News and Notes

It's been a crazy month for me, probably my busiest month in a long time.  Lots of work at WGN with the Blackhawks and Cubs playing at the same time, broadcasting UIC baseball and softball, and other odds and ends here and there.

Mike Smith stole the series for the Coyotes

Blackhawks Lose To Coyotes
I said before the playoffs began, when we weren't sure who the Blackhawks would face in the first round, that the last team I wanted to see was the Phoenix Coyotes.  I said that for one reason: Mike Smith.  I may not be proven right very often, but this time I was.  Smith was spectacular in the series, and if they gave an MVP award for the Western Conference Quarterfinals, it would go to Mike Smith.  I'll just go ahead and make the award and present it to him.

Bulls Lock Up East's Top Seed
Out of the Bulls' 64 games thus far, I can count the number of full games I've watched on one hand.  It's not that I don't enjoy watching Derrick Rose dominate the competition, because I do, but it's because I think the NBA regular season is a joke.  I think that holds true for most seasons, not just this lockout-shortened sprint of a season.  Between all the marquee players taking time off for small, nagging injuries to the multitude of awful basketball teams, NBA regular season basketball is incredibly unappealing to me.  I mean come on, the Bulls were without their best player for nearly half of the season, and they still are tied for the best record in the league.

Once the playoffs start, though, I'll turn my attention to the NBA.  The Bulls seem destined for another meeting with the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, and obviously the next step for Rose is to defeat the evil empire and get to the Finals.

Cubs Trade Marlon Byrd
Marlon Byrd was off to a historically bad start this season, hitting .070 (3-for-43) before they traded him to Boston for Michael Bowden.  Of course, they had to send most, if not all, the rest of Marlon Byrd's salary to the Red Sox as well, so it's not like they totally rid themselves of Byrd.  They needed someone to fill in for the injured Jacoby Ellsbury as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder.  So far with the Red Sox, Byrd is 3-for-9 in two Red Sox wins over the Twins.

I really hope Byrd can be successful.  I enjoyed the way he played the game, always 100% full speed.

NFL Draft Kicks Off Tomorrow, Bears Pick 19th
Who will the Bears select in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft?  If you ask Mel Kiper, he's got them taking Whitney Mercilus, a defensive end out of Illinois.  Ask Todd McShay, and he'll tell you the Bears will take Quinton Coples, another DE out of North Carolina.  Mike Mayock of the NFL Network has the Bears drafting Chandler Jones, yet another DE out of Syracuse.

The Bears have several positions of need, but the consensus seems to be taking someone to play opposite Julius Peppers.  I think the offensive line is a greater need than defensive line.  You have to keep Jay Cutler upright to be able to throw to his new favorite target in Brandon Marshall.  They also need to start thinking about how to replace Brian Urlacher.  He's not getting any younger and he's also coming off a knee injury.

PODCAST COMING TOMORROW: I'll talk with Jake Smerdel of alwaysovertime.com, and he'll go over his mock draft, and we'll talk about what the Bears might do in the later rounds.

The Never-Too-Early-To-Analyze-The-Bears-Schedule Post

Two nights ago, the NFL release the entire 2012 schedule.  Let's take a look at what the Bears' 2012 season will look like.

Week 1 vs Indianapolis

Let's hope Jay Cutler isn't running
for his life all season.

What's up Andrew Luck?  Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers, and company will greet the rookie quarterback, who the Colts said today will in fact be the number one overall pick next week.  Here's hoping Rod Marinelli throw some wrinkles at Luck, because the Bears' Cover 2 scheme could allow Andrew Luck to get into a rhythm.  The Colts had one of the worst scoring defenses in the league, so Jay Cutler could have a field day with his new receiver Brandon Marshall.

Week 2 at Green Bay

The Bears' first NFC North test comes early, as the Bears will travel to Green Bay on a short week, as the game will be played on Thursday night.  It's their only Thursday night game in the NFL's new Thursday night schedule, in which there's a Thursday night game every week from 2-15.  This one could be a shootout, as everyone knows what the Packers offense is capable of, but they also had one of the league's worst defenses.  Should be fun.

Week 3 vs St. Louis

The Rams regressed in 2012, going from seven to two wins.  Sam Bradford battled injuries and didn't have much help around him.  They traded the number two overall pick in next week's draft for a king's ransom, so don't expect them to be down for long.  They traded this year's #1 for the Redskins' #1 this year and their top picks for the next two years.  They'll also receive the Redskins' second round pick this year.  Bradford is good, but it's too early to judge what the Rams will be this year, because they have a chance to draft several impact players.

April 18th Podcast

The Stiff Arm, and Ben Heisler joins me to talk all things Major League Baseball.

