Friday, February 7, 2025
Home Blog Page 17

Zach LaVine Just Confirmed Where He Wants To Play Next

By
Ryan Dauterive
-
Mar 26, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago’s two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine has been the face of the franchise since acquiring him in 2017. In those eight years, the Bulls have only reached the postseason once, featuring a 1-4 series loss to the Milwaukee Bucks a few years ago. In the last two years, they’ve been eliminated in the NBA Play-In Tournament with a chance to earn the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference. Amidst the continued mediocrity, LaVine has been raking in one of the most lucrative contracts leaguewide, yet has failed to be named to the NBA’s All-Star nominees for the last two years. Last season’s trade deadline was the closest Chicago has ever been to trading away their star guard until days before the cutoff, when LaVine announced he was undergoing season-ending surgery, ending any trade talks and his 2023-24 campaign entirely. There was a point in January of 2024 when LaVine’s camp was avidly pushing to be traded away, including releasing a list of preferred destinations for the former UCLA Bruin. With trade buzz surrounding his name again this year, here’s his opinion on what threads to wear next.

LaVine Wants To Remain A Chicago Bull

After a rough three-year stretch of continuous trade rumors and speculation surrounding LaVine and his camp, his most recent remarks suggest his preferred destination is to stay put. Jimmy Butler’s activity in Miami, Bradley Beal’s desire to leave Phoenix, and Milwaukee’s desire to add star power in the next two weeks led winding roads to Chicago, where LaVine’s name has been a common theme. His contract is comparable to those of those two stars, and his skill set would be a perfect fit for the Bucks or Heat, to name a few. Despite the noise, LaVine is content with where he is.

Playing At An All-Star Level

After an incredibly slow start to his 2024-25 season, LaVine in January has been incredible. His scoring numbers and shooting efficiency stack up with the best leaguewide, and he’s top-five in points scored and points per game. While it’s too late for his All-Star campaign, and that ship has sailed to earn his third career All-Star nod, his trade stock has risen over the last few weeks of stellar performances. With Chicago’s 19-26 record, good for tenth in the Eastern Conference standings, look for them to shop him still. His contract is less expensive than Beal or Butler, he’s younger than both, a better perimeter scorer than both, and he has shown fewer attitude issues off the court than the other All-Star guards. Despite his wishes to stay put, if the Bulls continue their downward slide in the next 13 days, he could be one of the most significant pieces moved before the trade deadline.

Is it time for Chicago to throw in the towel on this year and LaVine’s career as a Bull?

Former Cubs Closer Signs with New Team

By
Aldo Soto
-
Apr 13, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Adbert Alzolay (73) celebrates following the final out of 4-1 victory against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Former Chicago Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay has signed with the New York Mets. Alzolay, 29, was only able to pitch in 18 games for the Cubs in 2024, before an arm injury shut him down in May. He attempted to return, but was eventually shut down and underwent Tommy John surgery in the summer. Alzolay will most likely return until 2026, thus the two-year deal with the Mets.

The right-handed pitcher has been with the Cubs since 2013, when he signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela.

I, along with many other Cubs fans, were hoping that the Cubs would eventually work out a deal to retain Alzolay. Despite his struggles last season, he was really damn good in 2023, when Alzolay took over the closer role for the team and was one of the best relievers in the game. Alzolay’s career year saw him post a 2.67 ERA in 64 innings with 22 saves and seven holds out of the bullpen.

However, it seems as though Alzolay may have ultimately decided to sign with the Mets because according to Cubs pitcher Justin Steele, the Mets plan to stretch Alzolay back out to be a starter.

It turns out that Steele had the scoop back in December and shared that Alzolay was going to sign with the Mets via a YouTube comment on The Setup Man.

Given the offseason signings for the Cubs in addition to guys like Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad, Ben Brown, plus prospects Cade Horton and Brandon Birdsell at Triple-A, the team probably couldn’t guarantee Alzolay innings as a starter once he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

The righty was at one time the top pitching prospect in the Cubs minor league system, but injuries slowed him down and Alzolay was eventually moved to a reliever role. Alzolay made the bulk of his starts in 2021, but struggles against left-handed hitters limited his success and he eventually fizzled out in the rotation with a 5.16 ERA in 106.1 innings.

