Cubs

The world is tired of hearing your lame excuses Cubs fan; now we are going to perpetuate it with John Kruk in a Santa suit. [Awful Announcing]

The reasons for trading Milton Bradley are stupid when you say them out loud, but from all accounts, necessary nonetheless. [Hire Jim Essian]

White Sox

Sick of Best-Ofs for the decade. [Sox Machine]

Bears

Next week: Brian Urlacher tries to pile-drive Caleb Hanie. [Deadspin]

Matt Bowen of National Football Post about Jay Cutler: “I still like him for some odd reason.” So do I. So do I. [National Football Post]

Bulls

What if I told you there’s a video of a guy pretending to be Brad Miller singing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”? Is that something you’d be interested in? He also does a skateboard trick at the end. [the Blowtorch

Lovie or Vinny? That's the dumbest question I've ever heard. Vinny is in a class all his own. [Rumors and Rants]

& More

Will Charles Barkley use SNL as a forum to ask Tiger Woods to return his calls? [FanHouse]

Bears

If you’re a Bears fans that wants reasons to fire Lovie Smith beyond his facial expressions and press conferences, you can go with the challenge/time-out combo platter. But if you want more than one example of clock mismanagement, Dan Pompei provides them. [Chicago Tribune]

There’s nothing more comforting than an 86-year-old woman deciding if she’s had enough of Lovie. From Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Sun-Times:

There are a million small decisions that must be made to run a business the size of the Bears, but when it comes to the crossroads choices, it’s Virginia McCaskey who makes the big decisions. She will ultimately be the one to pass judgment on the decision-makers. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Bulls

The Bulls are unwatchable. Well, you can watch them. You just don’t want to. [SB Nation]

They still have better ratings than the Blackhawks. [RedEye]

Lovie Smith in the Chicago Tribune on the defense’s first play from scrimmage:

“It was really just a basic run,” Smith said. “Normally, when there is a long run, there is someone out of the gap or there are bad angles involved.” [Chicago Tribune]

I’m assuming he hasn’t watched this video yet. (Watch Josh Bullocks, #36, who starts out at the bottom of the screen). I’d call that being out of your gap. In fact, it’d probably be more accurate to describe it as “inexplicably removing yourself from your gap.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GtVsGCWvmk

Oops!

Bulls

It was a rough week for the Bulls too: They drop 10 spots in Mark Heisler’s NBA power rankings in the Tribune. [Chicago Tribune]

Maybe John Salmons is to blame for the big drop? [Chicago Tribune]

Or, is it the team’s poor three point-shooting? [Daily Herald]

Of course, you can always blame Vinny Del Negro. “Every future VDN game seems like a waste of time,” says Blog a Bull. [Blog a Bull]

Others disagree. [Chicago Sun-Times]

White Sox

White Sox sign J.J. Putz to be a set-up guy. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Cubs

Some minor Cubs’ moves, as well. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Blackhawks

This is pretty amazing. (Watch the second video to get right to it). [No Spain, No Gain]

& More

M-I-Z!!!!! [Deadspin]

Bears

The Packers did in fact switch to the 3-4 this season, and they have vastly improved on defense. However, this doesn’t prove, like Mike Mulligan would have you believe, “that you can dramatically change your fortune with a radical solution.” If the “radical solution” is getting players, than I agree; just switching defenses isn’t dramatic change enough.

The “radical solution” that the Packers used was drafting three really good players: B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews and Brad Jones. On Tuesday, Hub Arkush on Boers and Bernstein said he thought those rookies were the three best players on the field for the Packers against the Ravens.

Whether they were really the three best players or you prefer Aaron Rodgers, the point is, adding real talent that fits the team’s scheme is what turned the Packers’ ‘D’ around.

If the Bears had drafted a capable replacement for Tommie Harris, or found safeties who understand their role is not to get beat deep (like Danieal Manning struggles to remember), things would look a little different.Change worked for Packers’ ‘D’ [Chicago Sun-Times]

You see how Lovie’s not smiling in the picture to the right? You may not know it, but that’s the reason why his offensive line can’t block anyone.

And for those that are curious, Jay Cutler’s body language is why the defensive line doesn’t generate a pass rush. Strange, but true. Lovie Smith’s Top Ten Facial Expressions [Top Ten Chicago Sports]

Those things sound really stupid when you say them out loud, no? Why can’t we all just agree that the Bears don’t have many good players?

