SB Nation User Blog: propheteer

Command and control

propheteer — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:08:18 -0000

There was a question during Harden's very poor performance against the Brewers this afternoon. Someone came in late to the game thread and asked what exactly happened to him. I mentioned he had bad command of the strike-zone with his fastball, and another blogger mentioned it was his control. I disputed this notion, and he said "those two words mean the same thing." In any event, Harden was pitching strikes, but had virtually no command on where his pitches were going within the strike-zone. It really didn't have much to do with his control otherwise he would've walked a bunch of guys; instead he was getting hit very hard all over the field. There is a nice piece on Pitching Tips Blog if anyone is interested in some clarification on the two terms.

Command- a pitcher's ability to pitch within the strike-zone.

Pitching command means being able to locate any pitch within a certain section of the strike zone instead of just trying to throw the ball over the plate with no purpose.

Control- a pitcher's ability to pitch strikes or not.

Pitcher's ability to improve control and throw strikes more consistently

Angelo the impressed?

propheteer — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:27:41 -0000

via www.celebritymooch.com

In Jerry's very first question he discusses with Larry Mayer about the progress of the Bears rookie receivers during OTAs, and how their plethora of running backs have faired so far. There are many questions surrounding Garrett Wolfe and "our" AP, the most important being will they show enough to make the final cut at the end of training camp. JA seems to be pointing to the possibility of keeping four running backs on the roster for the upcoming season.

Kevin Jones is really back in true form in terms of his quickness and speed, and we’re seeing more cutting ability than we’ve seen in the past. That’s a real good sign for us; to get the tandem of Kevin and Matt Forte going as well as Garrett Wolfe with Adrian Peterson.

This looks to be good news, because we all know Forte can't handle the burden like last year. Actually, reading this excerpt gets me real excited to see the Bears regain a formidable tandem in the backfield.

In addition, Jerry touches on a very hot topic in regards to Plax and the possibility of him becoming a Bear. The rest of the questions deal with the defense's health entering training camp.

Angelo the wise (formely known as the professor)?

propheteer — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:51:37 -0000

via assets.chicagobears.com

In what seems like a never ending series from Mayer on chicagobears.com, our own J. Angelo goes further into depth with his answers than ever before. He has some very nice words on Jamar Williams, and if all goes well he'll be in neck-in-neck competition between Pisa and Nick('s). Yeah, it does kind of sound like some pizza joint in suburban Chicago. You know the kind that serve thin-crust pizza cut up in squares? Well anyways, enough of being hungry for food from back home. Here's a Jay Sizzle quote from JA on his attitude and work ethic.

He’s rolled up his sleeves and he’s gone to work. He’s certainly not resting on any laurels. He’s come in here to prove himself and establish himself.

Hey Dungy- it sure seems like he's maturing before our very eyes. Get used to being wrong.

My favorite excerpt was on Tommie Harris' all famous knee. See what JA says about him not participating in OTAs so far, and the importance of him being in there.

The wear and tear comes during the season, not the offseason.

I thought it was like in baseball, where a pitcher warming up doesn't count as "wear and tear."

Make sure to vote on the poll and let me know what you guys think of JA's thoughts and comments!

Poll

Has Jerry Angelo become wiser this offseason?

Yay

26 votes

Nay

8 votes

34 votes | Poll has closed

I'm aware we can't provide links onto a paid site, so I thought I'd do a shot instead of a post. I...

propheteer — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:15:44 -0000

I'm aware we can't provide links onto a paid site, so I thought I'd do a shot instead of a post. I respect KC, but he's certainly way off base on his proposed rankings of the NFC north QBs if Favre signed with Minny. It seems to me he has put too much in his "science" and not enough in other factors outside of Cutler's control.

Here are his rankings:

1) Rodgers- reasonable considering his nice numbers.
2) Favre- on reputation alone? shoulder? age?
3) Cutler- ludicrous to have him as third.
4) Stafford- the only one he got right.