Alzolay has 27 career starts. As a reliever he’s been good, posting a 2.83 ERA with a 27.3 K% in 124 innings.

We’ll always have that summer of 2023. Best of luck to Adbert!

Ben Johnson’s Staff Tracker: Full List of Hires and Open Positions

By
Dave
-
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during a introductory press conference at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Ben Johnson was hired less than a week ago, but he’s already making significant progress in assembling his coaching staff. So far, he’s made some impressive hires. However, key positions like defensive and offensive coordinator remain unfilled but are expected to be addressed soon. I’ve also included members of the previous coaching staff from the last regime who have not officially been let go; their status is marked as “TBD.”

Here’s a look at the remaining positions on Ben Johnson’s staff as of Saturday, January 25.

Coaching Staff Overview

  • Head Coach: Ben Johnson
  • Assistant Head Coach: Antwaan Randle El

Offensive Staff:

  • Offensive Coordinator: TBD
  • Passing Game Coordinator: TBD
  • Running Game Coordinator: TBD
  • Quarterbacks Coach: JT Barrett
  • Running Backs Coach: TBD
  • Wide Receivers Coach: Antwaan Randle El (dual role as Assistant Head Coach)
  • Tight Ends Coach: Jim Dray (status TBD)
  • Offensive Line Coach: TBD

Defensive Staff:

  • Defensive Coordinator: TBD (Dennis Allen is the front runner)
  • Defensive Line Coach: Travis Smith (status TBD)
  • Linebackers Coach: Dave Borgonzi (status TBD)
  • Defensive Backs Coach/Passing Game Coordinator: Al Harris
  • Safeties Coach: TBD

Special Teams:

  • Special Teams Coordinator: Richard Hightower (status TBD)

There is still a lot of work to be done in finalizing the rest of the staff, and Ben Johnson has some key decisions ahead. However, you can expect those decisions to be made quickly within the next week as the offseason moves forward and the “player acquisition stage” begins.

Shocking Details Revealed About Ben Johnson And The Bears Deal

Bears Long-Awaited Solution At Center Emerges

By
Dave
-
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman (67) blocks against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears have struggled to find stability at the center position, a problem that dates back to Justin Fields tenure when Sam Mustipher held the role. Last season, Coleman Shelton filled the spot, but with his short-term deal expiring, it’s clear the Bears need an upgrade rather than bringing him back. That’s where Drew Dalman could be a game-changer.

Dalman, the 26-year-old center for Atlanta last season, earned an impressive 84.8 grade from Pro Football Focus and is ranked as the 22nd-best free agent overall. Despite playing only nine games in 2024 due to an ankle injury, Dalman allowed just nine total pressures, with the most sacks he’s ever surrendered in a single season being two. He also committed only three pre-snap penalties last year. Over his career, Dalman has logged more than 1,300 pass-blocking snaps, making him an experienced and reliable option—not a rookie project. According to PFF, the ideal landing spot for the former 4th round pick is Chicago.

“With Coleman Shelton’s short-term deal manning the middle of this offensive line set to expire, new Bears head coach Ben Johnson may opt to replicate the success he found in Detroit with All-Pro center Frank Ragnow.”

Contract Outlook

The Bears have significant cap space this offseason, which positions them well to pursue Dalman and other upgrades. A realistic contract could be in the range of three years, worth $35–$38 million, making Dalman one of the highest-paid centers in the league. A deal at $38 million would average about $12.5 million per year, potentially including incentives. This type of investment aligns with Ben Johnson’s recent comments on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, where he mentioned the “player acquisition stage is right around the corner.”

This move would fill a critical need for the Bears and solidify the offensive line—a priority for their new head coach and quarterback Caleb Williams.