Cubs

“With the Cubs’ desire to trade Milton Bradley by the end of the Winter Meetings common knowledge, the words ‘imminent’ and ‘close’ have been tossed around a little too freely.” Milton Bradley Rumors: Wednesday [MLBTradeRumors.com]

Bulls

It’s really disheartening to read this, not just as a journalism major who would love the opportunity and access these guys have, but as a Bulls fan. Question-A-Bull? [Jason Goff's Bull Blog]

The buzz around removing Vinny Del Negro sounds more like people asking questions, and desperately wanting a change, than anything substantial.

It started with the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson asking, “Should there be pressure on Del Negro?” after Saturday’s loss to the Raptors. ESPN’s Rumor Central -- Insider only -- picks this up and asks, “Del Negro’s job on the line?”

The next day Blog a Bull comments on K.C. Johnson’s question and wonders, “So … could VDN really be fired?” Again, ESPN picks this up and places it on Rumor Central and asks, “Del Negro’s hot seat getting hotter?”

These are legitimate questions, but hardly anything more than that. Anyone that reads these pieces can conclude nothing is imminent, but that reasons to support firing Del Negro are there.

Initially, it was just surprising to see people so shocked at the Bulls lack of success, and Del Negro’s apparent lack of control over the team. There was evidence of it last season, and even with an offseason to make changes, nothing was done. Because of this, it was ingrained in my mind that Del Negro would be here until the end of the season.

Then at the end of the season, a ton of changes would be made, including a new head coach, as the Bulls tried to strike gold in free agency.

Really, the 2009-10 season is simply a formality, and Del Negro a negligible, harmless piece in this wasted season.

And if he isn’t harmless, and he is in fact doing more harm than good, he shouldn’t have been brought in to start the season; however, this is a different issue entirely.

Where the Bulls stand now, removing Del Negro for another coach who would take his place as a dead in the water headman, just seems like a wasted step to get to the same place. The place being a championship contending team with a newly acquired star in free agency and a qualified, experienced head coach; unless the Bulls are head over heels in love with Byron Scott, an extensive hiring process seems like it’s necessary for the Bulls to acquire the latter.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0su_Huk6p-o

But evidence that the Bulls have stopped playing for old Vinny has started to pile up. First, there were a series of ass-whippings on the West Coast that have traveled with them back home. And Jarrett Jack tying his shoe in the middle of the game, pretty well sums up anyone arguing the Bulls’ players appear ready for a change.

So let me be the next person, along with Blog a Bull, K.C. Johnson and ESPN, to ask if the Bulls have simply stopped playing hard for Del Negro? Because if they have, Del Negro isn’t harmless anymore.

__________

Here is more speculation surrounding Del Negro:

VDN watch is on, and a loss tonight could conclude it. Tuesday: Dinardo, Arkush [Boers and Bernstein Show]

Though as long as VDN is gone before free agency, it doesn’t really matter. 2 more blowout losses [Blog a Bull]

But with the Bulls’ upcoming schedule, there might be enough losses to justify removing VDN soon. Hinrich out the next two games. So … could VDN really be fired? [Blog a Bull]

And the Bulls aren’t afraid to make a move in the middle of the season. Analysis: Bulls’ coaches should fear December [Chicago Breaking Sports]

None of this should come as a surprise. Last January there were issues with players respecting and listening to Del Negro. Derrick Rose was asked if the players respect the head coach:

“I know a lot of us do,” Rose said. “The people who are not, coaches are trying to get to them and talk to them and have meetings with them. I’m talking about during the games. Like, following game plans. I’m not saying players are being rebellious or doing it their way. It’s just miscommunication on the court.”

Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Is Vinny Del Negro Losing the Bulls? [FanHouse]

Bears

Charlie Weis’ willingness to be the Bears’ next offensive coordinator isn’t news. Of course, an unemployed person would be willing to take a job, especially when he failed so spectacularly in his last job. Until the Bears express interest in him, I’m not interested. Bears on Charlie Weis’ radar [Chicago Sun-Times]

Bulls

Rough weekend for the Bulls. Chicago Bulls: One weekend, twice punk’d [Basketbawful]

Cubs

For Bradley-Burrell deal to work, Cubs have to throw in more than $5 million. Tampa Bay Rays need Chicago Cubs to swallow some of Milton Bradley’s contract if trade is to happen [St. Petersburg Times via Buster Olney Blog]

