If we are looking for depth at RB, this would be a great pickup.  However, he might be just as disgruntled in CHI sharing carries with Benson.  A team such as the Bucs have a more dire need for a RB than we do.  I'm not advocating the Bears pick him up, just thought I'd through it out there.  I'm willing to stick with crew we have now.  Still hoping that Benson will get it rolling as he gains more confidence . . . . . . who knows if it will happen.

Anyone see the Griffey trade rumor/request: http://fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/mlb?cnn=yes  quoted from the Sun-Times.  With the way Griffey is play this year what a great addition he would be (offensively and defensively).  Who would we trade?  Where would he play?  I assume it would be JJ or Floyd or maybe even Murton in there somewhere.  Would he play RF or CF?  The piece mentions he is unhappy in Cinci, perhaps b/c of his move to RF.  I think it would be very exciting to acquire him.  I can't wait to see what happens.

I am interested to know how you guys feels about the RB situation.  I was prompted to ask this question due to a blurb on SI.com that quoted the trib as saying that fans would be calling for Benson soon b/c of the poor play of Jones(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/scorecard/09/20/truth.rumors.nfl/index.html?cnn=yes).

I don't feel like Jones has done a bad job.  I think it is working ok the way it is right now.  However, it is obvious that our running game isn't doing as well as it did last year, but look at our passing game, which was non-existent last year! Both of these guys have about a 3 ypc average.  In my mind, Jones has proven that he should still be starting over Benson.  I really do like both of these guys on our team.  Benson is a good bruising style back to watch, and he will be a very good running back.  I would like to see a scheme where both of these guys get their touches and are both happy with the situation.  I am not too naive to think that both of these would be happy with 10-15 touches each, but it would be nice.

I think the hub-bub is alot to do about nothing at this point - perhaps the writers are just trying to find something controversial to write about and this is the only thing that is near to "juicy".  So, now that I just talked in circles about how I like both guys, but Jones should start, but it would be great if Benson does well, and everyone could be a big happy family, and maybe if Benson does great he could start, and we could still have a happy backfield.  What do you guys think?

Jeffri Chadiha of si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jeffri_chadiha/07/26/offseason.grades/index.html?cnn=y es) tallied his offseason report card for all teams and gave the Bears a C-, citing chemistry issuses with Briggs, Vasher, and Jones.  I doubt that Briggs and Vasher will have a bad attitude, but I wouldn't put it past Jones to speak out if Benson gets a larger portion of the carries this year.  I'm not really sure what to think b/c we didn't have a lot of needs going into to the offseason, but the apparent needs that we did have weren't addressed to many peoples satisfaction.  One of the best things we did was sign Griese to give us much needed depth at QB, but we didn't address the WR issue.  However, to be fair we have many question marks at WR and I don't fault the Bears for having faith that some of the youngsters will step up.  Needless to say, I would feel better if the Bears picked up one of the WR's that wants to be traded, such as Lelie or Porter, but I don't see that happening.  Therefore, I don't agree with a grade of C-, maybe a B-?

I was messing around on the other day and stumbled across this link from Deadspin showing some more party pics of Orton.  Looks like his play last year at least got him some chicks! He has such a baby face in the last one.  These may be old news to some of you, but they were new to me.  I guess Kyle likes to party, hey, he had a successful rookie season, who wouldn't want to party.  At least he didn't go ride a motorcycle w/o a helmet after partying.

http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com/2006/06/kyle-orton-partying-our-faith-in.html

http://www.deadspin.com/sports/nfl/oh-you-didnt-forget-about-kyle-did-you-164069.php

http://deadspin.com/sports/nfl/bear-down-chicago-bear-128831.php

It is probably no surprise to anyone that some Cards fans are really excited that DLee is injured.  

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/story/2006/4/20/13812/3809

No doubt we would feel fortunate if Pujols was injured.  I was a little irritated that the posters felt that we Cub fans would use it as an excuse if we lose and rub it in if we win w/o DLee.  Injuries are a part of baseball and we are all accustomed to them.  I'm sure that some Cub fans will do as the poster suggests, nevertheless, I will always rub it in if we win. . . . . they do.

It's like a Cub fan saying that when the Cards lose, their fans are going to use their lousy bullpen as an excuse, or if they win, rub it in that they won despite having a horrible bullpen.

I noticed that on the front of some of the Cubs players hats is the number "34" in what appears to be whiteout or a white marker, does anyone know what this is about?  I'm assuming it is in support of Kerry Woods rehab process, or maybe they are just Walter Payton fans?  I can't remember which guys have it on their hats, but I thought it was wierd unless Kerry Wood has some terminal illness - he has been chronically injured for the past several years.  Just wondering if anyone knew the scoop.

Since Zambrano was supposed to have matured over the offseason, but was tossed after being replaced, it would be quite humurous to create a Zambrano ejection count for the season.  He still appears to be his fiery self this year.  Of course this is probably in poor taste - just thought it would be funny.

The national media especially, tends to focus on Wood, Prior, and Maddux and rarely mention Zambrano.  However, the Chicago media does give him more credit.  And as a Cub fan most of us should be aware of his talent.  Don't get me wrong, I love Woody, Prior, and Maddux, but I just feel that Carlos doesn't get the recognition he deserves from the mainstream baseball media (despite finishing 4th in '04 Cy Young).  To me Zambrano is the one to get the most excited about and he is my favorite starting pitcher.  I'm interested to see if other fans like Zambrano as much as I do.

Hello all,

I have been reading the Cubs blogs for the past couple of years but never posted on them before.  Al, I love this page, as it has freqent updates and the cartoons are great.  I'm "pathetic Cubs fan" (according to my Card's rooting friends) stuck here in Mid-Missouri.  I grew up a Cubs fan in northern Missouri thanks to WGN.  I got more Cubs game than any other, besides Braves games, and as an impressionable 7 year old began rooting for the Cubbies.  I grew up idolizing the likes of Sandberg, Dawson, Maddux, Grace, etc.  Watching Sandberg play flawless D, hit homers, doubles, and steal bases provide me with my fondest memories of childhood.  Naturally, when I saw that #23 was going to be retired I wanted to be there to witness it.  Blame it on naivety, but I had never had to bother with the fight for tickets.  Or rather yet, I have never seen the Cubs live when they were contenders and everyone wanted to see them.  So, when the wife gave the go ahead to pursue tickets for the Aug. 28 game I was sorely disappointed that all the tickets were sold out.  I completely understand why someone visiting the BCB wouldn't want to part with tickets to this game, but I'm on my hands and knees hoping that someone might have extra tickets for this game.  Please God, help me! ;)

I, like everyone esle, can't wait for the season to begin and the 1st televised spring game next Monday.  From the land of Cubs fans far and few, I say GO CUBBIES! I look forward to following this site throughout the season to provide some excitement during those dull summer afternoons at work!