Watch Now: Shocking Details Revealed About Ben Johnson And The Bears Deal

Bears Sniffing Around The Intriguing Bo Hardegree For Offensive Coordinator

By
Erik Lambert
-
bo hardegree

Unsurprisingly, Ben Johnson has been building his offensive staff by leveraging personal connections. Antwaan Randle El and J.T. Barrett have followed him from Detroit. will run the wide receivers and quarterbacks, respectively. He might not be done. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed that the Chicago Bears interviewed Tennessee Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Not only did the young assistant work with Johnson for three years in Miami, but he also served briefly with the Bears in 2015.

Hardegree has a fascinating history. He broke into the NFL with Denver in 2014 and served as an offensive assistant at multiple stops before becoming the quarterbacks coach in Miami. He soon jumped to New England in 2021, where he was instrumental in helping Mac Jones have a standout rookie season. Josh McDaniels brought him to Las Vegas where he got one last Pro Bowl out of Derek Carr. Midway through the following season in 2023, Hardegree was forced to take over play-calling after McDaniels was fired. After a difficult stretch in November, things started to click down the stretch, including a 63-point explosion against the Chargers.

Despite rarely being given adequate resources to work with, Hardegree has a reputation for overachieving.

The allure of Bo Hardegree isn’t hard to see.

For one, he has a growing reputation for helping young quarterbacks develop. Jones and Aidan O’Connell played their best football with him on the staff. He would be an instant asset for Caleb Williams. There is also his knack for cracking offensive plays. In his brief time running the offense for Las Vegas, he did a remarkable job of installing new wrinkles almost every week, keeping opponents off balance. There is no question Johnson would love to get that kind of mind on the staff, given his own love of constantly brainstorming new ideas. Bo Hardegree won’t have significant control of the offense like normal coordinators. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have serious influence.

Chicago Bears’ New QB Coach Reveals A Brilliant Staff-Building Strategy

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) next to assistant quarterbacks coach J.T Barrett and teammates take the field for warm up before the game between San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.

The Chicago Bears have finally begun assembling their coaching staff after the arrival of head coach Ben Johnson. Three assistants arrived in quick succession on Friday. It started with former Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Al Harris becoming their new passing game coordinator. Next was Detroit Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, taking the same job in Chicago in addition to assistant head coach. However, the third and final move sent a clear signal of what strategy Johnson is using.

J.T. Barrett was the Lions assistant quarterbacks coach. He will become Chicago’s primary quarterbacks coach. Why this is such an interesting move because it cements what was already becoming clear. Johnson isn’t just adding former players as coaches on his staff. He’s adding former successful players.

Harris was a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback who helped the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers make the playoffs a combined six times, including three NFC Championship appearances. Randle El won a Super Bowl as a wide receiver with Pittsburgh. Barrett was a Heisman favorite as a freshman and set Ohio State on a path to a national championship in 2014. These men are accustomed to winning and understand what it takes to get there. This is precisely what the Bears need.

The Chicago Bears haven’t had a staff like this in years.

One would have to go back to the Mike Ditka era when they had guys like Dick Stanfel and Johnny Roland on the staff. Stanfel was a five-time All-Pro guard in the 1950s. Roland was a two-time Pro Bowl running back in the 1960s. Ditka himself was, of course, a Hall of Fame tight end. History proves that infusing a staff with successful former players tends to create good results for a team. Johnson learned this lesson from Dan Campbell during his time in Detroit, and he seems to have taken it to heart.

It will be interesting to see if he brings any other former players to the Chicago Bears. Chris Kuper worked with Johnson in Miami. He was a Pro Bowl offensive lineman in Denver before that. Shawn Jefferson was also there, and he was a member of the New England Patriots All-Decade team in the 1990s as a receiver. There is no shortage of possibilities. One thing is certain: This Bears team will be run with a far greater competitive edge than it has been in a long time.

Buehrle Buys Fans Beer, White Sox Pay Tribute To Fan Favorite With Statue Unveiling

By
Mitchell Kaminski
-
2005 World Series Game 4 -- Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox -- Mark Buehrle sprays champagne into the crowd after the White Sox World Series victory. Xxx World Series Dec409 Jpg S Bbo Usa Tx

Mark Buehrle is already a legend among White Sox fans. His No. 56 proudly overlooks the stadium on 35th in Shields, a tribute to one of the franchise’s most beloved players. Soon, fans entering the ballpark will be greeted by another homage—a statue honoring Buehrle, set to be unveiled on July 11.

