Tebowed Out posted by Richard Kagan

Hey, here is a way to make Tim Tebow irrevelant.  Score so many points, that you take away his strength, the running game, and force him to pass, which is iffy at best.  Watching Tim Tebow pass is watching a dentist pull a tooth.  It's painful.  Sometimes he throws a nice pass, other times, it looks like a bird falling to earth.  Today, most of his passes were futile.  Tom Brady of the Pats made sure of that as New England routed the upstart Broncos, 45-10.  There was no 4th quarter heroics for Tebow.  There was hardly any thing significant Denver did, because they were trailing 21-7, and all off a sudden, its 35-7 before the half, and game over. 

Tebow can throw a pass or two in the clutch, like last week's OT thriller against Pittsburgh.  But Joe Namath, he is not.  Leave it to coach Bill Bellichick to implement a game plan that rendered Tebow-time, sooo-long goodbye.  Denver's defense, which has played well of late, was completely ineffective in stopping the Pats onslaught.  Passes were flying all over the place.  There was no pass rush.  Finally, New England looked like a team to reckon with.  Tom Brady was masterful.  His passes were precise, on target, on the money.  It was like watching a wily craftsman take apart a swiss clock.

Tebow On the Run posted by Richard Kagan

Chicago Bears Defense had the Broncos pinned in a 3rd down and 15 and Tim Tebow picked up 16 yards for the first down, early in the second quarter in a 0-0 game at Mile High Stadium.  At least it is 0-0. Because the Bears offense looks virtually non-existant.  Marion Barber is doing the running for the Bears and picked up a few first downs, but QB Caleb Hanie looks befuddeled and bewildered.  This is not a good sign if the Bears want to win this game.Continue reading "Tebow On the Run"

Bears vs. Denver and Tebow posted by Richard Kagan

There was a time when John Elway, the great QB for the Denver Broncos could make a Bears fan feel anxious about coming into Denver.  Now, a rather wild hot streak with Tim Tebow calling the signals, has Denver tied atop the AFC West, and in playoff consideration.  Just a few weeks ago, the Bears were sitting pretty after a win that got them to 7-3 for the year.  But a broken thumb to QB Jay Cutler and a sprained knee to starting back Matt Forte, has sidelined both players, Cutler most likely out for the season. 

The question is, if Matt Forte returns this season, will the Bears be in contention for a Wild Card.  It doesn't look good.  The Bears need to rely upon Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell to fill in for Forte, who accounted for 38% of total offense for the Bears.  If people didn't think he was so valuable, let's see what they think after the game in Denver or the home game vs. Seattle?  It was looking like the rest of the schedule was going to be meaningful for the fans of the Bears.  Now, it looks like a survivors' guide to avoiding disaster. 

How can the Bears win a game without one of these starters?  First, Hanie has to play like he is a good quarterback.  He played in Colorado in college.  You've got to find that pride that got you the eyes of the Bears.  Caleb, it is time to show what you can really do.  It's not about managing a game and play to not lose, it's about winning a game for the team. 

The running backs have to move the chains, and not turn the ball over.  If Tebow starts slow, Chicago needs to put some points on the board.  If the Bears score 3 touchdowns, let's see if he can come back from that deficit.  The Bears have to find as way to score points and put pressure on the Denver offense.  It is going to take a team effort to come away with a W on Sunday.  Maybe, the Bears can pull it off.

Bad Loss To Chiefs, 10-3, Forte Hurt posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago Bears lost a game and perhaps their start running back, Matt Forte, to a knee injury that took him out most of the game.  Caleb Hanie, had a good drive going, late in the game, and Roy Williams couldn't control the ball at the goalline, where a Chief's defender caught it before the ball hit the ground.  Heck, the Chiefs scored a TD on a desperate hail-mary pass that went through Brian Urlacher's hands before the first half-ended. 

This was a tough, lousy loss.  All the more compounded by the injury to Forte.  Major Wright also left the game with an injury and his status is not known.  If the Bears don't have Forte, you can wrap up the season.  They can't compete with both the starting QB, and tailback, who accounts for 38% of the team's offense.  Forte, has done things so well, and is quiet about his talents.  You don't hear about him, or see him on camera.  He is in the middle of a contract dispute with the Bears as he is playing his last year on his current contract.  The Bears want to offer him a lot of money, $6million per year.  He thinks he deserves more.  I wouldn't argue about $ 6million a year.  That would change my lifestyle.

