest of the line to do a better job. I re-watched the Panthers game, and did not see ONE double or triple team. He is playing well, but I would like to see him get on the stat sheet a little more.
Here's a look at my BEST FIVE for this week's action:
Houston -4 1/2 over Kansas City
Atlanta +3 over Philadelphia
Minnesota -1 1/2 over Dallas
Washington +3 over Indianapolis
DA Bears -6 1/2 over Seattle
I'm not telling you to wager on these...if you are smart, you might even want to go the other way, but we'll keep track of how I do every week.
Don't forget about the baseball playoffs this weekend! They have been great, so far, and I am looking forward to some great pitching match-ups in the Championship series.
Catch Fred on ESPN 1000 & espn1000.com weeknights with J. Hood on Chicago's Gamenight, Saturday morning with Bruce Levine on Talkin' Baseball, and Sundays with Jerry Azumah & Brett Basanez for Bears pregame on Chicago's NFL Gameday, and with Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with the Ultimate Post game Show.
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