Peter Gammons sounds confident that this deal will happen though, “… and sometime here the Cubs should get Milton Bradley to Tampa Bay for Pat Burrell.” Notes from the winter meetings [Peter Gammons Blog]

Others aren’t so sure. Yeah, winter meetings and teams trying to gain an upper hand through rumors. Twitter [@nyp_joelsherman]

Cubs

I can feel the excitement already. Mark DeRosa’s return to Wrigley ovation [YouTube]

This deal was nothing more than a way for the Cubs to save $1.7 million on Aaron Miles. A’s and Cubs swap no-names [ESPN]

Though Jim Hendry claims Matt Spencer is ”a very important guy in the deal for us.” Cubs trade Miles, Fox to A’s [Chicago Sun-Times]

Bulls

This trade is only rumored, but it’s a lot more interesting than Miles and Fox for prospects.

There’s nothing not to like about this trade. Tyrus Thomas is gone, good. Al Harrington in return; I’m fine with that. And Harrington’s $10 million deal comes off the book at the end of this season, really good. Bulls weigh trade options for Thomas [Yahoo!]

Bears

The Bears make a few changes for Sunday. Bears’ secondary shuffle continues [ESPN Chicago]

Jay Cutler

This the best analysis of Jay Cutler that I’ve read. Since it was done by Football Outsiders, this analysis doesn’t mention made up things like Cutler’s “‘who cares’ attitude” or his demeanor in press conferences.

Doug Farrar breaks down Cutler’s own weaknesses – mechanics and decision making – and describes how these problems can be fixed: both with coaching and help from the rest of the offense. Right now, it’s just a really bad situation for Cutler, but it can be fixed because as Greg Cosell said, “arguably, the two most gifted quarterbacks, in terms of pure, physical gifts, are Roethlisberger and Cutler. No one throws a ball like Cutler. He’s unbelievable.” What’s wrong with Jay Cutler? [Football Outsiders]

This is the worst I’ve read. [TradeJayCutler.com via The Big Lead]

Tiger Woods

Posting a video that Jimmy Traina and Bill Simmons have tweeted and posted on Hot Clicks is probably a waste of time because if you own a computer you’ve probably already seen it. But with this video I cannot take any chances.

When did Tiger Woods start driving a mini van? [YouTube] Twitter [@sportsguy33 and @JimmyTraina]

Bulls

I had to drink to watch those Bulls teams … and I was only 12. Ron Artest admits he used to drink Hennessy at halftime [Ball Don't Lie]

Cubs

Anyone interested in a former Cardinals outfielder that received HGH from an Internet pharmacy? Anyone? Yeah, me neither.

I spent four years at the University of Missouri: four years accompanied by four disappointing seasons and a Cardinals’ World Series. The only saving grace was the Cards’ collection of ‘roided up monsters and a manager who passed out at a green light.

Let me just say, there were a lot of jokes at the expense of Rick Ankiel and his “amazing” comeback. Twitter [@williamfleitch]

On the bright side, the signing of Ankiel means that Milton Bradley isn’t around anymore. I question the legitimacy of a Bradley-Pat Burrell rumor because I can’t picture Joe Maddon with Bradley. Strong Possibility Of Bradley-Burrell Swap? [MLBTradeRumors.com]

White Sox

Robin Ventura in the Hall of Fame? Making the Case For Robin Ventura’s Hall of Fame Enshrinement [The 35th Street Review]

Cubs and White Sox

According to Sponichi, the Cubs and White Sox are among eight team interested in reliever Takashi Saito. At 40 years old it’s reasonable to believe that Saito isn’t the pitcher he once was, but The Hardball Times brings up a number of alarming statistical declines. And since he’s 40, there’s no reason to expect these numbers to get any better.

The numbers Harry Pavlidis looks at brings up concerns that Saito isn’t missing bats, giving up more fly balls and getting hit harder. The declines of Lowe and Saito [The Hardball Times]

Bears

Smart Football shows a video of a play the Bears have run a lot. Though I doubt the Bears expected a play predicated on a 3-step drop when they traded for Jay Cutler. Houston and the “stick” passing concept [Smart Football]

MLB

Andy Dolan from Desipio.com: “St. Louis and Chip Caray? They deserve each other.” Fisted to the curb [Desipio]