Angelo the professor- post draft Q&A

propheteer — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:17:31 -0000

JA only answers a handful of questions regarding rookie mini-camp, draftees' possible contribution in the regular season, and puts to rest the idea of signing an aging dinosaur from the scrap-heap. Smart move professor.

Here's an excerpt indicating the draftees have taken their first step in their professional football careers.

All the players looked like they belonged. What was nice was what we saw on their college tape was reflected during our three-day minicamp. That's what it should look like, and it did.

Now if someone can just invent a time machine so we can kick the '09 season off already!

Angelo the professor Q&A- part 4

propheteer — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:55:06 -0000

via d.yimg.com

I love this picture! He has a look on his face like you better be great, or I'm up the creek without a paddle or a boat. In this latest sitdown with JA, Larry Mayer covers topics on Earl Bennett and how many draftees will become starters for the Bears. He has a great explanation on why the former didn't see the field in his rookie year. Is this a typical backpedal from JA (the Jerry shuffle), or is he really preaching the truth? Time will tell soon enough on our 4th round pick from a year ago.

Here's a quote from the excerpt:

Usually the best player on our board should facilitate one of our needs, because you usually have three to four needs going into any given draft.

Hey, at least he recognizes and acknowledges we have weaknesses. Hopefully he doesn't "miss" by reaching for a need too early.

First timer on Pickaxe. Seems like there's a lot of fiery Nugs fans on here. Is this a favorite...

propheteer — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:39:19 -0000

First timer on Pickaxe. Seems like there's a lot of fiery Nugs fans on here. Is this a favorite site for idiot Blazer fans to invade?

Ditka Joke- One day Favre dies (go bears). He goes up to Heaven and finds out his house is a nice...

propheteer — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:10:09 -0000

Ditka Joke- One day Favre dies (go bears). He goes up to Heaven and finds out his house is a nice ranch house...with a packers flag flying in the front lawn. Next door there is a 5 story mansion with a bears flag in every window, orange and navy siding, Bears EVERYTHING. Favre grabs the nearest angel and says, "excuse me...Not that I'm complaining, but how come Ditka gets a bigger house than me?" the Angel replies, "That's not Ditka's house...that's God's house" Go bears

Cutler deal a great value?

propheteer — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:39:19 -0000

via www.giftsandfreeadvice.com

via nbc5streetteam.files.wordpress.com

Larry Mayer's chalk talk breaks down the trade between Chicago and Denver in terms of the numeric point system. Looking at the values between Cutler (doesn't include the 5th rounder in return) vs. Orton plus draft picks, clearly show the Bears came out ahead of the Broncos based on Cutler's pro-bowl ability, and seemingly #1 pick overall status. Here's my calculation of the total points for both teams, and quote from Larry showing his seal of approval.

Plus I’d much rather have a proven commodity who still has upside and can get better like Cutler than rely on unknowns in the draft. The money under the salary cap the Bears will save by not paying two first-round picks is also a huge positive moving forward.

Bears - 3000 points (Cutler as the overall #1 pick in this year's draft)

Broncos - 2,340 points. 900 points for this year's 18th pick, 170 for 84th pick overall, and 850 for next year's #1 pick, which I estimated to be the 20th pick overall (Bears making the playoffs as the worst wild card team). As far as Orton, it's difficult to determine where he would go in this months draft. I'd determine he'd be worth at least a middle second round pick. That would give Denver an additional 420 points for Neckbeard.

Thus, through my eyes as well as Mayer's, the Bears got the better of this deal. What does everyone think?

Angelo the professor- part trois

propheteer — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:39:53 -0000

via blogs.suntimes.com

In this latest, third installment of Q&A with very pro-Bear Larry Mayer, Dr. Angelo discusses how the Bears like to conduct business. He also touches on the recent visits of Pace, Lucas, and of course the topic of the whiny QB Jay Cutler. Here's an interesting quote from the professor himself.

We understand the rumors that are out there and we know it is great fodder for the media and our fans to talk about.

It seems as if he's stopped by WCG and seen us in the flesh. Nice!