Blackhawks Put Themselves in Early Hole

Seabs scored the game-tying goal with
just seconds left in regulation

Brent Seabrook had a great game last night.  I was about to tweet something about that, just before he scored the game tying goal with just 14 seconds left in regulation.

The Blackhawks' defenseman was the proverbial "stat sheet stuffer" last night, registering the goal, a +1 rating, seven shots on goal, two blocked shots, and six hits in 31 minutes of ice time which led the team.

But Seabrook's best efforts weren't enough to keep the Hawks out of the loss column, as the Coyotes took a 1-0 series lead on Matin Hanzal's tip goal in overtime.  Despite the loss, the Hawks showed some encouraging signs.

1. Increased pressure on the power play
I'm sure some of this had to do with the return of Jonathan Toews, but the Hawks had plenty of chances on the power play, especially with the top unit.  Even though there was no goal to show for it, the results last night were better than they've been recently.

2. Corey Crawford
Crawford was pretty good in defeat.  He made some spectacular saves, especially when the Hawks were shorthanded.  He's going to have to be every bit as good as Mike Smith, and I think he's up to the challenge.

One thing I think will come into play is the officiating.  Joel Quenneville wanted a too many men on the ice penalty on Phoenix's first goal, and I'm not sure he's wrong.  But then again, they always seem so lax when it comes to that rule.  In my opinion, there needs to be a cut and dry definition of what the rule is, and it needs to be interpreted and enforced as such.  Also, it seems like they will let the boys play, which is good and bad.  It's the norm for playoff hockey, but it's a big difference from the regular season.  I think the NHL has the biggest disparity between regular season and postseason officiating, and the teams must adjust.

I think that favors the Coyotes, because they will be allowed to push around the Hawks.  We know the Hawks struggle against physical teams, so it's just another hurdle to overcome.

I'm still cautiously optimistic about the Hawks' chances in this series, but Phoenix took a huge step forward in winning Game 1.

Shea Weber Gets Off Easy

Shea Weber's hit last night at the end of the Predators' 3-2 win over the Red Wings generated a lot of speculation about just how long he'd be suspended.

I wondered myself whether or not he'd be suspended for the rest of the series, however long that may be.

I got in the car today on my lunch break and found out that Weber will, in fact, not be suspended a single game, and will be fined the maximum $2,500.  Say it ain't so Brendan Shanahan, say it ain't so.  What do you think about the hit?



Here's a statement from Shanahan, the league's head disciplinarian:

"This was a reckless and reactionary play on which Weber threw a glancing punch and then shoved Zetterberg's head into the glass.  As is customary whenever Supplemental Discipline is being considered, we contacted Detroit following the game and were informed that Zetterberg did not suffer an apparent injury and should be in the lineup for Game 2. 

"This play and the fine that addressed it will be significant factors in assessing any incidents involving Shea Weber throughout the remainder of the playoffs."

There's one phrase in what Shanahan said that is exactly why he should be suspended for at least five games.  "Shoved Zetterberg's head into the glass" is the phrase I'm referring to, and is why I think a lot of people are so upset.  The league portrays such an awareness and a desire to curtail head injuries that you'd think they'd like to make an example of Shea Weber, or at least continue the precedent they've set with others.

I get that it's the playoffs, and that you want the stars on the ice, but it's also the time when the NHL gets the most national attention.  As Steve Rosenbloom points out in an online column, it'd be the perfect time to practice what you preach.  I don't always agree with Rosenbloom, as he often over-exaggerates, but he hit the nail on the head this time (no pun intended...or is there?).  Also, whether or not Zetterberg plays in Game 2 should have no bearing on Shanahan's decision.

So how are the Blackhawks affected by this decision?  Shanahan's decision indirectly says it's OK to target the head.  The Hawks have a very important piece most likely returning to the ice tonight in Phoenix.  Jonathan Toews had best have his head on a swivel, because the Coyotes might feel up to taking some liberties when they get a chance.  Toews missed the last quarter of the regular season with a concussion, and more than likely isn't 100% recovered.

Game 2 between the Predators and Wings ought to be interesting.

The Perfect Birthday Present

Cody Zeller and Christian Watford will return
to play for Indiana next season

April 10th, 1987 was the night I was born so yes, today is my birthday.  25 big ones.  It seems that every year, my recurring wish is for the Cubs to win on my birthday.  Tonight, Paul Maholm will try and do just that.

Today, though, I got one of the best birthday presents I've ever gotten, as a fellow Hoosier pointed out to me that BOTH Christian Watford and Cody Zeller will return to Indiana to play basketball.