The announcement was made during the team’s SoxFest Live fan convention in an effort to build excitement for a fan base reeling from a historic 121-loss season. It’s a fitting tribute to a player who epitomized everything fans loved about the White Sox. Buehrle, always the fan favorite, added to his legacy at the event by buying a round of beers for the crowd at the Ramova Theatre— noting that team owner Jerry Reinsdorf helped cover the tab.

Bringing the World Series champion back is a smart move by the White Sox. Buehrle certainly deserves the honor and the best way to garner excitement from a disgruntled fan base is by bringing back fan favorites. 

His exclusion from this year’s Hall of Fame class sparked plenty of debates about his career numbers, but there is no denying his mark on Chicago sports lore. Buehrle’s impact went beyond the box score. Whether it was sliding across a rain-soaked tarp, cracking jokes during a perfect game, or famously admitting to drinking “three beers max” before coming out of the bullpen in Game 3 of the World Series, Buehrle’s everyman charm made him easy to root for. Yet, when it came time to compete, he delivered.

Sliding across a rain-soaked tarp, chatting to teammates in the middle of a perfect game, admitting to drinking “three beers max” before coming out of the bullpen in Game 3 of the World Series, or surprising everyone by hitting a home run in Milwaukee, Buehrle was an easy guy to root for because he never took himself too seriously. But when it came time to win he was up for the task. 

A four-time Gold Glove winner, five-time All-Star, and the epitome of durability, Buehrle logged 14 consecutive seasons with 200-plus innings pitched. He was a cornerstone of the 2005 White Sox team that ended the franchise’s 88-year championship drought, throwing a complete-game shutout against the Angels in the ALCS and earning a save in the 14th inning of the World Series.

Despite being a 38th-round draft pick, Buehrle’s style of pitching made him a must-watch every fifth day. He worked quickly—no nonsense, no wasted time. His games often finished in under three hours, a rarity in modern baseball. Without overwhelming velocity or a devastating strikeout pitch, Buehrle relied on precision, painting corners and mixing speeds to keep hitters guessing.

His style wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. Buehrle won 214 games, ranked 65th all-time in WAR for pitchers, and consistently demonstrated his athleticism, highlighted by his iconic between-the-legs glove flip on Opening Day 2011.

Regardless of the team’s record, White Sox fans are going to attend an event honoring Buehlre. While they are visiting the ballpark, perhaps some of the young talent in the pipeline can convince them to stick around a bit longer.

Ben Johnson May Have Found His O-Line Coach And It’s A Huge Upgrade

By
Erik Lambert
-
ben johnson
Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints running backs coach Dan Roushar looks on before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Saints at Heinz Field. The Saints won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With Chris Morgan out, new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson would have to fill the all-important offensive line coach position. After this group allowed 67 sacks in 2024, there is no underselling how important of a hire this is. While nothing is set in stone yet, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune recently revealed the name that could secure the job within the next couple of days. His name is Dan Roushar. The 64-year-old has been coaching various offensive positions in college and the NFL dating back to 1986.

Over that time, he has developed a notable list of future studs.

  • Doug Free
  • Andrus Peat
  • Terron Armstead
  • Larry Warford
  • Ryan Ramczyk
  • Erik McCoy
  • Cesar Ruiz

Roushar is undoubtedly one of the best in the business at what he does. He would bring a ton of experience to the staff where it is needed the most. Johnson likely connected with him via Dan Campbell. The two worked together in New Orleans. Sean Payton always has a good eye for line coaches. If the Bears can lure him back to the pros, that is a critical move to shore up their most problematic area.

Ben Johnson is giving his young lineman a chance to grow.

Roushar is a master at getting the most out of his players. During his time in New Orleans, no fewer than five players would make at least one Pro Bowl under his watch. The Bears have high hopes for young guys like Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones. There is no telling what they could become under his guidance. The same is true of 3rd round pick Kiran Amegadjie, who had a rocky season as a rookie. If those guys have something to offer, Roushar will be the one to find it.

