Richard Dent: Another Sports Miracle

          Richard Dent was a skinny kid in high school and college. That's why its surprising that he actually made it into the NFL as a defensive end. Dent was taken in the 8th round  (203rd overall pick) in the 1983 draft. Nearly three decades later, Dent will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

     Dent, who would later be part of the 1985 Bears, was considered to be a bust after he was drafted. But defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan saw something in Dent. With Ryan's confidence, Dent became a part of the long and proud tradition of the Chicago Bears defense. Dent won Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XX. In the game, Number 95 racked up 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a blocked pass. Dent was even featured in the "Super Bowl Shuffle" with his notable line, "We stop the run, we stop the pass, I like to dump guys on their ass." 

     Dent played for the Bears from 1983 to 1993 and later San Francisco in 1994 , a second stint with the Bears in 1995, the Indianapolis Colts in '96 and finally with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997. With the 49er's Dent would win his 2nd Super Bowl in Super Bowl XXIX. Dent finished his career with over 100 sacks and selected to 4 Pro Bowls, as well as 5 All-Pro teams. Dent will now join fellow 1985 Bears in Canton that includes Dan Hampton, Mike Singletary and Walter Payton.

News In The City

Here is a rundown of the last few days in Chicago sports:
-the Cubs won 4 straight games against the Pittsburgh Pirates last night, 1-0. Shortstop Starlin Castro hit a home run in the 8th.
- The White Sox were absolutely destroyed by the New York Yankees 18-7. I will remember this game, not because I was there, but because my dad, who is a Mets fan, started cheering for the Yankees after the 2nd inning because the Sox were that terrible.
-The Blackhawks extended forward Patrick Sharp's contract for another 5 years.
- The Bears are having their first full pad practice tonight. Everyone on the team is participating in the practice, hopefully we will start to see how some of these signings will be.

St. Louis Spitter

     The other night, St. Louis Cardinal's catcher Yadier Molina was up at the plate in the 10th inning against the Milwaukee Brewers. Molina struck-out looking by home plate umpire Rob Drake. Instantly, Molina starts screaming at Drake, then bumping him with his chest multiple times, then finally spitting on him what appeared to be several times.
     When it comes to sports, I try to be unbiased as possible, so don't take this as a Cubs fan going after Molina because he's on the Cardinals. NO. Roberto Alomar did it, one of the game's all time best and it wasn't right then and it's not now even with the Hall of Fame tag put on the infielder. Anyways, Molina overreacted and showed how 'classy' (wink, wink) he truly is by acting like he is trying to attack Drake, a man who is just doing his job. Molina, who started a brawl between the Reds and Cardinals last season, will most likely hefty fines and a huge suspension from the league for this. I don't get this team. Tony LaRussa is a dick, Molina is too. What the hell do they have to whine about? Also, listen to the Cardinals TV and radio stations DEFENDING Molina with the link below. http://www.sportsgrid.com/mlb/video-yadier-molina-bumps-spits-on-umpire/

Random Happenings

     Well, there isn't a whole lot to talk about or break news about.  The White Sox ended a home series against the Boston Red Sox, losing the series 1-2. They open up a 4 game set at U.S. Cellular Field with the New York Yankees. I'm glad to still see Gavin Floyd and John Danks still on the Southside. GM Kenny Williams was thinking of trading the two before the trade deadline on July 31st, something I don't quite understand as they have been the key to the teams success as they are only 4 games out first place in the AL Central. 
     The Cubs FINALLY won their first game on this current road trip against arch-rival St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs were on a 5 game skid prior to the 6-3 victory. According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, the Cubs are one of the biggest losers (surprise,surprise) when it came to this years trading before the deadline. The Cubs ranked as one of the lowest teams, biggest losers, only sending Kosuke Fukudome to Cleveland, taking most of his salary and getting nothing instant in return. This feels about right.
     Over to the Bears, negotiations are still going on between the Bears and running back Matt Forte. Forte, 26, is looking for a contract extension from his rookie contract. If the Bears blow this one, Jerry Angelo better pack up and hide the rest of his life since every Bears fan in the nation will probably riot and seek the GM with all of past week's headaches. 
     This one is a little late but took a back-burner to all of the Bears news, the Blackhawks are interested in goaltender Ray Emery, who they invited to their training camp and have until October to sign him or not. Emery is making a comeback into the NHL since he was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, where blood stops flowing to the ball of the hip. Since then, Emery has recovered and recorded 7-2 record with a .926 save percentage last season with the Anaheim Ducks. The Blackhawks will most likely go with Corey Crawford to goal tend this season. Alexander Salak, who the Blackhawks signed in May will most likely contend with Emery for the number 2 spot as goalie. The Blackhawks should be wise on sign their backup goalie since Crawford has not fully proven himself in full season in the NHL as a starter. 
     Also, in the NFL, WR Randy Moss hung up the cleats today and is leaving the NFL.