But I am not one of 10 premier running back in the league.  When you look at it, Forte is one of the best at his position in the world.  I hope this is not an end of season injury.  But, if it is, it undescores how important Forte is to the Bears offense.  A few weeks ago, the Bears were 7-3 and some in the media were saying the "team was a super-bowl contender and has lost Jay Cutler."  That is a bit hyperbolic, if such a word exists.  Now, without Forte, it is highly doubtful the Bears will make the playoffs.

Forte's Frustration posted by Richard Kagan

There is something in the Bears' DNA that does not allow them to pay a quality player like Matt Forte.  This has gone on since George Halas owned the team.  He was tight with the bucks.  Now, years later, nothing of significance has changed.

Matt Forte, the back who has run the ball and caught the ball, is not getting rewarded for this production.  He is in a contract aquabble with Bears's management.  Today there was a report out of Chicago where Forte noted he feels he is being run into the ground.  The Bears give him the ball.  He wants an increase.  The Bears own the upper hand.

They can put a franchise tag on him thus slotting him into a salary cap.  They don't want to dole out multi-year bucks.  Apparently, Jay Cutler is happy with his deal, because he is getting smacked around in the backfield and doesn't complain.  Lately, he has been smacked around a bit less.  Note to Bears:  Pay Matt Forte the money. 

If Forte, God forbid, gets hurt, there goes the season.  And, then Chicago will draft a running back.  I don't trust the Bears drafting players.  Make a Deal with Matt now.  And, get this impasse settled.

White Sox Woes posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago White Sox are in one of their funks, on a losing streak and appear to be headed for a loss in Kansas City tonight.  Unless they can score 2 runs to tie the game.  This team is playing out the schedule.  The starting pitchers are getting roughed up and the guys aren't hitting the ball  The power quotient on this squad is pretty tepid.  Paul Konerko has one homer in like 85 at bats.  Of course that blast was a GS to ice a win.  If there was an award for not scoring runs with two outs, the Sox would win it. 

The big question lays with the status of Ozzie Guillen, the manager.  Does he stay or go?  I think time is running out.

Bear Down, Chicago posted by Richard Kagan

The Big question marks for the Bears are on offense.  Can the O-line hold up and protect Cutler.  They were as porous as a flooding river in Vermont last season.  They did get better in the second half, and managed to protect Cutler much more efficiently down the stretch.  It is hard to believe that a makeshift line got them to the NFC title game.  Well, the Bears will have guys in new positions this year.  The Bears will have a new left tackle and will start rookie Chris Carini at RT.  Look for Earl Bennett to have a break-out year for the Bears.  He and Cutler played together at Vanderbilt and now they have had some time to get a rhythm going.  Look for Johnny Knox to out-duel Roy Williams for the starting wide receiver spot. 

Knox has the intagibles over Williams.  He is hungry and wants the ball.  Williams may be talented.  Devin Hester may have the talent too, and hopefully, he will get to return punts like last season.  Because he is the best in the league in that position.  I feel the Bears don't know what to do with him on offense.  And he risks injury the more he is one the field.

The Bears don't have too much depth.  Matt Forte is the running back.  Behind him is Marion Barber who used to play for Dallas.  He is a tough runner and could be effective in the red zone.  If the Bears can put up points this season, they might have a chance for post-season.  Their first three games are against playoff teams: Atlanta, New Orleans, and Green Bay.  The Bears play teams from the AFC west this season.  Those teams are talented.  Kansas City used to be weak, not anymore. 

Animal in Motion posted by Johnny Matheis

Obviously, ANIMAL KINGDOM is the class of the Belmont. SHACKLEFORD is certainly what we would call a "running fool" and obviously the most dangerous foe. The odds will surely reflect this.

It's figuring out which you think will come out on top, and which may run out of the money. Obviously, the speedball is most likely to fade, but one never knows. After all, both have run in both triple crown races and could be down for this.