He’ll also be able to identify talent in the upcoming draft. Remember, Roushar has worked extensively in college football for decades. He knows how to tell the difference between guys who can play on Sundays and those who will be working as insurance salesmen. Ben Johnson deserves so much credit if he closes this deal. He’s already added two excellent assistants, Antwaan Randle El and Al Harris. Bringing in Roushar would give this staff a level of credibility it hasn’t had in years.

Blackhawks Deal Taylor Hall As Part Of Three-Team Blockbuster

By
Isaac Nielsen
-
Dec 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall (71) celebrates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues during the first period in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Just before the puck dropped on Friday’s game against the Lightning, the Blackhawks announced that Seth Jones would be scratched due to illness and that Taylor Hall was scratched for undisclosed reasons. With almost zero warning or explanation, it was clear something was up. It certainly didn’t make matters less suspicious that GM Kyle Davidson was reportedly in Denver for the majority of the past week.

While the Blackhawks didn’t get much in return, they got to be part of what will almost certainly be the biggest NHL trade of the season. In a deal that sent Mikko Rantanen to Carolina in exchange for Martin Necas, Chicago threw in former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall and used their room under the salary cap to help broker the trade.

At the end of the day, the Blackhawks gave up Hall while retaining 50 percent of Rantanen’s salary ($4.625 million) and grabbing a third-round pick in return. Full details:

Trade call underway now. Full deal:

To Hurricanes: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall

To Avalanche: Martin Necas, Jack Drury, 2025 2nd Round Pick, 2026 4th Round Pick (all from Carolina)

To Blackhawks: 2025 3rd Round Pick (their own returned from Carolina), 50% of Rantanen’s salary

With Rantanen and Hall both set to hit free agency this summer, Chicago essentially paid $1.25 million for their own third-rounder, likely in the 65-70th overall range. It’s tough to see Hall go, but many assumed he would be traded within the next month – he had 24 points in 46 games and didn’t figure into Chicago’s long-term plans. Plus, with the Blackhawks looking to inject some of their young prospects into the lineup over the next few months (like I wrote earlier Friday), Hall was taking up a roster spot that can now be used to help build the future. All in all, it’s not a massive trade for the Blackhawks, but includes nothing but long-term gains for a team that has all but given up on the ongoing season.

Chicago Bears Score Two Outstanding Additions To Coaching Staff

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears
Aug 24, 2020; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys player Trevon Diggs (right) talks with Al Harris (left) during training camp at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: James D. Smith via USA TODAY Sports

Ben Johnson knew that if he was taking over the Chicago Bears, it would be a Herculean task to draft them out of the mud and back to playoff contention. For that, he would need a quality staff of assistant coaches. However, things went silent for the past few days. Little information came out on their plans aside from the initial belief they were targeting former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen for defensive coordinator. Everything changed on Friday as they made not one but two massive additions to the staff.

It started with a bombshell from Patrik Walker of Dallascowboys.com that assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Al Harris would be leaving Dallas to join the Bears as their new passing game coordinator. Harris was a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and has risen up the ranks rapidly over the past few years. Shortly after that, news broke from Adam Schefter that Detroit Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El would join the organization as their assistant head coach and receiver coach. He was a productive receiver throughout the 2000s for Pittsburgh and Washington, winning a Super Bowl in 2005.

The Chicago Bears have hit two home runs in quick succession.

Harris has carved out a glittering reputation as a defensive backs coach for years. In Kansas City from 2016 to 2018, he got All-Pro seasons from safety Eric Berry and cornerback Marcus Peters. Then, in Dallas, he turned draft picks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland in All-Pros as well. One can only imagine what he can accomplish with Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker.

Randle El was born in Riverdale, Illinois. This is a homecoming for him. He got his first coaching shot in Tampa Bay, where he helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl in 2020. That earned him the wide receivers coach job in Detroit, where he developed Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams into 1,000-yard targets.

Both men have proven track records as coaches and have also played in the league at a high level, making them such strong additions to the Chicago Bears’ staff. Johnson is off to a terrific start.

1...161718...2,754Page 17 of 2,754

© Sports Mockery, Inc. 2024 | All rights reserved