After 13 Seasons Kreutz Is Out, Spencer Moves In

     With the exception of Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester, the greatest post-Payton era Bear would have to be longtime center Olin Kreutz. Kreutz, who played the past 13 seasons for the Chicago Bears, has broken ties with the organization and rejected the Bears contract offer of 1 year, $4 million, stating he wanted $ 4.5 million. Now the Bears are without their best offensive lineman and bring in former Seattle Seahawk center Chris Spencer, who has has played in 80 games, starting 70, in the last 6 seasons with Seattle.
      I don't know what to say. I hope this works out all well and I hope Olin the best, but for the Bears organization, this should have been a lock to get Kreutz back, which I know they desperately tried to do as $500,000 stood in the way. Like I've said before and any Bears fan with a brain should know that the offensive line is what is holding the Bears back, not the defense (I'm putting that there for any idiots reading this) the receivers AND the quarterback.

They Really Do 'Stinks'

     Wow. Is all I can say. Wow. I understand the Cubs suck and I see why they are 23 games below the .500 mark, but today's game against the St. Louis Cardinals proved why the Cubs are truly terrible.
      The Cubs scored 5 unearned runs in the 1st inning on 2 hits. The Cubs would have a total of 3 hits, the last coming in the 9th inning, a double from Marlon Byrd. During this road trip so far, the Cubs have put together a combined 6 runs. Now its up to 11. After the Cubs scored those 5 runs, they should have called it quits and took a forfeit loss because the Cards would go onto destroy Chicago, 13-5.
     I don't know what to say. I didn't think that the Cubs were going to be good this year, but I thought they would be contenders in April, maybe bring it into May. Now the Cubs have 42 wins into late July with 65 losses and it seems like there will be no future for the team. Owner Tom Ricketts says that the only thing wrong with the Cubs are the injuries and that he is still very happy with manager Mike Quade. I'm truly enraged with this team and with the entire organization. I've always been the fan who sticks by the team and still go to games, but I don't want to watch this team, I don't want to give money to this team. I'm always going to be a Cubs fan but you can't always be happy and content with something you love and care about....  

Roy Williams To Bears; G-Reg Moves To Another 7th Floor In Carolina

     A lot of buzz has been surrounding the Bears today. First, Tight End and first round pick Greg Olsen was traded to the Carolina Panthers for a 3rd round draft pick. A lot of fans have been upset with the trade but on the other side of the coin, Olsen simply could not have fit the Mike Martz offense. Olsen was a great receiving tight end and seemed to have great hands, but with Martz, the tight end position is just to be used as blocking. Personally, I was upset at first, but Olsen will be better with a team that will throw to him much more. For the Bears, a blocking tight end will help the struggling offensive line with the blocking.  The Bears have addressed this with the signing of Matt Spaeth, former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end and releasing Brandon Manumaleuna, or better known to fans as  ManumaUSELESS.
     The other news breaking signing that the Bears made today was picking up Wide Receiver Roy Williams, who recently was cut from the Dallas Cowboys. I'm not going to talk stats, but I will say this, I have no clue what to think of this trade. First of all, the Bears, in my opinion, need to address the offensive line the most. Jay Cutler will throw you the ball, IF HE IS STANDING UP! Sure, is Cutler a Manning or Brady? No. But he can't look stellar when he is sitting on his ass because he doesn't have any blocking up front. There have been many quarterbacks in the history of this fine game who shined with sub par receivers and the offensive line made that happen by not letting the opposing defense get to him.
     With that said, I don't know what to think of Williams. He is a guy who's toughness is in question, who would not run routes through the middle, has short alligator arms and who will simply drop the ball. He wasn't what he was suppose to be in Detroit or Dallas, so he will have to prove himself in Chicago. His ego is also a big concern for me. One thing I respect about Jay Cutler, is he is not a flashy guy and it seems that he doesn't want his teammates (at least the ones on offense) to be the same, or he simply will not throw the ball to you. Roy Williams seems to have one of the biggest egos in the game, which he needs to tone down if he wants to make it in this city. As for everybody believing he will be great for Mike Martz, since they are reunited, let me say this.....shut up. For those who don't know or forgot, Martz and Williams were known to have screaming matches, not disagreements, screaming matches all the time in Detroit. I'm done with the Bears for the day, they're making my head spin and giving me grey hairs.
     Before I go, first round draft pick and tackle Gabe Carimi agreed to terms with the Bears, hopefully this works out for the best.