I had less doubt about Cody returning than Christian, because of how his brothers handled college.  Both of his older brothers stayed all four years at their schools (Luke at Notre Dame and Tyler at North Carolina).  His family definitely values education, and it seems they've instilled those values in Cody.  That being said, Cody is the best of the Zeller brothers, and he's projected as the #6 NBA Draft prospect.

I think Cody will eventually be in the NBA, but I think he needs to fill out a little more before he'll be able to compete with some of the beefier big men in the league.  He's got a good offensive post game, and he runs the floor as well as anyone (and not just big men), so I think his skill set fits well.  We'll see how long he stays.

As for Christian Watford, he's sort of in between an NBA 3 and 4.  I think he's too skinny to play the 4, but might not be quick enough to play the 3.  One reason I thought he might go was that his stock has never been higher.  The game winning three against Kentucky put him on the map, and his stellar play in the NCAA Tournament was a help as well.

Adding those two back into the mix makes the Hoosiers one of the most formidable teams going into the season next November.  It's been a long time since Indiana could post a starting lineup like this:

PG: Jordan Hulls (Senior)
SG: Victor Oladipo (Junior)
SF: Will Sheehey (Junior)
PF: Christian Watford (Senior)
C: Cody Zeller (Sophomore)

And none of those starters are part of the top ten recruiting class that Tom Crean has assembled.  Add in upperclassmen role players like Derek Elston and Maurice Creek, and sophomores Remy Abell and Austin Etherington, and Indiana might be the deepest team in the country.

Look out college basketball, the Hoosiers are here to stay!

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Every Monday I'll look back at the weekend and give you The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.  Here's the first edition...

Bubba Watson and his fully-buttoned collar is your
Masters champ for 2012

The Good: Bubba Watson won the Masters yesterday in a playoff with Louis Oosthuizen.  What was so good about it?  Nevermind the drama that Sunday at Augusta always presents, it was how he won the second playoff hole.  Neither player hit a great drive, but Bubba was way worse off than Oosthuizen.  Oosthuizen’s second shot from the rough came up short of the green, but he probably thought he was just fine based on where Bubba was. 

But Bubba got as lucky as he could possibly get in this situation, and he had a clear line to the green, so long as he could get his ball out of the woods, then hook it around to the right.  He did just that, and produced one of the GREATEST golf shots I’ve ever seen.  He landed it within ten feet of the cup, and at that point I knew there was no way Bubba Watson was going to lose.  There’s just no way that Louis Oosthuizen was going to come back after watching Bubba do that.  Congratulations Bubba Watson.  His shirt buttoned all the way to the top, though?  That’s a different story.

The Bad: As good as Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthiuzen were over the weekend, Tiger Woods was just as bad.  He was never in contention, and finished tied for 41^st, his worst finish since he was cut in 1996.  Yeah, that’s 16 years ago.  Everyone was high on Tiger’s chances coming in, higher than they would normally be because Tiger finally won a PGA Tour event.  He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago at Bay Hill.  It finally looked like Tiger was putting everything together again.  Finally getting back to being the dominant golfer we know he can be. 

But any progress that was made at Bay Hill was undone at Augusta.  He missed fairways, missed greens, didn’t putt well, and let his temper get the best of him.  It’s a show we’ve seen before, and it’s not pretty.  Personally, I’m rooting for Tiger to get back on top.  Seeing guys like Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy win is nice, but adding Tiger back into the mix would do wonders for golf.

The Ugly:  Kerry Wood had an awful opening weekend for the Cubs.  On Thursday, he came into the game in the 8^th inning with a one run lead, two outs, and Ian Desmond on first.  Obviously, it’s not the ideal situation for a reliever, but there’s a reason Wood is in the back end of the bullpen.  Desmond stole second, and then Ryan Zimmerman walked.  Both runners moved up on a wild pitch, and now the go-ahead run is in scoring position.  Wood then walked Adam LaRoche to load the bases, and then walked Jayson Werth to tie the game.  He got DeRosa to ground out to second, but the damage was done.

On Saturday, Wood came in again in the 8^th inning, this time with a clean slate and a two run lead.  He got the first two hitters, but then gave up a homer to Danny Espinosa.  Back to back singles followed, and Kerry Wood was done for the day.  Both runners eventually scored to give Wood three earned runs on the day.  Here’s Wood’s line for the season so far: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 27.00 ERA.  Yeah, I know, an ERA isn’t a great barometer for relief pitchers, but WHIP sure is, and Wood’s is at 6.00.  I also know that it’s April 9^th, and the Cubs have 159 games left to play.  While he had an ugly weekend, hopefully he can get back to being the Kerry Wood we know and love.