So it boils down to who else to put in the exotic wagering. MASTER OF HOUNDS, NEHRO, and MONZON are all bred for much shorter races, but the first two of these are outrunning their bloodlines so far. Neil Howard is always a danger to run in the money, though his PRIME CUT looks a cut below. The one medium priced one that I would toss out as a "sucker" play is SANTIVA. This is because he was primed for his best effort in the Derby and didn't deliver. He has flunked two straight races, and of course if you own him, you know you have a nice animal, but he isn't a grade one stakes runner. The connections may be hoping he's one of those who runs a big fluke win every now and then, but this means a win, not "in the money." He's a toss out in the exotics, unless you have a hunch to put him on top as a fluke winner.

 BELMONT 06/11/2011 RACE TEN BELMONT STAKES Grade One 1 1/2 mile:

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBALE ODDS-COMMENTS

9 ANIMAL KINGDOM 8-5 Has proved himself over and over

8 PRIME CUT 30-1 Up and comer for big in the money trainer; looking at Peter Pan, have to envision this race as being the one aimed for.

The Final Drive: The 2011 NFL Draft, Round One posted by Joe Anello

Round one of the NFL Draft is in the books! As always, there are plenty of moments that need mentioning, others that merit praise and some that are just plain head-scratching. Here are some of my highlights of round one.

Shocker of the Night: Jacksonville trades up with Washington to take QB Blaine Gabbert at 10 overall, but only after Tennessee takes QB Jake Locker with the 8th overall selection. David Garrard is officially on watch.

Reach of the Night: Vikings take Christian Ponder at 12 overall. For a guy that was discussed as maybe sneaking into the tail end of round one, it’s clear the Vikings had no one with which to make a trade. They didn’t get a lot of value with that pick at all.

Miscue of the Night: Ravens pass on 26th pick after failing to consummate a trade with Chicago. After Kansas City slides up, the Ravens get back in at 27 and take CB Jimmy Smith while the Bears stick at 29 and take OT Gabe Carimi, each getting the player they want.

WTF Moment of the Night: Atlanta trades their first, second and fourth round picks in 2011 AND their first and fourth-rounders in 2012 to Cleveland in order to move from 26 to 6 and take Julio Jones. That’s a perfect example of highway robbery where I come from.

Best Moment of the Night:  This is a tie. First, Danny Watkins’s fellow firefighters cheer him on as he gets drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles at 23. Just an awesome moment for the 26-year old draftee. Second, watching Mark Ingram’s reaction as Suzy Kolber read him an email sent to her by Ingram’s incarcerated father. Ingram broke down in tears in one of the most honest moments you’ll ever see at the draft.

Bears Solve Seattle To Advance posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago Bears answered the bell on Sunday in Soldier Field in their playoff game against the Seahawks.

There was no fooling around, no starts and sputters, no mistakes.  The Bears struck on Jay Cutler's first playoff pass, a beautifully thrown ball to Greg Olsen who scampered 58 yards to pay dirt, 3 minutes into the game.  The Bears were off and running and scored 4 TD's to go ahead 28-0, when they relaxed.

Seattle scored 3 TD's in the 4th Quarter to make a 35-24 score look respectable.  But the Bears were the superior team and outplayed the SeaHawks in every phase of the game.  It was relatively easy and Bear fans didn't have to sweat out the outcome.  It was fun to see Chicago waltz a bit.  35-10 would have been more indicative of the way the game went.  But Chicago relented and allowed Seattle to score two TD's in the closing minutes.  Then, the issue was all but settled, The Bears were advancing to face their rivals, the Green Bay Packers in the NFC title game next Sunday in Chicago.

It's been that kind of season for these surprising Bears.  Jay Cutler threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for two more, and managed the game well.  He didn't make any mistakes, except for a near interception that was dropped down at the Seattle 2 yard line.  Cutler had time, with good pass protection from the improved offensive line, and made nice throws.

Matt Forte and Chester Taylor moved the chains with solid running.  And the Bears defense stuffed the run. 

Seattle even punted to Devin Hester who looked like a pot of boiling water about to spill over.  But Hester didn't break a long run.  When he made a fair catch, the crowd groaned.  He is one player who is demands attention.

Kyle Stanley takes lead at Torrey Pines

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Pats WR Ochocinco, head down, heads to Super Bowl (AP)

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Penguins streak into All-Star break (AP)

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Notre Dame tabs Hiestand to coach O-line (AP)

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Duncan's hook with 1.4 left lifts Spurs (AP)

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