Sox Trade Up For Bullpen Help; Two Eras End In Chicago

     The last few days in Chicago have been eventful. The White Sox and Cubs have both hit the trading spree before the trade deadline on July 31st, while the Bears have been quick to fill their 90 man roster. The Bears long time punter Brad Maynard, a fan favorite and to teammate Robbie Gould "an unsung hero" to the Bears organization, will not be resigned. The Bears told Maynard he would not be coming back after the team's NFC Championship loss the Green Bay Packers. According to several sources,the Bears recently signed punter Adam Podlesh. Podlesh was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Podlesh put up career numbers in 2010 with  43.8-yard gross average, a 39.2-yard net average and 26 punts inside-the-20 and selected as a Pro Bowl alternate. 

     For the Southsiders, pitcher Edwin Jackson and infielder Mark Teahen were traded on Wednesday to the Toronto Blue Jays for relief pitcher Jason Frasor and minor league pitcher Zach Stewart. While Teahen, who batted .203 in 51 games, will stay with the Blue Jays, Jackson was traded then to the St. Louis Cardinals alongside others from the Blue Jays including former Chicago athletes Octavio Dotel and *time for a pause and long angry sigh* Corey Patterson. Jackson, with a record of 7 wins and 7 losses and a 3.92 ERA, became valuable by giving up two runs in 15 innings. For White Sox fans, this is a good trade. Not only do you get a key pitcher in the bullpen who has a 2.98 ERA in 44 games, but you also have a regular 5 man rotation. This whole season the White Sox have been having a hell with a 6 pitcher rotation. One thing I've been questioning is Ozzie putting Phil Humber in the bullpen, a man who surprised everybody. Has he had a few bad starts? Sure. But why Ozzie put him there in the first place just baffles me. With Teahen gone, the White Sox called up outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who homered in his first plate appearance. De Aza may also be taking over the struggling Alex Rios' position.   

     Now onto the Cubs. Waking up this morning and reading that outfielder Kosuke Fukudome was traded to the Cleveland Indians for two prospects, outfielder Abner Abreu and right-hander Carlton Smith. Tyler Colvin was called up to join the team in Milwaukee. Fukudome who was hitting .279 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 87 games, first came to the Cubs in 2008. I'll never forget the hype and excitement that brought to Cubs fans before the season. A Chicago Sun Times headline line read "SAYONARA" with the sub headline being "As the Cubs release Mark Prior, another era in Chicago Cubs history starts" of course meaning the signing of Fukudome.In 2007, the Cubs came out of nowhere to win the division and 2008 looked promising. On Opening Day, the Cubs were down 0-3 in the 9th, when Fukudome smashed a 3-run home run to the right field bleachers. Fukudome would continue to have a great first half, becoming an All Star. Then Fukudome slumped as the Cubs were swept out of the playoffs. As the years went on, Cubs fans grew disappointed in the former Japanese baseball star. Fukudome recently has not been terrible, but not what we wanted. Now the Fukudome era in Chicago has ended. Sayonara Kouske. 

This Past Week

Lets get us all caught up. Sunday marked the first time this season the Cubs have swept a series and won 3 games in a row as well. 3 GAMES IN A ROW!!! Not that hard is it? Well it is the Cubs. Monday, the nation was thrilled to have the NFL lockout end and football will be played this fall and winter. All along I have wanted football to be played like every other American, but now that its here, I'm jacked up. I can't wait for the Bears to start playing again, to see what Jay Cutler can do, to see Urlacher, Briggs, and Peppers crush the opposing offense. My one complaint though goes towards the media world. With the the league reopen and teams reporting to training camp, who honestly cares if Jay Cutler broke off his engagement? I'm sick of hearing about it from everyone. How about we talk about how he looks for the upcoming season.
-Mike

Here I am

Born and raised in the city of Chicago, I became fascinated with movies and music as a child but as I grew older so did my love of sports. My first sports hero was Sammy Sosa and although my opinion and thoughts about him have since changed, I did become an avid Cubs fan in the 1998 season. I currently attend Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where I am majoring in Media Studies. In the summer of 2011, I began my internship with 670 The Score, Chicago's #1 sports station, working on the Mully and Hanley show. I hope someday to be on the radio as a sports show host but really want to be a play by play commentator.